Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

If you’re hunting for a fun, colorful, and downright delicious treat to brighten up your springtime celebrations, you’ve come to the right place! This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is one of my absolute favorites to whip up when I want something quick, nostalgic, and festive all at once. It’s got all the gooey marshmallow goodness you crave, mixed with a medley of cereals and sweet pops of Easter M&Ms and sprinkles. Stick around, and I’ll share all my best tips to help you make perfect squares every time—and yes, kids and grown-ups alike will be begging for more.

this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe has a purpose—whether it’s providing gooeyness, crunch, or that pop of Easter joy. Plus, I always recommend having everything pre-measured and ready because this recipe works fast and you want to keep that marshmallow mixture smooth and melty.

• Salted butter: Adds richness and helps the marshmallows melt smoothly; salted gives a subtle balance, but you can use unsalted if needed (just add a pinch of salt).
• Mini marshmallows: They melt more quickly and evenly than large ones, giving you that iconic stretchy texture.
• Vanilla extract: A splash brightens and deepens flavor—don’t skip it even if it’s just a teaspoon.
• Rice Krispies: The classic cereal for that light, crispy crunch.
• Rice Chex: Adds a different crunch and keeps the texture interesting.
• Frosted Cheerios: Sweet and slightly fruity notes that pair well with marshmallows, plus extra chewiness.
• Easter M&Ms: Fun color and chocolatey pops that brighten up the whole batch.
• Easter sprinkles: Just a touch of festive sparkle to complete the look.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I like to swap out cereals depending on what we have on hand or add in different mix-ins for seasonal variations. Feel free to experiment — you really can’t go wrong with the base as long as you keep the marshmallow to cereal ratio just right.

• Variation: I once tried adding mini pastel M&Ms along with chopped-up jelly beans for an extra pop of Easter fun—super kid-approved!
• Dietary swaps: For gluten-free versions, just make sure all cereals and sprinkles are labeled gluten-free; I’ve done this successfully and it’s just as tasty.
• Less sweet: Reduce the amount of Frosted Cheerios and boost the Rice Krispies if you want a less sugary bite.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Step 1: Prep Everything Before You Start

Get all your ingredients measured and ready to go—this is key! Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and give it a quick spray with non-stick spray; trust me, this makes clean-up a breeze and helps your treats release flawlessly.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows Gently

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, then stir in 8 cups of the mini marshmallows. Keep the heat low and stir constantly until everything is silky and smooth—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Be patient here; if it gets too hot, marshmallows can burn or get grainy, which is a common mistake I learned to avoid the hard way.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Remaining Ingredients

Take your pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract right away. Then fold in the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows along with your trio of cereals—the Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios—mixing gently but thoroughly so everything gets coated without crushing the cereals.

Step 4: Fold in Festive M&Ms and Sprinkles

This part is a bit of a balancing act—add the Easter M&Ms and sprinkles at the very end and fold in quickly and gently. If you add the M&Ms too soon, their color will bleed and turn your whole batch a murky pastel, which isn’t nearly as pretty. Trust me, I learned this trick after my first couple of tries!

Step 5: Press into Pan and Let Set

Transfer your mixture to the prepared pan and gently press it down with either parchment paper or greased hands—be careful not to press too hard, or your treats will become dense and tough instead of soft and chewy. If you want, sprinkle a few extra M&Ms and sprinkles on top for a festive finish.

Step 6: Chill and Slice

Let your treats cool and set at room temperature for about 30 minutes before removing from the pan and cutting them into squares. This waits lets them firm up just enough to give you clean, perfect bites.

How to Serve Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a few extra Easter M&Ms and colorful sprinkles—just enough to catch the eye without overwhelming the original treats’ texture. Sometimes I add a drizzle of white chocolate for a fancy touch, which makes them extra irresistible for guests.

Side Dishes

These treats go great alongside fresh fruit like strawberries or a light lemon yogurt dip to add a refreshing contrast. If it’s a brunch or family gathering, I often serve them with a simple fruit salad and light tea or lemonade for a balanced spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For Easter parties, I like to cut the treats into bunny shapes using cookie cutters and arrange them on a pastel-colored platter with edible flowers sprinkled around. Or, wrap individual squares in colorful cellophane with a festive ribbon; they’re instant, cheerful gifts or party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your Easter Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually stack parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking—this keeps them fresh and chewy for up to two weeks, so you can make them in advance without worrying!

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe container. From my experience, this works well and the treats thaw quickly at room temperature, retaining their flavor and texture nicely for up to three months.

Reheating

I prefer not to reheat since they’re best soft and chewy chilled or room temperature, but if needed, a few seconds in the microwave can bring back some pliability—just be careful not to overdo it or they’ll get tough fast.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen, especially when I need a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels festive but isn’t complicated. The combo of cereals keeps it interesting, and those final pops of colored M&Ms and sprinkles are like a little party in every bite. I hope you love making and sharing these as much as I do—they’re such a sweet way to bring a bit of joy and nostalgia to your Easter celebrations. Give it a try and let me know how your batch turns out—I’m always here if you need tips or want to swap ideas!

Print