No-bake Crispy Peanut Butter Fudge is smooth, luscious, and a little crunchy thanks to the rice krispies. Make it on the stove or in the microwave!
The best peanut butter fudge recipe
I can never get enough of creamy homemade fudge. Whether I’m snacking on chocolate fudge and pumpkin fudge in the fall or tuxedo fudge around the holidays, each bite is always so smooth and addicting.
This recipe for Crispy Peanut Butter Fudge is always a hit in my house and I often have to hide it so we don’t eat it all in one sitting! Creamy peanut butter is mixed with sugar, butter, milk, and crispy rice cereal before it’s melted down and poured into a dish to set in the fridge with no baking at all. That’s really how easy it is!
The best part? It’s made with 7 easy ingredients using just in 1 pot on the stove or in the microwave. You can forget all about the sticky cleanup or too many dishes in the sink.
This fun and easy peanut butter fudge recipe will have your whole family addicted, just like mine. You can even have fun with it by adding in nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, or any of your favorite cereals for texture and flavor. The flavor combinations are truly endless!
How to make peanut butter fudge
Who knew homemade fudge could be so easy to make? Whether you make it on the stovetop or in the microwave, the sweet and nutty mixture comes together in minutes before it sets in the fridge for a few hours. Here’s how to make this delicious make-ahead dessert:
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and milk before bringing the mixture to a boil. Stir, then remove it from the heat.
Stir the peanut butter, confectioners sugar, and vanilla into the butter and sugar mixture, then fold in the rice crispy treats.
Pour the soft fudge into an 8×8 pan (I love these nonstick pans) and sprinkle a few tablespoons of rice krispies on top.
Let the peanut butter fudge set in the fridge overnight before cutting and serving.
How to make microwave peanut butter fudge
- Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and peanut butter. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Stir the powdered sugar into the peanut butter mixture in batches until a smooth fudge forms.
- Fold in the rice crispy treats, then pour the fudge into your pan. Add some extra rice crispy cereal on top, then let the fudge chill in the fridge overnight.
Tips and tricks
- To cut fudge easily, run a sharp knife under hot water. The blade should glide right through the cold fudge, making the perfect square.
- Chill for at least 6 hours or overnight before serving. The fudge will not be set if it’s taken out any earlier and be too sticky or soft to eat.
- You can stir fun add-ins into the fudge, like chocolate chips, dried fruit, chopped nuts, your favorite cereal, or candy.
- Don’t like peanut butter? Try making this recipe with almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free fudge.
Storing and freezing fudge
Storing: Make sure the leftovers are tightly wrapped in plastic before placing them in the fridge (this keeps the fudge from drying out). It should last for up to 1 week.
Freezing: Place the fudge squares in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can also freeze a whole block of fudge by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then placing it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
More peanut butter desserts to try
- Peanut Butter Donuts
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Homemade Peanut Butter Oreos
- Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Pin for later:
Crispy Peanut Butter Fudge
PrintIngredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups confectioners powdered sugar
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Once melted, stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute.
- Remove saucepan from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Add confectioners powdered sugar and rice cereal and continue to mix until fully combined.
- Spray a 8×8 pan with nonstick spray. Pour fudge mixture into the pan.
- Optional: Add 2-3 tablespoons of rice cereal on top of the fudge if you want a crispy top (I recommend this). Push cereal lightly down with a spatula so it sets in the fudge.
- Cover and place in refrigerator to chill overnight. Once cooled and set, cut into small squares. Enjoy!
Jd says
This is the closest thing to peanutbutter rice krispie treats from my old elementary schools cafeteria in the 80s. It’s very good and with a few tweaks I’m hoping I can recreate a lunch lady recipe.
H.C. says
If I made this fudge I would save it all for myself not give any to anybody else other than maybe my parrents
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I wish you were my neighbor. Then I would invite you over for coffee and you could bring this. And I would finish that pan of awesomeness with you. Cause that’s what friends do 🙂
Looks delish – can’t wait to try!!
Pamela says
I wish this was true! What a great fudge time that would be! 🙂
Stephanie says
I was reading this post with the usual amount of “oh man, I want to eat that, I should totally make that” until I read which peanut butter brand you used.
Which.. of course.. I had never heard of. Because I’m in Canada with only a few brands and only a few flavors within each brand, and you are in America with so many more peanut butter brands to choose from! So jealous! So now I can’t stop thinking about all these other peanut butter brands I may have never tried. 🙁
Pamela says
If you ever visit, you will have to stock up! Peanut Butter & Co is my favorite, and there’s so many kinds to try! They’re all so dreamy!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
I am SO going to bribe people with these.
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I will take some fudge away from you!
Pamela says
Hahaha, it’s so addicting Julianne.. and so yummy…
Beth says
Ha! You have totally sold me on this fudge recipe!
Pamela says
It’s a yummy treat… enjoy Beth!
Sophie says
I made these beauties today they were super Yummy, my friend!
Divine treats!!!!!! ☺
Pamela says
Thanks for letting me know Sophie, so happy you thought they were yummy! I can’t get enough…
Joy @Baking-Joy says
Oh my word. I need to make this right now. As soon as I am back from holiday this will be in my life 🙂
Pamela says
It will be like 2 holidays then! 🙂 Enjoy!
Je$$ie says
Bahahaha The Cure.
Pamela says
Perfect song for this fudge!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
I’ll gladly take this fudge off your hands!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
LOL! Sounds like an idea theme song for this fudge. I love anything having to do with peanut butter so I’m all over these. 🙂
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
My brother just saw these and now he won’t stop yelling until I make these haha. They look wonderful, actually. Pb fudge is my favourite! (and apparently it’s my brother’s too, someone tell him to shut up!) ;–)
Pamela says
Hahaha, you made me laugh. Well you will the best sister ever, that’s for sure. 🙂