The BEST Rice Krispie Treat Recipe EVER!
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Hands down THE BEST Rice Krispie Treat Recipe EVER! These treats are not your back-of-the-box, plain ole’ treats. These ooey-gooey treats are perfection that you can’t resist!
I got tired of my rice krispie treats scraping the top of my mouth. You know what I am talking about, they can be dry and hard to chew sometimes.
Don’t worry, I have solved the problem!
After a few trials with a couple of ideas I have seen, I came up with the Best Rice Krispie Treat Recipe EVER! You will love them, trust me.
Secret To Making The Best Rice Krispie Treats
My secret is adding milk. It makes the melted marshmallows creamier and easier to coat the cereal.
Also, I use more marshmallows than the classic rice krispie treat recipe.
How To Make Rice Krispie Treats Gooey
Take the marshmallows and split them into the 2 batches, indicated in the recipe card below.
The secret is to melt the first batch like normal, but do NOT fully melt the second batch.
This is what gives you pockets of ooey gooey marshmallow goodness.
Use Salted Butter or Unsalted Butter?
This has become a debate in the comments so I thought I would address it here.
I used salted butter for this recipe.
As a rule of thumb, baking normally calls for unsalted butter, however, salt is usually added to the recipe.
If you find yourself with only salted butter, no worries. If your recipe calls for salt, do not add it and use your salted butter. You probably will not notice a difference in taste.
How to Keep Rice Crispy Treats from Sticking to dishes
Spray your pan with non-stick cooking spray to keep the rice crispy treats from sticking to the pan.
I also spray my spatula or spoon with non-stick cooking spray as well. This will keep the treats from sticking to the utensil while pressing them into the pan.
Also, you can try using parchment paper and line the baking dish before adding the mixture.
How long does it take Rice Krispie Treats to Cool?
Rice krispie treats only need about 10 to 15 minutes to cool down. Once they are fully cooled, it is time to cut and devour the treats.
Allowing the treats to cool down to room temperature on the counter is best.
Do Rice Krispie Treats Need to Be Refrigerated?
No, it is not necessary to refrigerate rice krispie treats.
If you want to cool them down faster, you can place the treats in the fridge for a short time. I recommend allowing the treats to cool on the counter verse putting them in the fridge.
Putting the treats in the fridge may make the treats harder.
How to Store Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie Treats should be stored in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
I love using Pyrex dishes that come with lids. Easy to put away and no messing with cling wrap.
Using a good spatula sprayed with non-stick spray will help you get the treats evenly spread throughout the dish without getting sticky.
How Long Does Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Stay Fresh
It is best to eat rice krispie treats the same day they are made. However, they do stay fresh for up to 3 days, if these crispy treats survive a day. They are eaten quickly in our house and are always gone in a day or two.
Can You Freeze Rice Krispie Treats?
If you find that you have more rice crispy treats than you can eat, you can freeze your treats.
Place your rice krispie treats in an air-tight container or freezer bag. For good measure, wrap the treats with wax paper so they will not stick together in the bag or container.
How Long Can Rice Krispie Treats be Kept in the Freezer?
Once you freeze your treats, do not keep them frozen for longer than 6 weeks. Long than 6 weeks may lead to a decrease in flavor and quality.
How To Thaw Frozen Rice Krispie Treats
Remove a rice krispie treat from the freezer and place it on a plate on the counter. After about 15 minutes, the treat will be thawed for eating.
Need more tips? Check out these tips and frequently asked questions.
How to Make Rice Krispie Treats from Scratch
The first step is to measure out the marshmallows and crispy rice cereal into large bowls. You will have 3 bowels in total – 1 large bowl for the rice krispie cereal, and 2 large bowls for the different amounts of marshmallows.
Melt butter in a large pot on low heat.
Once the butter melts, add the vanilla and most of the marshmallows. Keeping the heat low as we slowly melt the marshmallows is important.
