Classic Rice Krispie Treats (3 Ingredients) - Sweetest Menu (2024)

By: Jessica Holmes

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Learn how to make Classic Rice Krispie Treats made from scratch. You only need three ingredients – butter, marshmallows and rice cereal – to make this delicious, no bake slice.

Classic Rice Krispie Treats (3 Ingredients) - Sweetest Menu (1)

I’ve found a new weakness.

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Or rekindled an old one. Either way, I can’t get enough of these sticky Rice Krispie Treats. With just the right amount of butter and marshmallows, they’re gooey, chewy and downright irresistible.

Made using just three ingredients, they’re a simple, no bake treat that’ll have everyone reaching for just one more slice.

What are Rice Krispie treats?

Rice Krispie Treats, also known as Rice Krispie Squares, are a sweet, no bake slice made using butter, marshmallows and rice cereal. Here in Australia, Rice Krispies are called Rice Bubbles and these treats are packaged as LCM’S at our local supermarket. Confusing right?

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Why you will love them

  1. You only need three ingredients
  2. They’re quick and easy to make
  3. You don’t have to turn the oven on
  4. They taste SO good

tips for making the BEST rice krispies

  • Use a fresh, unopened box of Rice Bubbles or Rice Krispies
    Ever had a stale or soggy Rice Krispie Treat? Even if you’ve only opened a box a few days before, don’t be tempted to use it. For the perfect, crispy treat, I highly recommend using a brand new box of cereal for maximum freshness.
  • Use a baking scale to measure your ingredients
    The perfect Rice Krispie Treat requires the perfect ratio of butter to marshmallow to rice cereal. Too much marshmallow and butter can make a super sticky, wet or soggy slice, while too little makes a hard, dry or crumbly one. I recommend using a baking scale for my recipe to get the ratio JUST right, creating the perfect chewy but crispy Rice Krispie Squares.
  • Spray your spatula with oil or wet your fingers
    Melted marshmallow = sticky mess. But don’t worry, I’ve got a couple of tricks up my sleeve to help! Once you mix together the melted marshmallow and rice cereal, pour the mixture into a baking pan you have lined with parchment or baking paper. Then lightly spray your spatula with oil. You should be able to use it to press the mixture down without it sticking. Then, wet your fingers and use them to press down any lumps and bumps and neaten up the edges.
  • Don’t press down too hard
    While you do need to press the mixture into the pan, try not to press it down super hard. It’ll just make your Rice Krispie Treats hard and dense. You still want them to be light and chewy.
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How to make Rice Krispie treats

  1. In a large mixing bowl, measure out your rice cereal and set aside. Use a baking scale if you can!
  2. Add butter and marshmallows to a medium saucepan. Place on a low heat. Stir gently while butter and marshmallows melt. Mixture should be creamy and smooth.
  3. Once the marshmallows have completely melted, pour over rice cereal and mix straight away. Mixture will be sticky, but keep mixing as best you can, until cereal is completely coated.
  4. Pour mixture into a baking pan lined with baking or parchment paper. Lightly spray a spatula with oil and use it to gently press down mixture, getting right into the corners. Wet your fingers with water to smooth over any large gaps or holes.
  5. Leave to set for at least two hours. Then slice into squares to serve. Rice Krispie Treats are best kept at room temperature in an airtight container. While they will keep for a few days, they are best enjoyed on the day they are made.
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Commonly asked questions

Can I use mini marshmallows?

Yes you can. But if you do, I recommend using a baking scale to weigh them so you use the exact right amount.

Can I make these using a microwave?

Yes. You can melt the butter and marshmallows in the microwave, just make sure you stop and stir regularly – every 20 to 30 seconds. Stop when the marshmallows are almost melted and stir by hand until smooth. If the mixture is very hot, let it cool for a minute or two before adding to the cereal. But don’t wait too long or the marshmallows will start to set.

Do I have to add butter?

Yes I highly recommend it. You’ll get a more flavourful slice with a nice gooey texture.

Why are my squares dry and hard?

