Simply LaKita

  • Home
  • About
  • Browse Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Drinks and Cocktails
    • Snacks and Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Instant Pot
  • Contact
  • Where Southern Comfort Food Meets Modern Flavor
  • Accessibility Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Desserts

Modified: Jun 4, 2025 · Published: May 27, 2025 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Gooey Rice Krispie Treats (Soft, Chewy & Extra Marshmallowy!)

Jump to Recipe
Close up side view of rice krispie treats stacked on top of each other.
Overhead view of rice krispie treats in parchment lined square baking sheet.
Close up overhead view of square cut treats on parchment paper.
Close up side view of finished treat on parchment paper.
Side view of three krispie treats stacked on each other on pin with text overlay.
Four process photos to make rice krispie treats on pin with text overlay.
Close up side view of rice krispie treats stacked on top of each other.

These Gooey Rice Krispie Treats are soft, extra chewy, and loaded with marshmallows in every bite. Made with crispy rice cereal, butter, and vanilla, they come together in minutes with no baking required. Perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or nostalgic snacking.

Before You Make, Read This!

💬 The Vibe: Classic, nostalgic, sweet, and chewy childhood treats.

📦 Storage Tip: Don’t refrigerate! Room temperature keeps them soft.

💡 Best Bite Alert: Use fresh cereal and extra marshmallows, trust us!

Overhead view of finished rice krispie treat squares on parchment paper.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Ultra gooey & soft thanks to extra marshmallows.
  • No oven required, just a stovetop or microwave.
  • Quick & easy to make in under 15 minutes.
  • Kid-friendly and fun to make together.
  • Great for parties or gifting (and always a hit!).

Ingredients You'll Need

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make rice krispie treat in separate bowls and packaging.
  • Crispy Rice Cereal - Use any brand, but make sure it’s fresh for that signature crunch.
  • Mini Marshmallows - Two 10-ounce bags (or one 16-oz plus extra) for ultimate gooeyness. Mini marshmallows melt faster and give better texture.
  • Butter - Salted or unsalted, both work. It creates that rich, buttery base.
  • Vanilla Extract - A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavor and enhances the marshmallow notes.

👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.

How to Make Gooey Rice Krispie Treats

Prepare the Pan: Lightly spray an 8×8-inch pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.

Melt the Butter & Marshmallows: In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add in the marshmallows and stir continuously until fully melted and smooth.

Mini marshmallows and melted butter in large pot with spatula.

Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract and remove the pot from the heat.

Vanilla extract added to melted marshmallow mixture in large pot with spatula.

Mix in Cereal: Immediately add the crispy rice cereal and gently stir until evenly coated.

Cereal added to marshmallow mixture in large pot with spatula.
Rice krispie treats mixture in large pot being mixed with a spatula.

Press & Set: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press gently into an even layer with a spatula sprayed with cooking spray (or damp hands).

Overhead view of rice krispie treats in parchment lined square baking sheet.

Cool & Cut: Let cool for 10–15 minutes. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Rice krispie treats cut into squares on parchment paper.

Recipe Tips & Variations

  • Go extra gooey: Use the full 20 oz of marshmallows if you like them super soft.
  • No sticking: Spray your spatula or hands with cooking spray before pressing the mixture into the pan.
  • Don’t press too hard: Light pressure keeps them soft and chewy.
  • Use fresh cereal: Stale cereal = stale treats.
  • Make it a party: Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or drizzle with melted chocolate.

Want To Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get comforting new recipes from us every week!

Close up side view of rice krispie treat on parchment paper.

Storage Tips

  • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Don’t refrigerate: Cold = hard treats. Keep them soft by storing at room temperature.
  • Freezing is not recommended for the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini?

Yes, but cut them into smaller pieces so they melt more evenly.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter adds better flavor and richness, but margarine works in a pinch.

Why are my rice krispie treats hard?

You may have used stale cereal, old marshmallows, or pressed them too firmly into the pan.

How do I make a single serving?

Melt 1 tablespoon butter with ½ cup mini marshmallows in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir in ¾ cup cereal and eat with a spoon!

