Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Bites
My family is obsessed with these Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Bites! They’re no-bake gems that are chewy, sweet, and salty, and coated with a snappy chocolate shell that delivers the perfect finale… like a mic drop for your taste buds!
They’re a breeze to make, require zero baking, and are the perfect snack to keep in your fridge or freezer for whenever a craving strikes. Whether you’re looking for a gluten-free munchie (just be sure your oats are certified GF), a quick chocolate fix, or a nourishing dessert that still feels super indulgent, this one checks all the boxes!
I included the nutrition info per bite so you can easily do the math depending on how many you nibble on. (For the record, I consider two a serving… but no judgment if you go back for more!).
A quick tip: be sure to use crispy rice cereal—like classic Rice Krispies—not puffed rice, which is lighter and doesn’t provide the same satisfying texture.
In a medium bowl, stir together peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Mix in the oats, cocoa powder, and warm water, then fold in the crispy rice cereal until fully incorporated. The batter will thicken and you’ll be ready to roll!
Create 15 circular bites, placing each on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate. Spoon melted chocolate over the tops and lightly sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Chill in the fridge until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
Why you’ll crave these on repeat
- Crunch + chew: The combo of ingredients creates the perfect texture contrast.
- Chocolate-forward: A touch of cocoa in the base, plus a magic shell-like chocolate “hat”.
- 15-minute prep: No baking, no long list of steps—just mix, roll, coat, chill, enjoy!
- Allergy-friendly: Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free with simple substitutions (see Notes below). You can also make them nut-free by swapping peanut butter with seed butter.
- Fun to customize: Want a boost? Try using chocolate protein powder in place of cocoa powder for extra protein. (Thanks, Gabrielle!)
I made these with my daughter Ayden as a treat while watching the Billy Joel documentary. You know the rule: you can’t start the show without the perfect snack—and can’t eat the snack without the perfect show! Here are a few other things in our TV-watching lineup you should try: Peanut Butter Crispy Treats, Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cups, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Dates!
Whether you enjoy these bite-size treats as an afternoon pick-me-up, post-workout snack, or an indulgent sweet dessert, every rich bite will deliver chocolatey, peanut buttery bliss!
Try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bites or my No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars next!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Bites
Ingredients
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- ½ cup crispy rice cereal, like Rice Krispies
- ½ cup chocolate chips, semi-sweet or dark
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Make the base mixture: In a medium bowl, stir together the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the oats, cocoa powder, and warm water until fully incorporated. Then mix in the crispy rice cereal. The batter will become thicker, less sticky, and more pliable—manageable for rolling into balls.
- Form the bites: Scoop out small clumps of the mixture with your fingers and press them together before rolling into balls gently between your palms. Aim for about 15 equal bites. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate.
- Melt the chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and silky.
- Coat top halves with chocolate & salt: Spoon melted chocolate over the top half of each bite (you can also dip, but it gets a bit messier). Immediately sprinkle a light pinch of coarse sea salt on the wet chocolate side before it sets.
- Chill to set chocolate: Refrigerate the bites for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm.
Do these have to be stored in the fridge or can they be left out in a container?
Hi Heather! I keep mine in the fridge for up to a week; it helps keep the outer chocolate shell snappy and firm. I also always have a batch in the freezer (they’ll last in the freezer for up to 2 months….I let them defrost on the counter or in the fridge when I’m ready to enjoy). Hoping you love ’em!
What could I change or incorporate to bump up the protein to more than 2 grams a serving?
Hi Sandra! You can swap 1 Tbsp cocoa powder for chocolate protein powder. I’m not sure if the batter can handle 2 Tbsp protein powder, but you can certainly try… and if it’s too dry, add a tad more water to moisten it back up. Hope this helps!
Looks so easy and good. I am going to try it tomorrow.
I think you’re gonna love this one, Marilyn!!
Yummy and easy to make. Did tweek it a little. Put extra tablespoon of peanut butter and water in.
