If you love classic Rice Krispie treats, just wait until you try these Rice Krispie treat bites! They have all the gooey marshmallow goodness and crispy texture of the original, but in a cute little bite-sized version. Dip them in vanilla candy coating, add a handful of festive sprinkles, and you've got a sweet treat that's perfect for the holidays.
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to make. You don't need to bake anything, and there's no complicated decorating involved. Simply melt the butter and marshmallows, stir in the cereal, roll the mixture into little balls, and dip them in melted candy coating. The sprinkles add a fun pop of color and make these treats look extra festive.
These Rice Krispie treat bites are great for Christmas parties, holiday dessert tables, cookie exchanges, or anytime you need a quick homemade sweet to share. They're also a fun recipe to make with kids, especially when it's time to add the sprinkles. Just be warned: once you put a plate of these out, they tend to disappear pretty quickly!
If you love easy, no-bake treats like this, try my pumpkin spice crispy treats, sweet and salty Chex mix, or butterscotch peanut butter crispies next.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bite-sized and easy to eat: No cutting or slicing required. Just grab one and enjoy!
- Made with simple ingredients: Rice Krispie cereal, marshmallows, butter, candy coating, and sprinkles are all you need.
- No oven required: Everything comes together on the stovetop, making this a great option when your oven is already busy with holiday baking.
- Perfect for parties: These little treats are easy to arrange on a platter and serve to a crowd.
- Fun to decorate: Use your favorite holiday sprinkles to make each batch colorful and festive.
- Great for gifting: Package the finished bites in treat bags or small holiday boxes for a homemade gift that's sure to be appreciated.
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full ingredient list and amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Rice Krispies cereal: The crunchy base of these treats! It gives the balls their classic crispy texture while keeping them light and fun to eat.
- Marshmallows & butter: Melt together to create that gooey, sticky mixture that holds the cereal together and gives the treats their soft, chewy texture.
- Vanilla candy coating: Adds a sweet, creamy outer layer that hardens into a smooth coating, making these treats extra special.
- Holiday sprinkles: Add a festive pop of color and a little extra crunch, making these bite-sized treats perfect for the holiday season!
Variations
- Use chocolate candy coating: Try chocolate candy coating or use red or white for a different holiday style.
- Add colorful drizzle: Drizzle with melted red or green candy coating for a different look.
- Try different sprinkles: Mini stars, edible pearls, and red and green sprinkles all work well for decorating.
- Make them extra festive: Once the coating has set, add a few additional decorative details with leftover melted candy coating.
How to Make Rice Krispie Treats Bites
Step 1: Melt the butter over medium heat in a pot. Then, mix in the marshmallows until smooth.
Step 2: Remove from the heat and stir in the cereal. Then, set aside to cool until warm.
Step 3: Roll about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into a ball and place it on wax paper. Repeat until all the balls are made.
Step 4: Melt the candy coating. Dip the balls into it and place them back on the wax paper.
Step 5: Add the holiday sprinkles while the coating is still wet.
Step 6: Let the candy coating harden and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Stir constantly while melting the marshmallows: This helps the mixture stay smooth and prevents scorching.
- Work while the mixture is warm: The cereal mixture is much easier to roll before it cools and firms up.
- Use a tablespoon scoop: This helps keep the bites similar in size so they look neat on a serving platter.
- Lightly butter your hands: A little butter makes rolling the sticky mixture much easier.
- Avoid packing the balls too tightly: Gentle pressure is enough to help them hold their shape without making them too dense.
- Keep the candy coating smooth: Follow the package directions and avoid overheating it.
- Add sprinkles immediately: The decorations need to go on before the coating sets, or they may not stick.
- Let them harden completely: Give the bites enough time to set before stacking or packaging them to avoid smudging the coating.
Rice Krispie Treat Bites FAQs
The total will depend on how much mixture you use for each ball. Using tablespoon-sized scoops should give you a generous batch of bite-sized treats.
Yes! Mini marshmallows work well because they melt quickly. Use an equivalent amount by weight rather than matching the number of marshmallows, since the sizes are different.
The melted marshmallow mixture is naturally sticky, especially while it’s warm. Lightly butter your hands before rolling the balls, and work fairly quickly before the mixture cools too much.
Candy coating is recommended for recipes like this. Melting candy was made specifically for melting and coating. Chocolate is harder to melt, may require tempering, and is more sensitive to temperature.
Yes! These are a handy make-ahead dessert for parties and holiday gatherings. Once the coating has completely hardened, store the bites in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
The marshmallow mixture may have been overheated, or the cereal mixture may have been pressed too firmly into balls. Remove the pot from the heat once the marshmallows are melted and smooth, and roll the bites gently rather than compressing them.
Definitely! Change the sprinkles to suit the occasion. Pastel colors work well for Easter, red and pink are fun for Valentine’s Day, and orange and black are great for Halloween.
Store the finished bites in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight. If you need to stack them, place parchment or wax paper between the layers to help prevent sticking and protect the coating.
Yes, but freezing may affect their texture and cause condensation on the coating as they thaw. For the best results, these bites are best made fresh or a day or two ahead. If you do freeze them, use an airtight container and let them thaw before serving.
That depends on the brands of cereal, marshmallows, and candy coating you use. Some crisp rice cereals contain malt flavoring derived from barley. If you need gluten-free treats, check every package and choose products specifically labeled gluten-free.
Pair with These Treats for a Holiday Dessert Table
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Rice Krispie Treat Bites
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispy Cereal
- 60 large marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 16 ounce vanilla candy coating, we used H.E.B. brand
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add the marshmallows and let cook until fully melted and smooth, about 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the rice cereal and stir until fully combined with the marshmallow. Turn off heat.
- Let mixture cool for just a minute before rolling tablespoon scoops into balls.
- Place rolled balls onto a piece of wax paper. Repeat until the mixture is gone.
- Melt the white chocolate according to package directions.
- Once the chocolate is melted, place a few Krispie treat balls into the chocolate and fully coat. Remove and place on wax paper. Continue until all the bites are coated.
- Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles and let sit until chocolate has fully set and hardened.
Notes
- Stir constantly while melting the marshmallows: This helps the mixture stay smooth and prevents scorching.
- Work while the mixture is warm: The cereal mixture is much easier to roll before it cools and firms up.
- Use a tablespoon scoop: This helps keep the bites similar in size so they look neat on a serving platter.
- Lightly butter your hands: A little butter makes rolling the sticky mixture much easier.
- Avoid packing the balls too tightly: Gentle pressure is enough to help them hold their shape without making them too dense.
- Keep the candy coating smooth: Follow the package directions and avoid overheating it.
- Add sprinkles immediately: The decorations need to go on before the coating sets, or they may not stick.
- Let them harden completely: Give the bites enough time to set before stacking or packaging them to avoid smudging the coating.
Nutrition
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