This Rice Crispy Treats recipe creates a gooey sweet snack that everyone loves! You can make these classic cereal treats with only 4 ingredients. It's one of the best no-bake desserts for potlucks, picnics, and parties!
There is something so nostalgic about an ooey gooey Rice Krispie treat!
If you've only ever tasted the store-bought squares, you will be shocked at how easy it is to make them at home. You'll also be shocked at how much better this rice crispy treats recipe is than the one on the back of the cereal box!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple and quick: Making the cereal treats takes just 10 minutes of hands-on work. The hardest part is waiting an hour for them to cool/set!
- Pure Nostalgia: The flavor and gooey texture of these treats will take you right back to childhood!
- No baking required. This is one of my favorites to make during the heat of summer!
I grew up eating homemade cereal treats, and they're still one of my favorite desserts. In fact, I like them so much, I have holiday-specific Rice Krispie Treat recipes!
You can make Pumpkin Shaped Rice Krispie Treats for Halloween and Christmas Rice Krispie Treats that look like adorable Santa hats!
Ingredients
See ingredient substitutions in the next section. ⬇️
A 4 ingredient no bake dessert? It doesn't get much easier than this!
- salted butter
- mini marshmallows: The extra marshmallows in this recipe are the secret to making the best Rice Krispie treats you'll ever have!
- vanilla extract
- crispy rice cereal: Any brand will work, but Rice Krispies cereal is the most popular.
Substitutions and Recipe Variations
- salted butter: If you need or want to use unsalted butter, just add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the melted butter.
I did not make this rice crispy treats recipe with plant-based butter substitutes, but I think they'll work fine. - mini marshmallows: If for whatever reason you want or need to use regular sized marshmallows, it's best to use kitchen shears to cut them into smaller pieces.
For a colorful twist, you can use the pastel-colored mini marshmallows. If you want to make a vegan dessert, Dandies makes vegan marshmallows, and I think they taste better than regular marshmallows! - vanilla extract: If you need an alcohol-free flavoring, you can use vanilla essence.
- cereal: For a fun twist, you can substitute the Rice Krispies with a different crispy cereal. Cocoa Krispies, Fruity Pebbles, and Frosted Flakes are popular options. This recipe also works with any gluten-free Krispie cereal.
- peanut butter: Feel free to use ½ cup of melted peanut butter or other nut butter as a substitute for ½ cup of melted marshmallow mixture.
To take the dessert up a notch, pour chocolate ganache or melted chocolate chips over the top of the cool bars!
How to Make Rice Crispy Treats
Summary only. The complete recipe instructions are in the card at the bottom of this post ⬇️
- Melt butter and marshmallows in a large pot.
- Stir in the Rice Krispies cereal.
- Press mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Cool, then cut into squares.
Liz's Tips for the Best Cereal Treats
- Butter the inside of the dish. This makes it easier to remove the bars. If you're concerned about the mixture sticking, you can also line the pan with parchment paper.
- The mixture is very sticky! Butter your hands, use a non-stick spatula, or cover the mixture with wax paper when spreading it into the pan. Otherwise, it will stick to your fingers.
- Wait at least an hour before cutting into squares. The dessert needs time to cool down and firm up a bit. You can cut them sooner, but they'll be pretty gooey, and definitely more difficult to cut!
Tools and Supplies
While you don't have to use the same tools that I do, there are some must-haves for making the cereal treats:
- 5-quart pot (or larger): If your pot is too small, it will be nearly impossible to stir in the Rice Krispies without them spilling over onto your stove top.
Storage
The rice crispy treats will keep for about 5 days at room temperature. To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container.
Unfortunately, the squares do not freeze well. They become very mushy after freezing and thawing.
Rice Crispy Treats Recipe FAQ
To keep the squares from becoming hard, be sure to store them in a tightly covered container. Also, use fresh marshmallows, as old ones don't melt as well.
If there isn't enough melted marshmallow in the treats, they may fall apart. Follow the recipe carefully, and when in doubt, always use more marshmallows!
Other Easy No-Bake Desserts
- Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
- Saltine Cracker Candy
- No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
Classic Rice Crispy Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter or unsalted butter plus ¼ teaspoon salt
- 16 oz mini marshmallows divided, 7 cups + 1½ cups
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal like Rice Krispies
Instructions
- Grease an 8-inch square pan with butter. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a 5 quart (or larger) pot set over medium heat. Add 7 cups of marshmallows (reserve remaining 1½ cups for later). Stir to combine, then cook, stirring occasionally, until marshmallows melt and the mixture is smooth. Add vanilla extract to the marshmallow/butter mixture and stir to combine.
- Add cereal to the pot and stir well to coat with marshmallow mixture. Remove pot from the heat.
- While the mixture is still warm, stir in remaining 1½ cups marshmallows (this makes the treats extra gooey). *If they aren't melting well, return pot to the stove and stir over low heat for a few seconds! You don't want them to be totally melted, just a little soft!
- Transfer the cereal marshmallow mixture into prepared pan. Lightly butter your hands or use a non-stick spoon or spatula to gently press the cereal into an even layer in the pan.
- Cool for at least an hour before cutting into squares.
Helpful Notes and Tips From Liz
- If using unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon of salt to enhance the flavor of the treats. Dairy free and plant-based butters will also work.
- You can use larger marshmallows, but you'll want to cut them into smaller pieces to help them melt more easily.
- To take this dessert up a notch, pour chocolate ganache or melted chocolate over the top of the cool bars.
Kay
Hi Ms. Marino:
I'm not sure how many ounces this recipe calls for? In the ingredient list, it states one 16 ounces bag; which is 2 cups. Then to divide and have 7 cups + 1- 1/2 cups. This equals 8- 1/2 cups total.
However, the recipe states only 16 ounces; which is only 2 cups. For the 8 1/2 cups, the recipe should say five - 16 ounce bags; with 1- 1/2 cups leftover.
Maybe I'm calculating this incorrectly? I want to make sure that I have the correct amount of marshmallows for the recipe.
I'm new to your page and look forward to trying not only this recipe, but many others, too!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gallo
Liz Marino
A 16 ounce bag of mini marshmallows usually comes out to 8 cups. I'm not sure where you're getting 2 cups out of a 16 ounce bag. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I'm wondering if yo maybe have a smaller bag of marshmallows that isn't actually 16 ounces?
Rachel Duncan
I’m usually not a Rice Krispie fan, but made these for birthday dessert and now I’m hooked. These are SO GOOD! They are super fast and easy to make which is a plus. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Liz Marino
Thanks, Rachel! So glad you liked them!
Berni
OHH, the vanilla adds the little bit extra, so so good. I didn’t read all the directions first so I grabbed a bigger 9 x 13 pan so they are thinner. That actually worked out better with my kids, who like to take more than they can ever actually eat and then throw the rest away (not cool kids lol). Definitely going to be using this recipe over the one on the box going forward.