Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars are chewy, crunchy, and loaded with gooey marshmallows, creamy peanut butter, chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Reese’s Pieces for the ultimate no-bake peanut butter treat!

Can’t get enough of that sweet and salty peanut butter goodness? My Captain Crunch Peanut Butter Puppy Chow is another must-make treat that’s packed with crunch and just as addictively delicious!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

If you love chocolate and peanut butter, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars are going to be your new favorite treat! They’re loaded with crunchy Cap’n Crunch cereal, gooey melted marshmallows, creamy peanut butter, chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Reese’s Pieces. Basically, all the best things come together in one ridiculously delicious no-bake dessert!

These easy Cap’n Crunch cereal bars are perfectly chewy, crunchy, and packed with peanut butter flavor in every bite. The marshmallow and peanut butter mixture holds everything together, while the cereal adds that sweet, crispy crunch. Then you get little bites of chocolate and peanut butter from the chopped Reese’s cups throughout, with even more peanut butter goodness drizzled over the top and finished with Reese’s Pieces. What’s not to love?!

One of my favorite things about these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cereal Bars is how easy they are to make. No baking required, just a few simple ingredients and a little time to let them chill until firm. They’re perfect when you’re craving something sweet but don’t feel like turning on the oven!

I also love how fun and nostalgic these bars are. Cap’n Crunch is one of those cereals that most of us grew up eating, and turning it into a delicious dessert is such a fun way to enjoy it! Add in two kinds of Reese’s candy, and you’ve got a treat that’s hard to resist. They’re sweet, a little salty, full of texture, and definitely not lacking in peanut butter flavor!

Ingredients you’ll need:

Cap’n Crunch cereal: The star of the recipe! Regular Cap’n Crunch cereal gives these bars their signature crunch and delicious sweet flavor. You can also use Captain Crunch as an alternative search term when looking for this cereal.
Mini marshmallows: Melted marshmallows help bind everything together while creating that soft, gooey, chewy texture.
Creamy peanut butter: Adds rich peanut butter flavor to the marshmallow mixture and makes these cereal bars extra delicious. Creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth, easy-to-mix consistency.
Butter: Helps melt the marshmallows smoothly and adds richness to the cereal mixture. You’ll also use additional butter in the peanut butter drizzle.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped Reese’s cups get folded into the cereal mixture, giving you little pockets of chocolate and peanut butter throughout every bar.
Reese’s Pieces: These colorful peanut butter candies are sprinkled over the top for the perfect finishing touch!

If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars are about to become your new favorite no-bake treat! Made with crunchy Cap’n Crunch cereal, gooey melted marshmallows, creamy peanut butter, and plenty of chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, these cereal bars are packed with peanut butter flavor in every bite. And because you can never have too much Reese’s, they’re finished with a generous drizzle of melted peanut butter and butter and a sprinkle of Reese’s Pieces!

These no-bake peanut butter cereal bars are the perfect combination of chewy, crunchy, gooey, and chocolatey. They’re incredibly easy to make, require just a handful of simple ingredients, and don’t even require turning on your oven. Simply melt, mix, press, drizzle, and chill!

Whether you’re looking for an easy dessert to share with friends, a fun after-school treat, a party dessert, or a creative way to use everyone’s favorite Cap’n Crunch cereal, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars are guaranteed to be a hit. They’re nostalgic, indulgent, and loaded with all the peanut butter goodness you could want!

How to make the best Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars:

Pour your Cap’n Crunch cereal into a large mixing bowl, then set it aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine mini marshmallows, 1 cup peanut butter, and ¼ cup butter. Stir until completely melted and smooth.
Remove from the heat, then pour the marshmallow and peanut butter mixture into your bowl of cereal and stir until all of the cereal is coated.
Fold in the chopped peanut butter cups, then transfer the mixture into a parchment paper lined 9×13 inch baking pan and press into an even layer.
Place the remaining peanut butter and butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
Drizzle the melted peanut butter mixture over the cereal bars, then sprinkle the Reese’s Pieces on top.
Place the pan in the fridge to chill for about an hour before slicing into equal sized squares for serving!