So happy you enjoyed these bites, Ellen!!
So good! I subbed chocolate protein powder for the Cocoa powder.
Hi Gabrielle! Great swap for an extra protein boost…. so happy you enjoyed these bites!
Looking forward to making this delicious treat. I love all the ingredients already. Thank you for always making food more satisfying and healthier.
That’s so kind—-thank you for being here and for your sweet note! I’m excited for you to try this one….it’s become a quick favorite in my house!!
Could you help me with adjusting the recipe if I don’t have the rice crispies? I want to try with just the oats.
Thank you!
Hi Terry! You can keep the recipe the same and simply omit the crispy cereal. They’ll just be a bit chewier (without the subtle crunch). Hoping you love them!
These are the bomb! Better than a store bought granola bar.
So happy you’re loving them, Cat!!
I saw these on the Today show last week and made them for my kids over the weekend. HUGE hit!!! My kids asked me if I can put them in their lunchbox when school starts. Thanks, Joy!!
So happy to hear your kids are loving these yummy bites, Morgan! Our biggest compliment 😉 If you have a peanut free school… simply swap the PB for sunflower seed butter.
PB Bites: I’m not a maple syrup fan; will these work with the same measurement of honey? More? Less?
Thank you!
Hi Nia! Yes, it’s an even swap with honey. Simply sub 2 tablespoons honey for the 2 tablespoons maple syrup. We hope you enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Amazingly delicious and easy to make. I will need to double or triple the recipe next time. I made 12 and they weren’t enough. I too love chocolate and peanut butter. Great great recipe!!!
Yay, Lynn! I’m so happy you loved them. Doubling (or tripling!) the recipe is a smart move… they really do disappear fast, haha. Thanks for the sweet note!
These look delicious! How would I make them for diabetic?
Hi Denise! A few tips for making them without sugar: swap the maple syrup for a sugar free version and use sugar-free chocolate chips (I like the brand ChocZero–it’s delicious and melts well). If you want to increase the protein, you can also swap the 1 Tbsp cocoa powder for the same amount of chocolate protein powder. If you try them, let me know what you think!!
I just made them. Yes, very good indeed. I froze them and will serve after lunch with coffee. Next time I will put expresso powder in them, that will give them some super power!!!
Brenda! Espresso powder is such a brilliant idea…it’ll deepen the chocolatey flavor, add a slight mocha spin, and give em a gentle caffeine kick… loooove it! Just a tiny heads-up: if you’re pulling them straight from the freezer, give them a little time in the fridge or on the counter first so they soften up (I don’t want you to hurt your teeth). Thanks for sharing this wonderful review!!
WAIT… in the spirit of research, I just ate one straight from the freezer and it was fabulous. Chilled and super-firm but with a nice chew. No need to defrost if you enjoy them this way!
Loved these!
So thrilled you enjoyed them, Katy!!
My husband and I loved these.
Can I swap sugar free syrup for the Pure maple (we are diabetic)?
Can I swap quick oats for old fashioned?
Thanks so much Joy, Love your recipes…always simple, tasty and healthier versions of what we love! Please keep them coming 🙂
Aww thank you so much for all of these kind words, Katy! Yes to both swaps: You can absolutely use sugar-free syrup instead of pure maple…and quick oats will work as well (they’ll give the bites a slightly softer, chewier texture, but still delish!)
Sending big hugs, and I’ll definitely keep the recipes coming!!
I made the bites first, and they were so good, I made the squares to put in the freezer! Hopefully this will keep my husband away from our local bakery when he wants his chocolate peanut butter fix! Thank you for coming up with creative, healthier options.
Hi Lisa! I’m so glad you’re loving these recipes… and I LOOOOVE your strategy to keep your husband away from the bakery (brilliant and delicious, haha) Thank you for the sweet note — I’ll keep the options coming!
Love this recipe, but Kelloggs Rice Krispies are not gluten free, so if you have Gluten issues make sure you look for Both oats and crispy rice cereal that are gluten free.
