Julie Clark
Posted: Updated:
The Best Rice Krispie Treats
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Our recipe for the best rice krispie treats: ooey, gooey and sweet! With two sizes of marshmallows and extra butter for super soft bars.
I’ve always loved rice krispie treats, but I’m slightly picky about them. I like them full of marshmallows, soft and gooey. I don’t want a hard, dry krispie treat, know what I mean?
I worked on this recipe over the winter and Kinslee said they were the best bars she’s ever had. We gladly devoured several pans of these as I recipe tested my perfect recipe krispie treat. And we’re sharing it today. The best!
Why you’ll love these bars:
- soft and gooey bars
- marshmallows in every bite
- salted butter and vanilla add warmth
- quick and easy recipe the whole family loves!
If you have leftover rice krispies, make our scotcheroo bars!
Our Recipe vs the Original Recipe
The original recipe on the Rice Krispie website calls for just 10 ounces of marshmallow, 3 tablespoons of butter and 6 cups of cereal.
In our recipe, I doubled the butter, added two cups of mini marshmallows for extra fluffy texture, plus a teaspoon of vanilla for flavor and richness. If you like a gooey rice krispie treat, this is the recipe you’ll want!
How do you make rice krispie treats from scratch?
- Prepare a 9×13″ baking pan with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper (also spray the paper to prevent sticking) for easy removal and cutting.
- In a large microwave safe bowl, heat the large marshmallows and butter together in 30 second intervals, stirring between each time. The marshmallows and butter should melt together within about 2 minutes.
- As soon as the marshmallows are melted, add the vanilla and stir.
- Then quickly add the mini marshmallows and cereal. Stir until the cereal is completely coated.
- Press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan evenly. Don’t press too tightly or the bars will be hard. Press firmly, but also gently.
- Allow the bars to set for about 20 minutes at room temperature, then cut into bars and serve.
What can I use instead of marshmallow for rice krispie treats?
If you don’t have marshmallows, you can use marshmallow cream. Use about 10 ounces of marshmallow cream to a similar gooey texture. Please note this is not my favorite way to make them, but it works in a pinch.
You could also use chocolate as a binder, or use maple syrup and almond butter.
Do you put rice krispie treats in the fridge?
Store the cereal bars at room temperature in an airtight container. They are best eaten within two days.
Can you freeze rice krispie treats? Yes! You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks. Place parchment paper between the layers if you stack them so that they don’t stick together.
The Best Rice Krispie Treats Ever
Our recipe for the best rice krispie treats: ooey, gooey and sweet! With two sizes of marshmallows and extra butter for super soft bars.
Servings 15
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Setting Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 10 ounces large marshmallows
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13" baking pan with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper (also spray the paper to prevent sticking) for easy removal and cutting.
- In a large microwave safe bowl, heat the large marshmallows and butter together in 30 second intervals, stirring between each time. The marshmallows and butter should melt together within about 2 minutes.
- As soon as the marshmallows are melted, add the vanilla and stir.
- Then quickly add the mini marshmallows and cereal. Stir until the cereal is completely coated.
- Press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan evenly. Don't press too tightly or the bars will be hard. Press firmly, but also gently.
- Allow the bars to set for about 20 minutes at room temperature, then cut into bars and serve.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
The calories shown are based on the bars being cut into 15 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 bar. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are 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.**
Nutrition
Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 885IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 3mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rice krispie treats vegan?
Not in the original form, no. You’d have to make sure the marshmallows, butter and cereal were vegan because many brands are not.
Are rice krispie treats gluten free?
Marshmallows and rice krispies can both contain gluten, so be sure to read the labels to be so you don’t accidentally ingest gluten.
Recipe Variations
- make with fruity pebbles cereal
- add mini chocolate chips
- add sprinkles for any holiday
- mix in chopped nuts
- use fruity marshmallows
These are awesome! I’ll never go back to the original recipe.