S’mores Rice Krispies Treats are a warm, gooey twist on a classic snack that brings campfire flavor to your kitchen. This easy recipe gives you crunchy cereal, melty chocolate, and soft toasted marshmallow in every bite. If you like knowing what goes into your treats, see the note about the original ingredients in Rice Krispies. Make these when you want a quick dessert, a cozy family project, or something nostalgic and fun.
Why Make This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: ready in about 20 minutes plus cooling time.
- Family Favorite: kids love helping mix and press the treats.
- Budget-Friendly: simple pantry ingredients keep costs low.
- Crowd-Pleaser: brings the warm s’mores flavor without a campfire.
This recipe stands out because it blends the crunchy snap of cereal with the soft chew of marshmallow and the smooth hit of chocolate. The smell of toasted marshmallow and melted chocolate makes the whole house feel cozy. These treats give comfort and simple joy—like a little camp night on the couch. Also, if you wonder about the cereal itself, read why Rice Krispies changed for a bit more kitchen background.
Ingredients
- For the base:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows (about 4 cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the s’mores mix:
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers (about 8 full crackers, lightly crushed)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- For the topping (optional):
- 1 cup large marshmallows or extra mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons extra chocolate chips, melted for drizzling
Notes: Use unsalted butter so the treats don’t taste too salty. Measure cereal loosely; don’t pack it into the cup.
How to Make S’mores Rice Krispies Treats:
- Prepare an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper and lightly buttering the paper. (Prep matters: it makes removal easy.)
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat until it is just melted.
- Tip: Low heat prevents the butter from browning.
- Add the mini marshmallows to the pan and stir constantly until they melt and become smooth. Remove from heat. Why: Stirring prevents scorched marshmallows and gives a silky texture.
- Stir in the vanilla extract quickly.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate chips to the melted marshmallow. Fold gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Tip: Fold rather than stir hard—pressing too much makes the treats dense.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it down with a buttered spatula or wax paper until even. Press gently so the treats stay light and airy.
- Scatter the large marshmallows on top and, if you like, toast them quickly under a hot broiler for 10–20 seconds. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. (Or use a kitchen torch for a controlled char.)
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top if using. Let the pan cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes to set. Then lift the parchment to remove the slab and cut into squares.
For more easy, family-friendly rice dishes, try these bang-bang ground turkey rice bowls for a savory weeknight option.
How to Serve S’mores Rice Krispies Treats
- Serve warm with a tall glass of cold milk for a classic combo. The contrast of warm, gooey center and cold milk tastes wonderful.
- Cut into small squares and place on a platter with a sprinkle of crushed graham cracker for a party tray.
- Stack them between parchment for picnic sandwiches, or top each square with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt to deepen the chocolate flavor.
How to Store S’mores Rice Krispies Treats
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days to keep the marshmallows soft.
- Fridge: If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days; bring to room temp before serving for best texture.
- Freezer: Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 6 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30–60 minutes.
- To reheat: Microwave a single square for 7–10 seconds to soften, or warm briefly in a low oven (250°F / 120°C) for a few minutes.
Tips to Make S’mores Rice Krispies Treats
- Use low heat when melting marshmallows to avoid burning and grainy texture.
- Don’t over-press the mixture into the pan—light pressure keeps treats airy.
- Add chocolate chips off the heat so they don’t fully melt into the mix; you want pockets of melted chocolate.
- Toast marshmallows carefully under the broiler in short bursts to get that campfire flavor without charring too much.
Variation
- Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free puffed rice cereal and gluten-free graham crackers to make this safe for gluten-free guests.
- Double chocolate: Swap semi-sweet chips for dark chocolate chips and stir 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the melted marshmallow for a richer bar.
FAQs
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini ones?
Yes. Break regular marshmallows into smaller pieces so they melt evenly. Mini marshmallows melt faster and give a smoother mix, but either type works.
My treats turned hard. What went wrong?
You likely overcooked the marshmallows or pressed the mixture too firmly. Use low heat and gentle pressing next time. Warm a hard piece briefly in the microwave to soften.
Can I skip the graham crackers?
You can, but the graham crumbs add the classic s’mores flavor and a little texture. If skipping, add 1/4 cup extra cereal or a handful of chopped cookies for crunch.
Conclusion
These S’mores Rice Krispies Treats are a simple way to bring that campfire feeling into your home. They smell like toasted marshmallow and chocolate, feel warm and gooey inside, and still keep a light crunch from the cereal—perfect for cozy nights or a kid-friendly bake. If you want another take on s’mores-style treats, see this lovely version at S’mores Rice Krispie Treats – Two Peas & Their Pod. Please leave a comment and a star rating if you try the recipe, and share a photo on Pinterest or Facebook. What twist did you try? Let us know below!
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S’mores Rice Krispies Treats
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm, gooey treats that blend crunchy cereal with melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows, bringing campfire flavor to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows (about 4 cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers (about 8 full crackers, lightly crushed)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup large marshmallows or extra mini marshmallows (optional)
- 2 tablespoons extra chocolate chips, melted for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper and lightly buttering the paper.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat until it is just melted.
- Add the mini marshmallows to the pan and stir constantly until they melt and become smooth. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the vanilla extract quickly.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate chips to the melted marshmallow. Fold gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it down with a buttered spatula or wax paper until even.
- Scatter the large marshmallows on top and toast them under a hot broiler for 10–20 seconds if desired.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top if using.
- Let the pan cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes to set.
- Lift the parchment to remove the slab and cut into squares.
Notes
Use unsalted butter so the treats don’t taste too salty. Measure cereal loosely; don’t pack it into the cup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg