Ultimate Rice Krispie Treat Flavor Guide

I’ve created THE ULTIMATE Rice Krispie Treat Flavor Guide. Everything you need to know about How to Make Rice Krispie Treats with all the fun flavors and styles!

Collage photo of rice krispie treats.

All the Rice Krispie Treats

You guys know how much I love candy, cake and brownies. But the real way to my heart is through an ooey-gooey rice krispie treat.

Once or twice (or maybe more) I’ve been known to eat an entire pan of rice krispie treats before my kids got home from school. I don’t really recommend doing this –I’ve made myself sick from doing it, but I just have no willpower when it comes to rice krispie treats!

I have made dozens of types and flavors of rice krispie treats over the years, so I decided to compile what I think of as the Ultimate Rice Krispie Treat Guide for you.

Let’s talk about how to make rice krispie treats and how to change the flavors for the seasons!

Tips and Tricks

Seems pretty straightforward, right? After all, they’re probably one of the first things most kids learn to make with their parents.

But I have 6 tips for making and enjoying the PERFECT Rice Krispie Treats. They’re small tweaks that make a big difference between hard, brick-like bars and soft, ooey gooey rice krispie treat perfection.

  • TIP 1: Line the baking dish with parchment paper. This way you don’t have to worry about extra butter on your fingertips, or the other extreme of your bars sticking to the pan!

If you make sure there is extra parchment paper coming up the sides, you can even use it like a sling to lift them out of the pan.

  • TIP 2: Use fresh marshmallows. Seriously, they make a difference. Don’t grab that bag that’s been in your pantry for months and months thinking it will be okay since you are melting them. It won’t be okay.
  • TIP 3: Add my secret ingredient: VANILLA EXTRACT. Not imitation vanilla, but PURE VANILLA extract. It makes a difference in creating the illusion that you’re using homemade marshmallows.
  • TIP 4: Toss in some extra whole mini marshmallows with your cereal. This adds a whole dimension of chewiness!
  • TIP 5: DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT press these bars into your pan firmly. Using your fingertips, GENTLY press them in just until they are spread out. The harder you pack them in, the harder they are when it’s time to eat them!

Remember, we’re going for soft and chewy treats, not rice krispie bricks!

If the treats are sticking to your fingers when you’re trying to press them in the pan, run your hands under cold water. Shake off the excess water, and while your hands are wet, press them gently. Works like a charm!

  • TIP 6: Store in an airtight container for two days. It’s the perfect amount of time for them to stay soft and chewy. But if they last that long, I’d be shocked!
Classic rice krispie treat on a sheet of foil, being pulled from the pan so you can see the marshmallow.

Scroll down to get my Perfect Rice Krispie Treats recipe! Now let’s talk customization…

Customization and Flavor Fun

As much as I enjoy a classic rice krispie treat, I think it’s really fun to change up the flavors for different seasons and celebrations.

I have 5 easy and fun ways to customize your rice krispie treats.

By using one or more of these tricks, you can make almost any flavor you like!

Chocolate rice krispie treats cut into squares on a silver serving tray.

Use different cereal

I know, they’re called rice krispie treats for a reason. But you can replace some or all of the rice krispies for a totally different texture and flavor!

Try using Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Golden Grahams, Fruit Loops or even Chex, just to name a few.

You can even make Cocoa Krispie Treats to have a chocolate flavored twist!

Make a fun batch of Lucky Charms Treats for St.Patricks Day!

Flavored marshmallows

Did you know that they make all sorts of flavored marshmallows?

That’s right, you don’t have to just use vanilla marshmallows! Flavors ranging from strawberry and peppermint to pumpkin spice and gingerbread can make fun additions to your rice krispie treats.

Use them in place of the melted marshmallows or in place of the whole marshmallows mixed in with the cereal.

Pumpkin spice rice krispie treat topped with white chocolate and halloween sprinkles.

Add instant pudding mix or JELL-O

I really love using instant pudding or gelatin to add flavor and color to all sorts of recipes. You can do the same for rice krispie treats!

