Rice Krispie Treats (2024)

The BEST Rice Krispie Treats recipe yields thick, chewy, and gooey treats that put the old “box” recipe to shame! Make them the traditional way or try fun mix-ins likeM&M’s, chocolate and sprinkles.

Want more dessert recipes? Try White Texas Sheet Cake, M&M Cookies, S’mores Bars, or Sweet Chex Mix!

Rice Krispie Treats (1)

Why I love this recipe:

  • Quick and Easy – Takes 15 minutes TOTAL and you don’t even have to turn on the oven!
  • Inexpensive – Only a few pantry ingredients, and the perfect way to give a large crowd a yummy treat without affecting your budget. Check out more Budget-Friendly recipes!
  • Everyone’s Favorite – This recipe yields thick, chewy, gooey rice krispie treats! They have the perfect texture and there is so much more of that amazing marshmallow flavor that everyone loves. You will never use another recipe again!

How to make Rice Krispie Treats:

Prep Cereal: Pour cerealand 2 cups of marshmallows into an extra-large bowl. Grease a 13×18’ half sheet pan lightly with butter or non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

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Melt (or brown) the Butter:Add butter to a large saucepan and allow to melt (optional: for browned butter rice krispie treats, brown the butter by cooking it over low heat, swirling it around a few times, until it’s golden and smells nutty fragrant (don’t let it burn!).

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Add Marshmallows: Remove from heat andstir in remaining marshmallows, vanilla and salt. Stir constantly, and place back on low heat if needed, until melted and smooth.

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Pour Over Cereal: Gradually pour mixture over the Rice Krispies cereal, tossing to coat evenly. Stir in other mix-ins* if desired.

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Press Mixture into prepared pan and allow to cool before cutting into squares. (I cut 20 squares (5 by 4).

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Enjoy: For best results, wrap leftover homemade rice krispie treats individually in plastic wrap for up to 2 days, or freeze (instructions for freezing are below).

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Storage and Freezing Instructions:

To Store: These browned butter Rice Krispie Treats will stay soft and delicious for up to two days. I like to wrap each square individually in plastic wrap, to make sure they stay soft. If you want to store them for longer than two days, try freezing them.

To Freeze: Allow these gooey Rice Krispie Treats to cool completely and cut them into squares.Freeze in an airtight container, or wrap each square in a piece of plastic wrap and place them in a gallon freezer bag.Freeze them for up to 3 months.

Recipe Variations:

  • 9×13 Inch Pan: Cut the ingredients in half and pour into a greased 9×13” pan.
  • Gluten Free Rice Krispies:Make sure the brand of rice krispies cereal you use is Gluten-free.
  • Add-In Ideas: Butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, m&m’s, chopped Oreo cookies, Reese’s pieces, sprinkles or white chocolate chips.
  • Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies: Substitute fruity pebbles in place of rice krispies, or use half of each.
  • Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats: Substitute Cocoa Krispies as the cereal.
  • Scotcheroos: These are Rice Krispies Treats flavored with peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch.
  • Chocolate Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

More Fast and Easy Treats:

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Recipe

Rice Krispie Treats (8)

4.98 from 34 votes

Rice Krispie Treats

The BEST Rice Krispie Treats recipe yields thick, chewy, and gooey treats that put the old "box" recipe to shame! Make them the traditional way or try fun mix-ins likeM&M's, chocolate and sprinkles.

Print Pin Review

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 5 minutes mins

Total 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 12 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 20 oz mini marshmallows (two, 10oz bags, or about 12 cups)
  • 1 1/2 sticks salted butter (12Tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  • Pour cereal and 2 cups of marshmallows into an extra-large bowl.Grease a 13×18’ half sheet pan lightly with butter or non-stick cooking spray.Set aside.

  • Melt (or brown) the butter: Add butter to a large saucepan and allow to melt (optional: brown the butter by cooking it over low heat, swirling it around a few times, until it’s golden and smells nutty fragrant (don’t let it burn!).

  • Remove from heat and stir in remaining marshmallows, vanilla and salt. Stir constantly, and place back on low heat if needed, until melted and smooth.

  • Gradually pour mixture over the cereal, tossing to coat evenly. Stir in other mix-ins* if desired.

