The BEST Rice Krispies Treats!

Think ooey, gooey loaded with marshmallows! That’s what makes these the BEST Rice Krispies Treats.

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Plus, you can make them in your microwave so they are super quick and easy to make. These will be your go-to for years to come. Think perfectly THICK AND CHEWY.

These Rice Krispies Treats are definitely one of our family favorites. I’ve made these for birthday parties, BBQs, potlucks, and sports practices as the “kids dessert”, but more often than not the adults can’t keep their hands off them either.

You know how a lot of recipes instruct you to melt all of the marshmallows? Well, my recipe has the melted marshmallows, which is what holds the cereal together, but I also add unmelted marshmallows to the mixture.

They create ooey-gooey pockets of marshmallows in each bar because as you mix them in they partially melt but hold their shape. It’s a simple thing, but it makes a big difference! If you love extra-chewy and thick Rice Krispies Treats you’re going to love these!

Why this recipe is the BEST!

• It’s a leveled up version, but is still SUPER easy to make! Ready within minutes.
• They’re filled with pockets of marshmallows that make them extra-special and extra-gooey.
• Always the first treat gone, so they are perfect for potlucks, parties and more.
• No-Bake recipe so they don’t heat up the house in the summer.

Only 4 Ingredients Needed!

• Butter – Grab the salted butter for this recipe because it will help balance out the sweetness.
• Mini marshmallows – Skip the big marshmallows and go for mini ones to help them melt evenly. Plus we add a few extra in after we mix the cereal to add to the ultimate gooey marshmallow factor.
• Pure vanilla extract – Optional, but we love the added boost of flavor it adds in this recipe.
• Rice Krispies cereal – To keep it traditional there’s no substitute for this, but you can mix this up with different types of cereal!

Steps to Prepare

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this easy recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

• Melt – Melt the marshmallows and butter in the microwave.
• Mix – In a big bowl add Rice Krispies, marshmallow mixture and stir to combine. Add vanilla and stir. Add reserved marshmallows and stir until incorporated.
• Press into pan – Butter you fingers if you want and press the gooey mixture into the pan!

Stove Top Directions

If you do not want to microwave the butter and marshmallows you can simply but them in a saucepan over medium heat and melt them together stirring frequently. Then stir the reserved marshmallows in.

Helpful Tools

• 9×13″ baking pan
• Heavy duty tin foil
• Large microwave-safe bowl
• Spatula

Tips and Tricks!

• Line Pan – To make it easy to remove the bars, line your baking dish with enough tin foil so you have extra that hang over the edges of the pans. That way, you can grab it and lift the bars out in one whole piece before you slice them.
• Use Fresh Marshmallows – Okay, so this might go without saying, but you must use fresh marshmallows. Marshmallows that have been around too long harden and if you if use them to make these treats your bars won’t be chewy they’ll be rock hard! You might think it will work because hard marshmallows will melt, but once they set you’ll have bricks instead of soft and chewy bars.
• Use PURE VANILLA EXTRACT – Pure vanilla extract is made with real vanilla, so don’t substitute regular vanilla extract otherwise you won’t get that wonderful natural vanilla flavor.
• Do not press firmly into pan – When you press the cereal mixture into the pan don’t press too hard otherwise your bars will be too dense and too chewy. Lightly press it in so that there is still plenty of air in the bars.
• Use wet hands or buttered hands to press into pan – Okay, if you’ve ever tried to press sticky marshmallows and cereal with your hands you know you end up with more stuck to your hands than in the pan! To make it easier, butter or wet your hands with water when you handle the mixture so it goes in the pan and doesn’t stick to you.

How long do Rice Krispies Treats stay fresh?

They will stay fresh at room temperature for two to three days as long as they are stored in an airtight container.

Do I need to refrigerate them?

If you plan to eat them within a day or two you don’t need to refrigerate them, but if you want to keep them longer you can keep them in the refrigerator for three to four days. The only thing about refrigerating them is that they will harden, so plan to let them sit at room temperature for at least an hour before serving them so they soften up.

Can I freeze them?

You can freeze them for up to two months. They need to be tightly wrapped and when you’re ready to serve them you will need to leave them out at room temperature to thaw.

Why are my Rice Krispies Treats hard?