Just mix in the powdered pudding mix or gelatin with your melted marshmallow mixture before folding in the cereal. Voila! Flavored rice krispie treats with very little effort.

I love using banana cream pudding mix for Banana Rice Krispie Treats, pistachio pudding mix for Pistachio Rice Krispie Treats with Dark Chocolate, cherry gelatin for Cherry Rice Krispie Treats with Dark Chocolate, or pumpkin spice pudding mix for Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats.

Stir in some fun mix-ins

There are all kinds of things you can stir into rice krispie treats to add fun flavor and texture.

Anything from candy and spices to nut butter or biscoff spread is fair game!

Fluffernutter rice krispie treat on a wooden cutting board. Topped with Reese's peanut butter cups.

I like to add creamy biscoff spread to make Biscoff Rice Krispie Treats, mini peanut butter cups to make Fluffernutter Rice Krispie Treats, peanut butter and mini chocolate chips for Avalanche Krispie Bars, and espresso powder, pure pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice for Pumpkin Spice Latte Rice Krispie Treats.

Get creative with decorations

The best part of rice krispie treats is that you can decorate them for any season or celebration!

Try cutting them into fun shapes with cookie cutters (spray the cutter with no-stick spray first) or decorating the tops with chocolate, candy melts, or even frosting. And don’t forget sprinkles!

I love using candy melts, mini marshmallows and candy eyeballs to make my Mint Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats look like Frankenstein’s monster for Halloween. Or some spooky Spiders as a fun easy Halloween treats. You can even make these cute Mummy Rice Krispie Treats!

Cut treats into circles and decorate with chocolate wafers, candy corn and candy eyes to make Turkey Rice Krispie Treats. Don’t forget to try our pumpkin pie rice krispie treats next!

Thanksgiving rice krispie treats cut into circles and decorated to look like turkeys.

Slice treats into triangles and decorate with melted white chocolate and rainbow chips to make Christmas trees or melted milk chocolate, pretzel pieces, red hots and candy eyes to make reindeer like I did with my Holiday Scotcheroos.

For Easter you can make these adorable Easter Rice Krispie Treat nests. Pipe in some chocolate buttercream and chocolate eggs for a fun holiday treat.

Whether you love the traditional rice krispie treat or have a craving for something a little different, there are so many ways to make this classic treat perfect for you and your family.

What flavor will you make first??

PS. Don’t forget to make a batch of scotcheroos next!

More How To Guides:

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

4.76 from 597 votes
By: Aimee
Get the secret tips and tricks to making the most PERFECT Rice Krispie Treats recipe. From using fresh butter and marshmallows to adding vanilla extract, this is our favorite dessert.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 9 large bars

Ingredients 

  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 16 ounce bag mini marshmallows divided
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 6 cups rice krispies cereal
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Instructions 

  • Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in all but 1 cup of the marshmallows. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring until completely melted.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the cereal and the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows and gently stir until combined.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish. Press GENTLY with your fingertips just until completely spread out (the harder you pack them in, the harder they are to eat).
  • Allow to set, about 1 hour. Cut and enjoy!

Notes

  • How many marshmallows do I need? One 16 ounce bag of marshmallows is about 8-9 cups. You’ll melt all but one cup of the marshmallows in the butter, reserving the last cup for adding with the cereal.
  • Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. This way you don’t have to worry about extra butter on your fingertips, or the other extreme of your bars sticking to the pan! Use binder clips to help the parchment paper stay in place.
  • Use fresh marshmallows. Seriously, they make a difference. Don’t grab that bag that’s been in your pantry for months and months thinking it will be okay since you are melting them. It won’t be okay.
  • Add my secret ingredient. VANILLA EXTRACT. Not imitation vanilla, but PURE VANILLA extract. It makes a difference in creating the illusion that you’re using homemade marshmallows.
  • DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT press these bars into your pan firmly. Using your fingertips, GENTLY press them in just until they are spread out. The harder you pack them in, the harder they are when it’s time to eat them!
  • The trick to pressing them in your pan without sticking to your hands is to run your fingers in water, shake off the excess, and press. Voila. No sticking!
  • Store in an airtight container for two days. If they last that long, I’d be shocked!
  • Make these gluten free by choosing a crispy rice cereal labeled Gluten Free (and check your marshmallow labels too just in case).
  • Can you freeze rice krispie treats? YES! I slide them on a parchment paper lined sheet into a ziploc freezer bag. Thaw on counter until soft again!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 300kcal, Carbohydrates: 57g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 139mg, Sugar: 31g
Course: Rice Krispie Treats
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on February 16, 2019

