This Rice Krispie Treat recipe is foolproof! They never come out hard or dry and it is less mess than making them over the stove!
Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie Treats are one of my kids’ favorite snacks, and I can’t blame them. I love this sweet treat too! However, sometimes they can be kind of a pain to make. When my friend Heidi told me about her easy method I knew I had to try it! Now she’s letting me share her secret with you – you can make them in the microwave! Not only is it easier than the stovetop method, they actually turn out BETTER. They are soft and chewy every time. Thanks Heidi!
Secret to Soft Rice Krispie Treats
Is there anything worse than hard, dry, crunchy Rice Krispie Treats? Why does this happen? The answer is in how the marshmallows are cooked. When you melt the butter and marshmallows over the stove, the marshmallows have a tendency to get too hot. If the marshmallows cook too long the texture of the sugar changes and your treats will turn out hard and dry. Cooking them in the microwave allows you to control the temperature better. Another tip for keeping your krispies soft and chewy is to use fresh bags of mini marshmallows. Don’t grab the bag that has been sitting in the back of your cupboard. Trust me, fresh marshmallows make a huge difference in the texture!
Gluten-Free Tips
With some newly discovered gluten allergies in our family, we are always trying to be aware of gluten-free foods. If you are wondering if Rice Krispie treats are gluten-free, it depends on the brand of cereal. There is barley present in Kellogg’s brand, which contains gluten. Years ago there was a gluten free Kellogg’s cereal but it has since been discontinued. You can find generic brands of “crispy rice cereal” that are gluten-free. Malt-O-Meal is a brand that makes a gluten-free crispy rice cereal, and it works great in this recipe.
Sweet Substitutions and Add-ins
This is a no-frills, basic recipe, but feel free to add anything you would like to them including M&Ms, chocolate chips, coconut, crushed Oreos, candy corn (for Halloween), Cadbury mini eggs (for Easter), candy sprinkles, etc. You can also change out the cereal! I made Fruity Pebble Treats once and they were amazing. Many also want to know if coconut oil can be used instead of butter. The answer is YES, and it is a delicious substitution! Just use the same amount of coconut oil as you would butter. We actually make this substitution often and include coconut flakes and chocolate chips.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you are looking for Rice Krispie treats that are a step beyond the basic recipe, try our Avalanche Bark, the Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats or our Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats!
Looking for other simple, kid friendly recipes? Try our DIY Slushies, 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies, or our Microwave Baked Apples!
How To Make Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter if using unsalted butter, add a dash of salt to the recipe
- 16 oz mini marshmallows
- 9 cup crispy rice cereal (i.e. Rice Krispies Cereal)
Instructions
- Place butter and marshmallows in a LARGE microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove bowl from microwave and stir. Return bowl to microwave and microwave another 30 seconds. Stir again until marshmallows and butter are completely melted together. You only want it JUST melted.
- Fold in rice cereal until well combined.
- Place mixture in a greased 9x13 dish and press down evenly (spray a little cooking spray on your hands to prevent sticking). Allow to cool before serving.
