Easy 4th of July Rice Krispies Treats

If you ask me, these patriotic Rice Krispies treats are a perfect way to celebrate summer.

These red, white, and blue treats put a fun spin on the classic marshmallow squares we all grew up with. The familiar crispy base gets dressed up with holiday-colored sprinkles and white chocolate drizzle.

They’re super simple to make with the kids, and they always disappear fast at backyard BBQs and pool parties. The colorful layers look festive on any dessert table, but they’re just as good for an afternoon snack.

It’s a no-fuss treat that brings a little extra joy to July 4th celebrations without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.

What Kind of Marshmallows Should I Use?

Regular-sized white marshmallows are the classic choice for Rice Krispies treats, but mini marshmallows will work just as well and actually melt a bit faster. Fresh marshmallows are key here – when they get old, they can become hard and won’t melt as smoothly. If you’re looking at the bag in the store, give it a gentle squeeze – the marshmallows should feel soft and squishy, not firm or stiff. While some people swear by name-brand marshmallows like Kraft Jet-Puffed, store brands usually work just fine for this recipe as long as they’re fresh. Just avoid using flavored marshmallows, as they can change the classic taste you’re going for.

Options for Substitutions

Making these festive treats but missing something? Here are some helpful swaps you can try:

• Crispy rice cereal: While the original Rice Krispies brand works best, any crispy rice cereal will do. Just avoid off-brand cereals that might be too thick or dense, as they can make your treats too hard.
• Marshmallows: You can use mini or regular marshmallows interchangeably. In a pinch, you can also use marshmallow fluff – about 7 ounces equals 10 oz of regular marshmallows.
• White chocolate: Candy melts work great as a substitute for white chocolate. You could also use colored candy melts to add extra festive flair. If you skip this ingredient altogether, your treats will still be tasty!
• Butter: Salted butter works fine – just skip adding any extra salt. Margarine can work too, though the flavor won’t be quite as rich.
• Sprinkles: Any festive toppings work here! Try red, white and blue M&Ms, patriotic jimmies, or even crushed candy pieces. You can also use food coloring in the marshmallow mixture instead of sprinkles.

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 melt the marshmallows over too high heat or compress the mixture too firmly into the pan.

To keep your treats perfectly gooey, melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat, stirring constantly, and remove from heat as soon as they’re fully melted – overcooking the marshmallows will make your treats tough.

When pressing the mixture into the pan, use a light touch or slightly greased hands to avoid compacting it too much, and let the treats cool completely before adding the white chocolate drizzle so it doesn’t melt into the warm cereal mixture.

For the freshest results, store your treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days – any longer and they’ll start to harden (though they’ll still taste good!).

What to Serve With Rice Krispie Treats?

These festive Rice Krispie treats are perfect for serving alongside other 4th of July party snacks and desserts! They pair really well with cold drinks like lemonade or fruit punch to balance out their sweet, chewy texture. Since these treats are pretty sweet on their own, I like to set them out with some salty snacks like pretzels or potato chips for that perfect sweet-and-salty combo. For a fun dessert spread, try placing them next to fresh fruit like strawberries and blueberries to keep with the red, white, and blue theme.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These festive Rice Krispies treats stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. I like to place wax paper or parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. Keep them in a cool spot away from direct sunlight so the white chocolate doesn’t melt!

Make Ahead: You can make these treats a day or two before your 4th of July celebration. Just wait until they’re completely cool before adding the white chocolate and sprinkles, then store them properly. They taste best when enjoyed within the first 2 days when they’re still soft and chewy.

Freeze: While you can freeze plain Rice Krispies treats, I don’t recommend freezing these decorated ones since the sprinkles might bleed their colors and the white chocolate coating could develop a weird texture. They’re so quick to make, it’s best to prepare them fresh!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	1-2 minutes
Total Time	130-180 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 20-30 g
• Fat: 100-120 g
• Carbohydrates: 300-320 g

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 12 ounces marshmallows
• 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
• 6 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1/2 cup white chocolate, melted
• Colorful sprinkles

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Begin by spraying a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray to ensure your treats don’t stick.

Set the dish aside until the mixture is ready to be added.

Step 2: Melt Marshmallows and Butter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the marshmallows and butter.

Place the bowl in the microwave for 60 seconds.

Once heated, remove the bowl and stir until the marshmallows and butter are completely melted together.

If the mixture isn’t fully melted, heat it again for an additional 20 seconds.

Step 3: Incorporate Cereal and Vanilla

Add vanilla extract to the melted mixture for added flavor.

Pour in your choice of cereal and mix until all the cereal is well coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Ensure there are no dry spots left in the mixture.

Step 4: Form the Rice Krispie Treats

Transfer the sticky cereal mixture into the prepared 13×9 inch baking dish.

Press it down evenly using a spatula.

Let the treats set and solidify for about 2 hours at room temperature.

For a quicker setup, you can place them in the fridge.

Step 5: Cut and Decorate

After the rice krispie treats have set, use a sharp knife to cut them into squares.

Arrange the squares on a large baking sheet.

Melt white chocolate and drizzle it over the top of the squares for an extra touch of sweetness.

Immediately sprinkle festive sprinkles over the chocolate before it sets.

Step 6: Final Set and Serve

Allow the chocolate to set for about an hour to ensure it adheres to the rice krispie squares.

Once the chocolate is firm, serve your delicious, decorated rice krispie treats and enjoy!