Comments & Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    These really are the best Rice Krispies! I’ve made them several times now. I prefer to use a 9×13 cuz I didn’t like how tall they were in the 8×8. I always just lightly pack them in as recommended & they definitely fall apart easier but they are way better that way. I usually add mini m&m’s to the top which make them that much better. I’ve also done mini chocolate chips & that was good. I also keep out a little more than a cup of the marshmallows for the end because I love the chunks of them & I mix the cereal in the melted marshmallows first before adding the additional marshmallows cuz it keeps them a little more solid. Thanks for the recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    So easy and yummy! I made this with my toddler & preschooler, and it was so much easier than making baked goods. Turned out so delicious and rich with the vanilla! After they were in the pan, they added random toppings we had in the pantry.

    My question: do we need to refrigerate them while they set, or just leave them at room temperature? I refrigerated them for a couple hours, and they turned out great. Just wondering for next time.

  3. 5 stars
    Made these and they were perfect except I wanted to add a little extra flavor so in the melted butter/marshmallow mix I added a box of cheesecake pudding mix! Let me say yummmmmmmmmm!!!!

  4. 5 stars
    Me and my sister made them for our ballet recital and we had a ball licking the pan and spoon.I have never seen vinilla extract put in rice krispies but they were delicous! Thank you

  5. 5 stars
    This has been my go to recipe for rice krispie treats since I came across it. I like to stir in 3/4ths of a cup of milk chocolate chips along with that last cup of marshmallows so that they melt throughout it and give it a nice chocolate flavor.

  6. 5 stars
    These are hands down the easiest and best tasting rice crispy treats ever! I doubled the recipe. Did not disappoint!

  7. 5 stars
    These are delicious! I thought it was weird to use parchment instead of wax paper and not grease it, but I went by the recipe and ended up with a very stuck pan of treats. They still taste amazing, but there will be a lot of wasted treat and there definitely won’t be nice looking squares out of it haha.

    Just remember to GREASE the pan/paper and maybe use wax paper instead haha!

  8. 5 stars
    My brother requested me to make Ari e Krispie treats! I’m so happy I used this recipe. I cut them with a knife but then used cooking scissors and WOW! So much easier to cut and I just cut them with the parchment paper and stored them that way also so it don’t stick to pan! Sooooo gooey and sticky and amazing lol

  9. 5 stars
    I’ve been making this recipe for years- definitely the best!!! People always comment on it. I’d recommend having ingredients measured out in advance to be able to mix everything up quickly.

  10. 5 stars
    I used rice crispies from 2017 and marshmallows from 2021, and they were fine the reason is they were sealed never opened and kept in an airtight storage container, so you can use out dated is cared for properly !! Yummy turned out great, one pan I forgot the vanilla, and it really makes a difference !!! Thank you

  11. 5 stars
    Make your life easier… turn oven to about 300…Put butter and marshmallows in disposable foil pan. put in oven for approximately five minutes When marshmallows and butter are melted add vanilla and stir to combine. then add cereal stir. No cleanup

  12. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for recipe and the tips! I had just large marshmallows, too, so I just cut them into smaller pieces so they would melt evenly. No problem! To really keep your fingers clean, you can also press gently down on the mixture with parchment paper!

  13. 5 stars
    These were the absolute best Rice Krispie treats I’ve ever made, everyone LOVED them! Thank you for this delicious recipe ❤️

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