BEST Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - Dessert for Two (2024)

Small batch rice krispie treats are a fun and quick way to enjoy your favorite treat, without all the leftovers! You can make this batch on the stovetop in just 10 minutes, and enjoy all 4 treats made in muffin cups.

BEST Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - Dessert for Two (1)

This Rice Krispies Treats Recipe is hard to stop eating!

Rice krispie treats are definitely one of those desserts that I just can't stop eating. Every time I walk by the pan, I cut myself another sliver. Oh, you too? Well, then let's scale 'em down to make fewer servings! We're going to use a muffin pan to make 4 little cups, but you can press this small batch of rice krispies into any small pan---a bread loaf pan, muffin pan, or even just roll them into balls. You can drizzle them with chocolate, stir in peanut butter, whatever you wish!

Speaking of peanut butter, I have a similar recipe for peanut butter rice krispie treats made in a bread loaf pan. You can make both of these in the same day, and still have less than a standard full-size recipe for rice krispie treats! It makes my heart truly happy.

It's a great way to use any leftover rice cereal in the box, too! I often have leftover cereal because sometimes, I make my baked breaded chicken strips with a portion of rice cereal because it makes things extra crispy! Try mixing half Panko bread crumbs and half rice krispies next time you want to make a crispy crust on protein.

These treats are a perfect portion for kids to tuck in their lunch, but I've also got a naturally sweetened rice krispies treats version for even younger kids, too.

Rice Krispie Treats ingredients

  • butter:Any kind of butter here will do--salted or unsalted is fine. If you're using unsalted, add a pinch of salt to the recipe--salt makes the flavor of sweet desserts really pop!
  • marshmallows: I want you to use what you have in your pantry. If you're using the large marshmallows (the ones that you use to make smores rice krispie treats, of course), use 10 of them, or 70 grams. If you're using the mini marshmallows, use 1 ¼ cups (also 70 grams). I really like to do this recipe by weight, but also, you can measure marshmallows with your heart and add extras! You can also try stirring in extra mini marshmallows at the very end of the recipe (before putting them in cups) for a double-stuffed experience! Before you put the the mixture in the cups, it has cooled down enough that extra marshmallows stirred in won't melt fully, and you'll end up with bits of marshmallows throughout your treats--YUM.
  • rice krispie cereal: You'll need 1.5 cups of rice crispies cereal--measure this very well because too much cereal will make your treats dry after they set.

Best Rice Krispie Treat Recipe variations

  1. Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
  2. Smores Rice Krispie Treats
  3. Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
  4. Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats
  5. Naturally Sweetened Rice Krispie Treats
  6. Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
  7. Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats
  8. Scotcheroos(a butterscotch rice krispie treat topped with chocolate)

How to make Rice Krispie Treats (step by step photos)

This recipe is so easy and doesn’t have many steps, but I’ll show you the steps below.

  1. Spray 4 cups in a standard-size muffin pan with a bit of cooking spray to ensure the treats don't stick.
  2. Gather your ingredients: the butter, marshmallows and cereal.
    BEST Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - Dessert for Two (2)
  3. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows until they're a sticky hom*ogeneous mixture. Be careful not to let this mixture too hot, or the butter will start to cook off too much and the treats will be dry. Low heat is the best here.
  4. Press the mixture into the 4 muffin cups and let sit for about 20 minutes to set up, if possible. We eat them gooey and warm in my house!
    BEST Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - Dessert for Two (3)

I know you're going to ask, so I'll answer the most asked question: can you double this recipe? Absolutely! Triple it even! I think the muffin size portions are so great for kids.

Watch how to make this Recipe for Rice Crispy Treats

How to store Homemade Rice Krispie Treats

Should you refrigerate homemade rice crispy treats?

Rice krispie treats do not need to be refrigerated because they contain so much sugar, which acts as a preservative. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, but I doubt they will last that long!

Best Rice Krispie Treat Recipe FAQs

Why are my homemade rice crispy treats so hard?

If your final dessert is hard, it’s most likely because the mixture got too hot on the stove. If the butter mixture boils, the water evaporates from the butter and the sauce reduces, making less gooey mixture to coat the cereal. Try this next time: melt the butter over medium-low heat, and stir often. Remove the pan from the heat when you stir the cereal in so that it does not continue to cook. Low and slow is the name of the game when it comes to this recipe!

