Chewy Original Rice Krispies Squares

Here’s my go-to Rice Krispies Squares recipe that uses just three simple ingredients – crispy rice cereal, marshmallows, and butter. They turn out perfect every time, with that classic chewy texture we all grew up loving.

These treats are always the first to disappear at bake sales and birthday parties. I usually make a double batch because my kids can’t keep their hands off them – and honestly, neither can I! Who doesn’t love sneaking one straight from the pan while they’re still warm?

What Kind of Marshmallows Should I Use?

Regular or mini marshmallows both work perfectly for Rice Krispies Treats, so use whichever you have on hand. Mini marshmallows tend to melt a bit faster than their larger counterparts, which can make the process quicker and easier. If you’re using regular marshmallows, you might want to cut them in half to speed up the melting process. Just make sure your marshmallows are fresh – older ones can get hard and won’t melt as smoothly. Also, while generic brands will work, name-brand marshmallows often melt better and create a more consistent texture in the final treats.

Options for Substitutions

While this classic treat is pretty simple, you do have some options when it comes to substitutions:

• Puffed rice cereal: The original Rice Krispies brand works best, but you can use any puffed rice cereal. Just avoid using old cereal as it might be stale. In a pinch, you could try other crispy cereals like Corn Flakes or Cheerios, but keep in mind this will change the classic taste and texture.
• Marshmallows: Fresh marshmallows are a must for this recipe – either regular or mini work equally well. You can substitute marshmallow creme (use a 7 oz jar), but don’t try using marshmallow fluff as it contains different ingredients and won’t set properly.
• Butter: You can use either salted or unsalted butter, or margarine. Coconut oil can work too, but it will add a slight coconut flavor. I wouldn’t recommend using other oil substitutes as they might make the treats too greasy or affect how well they hold together.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making Rice Krispies Treats is cranking up the heat too high when melting the marshmallows and butter – this can lead to hard, tough treats instead of soft, chewy ones, so always use low to medium heat and stir constantly.

Another common error is pressing the mixture too firmly into the pan, which compresses the cereal and creates dense, brick-like squares – instead, gently press the mixture using a piece of wax paper or buttered hands with just enough pressure to hold them together.

To prevent the mixture from sticking everywhere (and trust me, it will try!), make sure to butter your spatula, hands, and the baking dish well, and work quickly once the marshmallows are melted as the mixture becomes harder to handle as it cools.

For extra-gooey treats, try adding a few extra marshmallows at the very end of mixing – they’ll create lovely pockets of marshmallow throughout your squares.

What to Serve With Rice Krispies Treats?

Rice Krispies treats are a classic snack that pairs perfectly with a cold glass of milk – it’s like they were made for each other! Since these treats are sweet and sticky, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit like strawberries or apple slices to balance things out. For a fun dessert spread, try cutting these squares into smaller pieces and serving them on a platter with other simple treats like chocolate chip cookies or brownies. If you’re packing them in lunch boxes, wrap each square individually and include a juice box or chocolate milk for the perfect sweet afternoon pick-me-up.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These classic Rice Krispies squares stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container. For best results, place wax paper or parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. They’ll maintain their perfect chewy texture this way!

Extended Storage: Pop your treats in the fridge in a sealed container, and they’ll stay good for up to a week. Just remember that the cooler temperature might make them a bit firmer than usual, but they’re still just as yummy.

Make Ahead: These squares are perfect for making ahead for bake sales or parties! You can prepare them a day or two before your event – just make sure to cut them into squares after they’ve completely cooled, and store them properly to maintain their fresh, gooey goodness.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	15-25 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 1400-1600
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 30-40 g
• Carbohydrates: 220-240 g

Ingredients

• 6 cups puffed rice cereal
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 ounces) of regular marshmallows or 4 cups mini marshmallows

Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

Begin by melting butter in a large saucepan over low heat.

Once the butter is completely melted, add marshmallows to the saucepan.

Stir the mixture continuously until the marshmallows are fully melted and smooth.

Remove the saucepan from the heat to prevent the mixture from cooking further.

Step 2: Prepare Rice Krispies Cereal

While the marshmallows are melting, measure out the rice krispies cereal and have it ready in a large bowl.

This will ensure you can work quickly in the next step without the marshmallow mixture cooling too much.

Step 3: Combine Cereal and Marshmallow Mixture

Working quickly, add the measured rice krispies cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture.

Stir well until the cereal is thoroughly coated with the sticky marshmallow mixture.

Be sure to mix from the bottom to the top to get an even distribution.

Step 4: Press Mixture into Pan

Using a buttered spatula or a piece of waxed paper, press the coated cereal mixture evenly into a greased 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan (or any suitably-sized pan you have available).

Press firmly but gently to create an even layer without compacting too much, which could make the treats too dense.

Step 5: Cool and Cut into Squares

Allow the treats to cool at room temperature.

Once cooled, cut them into squares of your desired size.

Serve these delicious treats and enjoy with family and friends!