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 Perfect 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 take them to the next level and 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! You can use Fruity Pebbles, cocoa Krispies, Cheerios, or Reeses Puffs for a completely different flavor.
Storage Tips
To keep your treats fresh and chewy, you can cut them up and put them in an air-tight container, placing wax paper or parchment between each layer. This is the way we like to store them whenever we go camping our our for a picnic, It cuts down on plastic wrap. You can also store them right in the pan with plastic wrap over the top, or you can cut them into squares and wrap each individually.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you are looking for Rice Krispie treats that are a step beyond the basic recipe, try some of these tasty variations!
FAQs
It is not necessary to refrigerate your Rice Krispie treats after preparing. Refrigerating them could make them get too hard or even dry out. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days (see storage tips above).
When you microwave them, they don’t take quite as long to cool. They will cool down and harden a little after about 30-40 minutes.
A 12 ox. box has about 10 cups, so for this recipe you will use just one cup less than a full box.
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.
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 9×13 dish and press down evenly (spray a little cooking spray on your hands to prevent sticking). Allow to cool before serving.
Susan Gilbreath says
A sweet, inexpensive treat ready in minutes with this no-fail recipe!
Sandi says
This is always a huge hit with my kids.
Nellie Tracy says
These make great after-school snacks for my kiddos! Love them, thank you!
Michelle says
Microwave is the way to go for rice krispie treats! Best way to make them!
Amy Desrosiers says
I love Rice Krispies Treats and LOVE making them! The smell and texture are just so delicious!
Deanne says
So easy to make rice krispie treats this way! Our family loves them!
Tara says
How fun! Rice Krispie Treats are my daughter’s favorite and I love how you made them in the microwave. This way it will be easier for her too!
Noelle says
It was so simple to make, can’t believe how great they turned out! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Heather says
How much marshmallows do I need if I have a little bit of mini marshmallows and little bit of big ones?
Favorite Family Recipes says
You still need 16 oz total. So, whatever combination you can make with the two types. Hope this helps!
Annette says
This tastes really good
CAROL J MANZER says
What brand of marshmallows come in a 16 ounce bag? I have a dollar store brand that is only 10 oz. How many cups equals 16 oz?
Favorite Family Recipes says
16 oz is two cups of marshmallows! Hope this helps!
Holly says
Hey i would just get possibly two bags.
Riley says
Just want to mention that a buttered spatula bottom is best for pressing treats into pan.
Tamica says
It’s important to melt butter first, my cannabis butter stayed in clumps. I had to over melt the marshmellow mixture. Otherwise nice and easy!
Erica Walker says
Can’t say I have used Cannabis butter before so perhaps it is best to melt first. Glad you liked it!
Alfred Pennyworth;) says
This recipe was amazing!!! The last time I tried I ended up with a gooey mess and burnt marshmallows that took forever to make, no more of that for me. 🙂
Erica Walker says
So glad you liked these rice krispie treats! The microwave is the only way we do them 🙂 comes out perfectly every time! Thanks for the 5 stars!
Deb says
Do you use salted or unsalted butter?
Echo Blickenstaff says
I use salted, but unsalted would be fine too. It’s really just your preference in taste.
Lisa says
As a little girl, before microwaves in homes, I would always see my mother use marshmallow fluff in making these treats. She used a little bit extra amount and it made them so great! They seemed to stay so fresh longer.
I love your microwave version as well!
I am going to do this with my grandchildren the next time we make treats together! Thank you!
Favorite Family Recipes says
What a great memory! We hope you will like the microwave version and that it will bring the same great memories for your grandkids!
Patti says
I need the recipe using the fluff please
Tammy says
7oz fluff is equil to 4 cups Marsh mellows . That’s about what’s in the mini marshmallows give or take. I am trying that and using fruity pebbles for my son’s bday party this weekend. Good luck!♥️
Vanessa says
I always add a tsp of vanilla to the mixture…….been microwaving my rice krispies for years and there are only two things to clean up, a bowl and a spatula! 🙂
Mary says
How about adding peanut better?? Amount to use to keep moist?
Erica says
Yes, you can add 1/2 – 1/3 c. and it would still be plenty moist
Lyn says
I had a recipe using peanut butter instead of marshmallows, but I can’t find it now.
Bethany Pyke ❤️ says
I have made them twice now they are so yummy the first time I made them i put some sweet chocolate chips in them and on to so yummy. The second time I put in Carmel chips and some coco powder and I use the chocolate rice crispys it makes them so much nicer also i put a tablespoon of golden syrup to stop them from getting sticky ❤️
Holly rheachel Woods says
How many chocolatechips you put in?
Favorite Family Recipes says
You can add in as many as you’d like! I would start with half a cup.
lynnleco says
I just followed the recipe and substituted bagged skinny pop birthday cake popcorn (to use it up) for the cereal. It turned out great! Even sprinkled pink sugar on top!
Courtney says
My daughter and I are gluten free. We love the Erewhon brown rice krispy cereal. My daughter actually likes its better than the regular rice krispies plus they are gluten free.
misti says
Malt O Meal brand are delicious, and gluten free too and very inexpensive. Huge bag for about 4$ from Walmart
SnapKracklePop says
I substitute Cheerios sometimes also for a variety, following the exact directions. Also soft and yummy!