How do you make rice crispy treats not fall apart?

If your final product is falling apart, it could be because you’re trying to cut when the dessert is too warm. Or, you may have added too many marshmallows. Place them in the fridge to firm up and try to slice again.

Why are my Rice Krispie Treats rubbery?

A rubbery of flimsy Rice Krispie treat is due to the addition of too much butter! The cereal is coated in more butter than marshmallow, making it soggy.

Why won't my rice crispy treats harden?

If the treats are soft and falling apart, it. could be because you’re trying to cut them when they’re too warm. Let them cool to room temperature and try again. If they’re still not setting, the mixture did not contain enough cereal. Rice Krispies are soft and gooey in the pan, but quickly set up the baking dish. Follow the recipe below using the exact proportions for perfect results every time!

Can you use old marshmallows for rice crispy treats?

Old marshmallows are stale and lacking in moisture content. If you try to melt them, they will melt unevenly and become lumpy. I don’t recommend using them for a dessert. Try to soften them by placing them in a bag with a slice of fresh bread for a day or two before using them.

Please, let us appreciate the gooey in the center. If it's chilly where you are, you've got to try the pumpkin spice rice krispie treats version of this recipe! Or, if it's warm and sunny, you've got to try my strawberry rice krispie treats recipe.
BEST Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - Dessert for Two (4)

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Yield: 4

The BEST Recipe for Rice Crispy Treats

BEST Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - Dessert for Two (5)

Makes 4 muffin cups of rice krispie treats.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time8 minutes

Total Time8 minutes

Ingredients

  • cooking spray
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 ¼ cups (70 grams) mini marshmallows (or 10 large marshmallows)
  • 1 ½ cups rice krispie cereal

Instructions

  1. Spray 4 cups of a standard-size muffin pan with cooking spray.
  2. Place a saucepan over low heat. Add the butter and marshmallows to the pan.
  3. Constantly stir while melting the butter and marshmallows together into a hom*ogenous mixture. Be careful not to let hte mixture get too hot, or the butter will cook off and the treats will be dry.
  4. When the mixture is smooth, stir in the rice krispie cereal. Immediately scoop the mixture into the 4 muffin cups . Smooth the surface with a non-stick spatula.
  5. Let cool completely, then serve.

Notes

You can add an extra tablespoon of butter to this recipe. You can also stir in an extra ¼ cup of marshmallows right before scooping the mixture into the cups.

Yes, you can double or triple this recipe. Kids love the muffin-size serving!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 98Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

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BEST Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe - Dessert for Two (2024)

FAQs

Why are my homemade rice crispy treats so hard? ›

If you melt the marshmallows too fast, it might result in a Rice Kripsy treat that is harder and crunchy than chewy. Take your time and let the butter and marshmallows melt slowly. Use an 8×8 or slightly smaller pan. Use a small and deep pan if you want thick and chewy rice Krispy treats.

Can I use old marshmallows for rice crispy treats? ›

Don't use old marshmallows.

Most importantly, they don't melt nearly as well. Instead of becoming soft and gooey, they melt into a one giant blob. → Follow this tip: Save the older marshmallows for hot cocoa and s'mores, and pick up a fresh bag of marshmallows to ensure a really great batch of rice krispie treats.

Is it cheaper to make or buy rice krispies? ›

It's Cheaper – The ingredients in this recipe cost me $5.01 and made 16.1 ounces of rice krispies, roughly 30 cents per ounce. I bought an 8-piece box at the store for $4.43 cents, with each piece weighing 0.78 ounces. That's about 70 cents per ounce.

How long do homemade Rice Krispie Treats last in the fridge? ›

After 3 days, you should throw away the old rice crispy treats and just whip up a new batch! Eat the treats as soon as possible for the best flavor and texture. If you wait too long, the rice crispy treats will lose their soft, gooey consistency. Once they go stale, they'll turn rock-hard.

What is a substitute for marshmallows in rice krispies? ›

The substitute breaks down like this: combine an inverted sugar (like syrup or honey) with a nut or seed butter to create a sweet adhesive for your Rice Krispy treats. Not only does this sticky mix work as a proper swap for marshmallows, but it also brings its own unique flavor to your crunchy bars.

How do you keep Rice Krispie Treats from getting soggy? ›

Let the rice krispies sit 5 min before pressing into the pan: Simply dump the rice krispies into the pan and let them sit a minute. This helps avoid a soggy or stale texture. After a minute or two of cooling you can then press them into the pan.

