Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 437 comments
Published: Sep 26, 2023 Last Updated: Mar 12, 2024

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Get the secret tips and tricks to making the most PERFECT Rice Krispies Treats recipe. From using fresh butter and marshmallows to adding vanilla extract, this is our favorite dessert.

Love easy cereal treats? Try our recipes for homemade puppy chow (muddy buddies)! Or make a savory snack like this Taco Chex mix!

Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • The Original Rice Krispie Treats
  • Why My Recipe Is Best
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Aimee’s Secret Ingredient
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Rice Krispie Treat Flavors
  • More Easy Dessert Recipes:
  • Rice Krispie Treats Recipe Recipe

The Original Rice Krispie Treats

I spend days and days trying to come up with the perfect cake. Or the most beautiful cupcakes. Or to create the fudgiest brownies.

But, it’s no secret, Rice Krispie Treats have always been the key to my heart. Knowing how to make rice krispie treats has gotten me far in life.

  • I love crispy treats so much that I’ve created over a dozen flavors….from Fluffernutter Krispie Treats to Cinnamon Roll Krispie Treats.
  • I’ve even got these adorable TURKEY Krispie Treats and this Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treat for Thanksgiving!

But, in the end, it’s the classic, original, homemade RICE KRISPIE TREAT that draws me in.

The biggest question is how to spell it. Some people say Rice Crispy, Some say Crispy Rice, some say Rice Crispies. Either way, you get the point!

Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (2)

Why My Recipe Is Best

There are thousands of recipes for making this classic treat, and I’m putting it out there that my recipe is BEST. Why?

  • Only 4 ingredients
  • Thick and chewy
  • Vanilla flavor
  • Perfect ratio of cereal to marshmallows

We love that this classic treat can be changed up using different cereals too!

  • ChocolateCocoa Krispie Treats
  • FruityFruity Pebbles Treats
  • S’moresGolden Grahams Treats
  • CheeriosCheerio Treats

Ingredient Notes

Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (3)
  1. Butter- use salted butter for this recipe. Just trust me! Don’t have any on hand? Use unsalted butter and a pinch of salt while melting. DO NOT use margarine.
  2. Marshmallows- you’ll need 9 cups of mini marshmallows, keeping about 1 cup aside to add in at the end!
  3. Rice Krispies Cereal- any brand of crispy rice cereal will work, just make sure it’s FRESH.

Aimee’s Secret Ingredient

Adding my homemade vanilla extract or any pure vanilla extract takes this recipe over the top.

Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (4)

Recipe FAQs

Why do my rice krispies treats get hard?

Your krispies treats could be getting hard if you press the treats too firmly into the pan. Also, be sure to start with fresh marshmallows and cereal, not stale!

Do rice krispie treats need to be refrigerated?

Do NOT refrigerate rice krispie treats, as it can make the marshmallow very hard. Instead, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for best results.

Can you freeze rice krispie treats?

I do not advise freezing rice krispie treats. Fresh is best.

Can rice krispie treats be made in a 13×9 baking dish?

You can choose a 13×9 dish instead of a square dish if prefered for rice crispy treats. Just know that they will be thinner.

Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (5)

More Rice Krispie Treat Flavors

Add in some flavored gelatin (or pudding mix) to the melted marshmallow for a unique twist! Cherry Krispie Treats!

Make Lucky Charms Treats for a St.Paddy’s Day dessert idea.

  • For best results, name brand cereal stays fresher longer and can hold up to the melted butter and marshmallows better
  • Always start with fresh marshmallows. If you use stale marshmallows in hopes that melting them will give you good results, you’ll be disappointed!
  • More mix-ins: fold in some m&m’s or Reese’s peanut butter cups for a delicious dessert idea.
Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (6)

Rice Krispie Treat Recipes

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Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (11)

Yield: 9 large bars

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time5 minutes

Additional Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 10 minutes

Rice Krispies Treats Recipe (12)

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Get the secret tips and tricks to making the most PERFECT Rice Krispie Treats recipe. From using fresh butter and marshmallows to adding vanilla extract, this is our favorite dessert.

