Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat to brighten up your springtime celebrations, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is not just your regular cereal bar—it’s packed with a colorful mix of cereals, gooey marshmallows, and those cute Easter M&Ms that add a pop of fun to every bite. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be your go-to sweet snack for any spring gathering or even an anytime pick-me-up!

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Perfect Crunch & Chew: The mix of Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios creates a delightful combination of crispy and slightly sweet textures that hit just the right note.
  • Marshmallows Melt Smoothly: Melting the marshmallows with butter ensures a smooth, luscious coating that holds everything together without being too sticky or dry.
  • Easter Flair with M&Ms & Sprinkles: Adding the M&Ms and festive sprinkles at the end keeps the colors vibrant and festive, perfect for the holiday vibe.
  • Simple and Quick: This recipe is super easy to make—great for baking with the kids or whipping up a last-minute Easter dessert.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is chosen not just for flavor but for texture and that holiday pop of color. Having the right mix ensures the treats are both chewy and crunchy with bursts of chocolatey fun.

Easter Rice Krispie Treats, Easter cereal treats, festive Rice Krispie bars, springtime marshmallow snacks, Easter candy dessert - Flat lay of a small block of salted butter, a handful of mini white marshmallows, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a neat pile of Rice Krispies cereal, a small mound of Rice Chex cereal squares, a cluster of Frosted Cheerios, a scattering of colorful Easter M&Ms, and a small white bowl filled with pastel Easter sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997
  • Salted butter: Melts into the marshmallows to give that rich, creamy base and balances sweetness with a touch of saltiness.
  • Mini marshmallows: They melt quickly and evenly, binding all the cereal pieces into one cohesive treat.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor so the cereal isn’t just sweet but has a comforting aroma.
  • Rice Krispies: The classic crispy cereal adds lightness and crunch that’s essential in Rice Krispie treats.
  • Rice Chex: Adds an extra dimension of crunch with a slightly different texture than Rice Krispies.
  • Frosted Cheerios: Sweet, crunchy, and adds a little color contrast with their golden hue.
  • Easter M&Ms: These crunchy chocolate treats brighten up the bars visually without melting and turning the whole batch into a colorful mess.
  • Easter sprinkles: For that last festive touch that makes these treats feel truly special.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is a great canvas for your own creative spin! I sometimes swap out cereals or spices, and you should too—it’s a fantastic way to make it yours.

  • Variation: Once I swapped Frosted Cheerios for regular Cheerios and added a sprinkle of cinnamon—gave it a whole cozy twist that my kids couldn’t get enough of.
  • Dietary Modifications: For gluten-free friends, make sure your cereal choices are certified gluten-free; I’ve done this successfully with GF Rice Chex and it works beautifully.
  • Seasonal Changes: You could swap out the Easter M&Ms for Halloween or Christmas-themed candies for year-round fun.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Tools & Ingredients

Before turning on the stove, I like to gather and measure everything out. It makes the whole process smoother—and trust me, once those marshmallows start melting, you don’t want to be scrambling. I always line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it with nonstick spray. This little prep step saves a lot of cleanup hassle.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

In a large saucepan, melt the butter first over low heat, then add 8 cups of the mini marshmallows. Stir gently and continuously so nothing burns—this ensures your mixture stays silky smooth. Removing from the heat as soon as it fully melts is key, so it doesn’t get grainy.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Remaining Ingredients

Off the heat, stir in the vanilla extract, then add the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows along with all your cereals—Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios. Mix quickly but gently so the treats stay light and the cereals don’t get crushed. This keeps that lovely crunch in every bite.

Step 4: Fold in Easter M&Ms & Sprinkles

This part is my favorite! Quickly fold in the Easter M&Ms and the sprinkles but be gentle—you want to distribute them without cracking the M&Ms or causing their colors to bleed. Then pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Press and Chill

Using parchment paper or lightly greased hands, gently press the mixture into the pan. Don’t press too hard or you’ll end up with dense, hard treats instead of soft and chewy ones. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to set up before slicing into squares. Patience here pays off!

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Pro Tips for Making Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

  • Melt Marshmallows Low and Slow: High heat burns marshmallows quickly, so keep your stove low and stir often for silky smooth melting.
  • Add M&Ms Last: I learned the hard way—adding candy too early makes the colors bleed and melt, so fold in your Easter M&Ms just before spreading the mixture in the pan.
  • Gentle Pressing is Key: Lightly pressing the mixture keeps treats soft and chewy—pressing hard will make them tough and dense.
  • Line with Parchment for Easy Removal: Lining your pan saves you from struggling to get perfect squares out, and cleanup is a breeze!

