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.
Love easy cereal treats? Try our recipes for homemade puppy chow (muddy buddies)! Or make a savory snack like this Taco Chex mix!
The Original Rice Krispie Treats
I spend days and days trying to come up with the perfect cake. Or the most beautiful cupcakes. Or to create the fudgiest brownies.
But, it’s no secret, Rice Krispie Treats have always been the key to my heart. Knowing how to make rice krispie treats has gotten me far in life.
I love crispy treats so much that I’ve created over a dozen flavors….from Fluffernutter Krispie Treats to Cinnamon Roll Krispie Treats.
I’ve even got these adorable TURKEY Krispie Treats for Thanksgiving!
But, in the end, it’s the classic, original, homemade RICE KRISPIE TREAT that draws me in.
The biggest question is how to spell it. Some people say Rice Crispy, Some say Crispy Rice, some say Rice Crispies. Either way, you get the point!
Why this Recipe Is Best
There are thousands of recipes for making this classic treat, and I’m putting it out there that my recipe is BEST. Why?
- Only 4 ingredients
- Thick and chewy
- Vanilla flavor
- Perfect ratio of cereal to marshmallows
Ingredient Notes
- Butter- use salted butter for this recipe. Just trust me! Don’t have any on hand? Use unsalted butter and a pinch of salt while melting. DO NOT use margarine.
- Marshmallows- you’ll need 9 cups of mini marshmallows, keeping about 1 cup aside to add in at the end!
- Vanilla Extract- I love using my homemade vanilla extract for all my recipes, but just be sure to use PURE vanilla, not imitation. The flavor is far superior.
- Rice Krispies Cereal- any brand of crispy rice cereal will work, just make sure it’s FRESH.
Tips and Tricks
- 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.
- Toss in some extra marshmallows with your cereal. This adds a whole dimension of chewiness!
- 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! ENJOY
- Make these gluten free by choosing a crispy rice cereal labeled Gluten Free (and check your marshmallow labels too just in case).
Recipe FAQs
Your krispies treats could be getting hard if you press the treats too firmly into the pan. Also, be sure to start with fresh marshmallows and cereal, not stale!
Do NOT refrigerate rice krispie treats, as it can make the marshmallow very hard. Instead, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for best results.
I do not advise freezing rice krispie treats. Fresh is best.
You can choose a 13×9 dish instead of a square dish if prefered for rice crispy treats. Just know that they will be thinner.
More Rice Krispie Treat Flavors
Swap out the cereal and make fun flavors, like Cocoa Krispie Treats.
Or add in some flavored gelatin to the melted marshmallow for a unique twist!
Make Lucky Charms Treats for a St.Paddy’s Day dessert idea.
- For best results, name brand cereal stays fresher longer and can hold up to the melted butter and marshmallows better
- Always start with fresh marshmallows. If you use stale marshmallows in hopes that melting them will give you good results, you’ll be disappointed!
- More mix-ins: fold in some m&m’s or Reese’s peanut butter cups for a delicious dessert idea.
More Easy Dessert Recipes:
- Scotcheroos
- Peanut Butter Rice Crispies Treat
- Easter Krispie Treats
- Biscoff Rice Crispy Squares
- No Bake Cookies
The BEST Rice Krispie Treats
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.
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter
- 16 ounce bag mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
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).
- See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1 barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 139mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 0gSugar: 31gProtein: 2g
Original Rice Krispie Treats recipe with all the tips and tricks for making them thick and chewy!
I love Rice Krispie treats and haven’t made them in a long time. I’m sitting in a hospital waiting room where I took my friend to visit her husband. She already lost her brother to Covid and now her husband is very sick. When we leave I am going to get the ingredients and we are going to make them. That will cheer her up. Thank you for your special ingredient- vanilla sounds great. And I agree if people cannot be positive these days then you don’t need them !
After reading instructions and comments, I made this recipe with a few modifications. I used part Rice Krispies, part fruity pebbles and put a sprinkle of flakes sea salt on top. I didn’t pack them tight so they would stay chewy. Great tip! Amazing!
I’ve been making these for. over 60 years- the ‘old way’ and tried this recipe today and they are the BEST I’ve ever tasted… Thanks!
Thank you 🙂
Aimee for those who leave negative comments sometimes it’s best to just not answer them. Your “story” and recipe was well worth the read. I personally like to understand more of the person before I jump right into a recipe but that’s just me. As for those who just want a recipe either skip right to the recipe or leave the page. Why such negative comments. Does it make you feel better to try and ruin someone else’s day?? Are you that bored that you feel your negativity brings merit?? Do you think you affect the rest of the free world of the internet people who read by these posts?? It’s time to grow up and just enjoy the fact that she has taken the time to contribute her recipe and part of her self. If b you don’t like it then read the box. It has the basic recipe.. Aimee great job!!
Love your recipes, so Good, Thank You!!
Just sat them on the counter to form. Super easy process and, my daughter enjoyed helping to clean the spatula. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your Rice Krispie Treats Recipe. This is the first time for me to try to make Rice Krispie Treats.
I’m not sure if your suppose to do it in the oven? And if so what temperature?
Or if it’s to be done on top of the stove element? And if so roughly what temperature?
With my lucky I’ll end up burning it.
The recipe is above, no oven needed.
The recipe is right here on the website..