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 16 ounce bag mini marshmallows, divided
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 6 cups rice krispies cereal

Instructions

  1. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in all but 1 cup of the marshmallows. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring until completely melted.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the cereal and the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows and gently stir until combined.
  4. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Press GENTLY with your fingertips just until completely spread out (the harder you pack them in, the harder they are to eat).
  5. Allow to set, about 1 hour. Cut and enjoy!

Notes

  • How many marshmallows do I need? One 16 ounce bag of marshmallows is about 8-9 cups. You'll melt all but one cup of the marshmallows in the butter, reserving the last cup for adding with the cereal.
  • Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. This way you don’t have to worry about extra butter on your fingertips, or the other extreme of your bars sticking to the pan! Use binder clips to help the parchment paper stay in place.
  • Use fresh marshmallows. Seriously, they make a difference. Don’t grab that bag that’s been in your pantry for months and months thinking it will be okay since you are melting them. It won’t be okay.
  • Add my secret ingredient. VANILLA EXTRACT. Not imitation vanilla, but PURE VANILLA extract. It makes a difference in creating the illusion that you’re using homemade marshmallows.
  • DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT press these bars into your pan firmly. Using your fingertips, GENTLY press them in just until they are spread out. The harder you pack them in, the harder they are when it’s time to eat them!
  • The trick to pressing them in your pan without sticking to your hands is to run your fingers in water, shake off the excess, and press. Voila. No sticking!
  • Store in an airtight container for two days. If they last that long, I’d be shocked!
  • Make these gluten free by choosing a crispy rice cereal labeled Gluten Free (and check your marshmallow labels too just in case).
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1 bar

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 300Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 139mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 0gSugar: 31gProtein: 2g

Did you make this recipe?

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More Easy Dessert Recipes:

  • Scotcheroos
  • Peanut Butter Rice Crispies Treat
  • Easter Krispie Treats
  • Biscoff Rice Crispy Squares
  • No Bake Cookies

Original Rice Krispie Treats recipe with all the tips and tricks for making them thick and chewy!

Rice Krispies 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.

What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispie 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 do you make a pyramid out of rice crispy treats? ›

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…

How do you keep Rice Krispie Treats from falling apart? ›

How do you make rice crispy treats not fall apart? If your final product is falling apart, it could be because you're trying to cut when the dessert is too warm. Or, you may have added too many marshmallows. Place them in the fridge to firm up and try to slice again.

Why won't my rice crispy treats harden? ›

There are a couple of reasons your treats might have come out soggy or too soft. First, your cereal might be too old. Check the expiration and make sure the crispy rice cereal is nice and fresh for the best texture! Second, you may have used too much butter.

Can you use hard marshmallows for rice crispy treats? ›

* Make sure your marshmallows are fresh. Stale, hard marshmallows won't result in nice, chewy bars. ** Any brand is fine, but be sure the cereal you use is fresh. Stale cereal will make for stale-tasting Rice Crispy Treats.

Why can't Muslims eat rice krispie treats? ›

What about Rice Crispy Treats that have marshmallows in them, are they Haram too? Yes, they also use gelatin from pork. All pig products like pork are Haram (forbidden) for Muslims to eat.

Why are my homemade rice crispy treats so sticky? ›

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.

Do you put rice krispie treats in the refrigerator after you make them? ›

Once you've cut up your extra rice crispy treats, stack them in an airtight container. Place a sheet of wax paper in between each layer to keep them from sticking, then seal the top. You can store the container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze the treats for up to 6 weeks.

Is there a trick to cutting Rice Krispie Treats? ›

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.

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 long are homemade rice crispy treats good for? ›

Rice Krispie Treats will stay crispy and fresh, if stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature, for up to a week if you use salted butter, which is what we recommend.

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

These Rice Krispie Treats can be stored for up to 4-5 days at room temperature, so you can make them ahead about 3-4 days. However, I would recommend making them the day of or the day before serving, because fresh Rice Krispies are the best Rice Krispies.

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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