Make sure you don’t press down too hard when putting them in the baking pan. Also check your measurements (using grams if you can) to make sure you didn’t add too much rice or too little marshmallow.

Why are mine so sticky?

This recipe uses plenty of butter and marshmallows for flavour. Both also give the bars their ‘chew’ and gooey texture. Once you’ve added the melted marshmallow, make sure you stir the mixture really well so the cereal is evenly coated. Also make sure you leave the bars for at least 2 hours for the marshmallow to set.

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Mix it up

While I really wanted to share a recipe for Classic Rice Krispie Treats, you can get creative with the toppings. Consider dipping them in chocolate, or adding a handful of chocolate chips or sprinkles on top before they set. Swap the butter for peanut butter or use coloured marshmallows for a festive treat.

What to try next

  • Mars Bar Slice
  • White Christmas
  • Easy Chocolate Slice
  • Chocolate Crackles
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Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe andleave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me onInstagram,Facebook,PinterestandTwitterfor more amazing recipe ideas.

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Let’s Bake

Classic Rice Krispie Treats

Yield Makes 16 squares 1x

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star 5 from 2 reviews

Prep: 140 minutesTotal: 2 hours 20 minutes

Crisp and chewy marshmallow Rice Krispie Treats.

Print Rate

Ingredients

  • 180 grams (4 and 1/2 cups) Rice Bubbles or Rice Krispies (fresh box)
  • 60 grams (1/4 cup) salted butter, room temperature
  • 440 grams (5 and 1/2 cups) white marshmallows

Instructions

  1. Line an 8-inch square pan with baking or parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, measure out your rice cereal and set aside.
  2. Add butter and marshmallows to a medium saucepan. Place on a low heat. Stir gently while butter and marshmallows melt. Mixture should be creamy and smooth.
  3. Once marshmallows have completely melted, pour over rice cereal and mix straight away. Mixture will be sticky, but keep mixing as best you can, until cereal is completely coated.
  4. Pour mixture into your prepared baking pan. Lightly spray a spatula with oil and use it to gently press down mixture, pushing it into the corners. Wet your fingers with water to smooth over any large gaps or holes. Don’t press down too hard or your treats will be hard.
  5. Leave to set for at least two hours. Then slice into squares to serve. Rice Krispie Treats are best eaten on the day they are made. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Notes

Rice cereal: It’s important to use a fresh, unopened box of cereal for maximum crunch and chew. Stale rice cereal will go soggy and taste, well, stale!

Marshmallows: I tested this recipe using Pascall’s regular marshmallows. You can use mini marshmallows if you prefer, butI recommend using a baking scale to weigh them so you use the exact right amount.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 square Calories: 157 Sugar: 16.9 g Sodium: 105.4 mg Fat: 3.3 g Carbohydrates: 31.9 g Protein: 1.3 g Cholesterol: 8.1 mg

Nutrition information is a guide only.

Author: Jessica HolmesCategory: No BakeCuisine: American

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

  1. Cristina says

    It was amazingly fun and easy to make

    Reply

    • Jessica Holmes says

      So glad you enjoyed them Cristina!

      Reply

  2. Maggie H. says

    What size baking pan? I’m going to assume 13×9?

    Reply

    • Jessica Holmes says

      Hi Maggie, see step 1 of the recipe card – just an 8-inch square pan for this one.

      Reply

  3. Amanda says

    Hi do you set this at room temperature or in the fridge?

    Reply

    • Jessica Holmes says

      Hi Amanda, great question! Just keep them at room temperature 🙂 Hope you love them!

      Reply

  4. Josh says

    These were so good!

    Reply

    • Jessica Holmes says

      So glad to hear that!

      Reply

  5. Raewyn Schiavi says

    Can these be put,into paper cups instead of a slice.i have a cafe,restaurant in Opotiki nz so iam always searching for really easy to make recipes.thanks

    Reply

    • Jessica Holmes says

      Yes I think so! Just would recommend greaseproof paper as they might stick.