What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies Treats? ›

What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies Treats? If you put too much butter in rice krispies treats they will become oily, the cereal will soak up the butter and the treats will become soggy, rather than crispy.

What makes rice krispies taste better? ›

Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of vanilla flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the treats. Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. Rice Krispies: The star ingredient, these crisped rice cereal pieces absorb the melted marshmallow mixture and provide a crispiness.

Why don t they sell Rice Krispies anymore? ›

That's largely due to the supply chain crisis affecting the food industry as a whole, Market Realist shares. But the way it's affecting Rice Krispies specifically has to do with the supply of barley malt extract, one of the main ingredients in the cereal.

How to store homemade rice crispy squares? ›

Rice krispie treats do not need to be refrigerated because they contain so much sugar, which acts as a preservative. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, but I doubt they will last that long!

Can you use stale cereal for Rice Krispie treats? ›

Recipe Notes

** Any brand is fine, but be sure the cereal you use is fresh. Stale cereal will make for stale-tasting Rice Crispy Treats. To make a half-batch of Rice Crispy Treats, simply divide all ingredients in half and use an 8×8-inch baking pan.

Can I freeze homemade rice crispy treats? ›

If you want to store them for longer than two days, try freezing them. To Freeze: Allow these gooey Rice Krispie Treats to cool completely and cut them into squares. Freeze in an airtight container, or wrap each square in a piece of plastic wrap and place them in a gallon freezer bag. Freeze them for up to 3 months.

How far in advance can you make rice crispy treats? ›

Allow to thaw at room temperature before serving. Make-ahead- I truly believe the best rice krispies are the ones fresh from the pan but if you want to make them in advance remember to make them no more than 3 days before you plan to serve them or freeze them right away.

Can you put expired marshmallows in Rice Krispie Treats? ›

Using old marshmallows for Rice Krispies treats presents a problem because as marshmallows age, they become stale and dry. Lack of moisture means old marshmallows don't melt properly. Instead, the dehydrated marshmallows congeal into a thick mass, says Eating Expired.

What was Rice Krispie treats originally called? ›

Kellogg's decided to test-try what it initially called “marshmallow squares,” and put Day on a train for Kansas City. She took with her huge, specially made baking trays and a giant mixer. Day set up a temporary kitchen and and proceeded to make batch after batch of the treats, working long days.

What is another name for Rice Krispie treats? ›

Rice Krispies Treats (also called 'Rice Krispie Treats', 'Marshmallow Treats', 'Marshmallow Squares', or 'Rice Krispies Squares' in the United Kingdom & Canada, and 'LCMs' in Australia) are a confection commonly made through binding WK Kellogg Co's Rice Krispies or another crisp rice cereal together with butter or ...

Why are my homemade Rice Krispie Treats hard? ›

Why did my rice krispie treats turn out hard? The most likely culprit is the heat that you are using to cook them. Keep your heat below medium-low at all times.

What is the best way to cut Rice Krispie Treats? ›

To prevent the Rice Krispie Treats from sticking together when cutting, you can dip the knife into warm water and wipe it with a paper towel between each cut. This will help remove any residue from the treats and ensure clean, separate pieces.

Why are my Rice Krispie squares so sticky? ›

Melting marshmallows heats the gelatin within, causing it to act as a sticky binder that holds the Rice Krispies together once cooled. Gently pressing the mixture into the pan, rather than compacting it firmly, ensures the treats remain airy, light, and crisp.

How much does it cost to make a batch of rice crispy treats? ›

So the total cost per batch was $0.64 (butter) + $1.69 (marshmallows) + $1.23 (cereal) = $3.56.

How many cups of Rice Krispies are in a family box? ›

There are about 10 to 12 cups of cereal in a 12-ounce box of rice krispies. So to make this recipe, you'll need about half a box of cereal. If doubling the recipe, you'll use a full box.

What is the difference between old and new Rice Krispies? ›

Rice now represents only 48% of Rice Krispies - from 89.8% before. Corn flour (13%) (which may be genetically modified, according to the company) as well as whole wheat flour (10%) are some of the new ingredients. In addition, the company added much more sugar.

Who makes great value Rice Krispies? ›

Many of the great value cereals at walmart are made by Kellogg's.

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