Once the marshmallows are fully melted, stir in the rest of the marshmallows.
Keep stirring until the second batch of marshmallows starts to melt, creating lumpy fluff. We don’t want them to be fully melted. This is how to get pockets of gooeyness in the cereal treats.
Dump in the crispy rice cereal and stir until the cereal is fully coated.
Dump into a greased baking dish and gently press down with a greased spatula. Warning – do not compress the treats too much.
After the treats cool, you can enjoy the perfect rice krispie treat.
Once you have these delicious treats, you will never go back to the original recipe.
Best Rice Krispie Treat Recipe
The BEST Rice Krispie Treat Recipe EVER!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 8 cups mini marshmallows 16 ounce bag
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
Instructions
- Slowly melt the butter in a large pan, low heat.
- Once butter is melted, add vanilla and 6 cups of marshmallows. Melt the marshmallows slowly.
- Right before the marshmallows are fully melted, add milk and the other 2 cups of marshmallows. Stir until the added marshmallows are starting to melt. (we don’t want them fully melt so you will have a lumpy fluff)
- Add the Rice Krispie Cereal. Stir until the cereal is fully coated with the marshmallow fluff.
- Dump into an 8×11 dish. Use a greased spatula to spread out the treats and press down just a bit (you don't want them to so compact that they become rock hard).
- Allow to fully cool before cutting and serving.
I may have to try making these again!
I am making these today, I have two men in my life who are big Kids and live them…..taking on a road trip..I let you know how they enjoy them.
I too add more marshmallows, its a must! My little secret to make them even more scrumptious is browning the butter before adding the marshmallows. Try it :)
8 cups of mini or regular size marshmallows?
Mini. I will change the recipe to reflect this. Sorry about that.
I have to say, using half mini and half large marshmallows you get not too gooey and not too dry….Just right!
If I only have regular sized marshmallows, how would I adjust the amount?
Try these conversions:
13 oz Marshmallow Creme = approximately 3 cups.
1 Regular Marshmallow = 13 Miniature Marshmallows.
8 Regular Marshmallows = 1 cup.
16 oz bag Miniature = 8 cups.
Can you add chocolate chips, mini M&M’s or other little add ins? If so any idea at what point you would add them? Thanks!
Oooooo….you add ins sound yummy! I would say add them in as you add in the cereal. You don’t want them to completely melt. I may have to try this out!
I’ve tried add-ins mixed in with the cereal and they get kind of melty. I like to sprinkle mini chocolate chips or mini M&M’s on top. Colored sprinkles are pretty, too. Press them down slightly with a spatula. They look and taste great!
These are so yummy., just made them. I’m using this recipe to also make them with the chocolate Rice Krispies. Also going to try to make a reg one with some Nutella added into them. My son loves chocolate so I try to add nutela to stuff that way he gets the choc flavor and the protein as well :)
We are using large marshmallows & going to cut them into smaller pieces for easier melting (what we had on hand) and just wanted to share this in case anyone is doing the same…Easier to go by ounces than cups.
This is from the Kraft website:
13 oz Marshmallow Creme = approximately 3 cups.
1 Regular Marshmallow = 13 Miniature Marshmallows.
8 Regular Marshmallows = 1 cup.
16 oz bag Miniature = 8 cups.
;-) Happy baking(ish)!
Just made your recipe and they turned out excellent! DELICIOUS and so gooey! My only complaint, if you can call it that, is these won’t last long in our house! :-D Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!
I just made these. I added a heaping teaspoon of Apple pie spice to the butter and vanilla. Yummy. Next I want to try pumpkin pie spice.
I’m going to ado green food coloring and sprinkles. I’ll cut them into triangles for Christmas trees. Our cook at school added pumpkin puree and cinnamon in November. They were great! Thanks
I make mine oooey gooey also….but go one step further to add toffee chips to the hot marshmallow mix right before pouring over the RK. DO NOT use the ones with chocolate also, just the toffee chips. They are to die for!!!!!