There’s lots of reasons to love these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars! First of all, they’re loaded with Reese’s! Between the creamy peanut butter, chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Reese’s Pieces on top, these bars are a peanut butter lover’s dream. Every bite has the perfect combination of chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallow, and crunchy cereal.

I also love that they’re a fun twist on traditional cereal treats. We all know and love Cap’n Crunch cereal, but have you ever thought about turning it into a dessert bar? The sweet, crunchy cereal pairs perfectly with the gooey marshmallow mixture, making these bars extra delicious.

And did I mention they’re no-bake? They’re incredibly easy to throw together and make a great dessert for parties, potlucks, holidays, or just because you’re craving something sweet. They’re also easy to make ahead of time, so you can have a fun homemade treat ready whenever you need one!

FAQ:

Can I use Captain Crunch instead of Cap’n Crunch cereal?

Absolutely! Captain Crunch and Cap’n Crunch are simply different ways people refer to the same cereal. Regular Cap’n Crunch cereal is what I recommend for this recipe, and it gives the bars their signature sweet, crunchy texture.

Do Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars need to be refrigerated?

They don’t necessarily have to be refrigerated, but chilling them helps the bars firm up and makes them easier to cut into squares. You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. I personally prefer keeping them chilled!

Can I make these Reese’s cereal bars ahead of time?

Yes! These are a great make-ahead dessert. You can prepare them a day in advance and keep them covered until you’re ready to serve. They’re perfect for parties, potlucks, holidays, and other gatherings.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

You can, but I recommend using creamy peanut butter for the best texture. It melts smoothly into the marshmallow mixture and makes it easier to coat the cereal evenly. The Cap’n Crunch and Reese’s Pieces already provide plenty of crunch!

Why are my cereal bars hard instead of chewy?

This usually happens when the marshmallow mixture gets overheated or the cereal mixture is pressed too firmly into the pan. Keep the heat low when melting the marshmallows and gently press the mixture into your pan rather than packing it down.

Can I use a different cereal?

Sure! While Cap’n Crunch cereal is what makes this recipe unique, you can experiment with other cereals if you’d like. Just remember that the flavor and texture will be a little different depending on what you use.

Can I freeze Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars?

You can freeze them in an airtight, freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers. Let them thaw before serving. Keep in mind that the cereal may lose a little of its crunch after freezing and thawing.

If you’re a peanut butter lover, these bars are an absolute must-make! They take everything we love about classic marshmallow cereal treats and make them even better with crunchy Cap’n Crunch cereal, creamy peanut butter, chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Reese’s Pieces.

I love how easy they are to throw together, especially when you’re craving something sweet but don’t feel like baking. The combination of gooey marshmallow, crunchy cereal, and all that chocolate peanut butter goodness makes every bite completely irresistible.

They’re fun, colorful, easy to transport, and perfect for sharing. Plus, who can resist a dessert that’s loaded with not one but TWO kinds of Reese’s candy?

Whether you’re making them for a party, sharing them with family, or simply treating yourself to something sweet, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars are sure to become a new favorite!

My top tips:

MELTING: Use low heat when melting. Marshmallows can become tough if overheated, so keep the heat low and stir frequently until smooth.
CEREAL: Try to not crush the cereal. Gently fold the Cap’n Crunch into the marshmallow mixture to preserve as much of that delicious crunch as possible.
COOLING: Let the mixture cool slightly before adding the Reese’s cups. This helps keep the chocolate and peanut butter pieces from melting too much when folded in.
PRESSING INTO THE PAN: Don’t pack the mixture too tightly. Gently pressing the cereal mixture into the pan will help keep the bars soft and chewy instead of hard and compact.
TOPPING: Add the Reese’s Pieces right away! Sprinkle them over the melted peanut butter drizzle before it sets so they stay in place.
CHILLING: Give them enough time to chill. Refrigerating the bars until firm makes them much easier to cut into neat squares.
STORING: Store your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For the best chewy texture, allow refrigerated bars to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. Keep them stored in a cool place to prevent the peanut butter drizzle and chocolate from becoming too soft.

Looking for more chocolate and peanut butter treats? Check these out!

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