Rice Krispies Recipe

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ByJi-hyun

Rice Krispies Treats are a classic, easy-to-make snack that combines the crispy texture of Rice Krispies cereal with the gooey sweetness of marshmallows. Great for kids and adults alike, this perfect recipe is sure to bring back fond memories or create new ones. Check out the yummy Rice Krispies Treats recipe below!

Can I Make My Own Rice Krispies?

Absolutely! Making your own Rice Krispies Treats at home is a simple and rewarding process. Not only do you get the satisfaction of creating a delicious snack from scratch, but you also have control over the ingredients and can customize the treats to your liking. Plus, homemade treats often taste fresher and more delicious than store-bought versions.

What Are the Ingredients in Rice Krispies?

Rice Krispies cereal contains rice, sugar, salt, barley malt extract, and several vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin B6, riboflavin, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. 

Rice Krispie Treats are made from Rice Krispies cereal, fresh marshmallows, and butter.

How Do They Make Rice Krispies Cereal?

Rice Krispies cereal is made of puffed rice mixed with malt flavoring made of sugar, salt, and malt extract dissolved water. The rice is then cooked at a super high temperature until it pops like popcorn. 

What Is the Difference Between Old and New Rice Krispies?

The original recipe of Rice Krispie Treats cereal had Rice Krispies clusters that were bound by a buttery marshmallow mixture. The new version of the cereal has frosted Rice Krispies and marshmallows.

Homemade Rice Krispie Treat Recipe Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 16-ounce bag mini marshmallows
  • 2 cups extra marshmallows
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How to Make Rice Krispie Treats

Enjoy the best Rice Krispie Treats at home with this great recipe!

  1. Line a 13×9 pan with wax paper or parchment paper. Lightly grease the wax paper or parchment paper with a mist of nonstick spray. Set aside.
  2. Melt the butter over medium heat using a large saucepan. Stir occasionally until the butter is completely melted. 
  3. Reduce heat to low heat and add marshmallows, stirring constantly until the mini marshmallows are completely melted. 
  4. Remove the pan from heat and add vanilla extract. 
  5. Add Rice Krispies cereal and gently stir until the cereal is completely coated with marshmallows.
  6. Stir in the remaining marshmallows.
  7. Transfer the mixture from the large pot to the prepared pan. Lightly press the mixture into the entire pan using a greased spatula.
  8. Let the Rice Krispies Treats cool completely before cutting, about 1 hour.
  9. Cut the Rice Krispies Treats into squares and serve.

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe Tips

  • This Rice Krispie Treats recipe is not gluten-free as the crispy rice cereal uses a type of sweetener produced from barley. Don’t worry because you can still make the Rice Krispy Treats recipe gluten-free by using a crispy rice cereal that’s labeled gluten-free.
  • Margarine is not recommended in Treats this recipe as the texture of the Rice Krispie Treats will not be as smooth. Butter makes all the difference.
  • Use fresh marshmallows in this recipe as using stale marshmallows will result in dry and stale rice crispy treats.
  • If you don’t have mini marshmallows, use one bag of large marshmallows or 1 jar of marshmallow creme.
  • Using salted butter is the best for rice crispies. If you don’t have it on hand, use unsalted butter and add salt to the mixture.
  • Stir the Rice Krispies, butter, and marshmallows on low heat for the best chewy results.
  • Aside from using a greased silicone spatula, you can also lightly grease your hands with non-stick cooking spray to gently press the mixture into the pan.  
  • You can make more Rice Krispie Treats variations by adding ingredients such as rainbow sprinkles and chocolate chips.
  • For a slightly nutty flavor, use browned butter. If you want to make your Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treat even more delicious, add 1/3 cup of nonfat dry milk to the butter once it foams. Stir constantly for 5 minutes, breaking up the butter clumps as best as you can until it turns into a dark brown color.
  • Use cooking spray on the wax or parchment paper when lining the pan so that you don’t worry about extra butter on your fingertips. 
  • Make sure to cover the whole pan with the Treats mixture.
  • Store leftover Rice Krispies Treats in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • You may also freeze the Rice Krispies Treats by placing them in layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks.

Final Note

This Rice Krispies Treats recipe is a fun and simple way to enjoy a nostalgic stick. You can stick to the classic recipe but you can also make it more exciting and serve it on special occasions by adding colored sprinkles or chocolate chips. No matter what, these treats will surely be a hit with your family and friends. 

Looking for the best rice recipes to whip up for mealtimes? Browse through our collection.

Hailing from California, USA. Ji-hyun is a Korean American 🇰🇷🇺🇸 with two growing boys who eat their weight in rice each week. After graduating UCLA & becoming a mom she started We Know Rice as a guide for all the students and moms out there looking to cook healthy and filling meals.