Delicious Rice Krispies with M&Ms

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Here’s my go-to recipe for rice krispies treats with M&Ms – a simple twist on the classic version that adds chocolate candy pieces to the familiar mix of marshmallows and crispy rice cereal.

These treats are always a hit at my kids’ school bake sales, and I love making them because they’re quick and impossible to mess up. Plus, who doesn’t smile at the sight of colorful M&Ms peeking through each square? They’re perfect for an after-school snack or party treat.

What Kind of Marshmallows Should I Use?

Regular-sized white marshmallows or mini marshmallows both work great for this recipe, though mini marshmallows tend to melt a bit faster and more evenly. Fresh marshmallows are key here – if yours have been sitting in the pantry for months and feel hard or stiff, grab a new bag since they won’t melt as smoothly. While some recipes call for fancy marshmallows or homemade ones, stick with basic store-bought marshmallows for the best results in this classic treat. Just make sure to measure them while they’re still in their solid form, not after melting, to get the right consistency in your treats.

Options for Substitutions

This fun twist on classic rice krispies treats has some room for tasty swaps:

• Puffed rice cereal: While the classic Rice Krispies brand works best, you can use any puffed rice cereal. Just avoid wheat-based alternatives as they’ll give you a different texture.
• Marshmallows: Regular or mini marshmallows both work great. In a pinch, you can use marshmallow fluff (about 13 oz), but you might need to adjust the butter slightly to get the right consistency.
• M&Ms: Feel free to swap these with any candy-coated chocolate pieces, chocolate chips, or even chopped candy bars. Just avoid using anything with caramel or nougat as it can make cutting tricky.
• Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter – if using salted, just skip the extra salt in the recipe. Margarine works too, but the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
• Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract works perfectly here, or you can skip it altogether. You could even try almond extract for a different flavor profile.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making Rice Krispies treats is ending up with rock-hard squares instead of soft, chewy ones – this usually happens when you overheat the marshmallows or compress the mixture too firmly into the pan. To keep your treats perfectly chewy, melt the marshmallows and butter over low heat, stirring constantly, and remove from heat as soon as they’re just melted. Another common mistake is adding the M&Ms too early while the mixture is still hot, which can cause them to melt and create a messy rainbow swirl – instead, wait until the mixture has cooled slightly but is still pliable before folding in the candies. When pressing the mixture into your pan, use a light touch or butter your hands first – pressing too hard will result in dense, tough treats that are difficult to bite into.

What to Serve With Rice Krispies Treats?

These sweet and crunchy treats are perfect for serving alongside other fun snacks at parties or afternoon gatherings. A cold glass of milk is the classic go-to drink that helps balance out the sweetness and makes for the perfect dunking companion. If you’re setting up a dessert table, try pairing these treats with some fresh fruit like strawberries or apple slices to add a natural element to the spread. For movie nights or sleepovers, I like to serve these alongside hot chocolate in the winter or chocolate milk in the summer – the combo of chocolate drinks with these marshmallowy treats is always a hit with kids and adults alike.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These colorful treats stay best at room temperature in an airtight container, with wax paper or parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll maintain their perfect chewy texture for up to 3 days, though they rarely last that long in my house!

Pack: Want to pack these for lunch boxes or road trips? Wrap individual squares in wax paper or plastic wrap, then pop them in a container or zip-top bag. This keeps them from sticking together and makes grabbing a sweet treat super easy.

Note: I don’t recommend freezing these treats as the texture can get weird and the M&Ms might develop a white film when thawed. Also, keep them away from heat or direct sunlight to prevent the M&Ms from melting and the treats from becoming too soft.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	75-80 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2800-3200
• Protein: 20-30 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 400-450 g

Ingredients

• 1 stick of butter
• 16 ounces of small marshmallows
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 cups puffed rice cereal
• 1 cup mini m&m candies (plus extra for decoration)

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Start by lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.

Lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Melt the Marshmallows

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.

Once melted, add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they are fully melted and smooth.

Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.

Step 3: Mix in the Cereal

Remove the pot from heat and add the cereal.

Use a wooden spoon to mix until the cereal pieces are thoroughly coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Ensure you scrape any remaining marshmallow from the bottom of the pot to avoid waste.

If mixing becomes difficult due to the pot size, transfer the ingredients to a very large bowl to finish combining.

Step 4: Add the Mini M&Ms

Pour the mini M&Ms into the cereal and marshmallow mixture.

Stir gently until they’re just evenly combined, being careful not to overmix which can cause the colors to bleed.

Step 5: Assemble in the Pan

Transfer the mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch pan.

Use a greased spatula to gently and evenly spread the mixture across the pan.

If desired, sprinkle additional mini M&Ms over the top for extra decoration and flavor.

Step 6: Set and Serve

Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour to fully set.

Once set, remove from the pan by lifting the parchment paper and cut into 12 squares using a sharp knife.

Enjoy immediately for the best texture!