Rice Krispies Treats are a classic dessert that is loved by kids and adults alike. These chewy, crunchy, sticky-sweet treats are easy to make from scratch in just a few simple steps using only 3 ingredients! They’re bursting with buttery marshmallow flavor and the crackle of the popped rice makes them perfectly irresistible.
It takes just 15 minutes to prep and an hour to let them set, but these rice crispy squares are totally worth it. They are perfect to serve for any occasion. Whether you are hosting a party, looking for an after-school snack, or craving something sweet, rice crispy treats are a delicious and nostalgic choice.
Why You'll Love these Rice Krispies Treats
- Easy to make. It only takes 3 ingredients, 15 minutes of effort, and an hour of patience to make these classic rice krispies treats from scratch! No filler ingredients or pastry-school techniques necessary.
- Quick no bake dessert. You don’t even need an oven to make these. Just melt butter, mix in the marshmallows, coat the cereal, and press it into the pan to set! It couldn’t be easier to make rice crispy treats from scratch, and your whole family can get involved with the process.
- Endlessly customizable. These rice crispy treats are the perfect blank canvas for your imagination to run wild. You can add as much or as little mix-ins to them as you like, or leave them plain to savor the buttery marshmallow flavor!
- Serve them any time. Rice crispy squares are so tasty you’ll want to break them out for every special occasion — but they’re easy and simple enough that you can make them for after school treats, just because!
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Rice Krispies Treats, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- cooking oil spray - use a flavor-less cooking spray if possible, as pure olive oil sprays will likely change the flavor. You can also use butter to grease the pan.
- butter - use unsalted butter if you can. Otherwise, you can use salted butter, but the resulting rice crispy treats will be a little saltier than normal.
- mini marshmallows - you can use full-size marshmallows if you need to, but try to cut them in quarters to help them melt evenly.
- Rice KrispiesⓇ cereal - the original flavor of the cereal is classic to making homemade rice crispy treats, but you can use Cocoa Krispies or Cinnamon Sugar Krispies if you prefer those flavors.
You will also need a large saucepan and 9x13-inch baking pan.
How to Make the Best Rice Krispies Treats
- Prepare pan. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking oil spray and set aside.
- Melt marshmallows. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove the saucepan from heat.
- Stir in cereal. Add in the Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until completely combined and well coated.
- Spread mixture. Using a greased spatula, evenly press the mixture into the prepared baking dish. You can also stick your hands into a Ziploc bag and press the mixture that way.
- Cool. Let it cool completely before slicing, about 1 hour.
- Serve. Cut into 2-inch squares (15 squares) and serve.
Recipe Variations
When it comes to Rice Krispies Treats, you can experiment with different add-ins, toppings, and flavors to make your squares unique. The options are endless! Here are some of our favorites:
- Make them more gooey. Add in an extra 2 ounces (or 1 cup) of marshmallows to make the filling extra gooey.
- Chocolate Rice Krispies treats. Melt some chocolate chips into your marshmallow mixture before adding the Rice Krispies cereal for a chocolatey twist. Top with additional melted chocolate and sprinkles for a festive touch, if desired.
- Add peanut butter. Add a dollop of peanut butter to your melted marshmallow mixture before mixing in the cereal. Top with chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
- Add dried fruits. Stir in your favorite dried fruit, such as cranberries, apricots, or cherries, to the Rice Krispies mixture before pressing into a pan. Sprinkle with a little sea salt for the perfect balance between sweet and salty flavors.
- S'mores version. Mix in some crushed graham crackers and mini chocolate chips to your Rice Krispies mixture. Top with mini marshmallows and broil in the oven for a few minutes until golden brown for the perfect S’mores Rice Krispies treats. Love S’mores? Try our S’mores Cookies!
- Add caramel and nuts. Drizzle caramel sauce over your finished Rice Krispies Treats (try our Salted Caramel Sauce!) and sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts. It’s perfect for fall!
- Dip in chocolate. Melt some chocolate and dip one end of the Rice Krispies Treats into the chocolate. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow the chocolate to harden before serving.
How to Serve
Rice Krispies Treats are a sweet bite that can be served on their own or paired with other delicious treats. Here are some ideas for what to serve them with:
- Ice cream. Serve Rice Krispies Treats alongside a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream (or your favorite flavor).
- Fruit. Pair Rice Krispies Treats with fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a refreshing and healthy snack. Try our Fruit Salad.
- Hot chocolate. Enjoy Rice Krispies Treats with a warm cup of Peppermint Hot Chocolate on a cold winter's day for the ultimate cozy treat.
- Milk. Serve Rice Krispies Treats with a tall glass of cold milk for a classic and comforting snack.
- Coffee. Enjoy Rice Krispies Treats with a cup of coffee for an energizing breakfast or snack.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Have fun with extras. There are infinite possibilities for toppings and mix-ins depending on the occasion and what you have on hand. Add sprinkles, M&M’s, drizzles of melted chocolate, or whole mini marshmallows — your imagination is your only limit! See our Recipe Variations above for ideas.
- Cut into squares or make festive shapes. The most traditional way to serve Rice Krispies Treats is to cut them into squares and serve them on a plate or platter. But you aren’t limited to simply cutting squares. You can use cookie cutters to make these rice crispy treats as festive as you like! Stick to holiday themes like eggs and bunnies for Easter or snowflakes and trees for Christmas — or explore different shapes just for fun!
- Grease your knife. Cutting rice krispy treats can sometimes be a sticky situation. Apply grease or butter to your knife to keep it clean and help it glide through the bars without making a huge mess.
- Serve as an ice cream topping. Crumble some Rice Krispies Treats on top of your favorite ice cream flavors for a delicious and crunchy topping.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Once completely cooled, you can store rice krispies treats in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 2 days at room temperature or 7 days in the refrigerator.
How to Freeze
Wrap each rice crispy treat individually in parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together, then layer them in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw overnight and then warm to room temperature for a few hours before eating.
More Treat Recipes
- Almond Cranberry Granola Bars
- Homemade Kettle Corn
- S'mores Cookies
- Oreo Brownies
- Jello Jigglers
- Coconut Maple Walnut Granola
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