      Reply

Classic Rice Krispie Treats (3 Ingredients) - Sweetest Menu (2024)

FAQs

How to keep Rice Krispie Treats from getting hard? ›

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!

Why are my homemade Rice Krispie Treats soggy? ›

"My treats have a soggy/stale texture." This is most likely due to too much butter. I've tried a few variations that use more butter and I often end up with this weird soggy/stale texture. Next time try reducing the amount you are using and see if that helps.

Why are Rice Krispie Treats a healthy snack? ›

Even though Rice Krispie Treats contain added sugar, they also contain carbohydrates that can provide you with the energy you need for your workout. American Heart Association. Food as fuel before, during, and after workouts.

Why do lifters eat Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Medical News Today, an online health news platform, said that “Rice Krispies Treats make for a suitable pre-workout snack due to their simple carbohydrate content. Carbohydrates are the body's primary fuel source, so eating a high-carb snack before a training session can boost energy and performance.”

Can you use old marshmallows for rice krispie treats? ›

Stale Marshmallows

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.

Do you refrigerate rice crispy treats? ›

Do Rice Crispy Treats Need to be Refrigerated? No. I recommend keeping these Rice Crispy Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigerating will make the marshmallow in them super hard, so I advise to leave them at room temperature.

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.

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

It's hard to beat a fresh batch of Rice Krispies treats, however, they do keep well and stay gooey for several days. Whether you're making them ahead for a special occasion or simply saving leftovers, Rice Krispie squares are easy to store: To Store: Keep the bars airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Is it cheaper to make or buy rice krispie treats? ›

It's Cheaper – The ingredients in this recipe cost me $5.01 and made 16.1 ounces of rice krispies, roughly 30 cents per ounce. I bought an 8-piece box at the store for $4.43 cents, with each piece weighing 0.78 ounces. That's about 70 cents per ounce.

What is a good substitute for marshmallows in Rice Krispies? ›

The substitute breaks down like this: combine an inverted sugar (like syrup or honey) with a nut or seed butter to create a sweet adhesive for your Rice Krispy treats. Not only does this sticky mix work as a proper swap for marshmallows, but it also brings its own unique flavor to your crunchy bars.

Why do bodybuilders eat square bars? ›

Rice Krispies treats are easy to digest, making them an ideal snack for before or during a workout. Carbs mixed with fat and protein slow digestion, which can increase the feeling of fullness. This prevents blood-sugar spikes caused by carbohydrate-only meals.

Why were rice Krispie Treats invented? ›

Rice Krispies Treats were invented in 1939 by Kellogg Company employees Malitta Jensen and Mildred Day "in the Kellogg kitchens in Battle Creek, Michigan as a promotional vehicle for the cereal." Kellogg's began commercially to produce plain and chocolate-based treats under the trademark brand-names of "Rice Krispies ...

Should you eat a banana before working out? ›

Only have 5 or 10 minutes before your workout? Snack on a banana. Their easy-to-digest carbs power you up without weighing you down. They're also a good source of antioxidants and potassium, a mineral that may help prevent muscle cramps.

Are Rice Krispies healthy? ›

One of the great advantages of Rice Krispies cereal is that it does not contain any trans fats or saturated fats, so it's a viable option if you're trying to avoid these fats. Rice Krispies cereal also happens to be completely cholesterol-free, as per the USDA.

Does honey work as a pre-workout? ›

Yes. Studies show that honey is an easy-to-digest carbohydrate which makes it ideal as a pre-workout snack. It releases energy slowly, and helps to maintain blood glucose levels. These things enable exercise for prolonged periods while maintaining optimal cognitive function.

How to keep melted marshmallows from getting hard? ›

To avoid this, it's important to melt them slowly over a low heat. Use a larger pan than you think you'll need, as the marshmallows will expand as they warm through.

How do you cut Rice Krispie treats without sticking? ›

To prevent the Rice Krispie Treats from sticking together when cutting, you can dip the knife into warm water and wipe it with a paper towel between each cut. This will help remove any residue from the treats and ensure clean, separate pieces.

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