The Best Rice Krispie Treats

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This is the ultimate recipe for The Best Rice Krispie Treats. You’ll fall in love all over again with this easy to make classic treat.

Gooey marshmallow rice krispie treats.

There is nothing quite like a freshly made rice krispie treat. It has almost every texture under the sun; crispy, soft, dense, gooey, light, and enjoyable. I wouldn’t be surprised if your family has a recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. But once you try my recipe for The Best Rice Krispie Treats, they may just become your new way to make this incredible treat. Give it a try and you will understand why this is the best!

THE BEST RICE KRISPIE TREATS

This recipe reminds me of my childhood. When my sisters and I were out of school for the summer, and wanted a little something sweet, this is the first thing we would make. They’re super simple to make, and you don’t even have to use the oven. This no-bake treat consists of Rice Krispie Cereal, butter, marshmallows, and a little bit of salt. But what makes this recipe the very best, is the extra marshmallows I add in at the end. They are what make this treat so spectacular!

INGREDIENTS

I bet you have most of the ingredients already, just waiting for you to whip up a batch of these delicious treats:

  • 5 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided
  • 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional, but highly recommended if you use unsalted butter.)
Gooey marshmallow rice krispie treats.

INSTRUCTIONS

Begin by melting butter in a large pot. Once the butter is melted, add 6 cups of the marshmallows and the salt, if using. Stir continuously until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat immediately to not burn the marshmallows.

Next, add the rice krispie cereal. Stir until just combined, then stir in the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows. Line a 9’ x 9’ baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Spread the rice krispie mixture into the pan evenly. Let it cool completely before cutting into squares to enjoy.

PARTIES AND CELEBRATIONS

This recipe is great for birthdays! I love to make this for my kid’s parties because everyone seems to love them. For good reason too, they are perfect just as they are! You can very easily double or triple up the batch if you need to prepare for a large crowd of kids.

STORING

I would be surprised if you have any leftovers after you make these because they are sure to disappear. If you do end up with some leftover, then keep in a Ziploc bag on your counter. They should stay good for 2 to 3 days.

Gooey marshmallow rice krispie treats.

CAN I USE ANOTHER KIND OF CEREAL?

If you are feeling a little adventurous with the recipe, and want to mix things up a little bit, I say go for it! I recommend staying with a cereal base. If there is a style that’s a little fruity, or a little chocolatey then substitute that for the regular rice krispie cereal. 

ADDITIONS

Sometimes I like to drizzle just a little bit of chocolate, or caramel on top. A little goes a long way. You still want to keep the true essence of the rice krispie treat. I will also mix in some M&Ms from time to time for flavor and color.

ENJOY THIS RECIPE? HERE ARE A FEW MORE OF MY FAVORITE NO-BAKE TREATS!

No Bake M&M Energy Bites – These small, yet mighty, bites are packed with protein and are perfect for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack.

The Best No Bake Cookies – The ultimate recipe for everyone’s favorite chocolate, peanut butter, and oats cookie.

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars – Rich dessert bars loaded with peanut butter, chocolate, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and Reese’s pieces.

Easy No Bake Cheesecake – This creamy and delicious dessert is mixed and put right into the freezer to set. No oven required!

Gooey marshmallow rice krispie treats.
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5 from 2 votes

The Best Rice Krispie Treats

The best Rice Krispie Treat recipe that is loaded with extra marshmallows!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Author Holly

Ingredients

  • 5 Tablespoons butter (I use salted butter)
  • 8 cups mini marshmallows divided
  • 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt optional

Instructions

  • Line a 9×9-inch pan with aluminum foil. Spray foil with non-stick spray, set aside.
  • In a large pot, over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once butter is melted add 6 cups mini marshmallows and salt (if using). Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted.
  • Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispie cereal. Stir until just barely coated in marshmallow mixture. Now stir in the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows.
  • Pour mixture into prepared pan and press evenly into the pan.
  • Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Yields: 9 large squares OR 18 small squares.
Treats stay good stored in a large ziplock bag for 2 to 3 days.

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Gooey marshmallow rice krispie treats.

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Recipe Rating




23 thoughts on “The Best Rice Krispie Treats

  1. Please oh please! I am NOT a fan of marshmallows, but melt them, and I will gobble them up. These look so tasty…such a perfect summertime treat!

  2. I’ve never heard of adding salt to these, but I’m excited to try it and see what it does for the flavor. I can easily demolish a batch of these once a week. I wish I were kidding. 😉

  3. I never thought of salt! Just love the sweet and salty. Have you ever tried adding about 1 tsp. of vanilla extract to the melting marshmallows? That was always my mom’s little secret. It makes a huge difference in the taste.

    1. I think that’s funny you brought up using vanilla extract that’s what I do when I make mine for my kids my mom never used it but I do I also use butter extract along with this salt I think it gives it that little extra something

  4. Try this with reeses peanut butter chips and chocolate chips addef with the last bit of marshmallows. Yummo!

  5. This is the best recipe I have ever used. My family devoured them. My sons friend said that they were his favorite.thanks so much for sharing with us.

  6. Sounds easy…I add just a half tsp. Vanilla & half cup shredded unsweetened coconut ….turned out great

  7. Iade this for my church’s youth group a few days ago. I added a caramel and chocolate drizzle on top. The kids loved them. However, they were very soft and sticky. Could you advise what to do to make them a little more stiff and less sticky (similar to the treats you buy in the store)? Thanks for the recipe and tips!

  8. These truly are THE BEST RKT’s ever! I made these and took them to work and they were all gone in a matter of seconds. I should of doubled the batch! LOL

  9. Hahaha, “last 2 days”. These wouldn’t last 2 hours at my house. My sister and I also used to devour pans of these things. Now with the kids grown, I don’t make them often enough.. Once I made them with browned butter and topped with sea salt. I saw some like that for sale for a ridiculous price somewhere and told myself “I can do that”. Yes, it was also good stuff. Yours look wonderful and with summer coming, sounds like a great idea. Especially for my gluten free husband because several marshmallows and rice cereal are gluten free.

  10. I just made these, they are hands down the best rice crispy treat I’ve ever made/eaten! Will never make them the regular way again. Thanks for sharing!

  11. 5 stars
    BEST RCT RECIPE!! This has been my go to for the past fEw years because everyone raves about them at my parties! Hands down would not Change a thing (other than making a double batch because they disappear so quickly!)

  12. 5 stars
    This has been the only way I have made Rice Krispie Treats since I discovered this recipe a few years ago. Let me just say, I receive sooooo many compliments, every single time, to the point that I only make a triple batch when I’m taking them as a treat somewhere. I also refuse to share “my” recipe LOL

    These are outstanding, truly the best you’ll ever have.

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