Have you used the large marshmallows? If so, what’s the amount difference?
I have not use the big marshmallows. You can try these conversions:
Try these conversions:
13 oz Marshmallow Creme = approximately 3 cups.
1 Regular Marshmallow = 13 Miniature Marshmallows.
8 Regular Marshmallows = 1 cup.
16 oz bag Miniature = 8 cups.
I haven’t made or eaten Rice Krispie Treats in a long time and I just got a craving so I tried your recipe. I also thought a RK Treat is a RK Treat. Wrong! I quietly made these and put them aside. After a while my husband came to me and said, “I can’t quit eating these” Later, my teenage daughter came to me and said they were delicious and please keep the recipe. A day later she had friends over and they all went crazy over them too. So I would say this recipe is a definite keeper! These definitely put other Rice Krispie Treats to shame. Thanks for sharing.
Totally lives up to the name – this IS the best recipe EVER! I have made it multiple times and they always come out fantastic!! Thank you!
I made these with jumbo marshmallows @ 10 jumbo=1 cup mini. Added chocolate chips too! Super Good!
I’ve had to make these yesterday for a party today. How do you suggest they best be kept.
I would store in an air tight container. I used my pyrex dishes that come with lids.
These look absolutely incredible! I’m going to try them with other cereals too.
How long do you think these can keep without going too hard? Long enough to ship for two days if I wrap them really well in Seran Wrap and put them in an airtight container? (Long distance birthdays are the worst!)
Kate, Sorry you had to wait so long for a response. I am traveling and just got settled at a hotel. You should be fine for a couple days if you mail them. :) I hope they enjoy them! And Yes, Long distance parties are the worst!
When I originally saw the post (not sure when but it has been quite some time), I thought for sure this couldn’t be “the best” one out there. I mean these treats are a serious food memory from my childhood. That being said…. they truly are THE BEST I’ve ever had and/or made!!! The milk makes the difference! As I have gone thru other recipes, even made them the way they’ve said to when there were other flavors involved. I keep going back to your base recipe EVERY time! Thank you for sharing, as I continue to share your post with others when they ask how I’ve made mine!
Side note: Recently we made this with Honey Nut Cheerios and they were a hug even hit!!
Would these be ok if I cut them out in a heart and dipped in chocolate? Would they hold there shape?
Yes, I have cut them into heart shapes before and I have also dipped them in candy melts. The hearts kept their shape. Just make sure they are fully cooled before cutting them.
Thank you for this!! I can make fantastic layered squares that take forever to make . Harder the squares or bar is I can do it with ease…. but rice crispy squares completely undo me, I have to buy them
at the store for the kids! LMAO Friends think it’s funny I sell my baking to customers and can’t make this square. Kids had it for afternoon snack and loved them then asked who made them.
I bought the big marshmallows. Do I just make s’mores and go back to the store, or can I use them? If so, how much/many?
You could try them with the big ones, I just haven’t made them that way. I would get a kitchen scale out and measure out 160z of them.
I always buy unsalted butter. The recipe is excellent with unsalted butter
Came out perfect. Recipe is spot on. Thank you for sharing.
These came out perfectly!! They never dried out or got hard, they were even better the next day! I actually added 2Tblsp of milk and thought it might have been too much but was perfect! Great, easy recipe and will definitely be keeping and making again!
These are so easy and soooo good!! The perfect rice crispy treats for sure!
Easy recipe to follow and delicious! My new favorite recipe.
Recipe turned out great! Thank you!
I have made these treats exactly as your recipe states several times and they are hands down the BEST EVER!! I can’t tell you how much I love a no fail recipe! I don’t even like rice krispy treats, but I LOVE these! It’s one that I circle back to every single time! Thank you😊
I have made this recipe many times. It is by far the best recipe for Rice Krispie Treats. I have also made this using popcorn and I have added chocolate chips, M&M’s and other things like that. Sooooo Good!!!!