You’re absolutely right, Judy — and thank you so much for pointing that out! Kellogg’s Rice Krispies aren’t gluten-free…I’ll add that into the recipe notes right now and list a few brands that are. I’m grateful you mentioned that and so glad you love this recipe!
Hi Joy and thank you for this recipe!
I found out I have an allergy to oats (can you believe it?!)… I used oats and oat milk and never knew it.
Can these be made without oats? Or is there a substitute for oats?
Thank you!
Janet
Hi Janet, what a surprise to discover! Yes, you can swap the rolled oats for blanched almond flour and that’s all you’ll need to change. The texture will be a bit different (more soft and truffle-like), but they’ll still be delicious. If you try this swap, let me know how they come out!
These are SO GOOD! I’ve made them twice already lol! I doubled the recipe both times and on the second batch, I dipped some in melted butterscotch chips….to die for lol!! I also love the salt on top for the perfect finish. Definitely a super fun and delicious keeper!
Maryn, I’m so happy you’re loving them (and doubling the batch is a smart move!). The butterscotch dip sounds next-level… thanks for sharing!!
Delicious I used Date syrup
Family loves them
Hi Nancy! So glad you and your family loved them! Date syrup sounds like such a delicious swap—thanks for sharing your twist! ❤️
— Olivia
These look delicious ! Can agave or or honey be substituted for maple syrup? Thank you
Hi Eileen! You can swap the maple syrup for agave or honey — either will work just fine. Honey will give a slightly richer, more floral sweetness, and agave will be a bit more mild. Hoping you love them!
These are absolutely delicious! I will make them again. I think the suggestion of making them into bars may be a better choice. I did have trouble getting them to stay together in balls, and I only had 9 instead of 15. I used the pink Himalayan Salt, sprinkled over the melted chocolate, so good.
Hi Valerie! We’re so happy that you loved these bites. And yes, please try out the bar version and be sure to let us know what you think.Yum! Pink Himalayan salt, melted chocolate, oh my! You can guess what we’re making next! — Eliza (Team Joy)
We are fans of the traditional chocolate peanut butter balls (the ones with all the powdered sugar) but we only make them once a year. This recipe is so good! Now we have an alternative that still allows us to have that small bite of chocolate goodness. My husband already said he wants to take some to work tomorrow. Thank you for this yummy recipe!
Rachel — I love this! I’m so happy these bites can be your go-to version of that classic treat. Still all the chocolate-peanut butter goodness, just lightened up. Thank you for sharing this wonderful review!
Can the base be baked to make them crispy and a flavor that’s not so raw?
Hi Karen, Joy has never tried baking this recipe. She specifically developed it for a simple, raw and chewy experience….so sorry we can’t be helpful on this one. If Joy does try baking these, we will let you know how it goes! If you’re looking for a treat with a firmer texture and some delicious crispiness, these 2-ingredient crunch bars may do the trick (again, they don’t need to be baked either). Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Very good recipe and healthy too! I’ll be making these again
Hi Karen! We’re so happy to hear that you love these as much as we do! They are so peanut buttery and delicious. We’re sure you’ll love them even more the second time around. Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
These are delicious! I gave them four stars because it was impossible to roll these into balls. The mixture was sticky and got all over my hands. I ended up scooping the dough with two spoons and positioning it on the cookie sheet and pressing it together with the spoons. Mine are more clumps than balls, but still yummy! I would appreciate advice on how to make this easier next time!
Hi Kat! We’re so glad you enjoyed these yummy bites…but sorry about the sticky situation! The mixture can definitely be a little messy to work with. A few tricks that might help: lightly coat your hands (or a small cookie scoop) with cooking spray or a touch of oil before rolling, or chill the mixture in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to help it firm up. I also love your spoon method — super smart improvisation!
