Best Rice Krispie Treats with the perfect ratio of cereal to gooey marshmallow for the ultimate treat. No bake and irresistible – get your nostalgia on!

closeup view of square of Best Rice Krispie Treats

The Best Rice Krispie Treats are a nostalgic, no-bake classic dessert with just 4 simple ingredients.

We devoured them as kids, made them for our own kids or because they’re incredibly easy to make – made them as kids.

Like Starbucks’ Marshmallow Dream Bar, but even better.

stack of the best rice krispie treats

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

  • Whip up a batch in 15 minutes with just a few simple ingredients.
  • Chewy rice krispie treats are perfect balance of gooey marshmallows and crispy cereal.
  • Rice Krispie squares are a nostalgic treat that never goes out of style.
  • This is a classic no bake recipe that’s enjoyed all year long.
  • Tasty after school snack, picnic, potluck, bake sale, birthday parties – any special occasions!

WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE THE BEST RICE KRISPIE TREATS?

closeup of best rice krispie treats with marshmallow pull

  • salted butter
  • bag of miniature marshmallows
  • pure vanilla extract
  • Rice Krispies cereal

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST RICE KRISPIE TREATS:

Butter a 9×9 baking dish (or line with wax paper or parchment paper).

Set aside then reserve one cup of the marshmallows.

Add butter to a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat to medium low heat. Melt butter then add marshmallows,. Reduce heat to low and cook stirring often until the marshmallows melt.

Remove the pot from the heat, add the vanilla and cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture, stirring gently until it’s completely blended.

Fold in the extra marshmallows stirring until just combined.

Transfer the cereal mixture to the prepared baking pan in an even layer gently pressing (don’t compact too tightly).

Cool completely then cut into 9-12 little squares.

HOW TO STORE RICE KRISPIE TREATS:

Store this classic treat in an airtight container or zip top bag on the counter for 3-4 days. For best flavor eat within 48 hours.

If stacked, layer with wax paper or cut and wrap individually in plastic wrap so they don’t stick together.

ARE RICE KRISPIE TREATS GLUTEN FREE?

No, Rice Krispies cereal is no longer gluten free but there are other brands of rice cereal (check out Aldi) that are GF and would work in this recipe. Just be sure to read the package.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST RICE KRISPIE TREATS:

  1. Use fresh marshmallows – stale or old marshmallows don’t melt as well.
  2. Generic brand crispy rice cereal can be used.
  3. Melt marshmallows over low to medium-low heat. Higher heat may result in dry, tough treats.
  4. Gently fold in the cereal with a rubber spatula without crushing it.

VARIATIONS TO THIS RECIPE:

  • Add chocolate chips or other melted chocolate.
  • Unsalted butter can be used but add a pinch of salt to melted marshmallows.
  • Blend in peanut butter for peanut butter rice krispie treats.
  • Brown butter for Brown Butter Rice Krispie treats.
  • Use cookie cutters to cut treats into shapes

NEED ANOTHER EASY DESSERT RECIPE?

S’Mores Cookie Cups – bite size graham cracker cups filled with toasted mini marshmallows and Hershey’s chocolate. No campfire required!

No Bake Cheesecake Jars – graham cracker crust topped with creamy cheesecake and fresh fruit. Light, easy-to-make portable dessert served in Mason Jars!

Frozen Chocolate Yogurt Banana Bites – bite size crown favorite! Box brownie mix ramped up with Jack Daniels and finished off with a salted caramel drizzle.

Enjoy!

pinterest pin showing Best Rice Krispie Treats

Tried this easy recipe for Homemade Krispie Treats? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and TAG ME on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife

Best Rice Krispie Treats

Best Rice Krispie Treats - the perfect ratio of cereal to gooey marshmallow for the ultimate treat. No bake and irresistible!
5 from 4 votes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories

Equipment

  • 9 x 9 baking dish

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter plus more for buttering baking dish
  • 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 1/4 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions
 

  • Butter a 9×9 baking dish (or line with wax paper, aluminum foil or parchment paper) then set aside.
  • Reserve one cup of marshmallows.
    Add the butter to a deep pot over low to medium-low heat. Once the butter melts, add the remaining marshmallows, reduce the heat to low and cook stirring often until the marshmallows are melted.
  • Remove the pot from the heat, blend in the vanilla then add the Rice Krispies stirring gently with a rubber spatula until it’s completely blended with the melted marshmallows.
  • Next add the reserved marshmallows stirring just until combined. Transfer the treats to the prepared baking dish gently pressing (don’t compact too tightly). Cool completely then cut into 9-12 squares.
Keyword rice krispie treats, best rice krispie treats, rice krispie bars
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. Do you happen to have the weights in GRAMS? Measuring cups are so inaccurate! The butter would be 84 grams, the marshmallows would be 283 grams (10 x 28.3) but I’m lost on the cereal, because I’m Keto and would be using Catalina Crunch or Magic Spoon cereal and their shapes are far different from Rice Krispies. I don’t suppose you could measure a cup of R.K. cereal and weigh it for me (in grams?) Thank you with all my heart!