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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Gooey Rice Crispy Treats

    March 3, 2023 by LaKita 6 Comments

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    rice crispy treats pressed into parchment lined baking pan
    overhead view of crispy treats cut into squares on parchement paper

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Try making a batch of Gooey Rice Crispy Treats for a tasty treat. They're made with extra mini marshmallows to keep them soft and paired with crispy rice cereal for the perfect treat.

    If you're craving more sweet and delicious rice krispie treats, then try making a batch of white chocolate covered Funfetti Rice Krispie Treats. For some Halloween-inspired treats try making Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats.

    overhead view of finished rice crispy treats on parchment paper

    I had my first crispy rice treat at a school bake sale. It was wrapped in plastic wrap and purchased with loose change, probably a piggy bank.

    Regardless, there is something nostalgic that happens when you mix crispy rice cereal with marshmallows. Wouldn't you agree?

    Through the years I've fallen in love with rice crispy treats and find them totally irresistible. I'm not kidding! I make them often and when there's no one around, I will eat the whole entire pan.

    I have it so bad for these treats that I'll make a single serving in the microwave by melting butter and marshmallows in a small bowl, before adding the cereal. Yea, I know that I could go to the store and purchase the packaged version, but to me, it's just not the same.

    Even the recipe on the back of the box of cereal tells you to use a certain amount of marshmallows which doesn't make them gooey enough for me. I prefer to use way more marshmallows than required, the more gooey-er.

    Let's get started!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Recipe Tips & Tricks
    • Storage
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes You'll Love

    Ingredients You'll Need

    overhead view of ingredients needed to make rice crispy treats in separate bowls and packaging
    1. Crispy Rice Cereal - Use any brand of crispy rice cereal that you prefer. This is the main ingredient when it comes to rice krispie treats. Try to use fresh or recently opened cereal.
    2. Mini Marshmallows - Two 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows are needed to make this recipe. I prefer using mini marshmallows because they melt much easier. Be sure that you use fresh soft marshmallows as they work best and help make the treats ultra gooey.
    3. Butter - You can use salted or unsalted butter whichever you prefer.
    4. Vanilla Extract - Use regular pure vanilla extract or clear imitation vanilla extract in the same unit of measure.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Begin the recipe by lightly spraying an 8×8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. Set aside.

    In a large pot over medium-low heat, add the butter and allow it to melt. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until melted and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine.

    mini marshmallows, butter, and vanilla added to large pot with wooden spoon

    Carefully remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the crispy rice cereal until fully combined.

    Add the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press evenly using a rubber spatula that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Be sure to press down lightly until you form an even layer in the pan.

    rice crispy treats added to parchment lined baking pan

    Allow the rice krispie treats time to cool completely for about 10 to 15 minutes before cutting them into squares using a sharp knife to serve. Enjoy!

    close up side view of crispy treats on parchment paper

    Recipe Tips & Tricks

    • When pressing them into the pan, to prevent sticking, dampen your hands a bit with water or lightly spray a rubber spatula with cooking spray and use that instead.
    • Spread the rice krispie treat mixture evenly into the baking pan with damp hands, but try not to press down with a lot of pressure. You want to gently pat them down and then stop. This will keep the treats soft and chewy instead of hard and crispy.
    • Don't be afraid to add more marshmallows, it will make them even gooier! This recipe says 1 ½ bags but feel free to use both bags (20 ounces) of mini marshmallows if you prefer.
    • Try to use fresh cereal to get the most crispy version possible.

    Storage

    Store any leftover rice krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, if they last that long in your home. These treats do not have to be kept in the refrigerator.

    Recipe

    rice crispy treats pressed into parchment lined baking pan

    Gooey Rice Crispy Treats

    LaKita Anderson
    Try making a batch of Gooey Rice Crispy Treats for a tasty treat. They're made with extra mini marshmallows to keep them soft and paired with crispy rice cereal for the perfect treat.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Resting Time 1 hr
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 205 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 8x8-inch square baking pan
    • Parchment paper
    • 1 Large Stock Pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups crispy rice cereal (Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal)
    • 15 ounces mini marshmallows
    • 4 ½ tablespoons butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Begin the recipe by lightly spraying an 8×8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • In a large pot over medium-low heat, add the 4 ½ tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt. Add the 15 ounces of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until melted and smooth. Add the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and stir to combine.
    • Carefully remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the 6 cups crispy rice cereal until fully combined.
    • Add the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press evenly using a rubber spatula that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Be sure to press lightly until you form an even layer in the pan.
    • Allow the rice krispie treats time to cool completely for about 10 to 15 minutes before cutting them into squares using a sharp knife to serve. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • When pressing them into the pan, to prevent sticking, dampen your hands a bit with water or lightly spray a rubber spatula with cooking spray and use that instead.
    • Spread the rice krispie treat mixture evenly into the baking pan with damp hands, but try not to press down with a lot of pressure. You want to gently pat them down and then stop. This will keep the treats soft and chewy instead of hard and crispy.
    • Don't be afraid to add more marshmallows, it will make them even gooier! This recipe says 1 ½ bags but feel free to use both bags (20 ounces) of mini marshmallows if you prefer.
    • Try to use fresh cereal to get the most crispy version possible.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 136mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 1062IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 4mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword rice krispie treats
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

    Original post date 04/03/2015. Updated 03/03/2023.

    cut up rice crispy treats on parchment paper

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Funfetti Rice Krispie Treats
    • Chocolate Almond Butter Crispy Rice Treats
    • Neapolitan Rice Krispie Treats
    • Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

    Got any comments, questions, or other ideas about Gooey Rice Crispy Treats? Share them in the comments below!


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela Gilmore

      April 03, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      I never used sprinkles when making rice crispy treats, I love the way them make them look so festive! We don't make these much because we only use vegan marshmallows and they are really expensive. I have been craving them though, and these pictures make me want them even more, you can SEE how gooey they are!

      Reply
      • admin

        April 05, 2015 at 8:23 pm

        The sprinkles really do make these a little more festive...I could have actually used more sprinkles. I never thought about vegan marshmallows and when I looked up the price I could see why these would be a rare vegan treat. They were gooey though and you could always make homemade marshmallows...They will taste so much better anyway 😉

        Reply
    2. Keisha | The Girl Next Door is Black

      April 05, 2015 at 1:53 am

      One of the best snacks ever! Hooray for extra marshmallows!

      Reply
      • admin

        April 05, 2015 at 8:24 pm

        Hi Keisha! I could not agree with you more.

        Reply
    3. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

      April 09, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      My kids always loved rice krispie treats when they were little...my husband once made a rice krispie castle for one of their birthday parties. It was a huge hit! Thanks so much for sharing your yummy recipe with us at #FoodieFriDIY...hope to see you again tonight! We go live at 9 pm EST. 🙂

      Reply
      • admin

        April 10, 2015 at 12:41 am

        Thanks you! Now a rice crispy treat castle sounds amazing!! I may have to have one of those for my next birthday, but I will probably eat all of it 😉

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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