Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats

Indulge in a colorful rainbow of fruity flavor with these delicious and easy-to-make Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats. Perfectly gooey marshmallows, crispy rice cereal, and a pop of color with Fruity Pebbles with Marshmallows cereal. Kids and adults alike will love these gooey and sweet treats.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword rainbow desserts, rainbow rice krispie treats, rice krispie treats variations

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 148kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

4 tablespoons salted butter
1 bag (12 ounces) marshmallows
½ teaspoon salt ^{(I use kosher salt or sea salt)}
4½ cups rice krispies cereal
2½ cups fruity pebbles with marshmallows cereal

Instructions

Line a 9x9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
^{* You can also use wax paper or foil sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Make sure to leave an overhang so you can easily pull out the treats to cut them.}
In a large saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
Once the butter has melted, stir in the marshmallows and salt. Continue heating over medium-low heat, stirring continuously, until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
^{* Do not increase the heat to try to speed up the melting. Low and slow is the best way.}
Remove the pan from the heat and gently stir in the rice krispies cereal and fruity pebbles with marshmallows cereal. Make sure to mix completely until all the cereal is mixed and combined well with the marshmallow mixture.
Dump the mixture into the prepared pan and gently (but firmly) press it into an even layer with a silicone spatula or your hands.
^{* If the mixture is too sticky, grease your hands or a spatula to help spread it out.}
Allow the treats to cool and set at room temperature before cutting into squares. This takes about 1 hour.

Notes

Marshmallow Tip : Use 7 cups of mini marshmallows OR 48 regular sized marshmallows if you can't find a 12 ounce bag at the store.

Recipe Tips -

Storing Leftovers : Rice Krispies should be stored at room temperature, in an airtight container or wrapped tightly (first in plastic wrap and then in another layer) to keep them fresh for up to 3-4 days. I don't recommend putting rice krispies in the fridge as that will make them harder in texture and dried out.
Use Parchment Paper : Make sure to leave an overhang of parchment paper so you can easily pull the krispie treats out of the pan and cut them evenly. You could also use wax paper or aluminum foil instead of parchment paper. Just be sure to spray it lightly with cooking spray.
Let Marshmallows Melt Completely : It's super important that you allow the marshmallows to melt until they're completely smooth before removing them from the heat and adding the cereal. Don't try to rush this step and turn the heat up. Low and slow is the best way to melt marshmallows the correct way. No need to cook past that stage, once they're smooth and melted you're done. No additional cook time is needed because over cooking them can be bad too.

Recipe FAQ's -

What If I can't Find a 12 Ounce Bag of Marshmallows?
- Depending on your grocery store you may not be able to find a 12 ounce bag of marshmallows. I use a 12 ounce bag of regular size marshmallows when I make this recipe. If you can't find that then here are 2 simple ways to substitute.
  - Mini Marshmallows : Use 7 cups of mini marshmallows
  - Use 48 regular sized marshmallows if measuring from a bag that is larger than 12 ounces.
Can I Freeze Krispie Treats?
- I do not recommend freezing Krispie treats. Once thawed from frozen, the texture will be firmer, not gooey like when they're fresh, and they will dry out easily.
- If you must freeze them, I would recommend wrapping them in a double layer of foil and then placing the wrapped squares into a freezer safe Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Common Mistakes When Making Rice Krispie Treats
- Here are some common mistakes when making Rice Krispies and how to avoid them.
  - Not Using Enough Butter : If you don't use enough butter, the treats will be dry and crumbly. Make sure to use the correct amount of butter, as specified in the recipe, so that the flavor and texture turn out correctly. I know lots of times people want to reduce the butter to help with calories and whatnot, but it's best not to do that for krispie treats.
  - Overheating The Marshmallows : This is probably the most common mistake that people make. If the marshmallows are overheated, you will often end up with hard, difficult-to-bite treats. If you heat the marshmallows for too long, or at too high a temperature, they may burn which will give the treats a burnt taste. Make sure you always heat the marshmallows low & slow at medium-low heat, stirring constantly, just until they are melted and smooth.
  - Not Stirring The Mixture Enough : Not stirring the marshmallow + cereal mixture enough enough can lead to uneven distribution. This is not like a cake recipe where you stir gently just until incorporated. Stir the mixture gently so you don't crush the cereal, but be sure to stir it enough so you don't end up with dry areas and areas of just marshmallow.
  - Not Pressing The Mixture Down Firmly Enough Into The Pan : If you don't press the mixture down firmly enough, the treats will be loose and crumbly. If you're having difficulty getting and even layer in the pan, you can grease your spreading spatula or grease your hands and press the treats into a nice, thick, even layer. Feel free to re-grease, as necessary, if the treats start to stick. You don't want to press the treats down with all your weight, just give them a gentle but firm press, into the pan to ensure they hold together well.
  - Using Stale Cereal : I always recommend buying new cereal and using it fresh when making Rice Krispie treats. Stale cereal has a really unpleasant texture! There will be extra cereal which is perfect for a bowl of cereal afterwards.

Nutrition