Best Rice Krispie Treats Recipe (2024)

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The only recipe you'll ever need for the absolute BEST Rice Krispie Treats every single time! Soft, chewy and ultra gooey, they are the best you'll ever have.

Need another easy cereal treat? Try my Cinnamon Sugar Chex Mix! It's to DIE for!

You know those recipes that when someone takes a bite, they look at you and their eyes bulge out of their head? You know you have a great one when that happens and this is one of those! Happens every time. SUCH a crowd pleaser! I have a special way of making the BEST ever Rice Krispie treats that makes them soft and delicious every single time - for days (if they last that long)!

The trick? Folding in extra marshmallows right at the end.In addition to the melty marshmallows in the first step, adding some in when you stir in the cerealcreates hunks of marshmallow all throughout each bar, making them even softer and chewier. The key to perfect homemade rice krispie treats is lots of marshmallows! Not too much or the bars will fall apart and be too gooey to hold together. But, just enough and you'll get the most amazing chewy rice krispie treats that hold together beautifully.

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How to make the best Rice Krispie Treats
  • Recipe Tip
  • Storage Instructions
  • Recipe FAQ
  • More dessert bars you'll love:
  • 📋 Recipe
  • ⭐ Reviews

Why you'll love this recipe

  • These Rice Krispie treats are BIG, SOFT and GOOEY!
  • Easy recipe. These treats come together in minutes!
  • Only THREE ingredients!

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: I like to use unsalted butter in this recipe so the end result does not come out tasting salty. You can feel free to use salted butter if you'd like your krispie treats to be less sweet.
  • Marshmallows: I like to use mini marshmallows because they melt easier and more evenly.
  • Rice Krispie Cereal: Name brand and generic both work great.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.

Variations

There are so many ways you can make Rice Krispie treats your own! Here are some ideas:

  • Peanut Butter- Melt creamy peanut butter into the marshmallows for a peanut butter version! Try my Peanut Butter Honey Rice Krispie Treats recipe for a healthier treat without marshmallows - they are SOOO good!!
  • Chocolate - Swap out regular Rice Krispie cereal for chocolate Rice Krispies for a delicious chocolate version! OR top this regular Rice Krispie treat recipe with a drizzle of melted chocolate or chocolate chips.
  • Fruity - Swap out Rice Krispie cereal for Fruity Pebbles or any other fruity cereal for a fruity treat.
  • Special occasions - Stir in food coloring while marshmallows are melting to color the bars. You can also stir in or top with colored sprinkles to match any special occasion or holiday.

How to make the best Rice Krispie Treats

For ease, I like to measure out all of my ingredients first into separate bowls before beginning so each step is super quick.

  1. Prepare. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine. Melt butter and 9 cups of marshmallows and stir until almost all the way melted. Take mixture off heat and stir in cereal until coated. Add remaining 3 ½ cups marshmallows, folding very quickly so the marshmallows only melt slightly.
  3. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press down gently into an even layer. Press mixture down firm enough that the bars will hold together but not too firm or they will be too solid when they come to room temperature. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Best Rice Krispie Treats Recipe (3)

Recipe Tip

GENTLY press these bars into the pan. DO NOT press them in firmly because the harder they are packed in, the harder they will be when they are set!

Storage Instructions

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Freezing:While I don't recommend freezing because they are so quick to make and SO much better fresh, you can place Rice Krispie treats in a freezer-safe, resealable bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use a different cereal?

Sure! While they may not technically be Rice Krispie treats if you do this, you can make this recipe with just about any cereal you'd like.

Why are my Rice Krispie treats hard?

This is most likely due to pressing the mixture down into the pan too firmly. To avoid this, press it down gently and you will have perfectly soft and chewy Rice Krispie treats!

What can I use instead of marshmallows in Rice Krispies?

You can use honey and peanut butter. Here is a recipe for my Peanut Butter Honey Rice Krispie Treats!

How can I make gluten-free Rice Krispie treats?

You can make these gluten-free by using cereal and marshmallows that are labeled gluten-free!

More dessert bars you'll love:

  • Peanut Butter Honey Rice Krispie Treats
  • Samoa Rice Krispie Treats
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
  • Oreo Truffle Brownies

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a ⭐️ reviewbelow andtag @sprinkle_some_sugaronInstagram!

📋 Recipe

Best Rice Krispie Treats Recipe (8)

Best Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Jessica

The only recipe you'll ever need for the absolute BEST Rice Krispie Treats every single time! Soft, chewy and ultra gooey, they are the best you'll ever have.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 12 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 -20 bars

Calories 232 kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 12 ½ cups mini marshmallows DIVIDED (you'll need two 16 oz bags)
  • 8 ½ cups Rice Krispie Cereal

Instructions

  • Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

  • (For ease, measure out all ingredients first in separate bowls before beginning.)