How to Serve Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Easter Rice Krispie Treats, Easter cereal treats, festive Rice Krispie bars, springtime marshmallow snacks, Easter candy dessert - The image shows three square cereal treats stacked on a white plate. Each treat has a light beige color and looks crunchy with a sticky texture. They are decorated with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces in blue, purple, pink, green, and yellow scattered on top and inside. Sprinkles in green and orange are spread all over the treats. Small candy figures shaped like a white bunny and a yellow chick sit on the top layer, adding a playful Easter theme. The plate is on a white marbled surface with pastel-colored candy eggs and scattered sprinkles around it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for extra sprinkles on top—it just amps up the festive feel, especially if you’re serving these at a party. Sometimes I add a few whole M&Ms or pastel chocolate eggs on top to make them look extra pretty without going overboard.

Side Dishes

These treats pair wonderfully with fresh fruit or a light parfait to balance the sweetness. For Easter brunch, I usually serve them alongside fluffy scrambled eggs or a citrus salad—such a fresh contrast!

Creative Ways to Present

For kids’ parties, I’ve served these cut into little bunny shapes using cookie cutters—it’s adorable and crowd-pleasing. You can also layer broken pieces into clear jars or mason jars with whipped cream for a fun dessert parfait. Tying up small stacks with pastel ribbons makes them a cute take-home favor too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these treats in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay perfectly soft and chewy for up to two weeks. I just keep mine in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to avoid melting the candy.

Freezing

Freezing works great for this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe! I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They freeze well for up to one month and thaw quickly on the counter.

Reheating

While these treats are best enjoyed at room temperature, if you want to warm them up slightly, I pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds or so. It softens them just a little, making the marshmallows extra gooey—just don’t overheat or they’ll get sticky!

FAQs

  1. Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted in this recipe?

    Yes, you can! If you swap salted butter for unsalted, just add about ½ teaspoon of salt to the recipe to keep the flavor balanced.

  2. Why shouldn’t I add the M&Ms too early?

    Adding M&Ms too early causes their color to bleed into the mixture and can make them melt, which affects both the look and texture of your treats. Folding them in last keeps the candies intact and vibrant.

  3. Can I use different cereals instead of Rice Krispies and Chex?

    Absolutely! You can substitute with similar crispy cereals like Corn Chex or different Cheerios varieties. Just avoid heavier cereals like wheat that might make the treats dense.

  4. How do I keep my treats soft and not hard?

    Handle the mixture gently when pressing into the pan—don’t press too hard—and store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness.

Final Thoughts

This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is honestly one of my favorite easy indulgences that effortlessly brings holiday cheer to the table. It’s simple, customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re baking with little ones or looking for a sweet addition to your festive spread. Give it a try—you’ll love how quick and fun it is, and I promise it’ll become a seasonal favorite in your home just like it is in mine!

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Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 20 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Easter Rice Krispie Treats are a colorful and festive twist on the classic marshmallow rice cereal treat, combining Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, Frosted Cheerios, Easter M&Ms, and sprinkles for a fun and delicious dessert perfect for springtime celebrations.


Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 10 cups mini marshmallows, divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 cups Rice Krispies
  • 2 cups Rice Chex
  • 2 cups Frosted Cheerios
  • 1 cup Easter M&Ms
  • 2 teaspoons Easter sprinkles


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pan: Premeasure all ingredients before you begin cooking and line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and coat it with non-stick spray; then set aside.
  2. Melt the Butter and Marshmallows: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the salted butter together with 8 cups of mini marshmallows until the mixture is smooth and fully melted, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  3. Add Vanilla and Remaining Marshmallows: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Then add the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until they begin to melt.
  4. Combine Cereals: Stir in the Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios until all the cereals are fully coated with the marshmallow mixture.
  5. Fold in M&Ms and Sprinkles: Gently and quickly fold the Easter M&Ms and Easter sprinkles into the mixture, being careful not to dissolve the candy colors.
  6. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Optionally top with additional M&Ms and sprinkles for decoration. Use parchment paper or greased hands to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan without compressing it too hard, which can make the treats tough.
  7. Set and Cut: Allow the treats to set at room temperature for 30 minutes until firm. Then remove from the pan and cut into squares for serving.

Notes

  • Unsalted butter can be used instead of salted butter; add about ½ teaspoon salt to compensate.
  • Corn Chex can replace Rice Chex, but wheat Chex is not recommended due to texture differences.
  • Other Cheerios varieties can be substituted if desired.
  • Add the M&M’s only at the end to prevent the candy colors from bleeding.
  • Press the mixture lightly into the pan to keep the treats soft and chewy, pressing too hard will make them tough.
  • Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 square
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg

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