These fun rice crispy treats are made with buttered popcorn as well as rice crispy cereal! They’re gooey, sweet and perfect for any occasion!
If you love fun rice crispy treats, try our No Bake Cookies and Cream Bars and No Bake Nutter Butter Bars.
Recipe For Rice Crispy Treats
You are in for the ultimate treat with my Popcorn Rice Crispy Treats! They’re gooey, sweet and have just a touch of savory with buttery popcorn bites throughout.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect For Parties. This fun rice crispy treat makes the perfect dessert to bring to any party or Holiday.
- Easy To Make. These treats take just minutes to prepare!
- Easy Ingredients. You’ll have no trouble finding the ingredients to make these treats.
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What You’ll Need
Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make these easy rice crispy treats. See the recipe card located at the bottom of the post for full instructions.
- Butter- In most of my recipes, I use salted butter. I like the little bit of salt with the sweet bars.
- Mini Marshmallows– I always use mini marshmallows when making rice krispie treats because they melt quick. Make sure to check your marshmallows that they’re soft and fresh, not hard. You want to use fresh marshmallows. Makes a big difference.
- Vanilla– An absolute must for the best tasting rice krispie treats, is using pure vanilla extract. Real vanilla makes a big difference for treats.
- Popped Popcorn– I used the Lesser Evil Brand, but any popped popcorn works just fine. Make sure you remove all kernels before using in the recipe.
- Rice Krispies Cereal– I’ve tried off brand cereal and to be honest, it’s worth it to use the original Kelloggs Brand Rice Krispie Cereal. It’s crispy and keeps its crisp once hot marshmallows are added.
- Mini M&M’s– The Mini M&M’s can be found at many grocery stores in the candy isle or baking isle. Regular size can be used if needed.
How To Make Popcorn Rice Crispy Treats
Prepare Baking Dish. Lightly butter or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Melt Butter and Marshmallows. Place butter in a large dutch oven or pot over medium low heat. Stir to melt then add 8 cups of mini marshmallows to pot. Reserve 3 cups mini marshmallows for later.
Continue To Melt, Add Vanilla. Stir marshmallows, and butter together until melted and smooth. Add pure vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
Pour Melted Marshmallows Over Popcorn/Cereal. Remove melted marshmallows from heat and swiftly stir in cereal and popcorn.
Add More Marshmallows and M&M’s. Once combined, add remaining 3 cups of mini marshmallows and M&M’s to the warm mixture. Stir gently and not too much. They’ll melt just slightly.
Transfer Treats To Baking Dish. Transfer mixture to buttered/greased pan. Add a little softened butter or cooking spray to your hands and gently press treats into pan without pressing flat. Let treats cool before serving. Use a plastic knife to cut into squares while still slightly warm. The plastic knife will prevent sticking.
Recipe Tips For Success
- Measure Ingredients Before Starting. Make sure you measure out your cereal, pretzels, marshmallows and peanut butter before starting. Once the marshmallow mixture is melted, you need to work quick.
- Don’t Use Off Brand Cereal. Use Kelloggs Rice Krispie Cereal, the off brands don’t seem to be as crisp.
- Use Fresh Marshmallows. Check your mini marshmallows to make sure they’re fresh and soft. Sometimes when they’ve sat in the pantry for too long, they get hard.
- Pure Vanilla Only. Pure vanilla extract only for your recipe. Really makes a big difference in taste.
- Plastic Knife. Use a plastic knife to cut into squares to prevent sticking. I cut into squares before the treats get to room temperature. Still somewhat soft makes for easier cutting.
- Be Gentle When Pressing Into Pan. Don’t press your treats firmly in the pan, this can sometimes cause the treats to be hard. Gently press them down without making them flat.
- Grease Hands. Use a little softened butter or cooking spray on your hands to press warm treats into pan. Prevents it sticking to your hands.
How To Serve
Serve these sweet crispy squares at your next family gathering, party, Holiday and really any occasion where dessert is needed. They’re a huge hit!
Leftovers
Store leftover treats in an airtight container left on the counter for up to 3-4 days.
Try More Crispy Treats
Popcorn Rice Crispy Treats
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or large pot
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- mixing spoons
- plastic knife
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons salted butter
- 8 Cups plus 3 Cups mini marshmallows divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 5 cups popped popcorn remove any kernels
- 3 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
- 3/4 cup mini M&M’s
Instructions
- Lightly butter or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place butter in a large dutch oven or pot over medium low heat. Stir to melt then add 8 cups of mini marshmallows to pot. Reserve 3 cups mini marshmallows for later.
- Stir marshmallows, and butter together until melted and smooth. Stir in pure vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Remove from heat and swiftly stir in cereal and popcorn. Once combined, add remaining 3 cups of mini marshmallows and M&M’s to the warm mixture. Stir gently and not too much. They’ll melt just slightly.
- Transfer mixture to buttered/greased pan. Add a little softened butter or cooking spray to your hands and gently press treats into pan without pressing flat. Let treats cool before serving. Use a plastic knife to cut into squares while still slightly warm. The plastic knife will prevent sticking.
Video
Notes
- Make sure you are using Kelloggs Rice Krispie Cereal, the off brands don’t seem to be as crisp.
- Check your mini marshmallows to make sure they’re fresh and soft. Sometimes when they’ve sat in the pantry for too long, they get hard.
- Use pure vanilla extract for your recipe. Really makes a big difference in taste.
- Use a plastic knife to cut into squares to prevent sticking. I cut into squares before the treats get to room temperature. Still somewhat soft makes for easier cutting.
- Don’t press your treats firmly in the pan, this can sometimes cause the treats to be hard. Gently press them down without making them flat.
- Use a little softened butter or cooking spray on your hands to press warm treats into pan. Prevents it sticking to your hands.
Nutrition
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