These no-bake rice krispie treats are super easy to make and incredibly delicious! You won’t be able to resist reaching for more than one!
What’s in this Rice Krispie Treat Recipe?
If you love to bite into a delicious Rice Krispie treat, knowing how to make your own at home makes them that much better. It’s a bonus that these no-bake cereal treats are super easy to make for any occasion.
- Butter: I like to use salted butter, but if you don’t have any, you can use unsalted butter and a pinch of kosher salt. I do not recommend using margarine.
- Marshmallows: You’ll need 4 cups of mini marshmallows. If you have any left over, you can stir them into the treats whole! You could also use a 7-ounce tub of marshmallow fluff instead!
- Rice Krispies Cereal: You can use generic crispy rice cereal instead; just make sure it hasn’t gone stale!
Pro Tip: Line or grease the baking pan to prevent the treats from sticking!
Variations on a Rice Krispie Treat
There are so many fun ways to change up these Rice Krispie treats. Try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon of almond extract, or 1 tablespoon of flavored gelatin or pudding mix to pump up the flavor. You could also brown the butter for richer-tasting treats.
Switch out the cereal to make Lucky Charms treats, Fruity Pebbles treats, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch bars; add chocolate chips to make Chocolate Rice Krispie treats; or fold in some candies or snacks, such as M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, Candy Corn, mini pretzels, colored sprinkles, chopped Oreos, or whole mini marshmallows.
Trademark Note: In the spirit of transparency, I want to note that some of these ingredients are trademarked products. Kellogg’s is a proprietary brand that I want to acknowledge and give credit to.
Not necessarily! While Rice Krispies cereal is made from rice, it also contains malt, which is made from barley and may contain gluten. To ensure your treats are gluten-free, look for the Rice Krispies that are labelled as certified gluten-free!
To be honest, not really! While they are relatively low in fat, they are high in carbs and contain a good amount of sugar. Plus, they aren’t super filling so it can be easy to over do it! Everything in moderation!
At room temperature, these treats will last for about 3 days before they start to get hard. I do not recommend refrigerating them, as this can make them brittle. The treats will stay good for longer than 3 days, but they will need to be microwaved to soften them back up!
Yes! Place the cut treats in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let the treats stand at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
As much as it seems harmless, I really don’t recommend it. Rice Krispies don’t have much nutritional value for dogs, and marshmallows can be a source of xylitol, a deadly sweetener! Better safe than sorry when it comes to our furry friends!
Too much marshmallow and butter can make Rice Krispie treats sticky. Also, using marshmallow fluff in place of the marshmallows can make the treats stickier than usual. To combat this, simply add a bit more cereal!
You may have overcooked the marshmallows when melting them, leading to hard treats, or you may have packed the mixture too tightly into the pan. Keep an eye on the marshmallows as they melt, and gently pack the mixture into the pan.
How to Make Ahead and Store
While I believe that Rice Krispie treats are best enjoyed on the day they are made, you can make them up to 1 day in advance and store them tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature.
Store leftover Rice Krispie treats in the original pan tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 3 days. Slice off servings as you eat them to keep the treats softer for longer. I do not recommend refrigerating Rice Krispie treats, as this can make them brittle.
How to Freeze
Freeze cut Rice Krispie treats in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag with layers separated by wax paper to store for up to 6 weeks. Let thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Rice Krispie treats are a great low-calorie sweet treat! Pair them with a glass of milk, a copycat frosty, or a cup of hot cocoa or coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up!
Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter 42 grams (⅜ stick)
- 4 cups miniature marshmallows 172 grams (about 6 ounces) – see note
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal 168 grams
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 baking pan with wax paper, or coat with butter.
Stovetop Instructions
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, stirring continuously. Once melted, add in the marshmallows and continue stirring until they have completely melted with the butter. Remove from stovetop.3 tablespoons salted butter, 4 cups miniature marshmallows
- Pour in the Rice Krispies and stir until they are evenly coated with the melted marshmallow and butter.6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Use a lightly sprayed rubber spatula, and pour the krispie mixture into the pan. Use the back of the spatula or a piece of wax paper over the treats, and press them into the pan. Allow the treats to cool and the marshmallows to set for about 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
Microwave Instructions
- In an extra-large microwave-safe large bowl, melt marshmallows for about 2-3 minutes. The marshmallows will expand as they heat up.4 cups miniature marshmallows
- Once melted, remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the butter into the marshmallows. Pour in the Rice Krispie cereal and stir to combine.3 tablespoons salted butter, 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Use a lightly sprayed rubber spatula, and pour the krispie mixture into the pan. Use the back of the spatula or a piece of wax paper over the treats, and press them into the pan. Allow the treats to cool and the marshmallows to set for about 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Note: A 7-ounce tub of marshmallow creme can be substituted for the marshmallows.
- Use fresh cereal and fresh marshmallows; stale just won’t work!
- I like to use salted butter, but you could also use unsalted.
- Line or grease the baking pan to prevent the treats from sticking!
- Toss some extra marshmallows in with the cereal for pockets of marshmallowy goodness!
- GENTLY press the bars into the pan. If packed too firm, they will become hard!
- Let the treats set for at least 30 minutes before cutting to avoid a sticky mess!
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