These cute, fun and colorful M&M Rice Krispie Treats are one of the best no-bake desserts. These are stuffed with lots of M&Ms and marshmallows and drizzled with white chocolate and topped with even more M&Ms. These are perfect for the holidays, kids or as everyday snacks and treats .
These M&M Rice Krispie Treats take your favorite childhood sweets to the next level. These treats are packed full of marshmallows, M&Ms and are one of the best no-bake treats. They are so easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, plus no baking required. You can make these with classic colorful M&Ms or go for certain colors for the holidays, game day, etc.
If you're looking for a more elevated version you have to try my Salted Pistachio Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- This recipe is easy and straight forward!
- No baking required.
- These M&Ms can be replaced with various colors of M&Ms depending on the holiday or season or even for game day
- Perfect ratio of cereal to marshmallows with tons of M&Ms
Ingredients
- Rice Krispies Cereal - What are rice krispies treats without rice krispies cereal?
- Unsalted Butter - the base for great rice krispie treats. I use unsalted butter so we can control the amount of salt used.
- Mini Marshmallows - melts faster and easier in the marshmallow base.
- Large/Jumbo Marshmallows (Optional) - cut up into ¼ for lots of marshmallow gooeyness in the treats. Can be replaced with mini marshmallows.
- Flaky Sea Salt - just need a little to add an extra depth of flavor. Salt enhances sweetness!
- Vanilla Extract - Enhances the flavor of these rice krispies! Just make sure to use a pure vanilla extract and not an imitation.
- M&Ms - Can use normal m&ms or use certain colors for game day, holidays or even the season.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally, this will ensure the butter is evenly cooked. As the butter melts, it will bubble and foam. The color will change from yellow to a toasty brown. When you smell a nutty aroma, turn the heat off. You should see little golden brown bits at the bottom if it looks black either try straining them out OR you may have to throw it away and start over.
- Next, add in 10 ounces of mini marshmallows, vanilla extract and salt. And stir until marshmallows are fully melted.
- Pour marshmallow mixture into a large mixing bowl with the rice krispies cereal. Stir until marshmallow mixture is evenly distributed. Wait about 5 minutes until its the mixture has cooled but can still be slightly warm to the touch. While waiting, chop large marshmallows into smaller piece until you have 1 cup roughly if you are using large marshmallow.
- Once rice krispies mixture has cooled down, add in marshmallow pieces and ¾ cup of M&Ms. Mix again until evenly distributed.
- Turn mix into prepared pan.
- Gently press butter wrapper or another piece of parchment paper into the rice krispies treat until you create an even layer in the prepared baking pan. Optionally, melt white chocolate wafers according to directions and drizzle on top and then top leftover M&Ms.
- Let cool at room temperature for at least an hour. Then, remove M&M Rice Krispie Treats from pan and paper onto a cutting board. Cut into squares/rectangles and enjoy. (Optional: trim/cut the edges to cut the treats into clean squares/rectangles). Try one of the end pieces, add more salt on top if needed.
Expert Tips
- Let your treats set!: As tempting as it might be to cut straight into these gooey treats. Wait at least 1 hour to let them cool and harden. This will ensure your treats are well set and makes them MUCH easier to cut!
- Don’t overcook the marshmallows: Once your marshmallows are mixed, turn off the heat. If you continue to cook the marshmallows they will get hard due to the sugar. If you notice your marshmallows aren't melting, you can set the heat on low to help them melt.
- Don’t overmix!: Once you've added your cereal, make sure to mix it with the marshmallow until it's fully mixed but be careful of overmixing. Your treats can become dense from all the breaking down.
- Don't add chocolate to the dutch oven/pot! I found even after waiting 10 minutes, if you add your M&Ms to the dutch oven or pot you cooked/melted the butter and marshmallows, it will still be hot enough to melt the chocolate and turn it into a chocolatey mess. Luckily the M&M's hard candy exterior means we don't have to wait as long for the mixture to cool before adding them in compared to chocolate chips.
Recipe FAQs
Mini marshmallow are the best for the marshmallow base BUT larger ones cut up help make the most amazing pockets of gooey when you add to the rice krispies base. However, you could of course just use one type. I would just recommend using normal or jumbo sized marshmallows and slicing them all up. However, you can use mini marshmallows if you don't want to buy two different types.
Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Do NOT refrigerate rice krispie treats, as it can make the marshmallow very hard. Instead, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for best results.
I do not advise freezing rice krispie treats. Fresh is best.
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M&M Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 4 cups rice krispies cereal
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 1 cup M&Ms split into ¾ and ¼ cup
- 1 cup marshmallows, cut up can be replaced with mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons white chocolate melting wafers optional
Instructions
- Line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally, this will ensure the butter is evenly cooked. As the butter melts, it will bubble and foam. The color will change from yellow to a toasty brown. When you smell a nutty aroma, turn the heat off. You should see little golden brown bits at the bottom if it looks black either try straining them out OR you may have to throw it away and start over.
- Next, add in 10 ounces of mini marshmallows, vanilla extract and salt. And stir until marshmallows are fully melted.
- Pour marshmallow mixture into a large mixing bowl with the rice krispies cereal. Stir until marshmallow mixture is evenly distributed. Wait about 5 minutes until its the mixture has cooled but can still be slightly warm to the touch. While waiting, chop large marshmallows into smaller piece until you have 1 cup roughly if you are using large marshmallow.
- Once rice krispies mixture has cooled down, add in marshmallow pieces and ¾ cup of M&Ms. Mix again until evenly distributed.
- Turn mix into prepared pan.
- Gently press butter wrapper or another piece of parchment paper into the rice krispies treat until you create an even layer in the prepared baking pan. Optionally, melt white chocolate wafers according to directions and drizzle on top and then top leftover M&Ms.
- Let cool at room temperature for at least an hour. Then, remove M&M Rice Krispie Treats from pan and paper onto a cutting board. Cut into squares/rectangles and enjoy. (Optional: trim/cut the edges to cut the treats into clean squares/rectangles). Try one of the end pieces, add more salt on top if needed.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!