  • In a large pot, melt butter on medium-low heat. Add 9 cups of marshmallows and heat until almost all the way melted but not quite, stirring frequently. Take mixture off heat and stir in cereal until coated. Add remaining 3 ½ cups marshmallows, folding very quickly so the marshmallows only melt slightly.

  • Pour mixture into prepared pan and press down gently into an even layer using a piece of parchment paper or the back of a lightly greased rubber spatula. Press mixture down firm enough that the bars will hold together but not too firm or they will be too solid when they come to room temperature. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

Storage instructions: Cover or place bars into an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 110mgPotassium: 22mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 1167IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 5mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! Leave a comment below & tag @sprinkle_some_sugar on instagram!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Jane T says

    These were perfect. One of my close girlfriends texted me and said, "I wanted to update my kitchen, so I started doing some cabinet painting and it went terrible. Can you come help me please?" I went over and it was awful. We spent the rest of the day fixing the color of her cabinets. I thought that I could make her these treats to tell her that I love her and that everything is going to work out just fine. Hopefully, she will like them.

    Reply

  2. Cherie says

    Can I use salted butter?

    Reply

    • Jessica says

      Yes, the taste might be a bit off but I am sure you won't notice too much.

      Reply

  3. Darlene says

    I am making these for the girls on my grand daughter’s field hockey team tomorrow! I make mine into balls though. I will let you know how the girls like them. They look soooo good!

    Reply

  4. Jennifer jordan says

    These are hands down the BEST Rice Krispie Treats.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe.I make them often(including today)

    Reply

  5. Jessica says

    Perfect, I hope you enjoyed!! 🙂

    Reply

  6. Jessica says

    Mini marshmallows! I will edit the recipe to state that.

    Reply

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Best Rice Krispie Treats Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my homemade rice crispy treats so hard? ›

If you melt the marshmallows too fast, it might result in a Rice Kripsy treat that is harder and crunchy than chewy. Take your time and let the butter and marshmallows melt slowly. Use an 8×8 or slightly smaller pan. Use a small and deep pan if you want thick and chewy rice Krispy treats.

How do you keep Rice Krispie Treats from getting hard? ›

Don't crank the heat on the stovetop too high.

High heat is the prime culprit for rock hard rice krispie treats. → Follow this tip: It will take a few more minutes of cook time, but melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat. You'll be rewarded with delicious, soft and chewy treats!

How to make a pyramid out of rice krispies? ›

To make the pyramid treats, I combined rice crispies, melted marshmallows, and melted butter (I didn't measure anything) and pressed it into a pyramid sand mold. I hid m & m treasures throughout the pyramids. This was a simple and fun activity, but the girls were SO involved in…

Why are my rice crispy treats falling apart? ›

An important factor in a rice krispie treat recipe is the ratio of marshmallow to cereal. Too much cereal and the squares will taste dry, crunchy, and bland. Too much marshmallow and the squares will be too sticky and fall apart.

What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies treats? ›

What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies Treats? If you put too much butter in rice krispies treats they will become oily, the cereal will soak up the butter and the treats will become soggy, rather than crispy.

Can you use old marshmallows for rice krispie treats? ›

Can you use stale marshmallows to make rice krispie treats? You can but I would not recommend it. The marshmallows will clump instead of melting into a nice even goo. Stick to fresh marshmallows for your treats and save the stale ones for a cup of hot chocolate later.

How do you keep melted marshmallows from getting hard? ›

To avoid this, it's important to melt them slowly over a low heat.

Do Rice Krispies harden in the fridge? ›

If you refrigerate them and they are not covered they will go rock hard and dusty. If you leave them out uncovered for too long you can get the opposite, soggy squares with no snap crackle pop left in them as they absorb moisture from the air.

Can you cut Rice Krispie treats with a cookie cutter? ›

Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into desired shapes. Decorate with frosting and/or candies.

Is puffed rice the same as rice crispies? ›

Puffed rice is soft inside and out. Crispy rice has a crunchy texture.

What can you do with expired marshmallows? ›

Marshmallows don't really go “bad” that I am aware of. Personally, I would try to use them. You can soften hard marshmallows by dipping a sealed bag in a hot pot of water boiling for a couple of minutes. The expiration date is just a best by date.

How far in advance can you make rice krispie treats? ›

Making These Rice Krispie Treats in Advance & Storage Tips

You can make these treats in advance! Rice Krispie treats can sit at room temperature for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze them in an airtight container for up to six weeks.

How do you keep Rice Crispy Treats from sticking to the pan? ›

Grease a 9×13 pan with non-stick spray, pour the Rice Krispie Treat mixture into the pan.

How far in advance can you make Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Making These Rice Krispie Treats in Advance & Storage Tips

You can make these treats in advance! Rice Krispie treats can sit at room temperature for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze them in an airtight container for up to six weeks.

Are Rice Crispy Treats shelf stable? ›

Rice Krispies Treats Snack Bars are a delicious snack for everyday family moments; Perfectly sized, ready-to-enjoy marshmallowy treat; Shelf-Stable.

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