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These Classic Rice Krispie Treats are a family favorite for a reason! Thick and gooey and filled with pockets of mini marshmallows, both kids and adults will love these.

Close up of sliced classic rice krispie treats

I know it might sound pretty strange coming from someone that creates recipes and bakes for a living, but one of my absolute favorite sweets are Classic Rice Krispie Treats.

Not only are they super simple to make, but there’s just something about the buttery, ooey-gooey marshmallow goodness that just makes me happy!

I also love that there are so many ways you can switch the recipe up once you have a good solid base recipe.

Ingredients for classic rice krispie treats arranged on a white countertop

Classic Rice Krispie Treat Ingredients

A pan of ooey-gooey Classic Rice Krispie Treats is such an easy treat to make with kids or throw together last-minute for any gathering. Since they’re so easy to make, I like to keep the ingredients on hand all of the time:

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 10-ounce packages mini-marshmallows, divided use
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Mini marshmallows starting to melt in a black pan

I know that the sea salt and vanilla might not be ingredients you added to your krispie treats as a kid, but I promise that they take these to the next level. 

And after all, if we’re going to make the BEST rice krispie treats, we want them to appeal to both kids and adults alike, right??

Rubber spatula stirring melted marshmallows in a black saucepan

Are Rice Krispie Treats Gluten Free?

Even though you might not realize it, if you make your Classic Rice Krispie Treats with Kellog’s Rice Krispies, they won’t actually be gluten free!

The name-brand Rice Krispies that are made by Kellogg’s contain malt, which is made from barley, so they are not gluten free.

Spatula stirring rice krispies into melted marshmallows in a saucepan

That said, you can find other brands of crispy rice cereal that are labeled as gluten free. Just be sure to check the label if you need your treats to be gluten free!

Marshmallows do not naturally contain gluten, but make sure to check the label closely if you need a brand that is certified gluten free so that you know it’s free of any cross contamination.

Spatula stirring rice krispie treat mix in a black high-walled skillet

How to Make Rice Krispie Treats

This Classic Rice Krispie Treat recipe is just as simple to make as you remember from when you were a kid.

Start by lining a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper or foil and spraying it with nonstick spray. Make sure you do this before you start making the treats so it’s ready as soon as the cereal mixture is done!

Set aside 2 cups of the mini marshmallows. We’re going to do something special with those in a minute.

Classic rice krispie treats pressed into a parchment-lined square baking pan, set on a white countertop

Grab a large pan – I like to use my dutch oven. Melt the butter over low heat. Add the rest of the marshmallows and stir until they are completely melted. 

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. 

Gradually add the cereal, stirring until well combined and fully coated with the marshmallow mixture. Now we’re going to fold in the reserved 2 cups of marshmallows until they’re evenly distributed.

Classic rice krispie treats cut into 12 pieces on a piece of parchment paper

Use a greased spatula or hands to gently press the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Make sure you don’t push too firmly! We want the treats to stay nice and gooey. 

Let the treats cool at room temperature before cutting and serving.

Rice krispie treat pulled apart into two set on a piece of parchment paper

Tips and Tricks for the Best Rice Krispie Treats

I’ve made a LOT of rice krispie treats in my lifetime, so I have a few tips for you when it comes to making the best ones:

  • Set aside 2 cups of mini marshmallows to mix in later. Adding some of the marshmallows after the cereal means that you get little pockets of marshmallow goodness throughout your Classic Rice Krispie Treats. If you don’t want there to be pockets of marshmallows in your krispie treats, simply add all the marshmallows to the butter and melt them before adding the rice krispies.
  • Spray your hands with cooking spray. The melted marshmallows make this mixture super sticky! It’ll stick to everything – your spoon, a spatula, and definitely your hands. Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray before pressing the mixture into the pan to keep it from sticking to you.
  • Don’t press the mixture into the pan too hard. We want nice soft rice krispie treats, not those tooth-breaking bricks from your childhood! Using a gentle hand when pressing the mix into the pan will keep them from getting too compact and will keep them nice and soft.
  • Use a 13×9-inch pan for thinner treats. This recipe makes big, thick, bakery-style cereal treats. If you want to serve more people or make thinner treats, simply spread the cereal mixture into a 13×9-inch pan instead of the 9×9-inch pan called for in the recipe.
Two classic rice krispie treats stacked on a white plate

Storage Tips

These Classic Rice Krispie Treats will keep for about a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Because we didn’t pack the mixture in too tightly when making them, they will stay nice and soft for several days. 

