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Salted Peanut Chews are made from layers of peanut butter cookie crust, marshmallow, and crunchy peanut topping. They’re salty & sweet!

If you are a peanut butter fan, and love desserts, Salted Peanut Chews are for you! Feed that peanut hankering with Peanut Butter Cookie Cake and ever popular Peanut Butter Balls.

Salted peanut chews cut in squares and served on a plate.
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Peanut butter lovers

If you love Pay Day candy bars, you will definitely dig these Salted Peanut Chews. Not only do they have that sweet and salty vibe, there’s a layer of marshmallow. So yummy!

I didn’t even mention that the base is a peanut butter cookie crust, and the other layer is a crunchy peanut + rice krispies combo. Can this get any better?!

While there are several layers, and lots going on, it’s actually quite easy to make. And the flavors meld together into chewy perfection.

It’s a go to bar treat for anyone who loves peanuts!

Cookie crust for salted peanut chews in a white baking dish.

How to make salted peanut chews

PREP. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 pan. Set aside.

COOKIE CRUST. Mix cookie mix, oil, water and egg in a large bowl until combined and a soft dough forms. Press this mixture into the bottom of your greased pan.

MARSHMALLOWS. Bake this for 12 – 14 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle on marshmallows and put back in oven for 1 – 2 minutes or until the marshmallows puff up.

SAUCE. In a large pot, add corn syrup, butter, vanilla and peanut butter chips and cook on low heat. Stir constantly until all combined and chips are melted.

RICE KRISPIES. Remove this mixture from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies and nuts. Spoon mixture evenly over the marshmallows, trying to cover them all.

CHILL. Let cool until set or refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

Marshmallow layer of salted peanut chews recipe.

Tips + Variations

Change up the base flavor: Omit the peanut butter cookie mix, vegetable oil, water and egg. Replace it with 1lb 15 oz premade cookie dough. Not only can you use refrigerated or homemade dough, but you can change up the flavor and use sugar cookie dough or chocolate chip cookie dough. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until set.

More variations: You can use other flavors of candy chips to mix things up a bit. Milk chocolate or white chocolate chips would both be delicious. 

Another idea is to make it as is, but drizzle melted chocolate over the top.

Marshmallows: If you don’t have mini marshmallows you can use 24 large marshmallows in the recipe. 

  • Be sure the marshmallows are fresh. Older marshmallows will not puff up as well or cling to the cookie base. 
  • Work quickly to add the topping to the marschmellows as they harden quickly. 

Clean Cuts: Lining the baking pan with parchment paper before pressing in the cookie dough. After you have completed the recipe, allow the chews to set. You can refrigerate 30-40 minutes to set more quickly. Use the parchment paper to lift the block out of the pan and use a sharp knife to cut into bars. 

Adding final layer of easy salted peanut chews.

Storing Info

STORE bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

To FREEZE, wrap each bar with plastic wrap, or use fold top sandwich bags. Place them together in a freezer Ziploc. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months

Salted peanut chews cut and served on a white plate.

For more Sweet + Salty Peanut Recipes, try:

5 from 6 votes

Salted Peanut Chews Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Salted Peanut Chews are made from layers of peanut butter cookie crust, marshmallow, and crunchy peanut topping. They're salty & sweet!
Servings: 15
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
Chill: 30 minutes
Total: 49 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 pouch Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix, 1 lb. 1.5 oz size
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 egg
  • 3 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 2/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 10 oz. bag peanut butter chips
  • 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 2 cups peanuts, salted

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 pan. Set aside.
  • Mix cookie mix, oil, water and egg in a large bowl until combined and a soft dough forms. Press this mixture into the bottom of your greased pan.
  • Bake this for 12 – 14 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle on marshmallows and put back in oven for 1 – 2 minutes or until the marshmallows puff up.
  • In a large pot, add corn syrup, butter, vanilla and peanut butter chips and cook on low heat. Stir constantly until all combined and chips are melted.
  • Remove this mixture from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies and nuts. Spoon mixture evenly over the marshmallows, trying to cover them all.
  • Let cool until set or refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 344mg, Potassium: 156mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 359IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

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5 from 6 votes

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Recipe Rating




8 Comments

  1. Cassie says:

    5 stars
    this was such an unexpected but absolutely delicious recipe to make for my friends and I! Thank you for sharing!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Glad to share!! Thank you for sharing the recipe with your friends!

  2. Betsy says:

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness! I have not had these in years!! They brought back all sorts of memories! LOVE these! So scrummy! So delicious! I can’t believe how easy these were!!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay, for good memories!! Thank you for trying them & letting me know!

  3. Kara says:

    5 stars
    I used half a batch of my homemade peanut butter cookie dough for the crust, and oh my gosh – these are amazing! The salty sweet combo is perfect, and I love anything with peanut butter. 🙂

  4. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    A peanut chew that will satisfy any nut craving. Peanut butter, nuts and marshmallows makes a great bar!

  5. Joy says:

    5 stars
    My family devoured these!! Love the different textures..chewy & crunchy!

  6. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    My kids who like peanut butter loved these bars. Using premade dough really sped up the process. Overall a yummy and easy treat.