And if you’d rather skip the rolling altogether, you can easily turn them into bars. Just press the mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8 pan, top with melted chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt, then chill in the fridge until firm. Slice into squares and enjoy! We hope you’ll try it out again and let us know how it goes! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Beyond yummy!!!
Thank you, Kerri! We wholeheartedly agree! So glad you loved these bites as much as we do! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Love these. I have made two batches in two days. I used protein powder instead of cocoa powder and added cinnamon too. My hubs said they arw one of my best. Thanks Joy! Barby
Hi Barby! WOW! Two batches in two days….we LOVE to hear it! Protein powder is a great sub to boost the protein content (although it may change the flavor a bit), and we’re always fans of cinnamon. So glad your husband enjoyed them as well! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Just made these for the second time. This time around I added coconut and pecans and some cinnamon. I also dipped the rolled balls in coconut instead of chocolate as I didn’t have any chocolate chips and was too lazy to run to the store! They turned out AMAZING!! Love love these……maybe too much! LOL!!
I love this, Annie!! Coconut, pecans, and cinnamon is a dreamy combo. And dipping them in coconut instead of chocolate? This is so funny….you’re actually ahead of me on that one…I have “roll them in coconut” on my list to try, haha. So I’m thrilled to hear it worked out beautifully. Thanks for sharing your fun twist!!
So easy and so good! Thank you!
Hi CM! We’re so glad to hear that you loved this recipe! Thanks for your feedback 🙂 — Eliza (Team Joy)
Will all natural peanut butter work?
Absolutely, Brandy! Just give it a good stir so it’s nice and creamy before mixing in the other ingredients. Hoping you love this one!
Dangerously delicious! I told my husband the bites were cooling in the freezer for a bit. When I moved them to the fridge, several were missing. I reminded my husband that the serving size was one bite. His reply was a shrug and “You said they were healthy.”
Judi, I’m still giggling over your husband’s “you said they were healthy” shrug!!
And just so he feels better: one serving is really two bites in my world… I simply give the nutrition info for one bite so it’s super easy for everyone to scale up and know the numbers if they want 2 or 3… or more haha. So happy you’re enjoying them!!
I made them to take to a friend’s house. Made them with the protein powder and tasted good but I expected more “crispy”. Instead they seemed soggy…. yes, I used rice cereal. Wondering about the warm water if the 1 Tbsp was the issue? How do I make them crispier?
Hi Krista! Oh no…thank you for telling me (and I’m glad the flavor was still good!). A few things can make them turn out less crispy:
-Too much moisture: even a little extra water can soften the cereal. That 1 Tbsp should be just enough to help the mixture come together…so if it was a heaping tablespoon, or the mix already felt loose, it can tip things soggy.
-Cereal type: sounds like you used the right type of “crispy” cereal (like Rice Krispies), but just in case, “puffed” rice cereal will not work.
For crispier bites next time:
1. Start with less water (try 1–2 teaspoons) and only add more if needed.
2. Fold in a touch more cereal (a few extra tablespoons) until the mix looks well-coated but not wet.
3. Chill until fully set, then store cold in an airtight container.
Hoping round two yields that snappier crunch!!
Can PB2 be used in place of full fat peanut butter?
Hi Margie! I haven’t tested it with PB2 yet, but in theory it should work if you reconstitute the powder first. Mix the PB2 with enough water to create ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter consistency (since that’s what the recipe calls for with regular peanut butter), then use it as directed. The texture may be slightly less rich since you’re removing the natural peanut oils, but it should still hold together.
If you try it, please report back…I’d love to hear how it turns out!!
Delicious! Perfect size for after dinner for a sweet treat and at only 70 calories it’s easy to have two! I love the chocolate and peanut butter flavor. The Rice Krispies add a great crunch. My husband loves them too!
This makes me so happy to read, Joyce!!! Thanks for sharing…and for cooking along with me 😉
Delicious! Can’t eat just one!
You’re so right, Marie!! It’s tough to eat just one 😉 So glad you loved this recipe! — Eliza (Team Joy)