I do love the rice crispy treats, but the story was unnecessary
So is your comment.
Wow Aimee, real mature. As the one who posted this recipe, it’s best to look and stay professional. Henry clearly stated that although he liked the recipe, the story was unnecessary. I agree. Nobody wants to read a story, we just want the recipe. And his comment is necessary because the more positive reviews you get, the better you look. From that response, you’re clearly immature hun. xoxo
Ummm, if you read my blog post, you’ll see there’s no story. There’s only tips and tricks on making this recipe work. People who come here with unnecessary criticism of me and they way I write, can find other recipes. The internet is a big space, and this is MY happy place. You say “nobody wants to read a story, we just want the recipe.” That’s such an age-old rant and I’m over it. I provide FREE recipes. It takes three seconds to scroll down, or half a second to click the “jump to recipe” on the top of EVERY blog post. It takes several minutes for y’all to write complaints. If you have time to complain and rant, then you have to time to scroll for a free recipe. Have a great day 🙂
😂😂😂😂 yassssss this is the best reply ever #burn lol
YASSS best burn ever we made your recipe and added chocolate chips IT WAS THE BEST EVERRR
Hahahaha! Go Aimee. 😉
The 2nd part was unnecessary
There was no story
And there is clearly a button that allows you to “jump” to the recipe
I too don’t like the hub bub before the recipe
BUT at the end of the day
We are visiting THEIR site
Ran by THEM
Ps
Glad ya liked em
Why write that, Henry? Covid getting you down? Here’s something I bet you already know: not every thought needs to be said out loud (or written). Especially when someone’s giving you something for free!
Aimee, thank you for the recipe!
I bought marshmallows, when I checked, only 10 oz. Was looking forward to making these. Sounds yummy.
Might be a silly question…but – If not using mini marshmallows, can I just use bigger ones and cut to get to the 8-9 cups.
I have the same question!
You’ll need 16 oz WEIGHT in marshmallows. I prefer the minis because they melt faster.
Amy, I can’t figure out these measurements. Your recipe says 16 oz of mini marshmallows makes 8-9 cups of marshmallows. But 16oz is 2 cups (1 cup = 8 oz). Now I have no idea how many marshmallows to use and I’m terrified I’m gonna have way too few. I think I saw in a comment somewhere that this was by weight of the marshmallows… I don’t have a scale and I don’t weigh my marshmallows. Any shot you can just provide us normal, non-chefs the regular measurements (I.e. not weight, just how many cups I should use). This would be a big help for both the marshmallows and the rice crispy cereal.
If you look at a bag of marshmallows, they say 16oz. THat is weight. If you measure by cups it is 8-9 cups.
This is my favorite recipe for rice krispie treats. The only difference is I brown the butter. Once I discovered brown butter I use it as often as I can. Adds a whole different dimension! Thanks for the recipe!
Me too! What a happy accident! I walked away from the stove for a second and returned to what I thought was a big OOPS. Now, I’ll never make them another way. Thanks Aimee!
Brown butter — what a great idea. Thanks for sharing 👍
A 16oz bag of marshmallows is 2 cups, not 8-9.
1 cup= 8oz. Could you please clarify if you use 8-9 cups or 16oz of mini marshmallows. Thanks
Actually a 16 oz bag of marshmallows is sold by weight, not volume. SO yes, there are 9 cups of marshmallows in a bag.
Great recipe! However mine were really hard to cut after an hour of cooling. They weren’t hard but they were too sticky. Did I cut into them too early possibly?
I didn’t see the preheat time or temperature. What is it?
You use a large saucepan on the stove like directed in the recipe.
It’s not made in the oven.
ya 😀
No baking .. you set up the mixture in a pan and just let it cool. Then cut into serving pieces .. stove heat strictly to melt the butter and marshmallows to coat the cereal. That’s it. Then let it cool.
Always great recipes! Enjoy receiving them! Thank you.
The original RC recipe calls for a 9 x 13 ” pan. You put all of this in a 9″ square?
That’s how you get them thick and chewy.
This is a very good recipe
Do you use a 16oz bag or do you measure (weigh) out 16 oz? I can only find 10 oz bags.
I just used 1 1/2 bags of the 10oz mini marshmallow bags and then added a cup more with the cereal. Worked great. There’s a little marshmallows left over to add to some hot chocolate too. Win win.
Kayla, I love your suggestion to save some marshmallows for the cocoa! Bonus points for doing the math, LOL!
😂 #densitymatters
Love love love Rice Krispie Treat recipe. It’s my go to recipe from now on.
Great recipe- my family loves them so much. I’m making them again today. Thanks again!
Thank you for the tips! The addition of vanilla was perfect.
have you ever made brown butter and flaked salt. i had some and i loved them. do you have a recipe for that.
I use browned butter when I make these. Browned butter is the best. I have not tried flaked salt in them. Was the salt added to the marshmallows or sprinkled on the top. Think I will try this today. I love sweet salty.
YASSS best burn ever we made your recipe and added chocolate chips IT WAS THE BEST EVERRR
Wow Aimee, these look delicious! Can’t wait to try them! I have a question though. If I double the recipe, do I have to change the baking time? do I have to change anything else?
Thanks so much!!
Omigoodness! I’m so sorry, I forgot there wasn’t a baking time.
Ps. I am so excited to make them!
Ha Ha!
😉 Lol
LOL 😀