Overhead view of three finished treats on white plate on marble surface.

More Sweet Treats You'll Love

  • Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats
  • Strawberry Delight
  • Chocolate Delight
  • Old-Fashioned Pound Cake
  • Halloween Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats
  • Close up overhead view of finished cake in white baking dish.
    Banana Pudding Tres Leches Cake – Soul Food Meets Classic Tres Leches
  • Overhead view of baked cinnamon rolls in parchment-lined baking pan.
    Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls (Makes Just 4 Rolls!)
  • Close up view of finished recipe in white baking dish on marble surface.
    Strawberry Delight (No-Bake Dessert)
  • Close up side view of finished pound cake on a plate.
    Greek Yogurt Pound Cake (Easy & Buttery with 7 Ingredients)

Have any comments, questions, or gooey mix-in ideas for these Rice Krispie Treats? Drop them below, I’d love to hear how you make yours!

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of rice krispie treats in parchment lined square baking sheet.

Gooey Rice Krispie Treats

LaKita Anderson
Make the best Gooey Rice Krispie Treats using extra marshmallows for a soft, chewy texture. Quick, easy, no-bake recipe perfect for any sweet craving!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 237 kcal

Equipment

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

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 20 ounces mini marshmallows (two 10 oz bags)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal

Instructions
 

  • Spray an 8×8-inch pan with nonstick spray or line with parchment paper.
  • In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the 6 tablespoons butter.
  • Add 20 ounces mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
  • Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  • Remove from heat and immediately stir in 6 cups crispy rice cereal until evenly coated.
  • Press into the prepared pan using a greased spatula or damp hands. Don’t pack too tightly.
  • Let cool 10–15 minutes. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

  • Go extra gooey: Use the full 20 oz of marshmallows if you like them super soft.
  • No sticking: Spray your spatula or hands with cooking spray before pressing the mixture into the pan.
  • Don’t press too hard: Light pressure keeps them soft and chewy.
  • Use fresh cereal: Stale cereal = stale treats.
  • Make it a party: Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or drizzle with melted chocolate.
Calories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 83mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 175IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.4mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword Gooey Rice Krispie Treats, rice krispie treats
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 04/03/2015. Updated 03/03/2023 & 05/27/2025.

More Desserts

  • Close up overhead view of chocolate fondue dippers on dessert board.
    Chocolate Fondue Dessert Board (Easy & Fun Party Treat!)
  • Overhead view of finished mug brownie by a spoon on surface.
    Mug Brownie Recipe
  • Close up front view of finished pound cake on serving plate.
    Sweet Potato Pound Cake
  • Overhead view of finished pound cake topped with ganache on white plate.
    Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake

Comments

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    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 says

      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
  2. Keisha | The Girl Next Door is Black says

    April 05, 2015 at 1:53 am

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

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 05, 2015 at 8:24 pm

      Hi Keisha! I could not agree with you more.

      Reply
  3. Angela Gilmore says

    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 says

      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
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • overhead view of white bowl of salad topped with dressing next to fork and jar of dressing
    Hibachi Ginger Dressing
  • Close up view of piece of delight on white plate with a fork.
    Easy to Make Chocolate Delight Recipe
  • Hibachi Vegetables
  • Overhead view of finished deviled eggs on white plate topped with parsley and paprika.
    Easy Deviled Eggs with Miracle Whip

Featured In

Side Dishes

  • Overhead view of bowl of lima beans with meat and a spoon in it.
    Southern Lima Beans with Smoked Turkey (Stovetop Recipe)
  • Tomato pesto in a bowl
    Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto (Bold, Tangy & Versatile)
  • Close up view of finished sweet potatoes on parchment lined sheet pan.
    How to Roast Sweet Potatoes Without Oil (Fast, Easy, & No-Fuss Method)
  • Overhead view of finished cornbread in cast iron skillet with a knife in it.
    Southern Cracklin Cornbread (Cast Iron Recipe)

See more Side Dishes →

Footer

↑ back to top

as seen in:

Subscribe for weekly updates!

Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy
  • ↑ back to top

Copyright © 2025 Simply LaKita • Post may contain affiliate links.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.