  • Press mixture into prepared pan and allow to cool before cutting into squares. (I cut 20 squares (5 by 4).

Notes

To Store: These browned butter Rice Krispie Treats will stay soft and delicious for up to two days. I like to wrap each square individually in plastic wrap, to make sure they stay soft. If you want to store them for longer than two days, try freezing them.

To Freeze: Allow these gooey Rice Krispie Treats to cool completely and cut them into squares.Freeze in an airtight container, or wrap each square in a piece of plastic wrap and place them in a gallon freezer bag.Freeze them for up to 3 months.

9×13 Inch Pan: Cut the ingredients in half and pour into a greased 9×13” pan.

Gluten Free Rice Krispies:Make sure the brand of rice krispies cereal you use is Gluten-free!

Add-In Ideas: Butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, m&m’s, chopped Oreo cookies, Reese’s pieces, sprinkles or white chocolate chips.

Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies: Substitute fruity pebbles in place of rice krispies, or use half of each.

Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats: Substitute Cocoa Krispies as the cereal.

Scotcheroos: These are Rice Krispies Treats flavored with peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 166mgPotassium: 25mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 1329IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 5mg

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    I originally shared this recipe August 2018. Updated June 2023.

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    About The Author

    Rice Krispie Treats (13)

    Lauren Allen

    Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

    Rice Krispie Treats (2024)

    FAQs

    Why do bodybuilders like Rice Krispie Treats? ›

    Users claim that the treats improve workouts and give them more power during training sessions. Rice Krispies treats are high in sugar and simple carbohydrates while remaining relatively low in fat and protein. Therefore, they give the body easily accessible energy without slowing digestion.

    What are rice krispies made of? ›

    Ingredients. Ingredients: Rice, sugar, contains 2% or less of salt, malt flavor. Vitamins and Minerals: Iron (ferric phosphate), niacinamide, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin B12.

    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 eat a rice krispie treat before a workout? ›

    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.”

    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.

    Are Rice Krispies an American thing? ›

    Rice Krispies (known as Rice Bubbles in Australia and New Zealand) is a breakfast cereal produced by WK Kellogg Co for the United States, Canadian, and Caribbean markets and by Kellanova for the rest of the world.

    Are Rice Krispies fried or baked? ›

    Rice Krispies are oven-popped, which gives them the right texture to "snap! crackle! pop!" when milk is added. Another common puffing method for rice (as in Quaker Puffed Rice), corn (as in Sugar Pops) or wheat (as in Sugar Smacks) is called gun puffing.

    Are Rice Krispies just puffed rice? ›

    Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® are puffed grains of rice that's so fun, tasty, and nutritious.

    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 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 ...

    What is the main ingredient in Rice Krispies? ›

    INGREDIENTS: Rice, sugar, salt, barley malt extract, niacin, iron, vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin, folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin B12.

    Why don t they sell Rice Krispies anymore? ›

    That's largely due to the supply chain crisis affecting the food industry as a whole, Market Realist shares. But the way it's affecting Rice Krispies specifically has to do with the supply of barley malt extract, one of the main ingredients in the cereal.

    What makes Rice Krispies taste better? ›

    Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of vanilla flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the treats. Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. Rice Krispies: The star ingredient, these crisped rice cereal pieces absorb the melted marshmallow mixture and provide a crispiness.

    Why do bodybuilders eat rice cakes? ›

    High Carbohydrate Content: Rice cakes are primarily composed of rice, which is a complex carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy during endurance activities. They provide a steady release of energy and help sustain performance over a longer duration.

    Why do Rice Krispies help with pump? ›

    Rice Krispies digest very fast because they are a simple carb. On top of that, they have a decent amount of sugar. The insulin spike response will be added to your pump during your workout giving you an even better pump.

    Why do bodybuilders eat sour patches? ›

    Candy, including seasonal treats, can be a surprisingly effective workout fuel, an expert says. Sweets like sour candy or gummies can provide carbs to boost performance and muscle building. After a workout, chocolate bars can kickstart recovery with a blend of carbs and protein.

    Are rice cakes good for working out? ›

    Combining rice cakes with peanut butter is a great way to get both complex carbohydrates and protein before a workout. Rice cakes are a low-calorie food that is easy to digest while peanut butter provides slow-burning energy to help you through long workouts.

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