Easter Rice Krispie Treats are festive, fun to make and FAST! And you’ll never guess what gives them their happy colors!
With Easter just a hop away this sweet treat is festive as well as fast and easy to make!
These Easter Rice Krispie Treats are bright and bold. They are colored with …….wait for it…..Marshmallow Peeps!
Whether you love Marshmallow Peeps or hate them (people tend to be in one camp or the other), I feel sure you’ll love these sweet treats and will have a blast making them.
They are a sweet treat, no doubt, though adding the mini marshmallows actually lessens the sweetness intensity from the Marshmallow Peeps themselves.
Jump to:
- What’s in these Easter Rice Krispie Treats?
- Marshmallow Peeps: How Many and What Type to Use?
- Can these Rice Krispie Treats be made Gluten-Free?
- Pro Tips
- Helpful Supplies
- How to Make Easter Rice Krispie Treats – Step by Step
- Cutting & Decorating Easter Rice Krispie Treats
- Decorating Ideas
- Storing Easter Rice Krispie Treats
- Recipe
What’s in these Easter Rice Krispie Treats?
These are very easy to make with just a handful of ingredients:
- Unsalted Butter
- Marshmallow Peeps Bunnies or Chicks
- Rice Krispies cereal (or equivalent brand)
- Mini Marshmallows
Optional ingredients include:
- Candy Melts or chocolate for decorating
- Sprinkles
- Food Coloring if desiring to make the color even more intense
Marshmallow Peeps: How Many and What Type to Use?
Any color or shape of Marshmallow Peeps will work.
The color of the Marshmallow Peeps used will determine the color of the Easter Rice Krispie Treats.
Since the sizing of the packaging can differ, here are the specifications of what was used:
- Easter Chicks: 10 count, 3-ounce package. Use 17 of the chicks.
- Bunny Peeps: 12 count, 3.37-ounce package. Use 20 of the bunnies.
Can these Rice Krispie Treats be made Gluten-Free?
They can! Unfortunately the gluten-free version of Rice Krispies cereal was discontinued.
BUT there are multiple brands that make a gluten-free equivalent cereal.
Select a gluten-free version of the cereal and make them gluten-free!
Pro Tips
- Quickly even out the treat mixture when putting it in the pan because it will harden quickly.
- If you want to keep the mini marshmallows from melting completely to add some extra to the mix when stirring it together at the end before adding to the pan.
- If using a lollipop stick, and the Rice Krispie treats begin to droop, place them in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes before decorating.
Helpful Supplies
If making the shaped version on a stick these will be helpful:
- Lollipop Sticks
- Easter Cookie Cutters
- Candy Pop holder for displaying and serving
How to Make Easter Rice Krispie Treats – Step by Step
- Line 9-inch by 13-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter and peeps, stirring continuously (photo 1 & 2). (Optional 1-2 drops of food coloring may be added for more vibrant color).
- Remove pan from heat; pour in Rice Krispies cereal (photo 3) and mini marshmallows (photo 4). Stir until just combined.
- Quickly spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and even out with a spoon. NOTE: the mixture thickens quickly making it harder to even out. (photo 5)
- Refrigerate the pan for 15 minutes.
- Cut Rice Krispie treats into squares or shapes with cookie cutters (photo 6).
- Insert lollipop sticks if desired (photo 7). Decorate with melted candy or chocolate and sprinkles or eat as is.(photo 8)
Cutting & Decorating Easter Rice Krispie Treats
There are many options for finishing and cutting the Easter Rice Krispie Treats.
- They can be cut into squares and eaten undecorated.
- Cut them into squares AND move ahead to decorate them as described.
- Using Easter-themed cookie cutters, cut out the treats, and:
- Eat as is
- Decorate and eat
- Decorate, insert a lollipop stick and eat
- Decorating the Easter Rice Krispie Treats
Place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes after decorating before serving.
Decorating Ideas
Using colorful candy melts or chocolate drizzled over the treats to look like Easter eggs or bunnies makes a festive end result.
Before the melted candy or chocolate hardens, decorate with festive sprinkles and allow the melted candy to harden before serving.
These supplies are available in any store with a baking section (grocery or craft stores), and online.
Storing Easter Rice Krispie Treats
Store in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Separate them in layers divided by wax paper.
They can also be refrigerated however can become less chewy and harder to eat when chilled.
Freezing the Rice Krispie Treats:
- Pack in an airtight container separated by wax paper.
- Freeze for up to 6 weeks.
- Allow to thaw for 15 minutes before serving.
Note: they can be decorated after thawing if desired.
More Fun Easter Dessert Recipes
- Easter Cake with a Surprise Inside (a box mix hack)
- Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes for Easter
- Easter Muddy Buddies Recipe: an Easy Sweet Treat for Spring
Recipe
Easter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) Unsalted Butter
- 20 Peeps Rabbits or 17 Peeps Chicks see NOTES section below: 1 ¾ packs of peep candies- can be either the rabbits or the birds
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal or equivalent (regular or gluten-free)
- 2 cups Mini Marshmallows
- Candy melts optional
- Sprinkles optional
- Food coloring optional
Other optional materials:
- Candy sticks to make treats on a stick
- Cookie cutters
Instructions
- Line 9×13 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter and peeps, stirring continuously. Optional: 1-2 drops of food coloring may be added for more vibrant color.
- Remove pan from heat; pour in Rice Krispies cereal and mini marshmallows. Stir until just combined.
- Quickly spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and even out with a spoon. NOTE: the mixture thickens quickly making it harder to even out.
- Refrigerate the pan for 15 minutes.
- Cut Rice Krispie treats into squares or shapes with cookie cutters. Decorate with melted candy or chocolate and sprinkles or eat as is.
Notes
- Pack in an airtight container separated by wax paper.
- Freeze for up to 6 weeks.
- Allow to thaw for 15 minutes or until softened before serving.
Elizabeth O says
You make the Easter Bunny jealous. So cute and looks really delicious. I bet the kids will go crazy for this.
Sharon Wu says
omg this looks so good! i know that my nieces and nephews would love this. will have to make some for this weekend to share with them!
Jocelyn says
These are the cutest Easter treats! Love the color that the Peeps give each batch!!!
Jessica Hughes says
These are perfect for the holiday this weekend! Love that you added a Gluten-Free version as well! Thank you!
Tiffany La Forge-Grau says
Oh my goodness, these are absolutely adorable! I love all the bright colors and the shape too!
Kristine Nicole Alessandra says
I will make these treats for my nephew and nieces. I know they’d love this, and all the Easter goodies we have made for them. Easter is such a nice time for family get togethers.
Heather says
This looks so good. I can’t wait to make these for Easter.
Erin Knight says
I will have 20 guests for Easter at my house and I was thinking what to make for desert. Then I read your post and is inpsired to make these colorful rice krispies. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Sam says
This recipe makes me feel so excited about spring and Easter. I love all the decorations. SO good!
Claudia Krusch says
Such a great idea! Beautiful for an Easter table! Can’t wait to try it!