There are a few reasons your they might be hard instead of soft and chewy. How old were the marshmallows? Marshmallows that have gone stale and are no longer soft will make your treats hard. If you refrigerated or froze your treats did you let them come to room temperature before you served them? Storing the treats at a cold temperature can change their texture. Also, when you made the treats if you pressed too hard on the mixture when you put it in the pan could cause them to be hard instead of chewy. Another reason could be that you microwaved them to long, this will make the marshmallows turn hard too!

Can I use other cereal to make them?

Yes! Obviously, Rice Krispies are the classic cereal to make these treats but any cereal you like will work, too! Here are some ideas and I’ve also linked some of my favorite variations before the recipe card!

• Cheerios
• Fruity Pebbles
• Trix
• Golden Grahams
• Cocoa Puffs
• Cap’n Crunch
• Chex

I even use cornflakes at Christmas time to make a festive marshmallow treat, Cornflake Wreaths!

More No Bake Treat Recipes!

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
• Nutter Butter Rice Krispie Bars
• Scotcharoos
• Special K Bars
• Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

Love these as much as we do? I’d love it you would rate this recipe!! A five-star rating will make my day!

Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

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5 from 14 votes

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Quick and easy Rice Krispie Treats with extra marshmallows! Microwave directions to make them the easiest ever!

Prep:5 minutes mins

Cook:5 minutes mins

Cooling Time:1 hour hr

Total:1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 12 Tbsp butter sliced into thin slabs
• ▢ 2 bags mini marshmallows divided, (10 oz bags)
• ▢ 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ▢ 8 ½ c. Rice Krispies

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Instructions

• Spray a 9’’ x 13’’ pan with non-stick spray or line with heavy duty aluminum foil greased with non-stick spray. If using foil let it drape over the sides of the pan for easy removal of bars.
• Remove two cups of marshmallows and set aside.
• Place the butter slabs and remaining marshmallows in a large microwave safe container. Microwave for 2 minutes. Remove and stir until butter and marshmallows are melted and combined. Add vanilla and stir until combined.
• Quickly mix in cereal and stir until it is combined. Add reserved marshmallows and stir until they are softened and partially melted. You do not want them to completely melt as the provides those delicious pockets of marshmallow goo.
• Press mixture into prepared pan. You can butter your fingers to help press them into the pan with less mixture sticking with to them or use the butter wrapper to push the mixture into the pan. Damp fingers also work to help press the mixture into the pan without getting it stuck to your fingers.
• Let cool at room temperature for at least a hour.
• If you used foil you can lift the treats onto cutting board and cut into pieces.
• Otherwise cut them in the pan.

Tips

These will also freeze for up to 6 weeks. To freeze place in airtight container. Use wax paper between layers. To use frozen treats remove from freezer and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

If you do not want to microwave the butter and marshmallows you can simply but them in a saucepan over medium heat and melt them together stirring frequently. Then stir the reserved marshmallows in.

TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE THE BEST RICE KRISPIE TREATS!

• Line Pan – To make it easy to remove the bars, line your baking dish with enough tin foil so you have extra that hang over the edges of the pans. That way, you can grab it and lift the bars out in one whole piece before you slice them.
• Use Fresh Marshmallows – Okay, so this might go without saying, but you must use fresh marshmallows. Marshmallows that have been around too long harden and if you if use them to make these treats your bars won’t be chewy they’ll be rock hard! You might think it will work because hard marshmallows will melt, but once they set you’ll have bricks instead of soft and chewy Rice Krispies Treats.
• Use PURE VANILLA EXTRACT – Pure vanilla extract is made with real vanilla, so don’t substitute regular vanilla extract otherwise you won’t get that wonderful natural vanilla flavor.
• Do not press firmly into pan – When you press the Rice Krispies Treats mixture into the pan don’t press too hard otherwise your bars will be too dense and too chewy. Lightly press it in so that there is still plenty of air in the bars.
• Use wet hands or buttered hands to press into pan – Okay, if you’ve ever tried to press sticky marshmallows and cereal with your hands you know you end up with more stuck to your hands than in the pan! To make it easier, butter or wet your hands with water when you handle the mixture so it goes in the pan and doesn’t stick to you.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 445kcal (22%), Carbohydrates: 86g (29%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Cholesterol: 18mg (6%), Sodium: 591mg (26%), Potassium: 128mg (4%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 10g (11%), Vitamin A: 6901IU (138%), Vitamin C: 64mg (78%), Calcium: 7mg (1%), Iron: 31mg (172%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.