Lucky Charms Rice Krispie treats are a gooey, chewy, and delightfully colorful twist on the classic marshmallow-and-cereal bars. With only five ingredients, these no-bake treats come together quickly for an easy snack or dessert that both kids and adults will enjoy.
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Why You Should Make This Recipe
If you love quick, nostalgic desserts with a playful twist, these Lucky Charms Rice Krispie treats are an ideal pick. They combine the familiar comfort of marshmallow cereal bars with the bright colors and tiny marshmallows found in Lucky Charms cereal.
- Quick and simple: Made with five ingredients and about 10 minutes of active prep, these treats are fast to prepare when a sweet craving strikes.
- Colorful and nostalgic: The Lucky Charms marshmallows add a playful, childhood-inspired element while keeping the texture you expect from classic rice crispy treats.
- No-bake dessert: These bars require no oven and make a great grab-and-go snack for parties, school lunches, or after-school treats.
Ingredients
This recipe uses only five main ingredients. Gather everything before you start for a smooth, fast assembly.
Lucky Charms cereal, Rice Krispie cereal, mini marshmallows, unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Substitutions
If you don’t have every ingredient on hand, these simple swaps will keep the recipe flexible:
- Rice cereal: Any rice-based puffed cereal can be used in place of Rice Krispies.
- Marshmallow cereal: Lucky Charms are recommended for the colorful marshmallows, but another marshmallow-filled cereal will work too.
- Butter: Salted butter can be used if you skip the added salt in the recipe.
- Vanilla: Adds depth of flavor—omit only if necessary.
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt more evenly and are recommended, though regular marshmallows can be used if that’s all you have.
How to Make
Follow these straightforward steps to make Lucky Charms Rice Krispie treats.
- Prepare the pan: Grease and line a 9 x 9 inch pan with wax paper or foil, leaving two sides unwrapped to make removal easier. Scoop out 1 cup of Lucky Charms cereal and remove the marshmallows to reserve as a topping later. Measure the rest of the ingredients before you begin.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add 10 oz of mini marshmallows and stir constantly until they are mostly melted and smooth.
- Combine and flavor: Remove the pan from the heat, stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the remaining 4 cups of Lucky Charms cereal and 2 cups of Rice Krispie cereal directly into the pan if possible. If not, place the cereals in a large bowl and pour the melted marshmallow mixture over them. Stir quickly and gently until the cereals are fully coated.
- Press into the pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, gently pressing it into an even layer without compacting it too tightly. Sprinkle the reserved Lucky Charms marshmallows on top and press lightly so they adhere. Let the bars set for at least 30 minutes, then slice and serve.
Finish: Allow the treats to cool and set before cutting. Serve room temperature for the best gooey texture.
Make Ahead, Store, Freeze, and Thaw
- Make ahead: You can prepare the bars up to one day in advance. Keep them in the pan and wrap tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
- Store: Place cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freeze and thaw: For longer storage, cut the bars into squares, individually wrap each piece, and arrange them in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to six weeks. Thaw to room temperature before serving, or warm briefly in the microwave for a freshly-made texture.
M’s Expert Tips
- Reserve marshmallows for topping: Many of the tiny Lucky Charms marshmallows will melt into the mixture, so set some aside to press on top for the best visual effect.
- Use mini marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt faster and more evenly, giving a smoother, chewier texture.
- Melt gently: Keep the heat low when melting butter and marshmallows. Stir frequently and stop as soon as the mixture is smooth to avoid creating hard candies.
- Don’t overmix: Combine just enough to coat the cereal evenly. Overmixing can cause the Lucky Charms marshmallows to dissolve and change the texture.
- Press lightly: When transferring the mixture to the pan, press just enough to form a cohesive slab—pressing too hard will make the bars dense and less tender.
FAQs
You can, but the texture will differ. Fluff tends to make a looser, less cohesive bar that may fall apart more easily than when you melt mini marshmallows directly.
Yes. Swapping all Rice Krispie cereal for Lucky Charms is fine, but using a mix of both cereals keeps a pleasant crispy texture while maximizing the marshmallow presence.
That usually happens when marshmallows are melted too quickly over high heat or left on heat too long. Melt slowly over low heat and remove once nearly smooth.
They’re best the day they’re made for maximum gooeyness, but if preparing a day ahead, wrap tightly to keep them from drying out.
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes to Try
- Pistachio Muffins
- Pistachio Cookies
- Lucky Charms Cookies
- Pistachio Bread
If you make these Lucky Charms Rice Krispie treats, consider rating the recipe and leaving a comment. Tag @olivesnthyme on Instagram so the author can see your creation.
Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Megan
10
5
30
45
Dessert, Snack
American
16
squares
Equipment
-
1 large pan or pot
-
1 9 x 9 (23 cm) pan
-
1 sheet wax paper to line the pan
Ingredients
-
6
tablespoons (87 g)
unsalted butter -
10
oz.
mini marshmallows -
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract -
¼
teaspoon
salt -
4
cups (144 g)
Lucky Charms cereal, divided -
2
cups (53 g)
Rice Krispie cereal
Instructions
-
Grease and line a 9 x 9 inch pan with wax paper or foil along the bottom and two sides. Scoop out 1 cup (36 g) of Lucky Charms cereal and remove the marshmallows to reserve for topping. Add the remaining cereal to a large bowl and measure the rest of the ingredients.
-
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt 6 tablespoons (87 g) unsalted butter. Once melted, add 10 oz mini marshmallows and stir continuously over low heat until the marshmallows are mostly melted and smooth.
-
Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add 4 cups (144 g) of Lucky Charms cereal (divided) and 2 cups (53 g) Rice Krispie cereal into the pan if possible. If not, pour the melted marshmallow mixture into the bowl with the cereals and stir quickly until everything is evenly coated.
-
Evenly transfer the sticky mixture to the prepared pan and gently press it into place. Top with reserved Lucky Charms marshmallows and press lightly. Allow the bars to set for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
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