You can technically freeze rice krispie treats if you want to. Wrap each cooled treat in plastic wrap and store them in a zip-top freezer bag in the freezer for up to a month.

That said, I don’t necessarily recommend freezing these Classic Rice Krispie Treats if you want them to stay nice and soft. And they’re so quick and easy to whip up, you can really make them any time a craving hits – don’t be shy about sharing them with your friends and neighbors, either!

Hand pulling apart a classic rice krispie treat

Fun Variations

Whether you use flavored marshmallows, different flavors of crispy rice cereal, or add frosting or other toppings and mix-ins, there are lots of ways to change up this fun treat! Below are a handful of my favorite rice krispie treat variations.

Side view of a strawberry rice krispie treat on a wooden cutting board next to a fresh strawberry

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats are perfectly pink and full of fun strawberry flavor. Top them with pillowy buttercream frosting and fresh strawberries for an extra-special touch.
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Two iced brown butter rice krispie treats on a white plate.

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats take your favorite marshmallow treats to the next level with brown butter and maple for a fall-themed treat that is as easy as can be.
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Frosted Maple Pecan Marshmallow Cereal Treats are a surefire no-bake treat. Simple and so perfect for fall!

Frosted Maple Pecan Marshmallow Cereal Treats

Frosted Maple Pecan Marshmallow Cereal Treats are a surefire no-bake treat. They taste warm and toasty without the need to turn on your oven!
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Marshmallow Treat Cupcakes are an adorable and delicious addition to any spring party! Festive sprinkles and colorful marshmallows make them extra special

Marshmallow Treat Cupcakes

Marshmallow Treat Cupcakes are an adorable and delicious addition to any spring party! Festive sprinkles and colorful marshmallows make them extra special.
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Toasted Coconut Marshmallow Treats

These simple no-bake treats are full of fruity marshmallows and toasted coconut chips making them a sweet treat for any occasion.
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Classic rice krispie treats stacked on a piece of parchment paper
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Classic Rice Krispie Treats

By: Jamie
4.50 from 2 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 9 large treats
These Classic Rice Krispie Treats are a family favorite for a reason! Thick and gooey and filled with pockets of mini marshmallows, both kids and adults will love these.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 packages mini-marshmallows 10 ounces each, divided use
  • pinch sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions 

  • Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large pan, melt butter over low heat. Set aside 2 cups of marshmallows. Add the rest of the marshmallows to the pan and stir until completely melted. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the sea salt and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
  • Gradually add Rice Krispies cereal; stirring until well coated. Fold in the reserved 2 cups of marshmallows until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Using a buttered spatula or clean hands to gently press the mixture into the prepared pan. Don’t push too firmly or you’ll lose a bit of the ooey-gooey factor that we’re looking for. Cool completely at room temperature.

Video

Notes

If you prefer thinner Rice Krispie Treats, you can use a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1treat, Calories: 387kcal, Carbohydrates: 72g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 183mg, Potassium: 38mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 39g, Vitamin A: 1971IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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6 Comments

  1. Kay says:

    where can I download recipe

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi Kay – If you go to the recipe card and hit “print,” you can either print it or save it as a PDF to your computer. Happy baking!
      Jamie

  2. SueV says:

    Try them with golden graham cereal and chocolate bits in place of the rice and extra whole marshmallows, tastes like s’mores. What child or adult wouldn’t eat a Rice Krispie treat either way. Yours look delicious.

    1. Jamie says:

      I love making them that way as well! Thanks so much for stopping by!
      -Jamie

  3. richard says:

    Can you add peanut butter to these?

    1. Jamie says:

      I think you definitely could add some peanut butter! Thanks for stopping by!
      -Jamie