Name: S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 Tablespoons salted butter; 1 (12-ounce) bag jumbo marshmallows; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal; 2 cups Golden Grahams cereal; 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows, divided (about 1/2 of a 10-ounce bag); 4 Hershey bars, broken into pieces

Jump to Recipe·4 from 10 reviews

I absolutely adore this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe because it perfectly captures the nostalgic flavor of a campfire classic with a fun and gooey twist. The combination of crispy cereals, melty marshmallows, and chunks of chocolate makes every bite a delightful surprise that I find impossible to resist. What’s great is how easy it is to whip up — a simple, no-fuss recipe that yields a dessert everyone will rave about.

Why You’ll Love This S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Whenever I make this recipe, I’m always amazed by the flavor harmony between the crispy Rice Krispies, the subtly sweet Golden Grahams, and rich chunks of Hershey’s chocolate. The marshmallows provide that indulgently gooey texture that makes it feel like a proper treat. It’s like enjoying a s’more in bar form, which I find incredibly satisfying and fun to share.

Beyond just taste, what really excites me about this recipe is how straightforward the process is. Even if I’m short on time, I can have these treats ready in no time with just a handful of pantry staples. They’re perfect for spontaneous get-togethers, kids’ parties, or whenever I’m craving a quick homemade snack that feels homemade with a nostalgic touch. What sets this apart is how it elevates a familiar classic into something uniquely comforting and universally loved.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A large silver pot sits on a white marbled surface, filled with three main layers of ingredients: the bottom left layer is light beige puffed rice cereal, the top right layer consists of brown square cereal pieces with a textured surface, and the bottom right layer is small white marshmallows. A light wooden spoon rests inside the pot, partly on the marshmallows, showing a natural wood color and grain. The pot has two handles, one visible on each side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are simple but crucial to recreating the perfect balance of texture and flavor in the S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe. Each one contributes a unique element to the final result, whether it’s toasty crunch, sweet creaminess, or melty chocolate delight.

Salted butter: Adds rich flavor and helps melt the marshmallows evenly for that smooth, sticky base.
Jumbo marshmallows: The foundation of stickiness and gooeyness you’ll want in every bite.
Vanilla extract: Brings subtle warmth and depth to the marshmallow mixture.
Rice Krispies cereal: Provides that classic crisp and lightness, making the treat airy yet crunchy.
Golden Grahams cereal: Contributes a slightly sweet, graham cracker flavor and a pleasant texture contrast.
Mini marshmallows: Give extra pockets of softness and melt to enhance gooeyness throughout the bars.
Hershey bars: The star chocolate element that melts into pockets of rich, creamy delight.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare a 9×9 baking dish by lining it with parchment paper or lightly buttering it for easy removal later.

Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt the 6 tablespoons of salted butter over medium heat, watching closely so it doesn’t brown.

Step 3: Add the entire 12-ounce bag of jumbo marshmallows to the melted butter. Stir gently and continuously until the marshmallows melt smoothly into a glossy, thick mixture.

Step 4: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the teaspoon of vanilla extract for a lovely fragrant finish.

Step 5: Immediately add the Rice Krispies, Golden Grahams, and 1 1/2 cups of mini marshmallows. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat the cereals evenly without crushing them.

Step 6: Transfer half of this sticky cereal mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the broken Hershey’s chocolate bars and half of the remaining mini marshmallows on top.

Step 7: Add the remaining cereal mixture evenly over the chocolate and marshmallows, then gently press the mixture down to compact but avoid over-compressing, which could make the treats too dense.

Step 8: Top everything with the remaining chunks of Hershey’s chocolate and the rest of the mini marshmallows for an irresistible finish.

Step 9: Allow the mixture to cool and set at room temperature before cutting into small squares for serving. Enjoy!

Servings and Timing

This delightful S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe makes about 16 servings, perfect for sharing with family or friends. The prep time is a quick 10 minutes, and with just 5 minutes of cooking, the total time is approximately 15 minutes. Be sure to allow some time for the treats to cool and set before slicing and serving so they hold their shape perfectly.

How to Serve This S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

A square tray of nine bars made with a light beige crispy cereal base mixed with melted marshmallow, topped with scattered small white marshmallows, broken pieces of light brown graham crackers, and milk chocolate Hershey's pieces placed on top in random order. The bars have a sticky, shiny texture with some melted chocolate pooling in places. A woman's hand is holding the bottom right corner piece, all set on a white marbled surface with some white parchment paper peeking from the right edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When I serve these treats, I love to keep things simple and classic by presenting them in neat little squares on a colorful platter. They make perfect finger foods for parties, picnics, or casual family gatherings where everyone can grab a sweet bite. For a lovely touch, I sometimes sprinkle a few extra mini marshmallows or a light dusting of cocoa powder over the top.

This recipe pairs wonderfully with cold beverages like milk or a creamy hot chocolate for a cozy twist. If you’re offering these treats to adults, a sweet dessert wine or a light coffee liqueur-based cocktail complements the chocolate and graham flavors beautifully. These treats also shine at summer cookouts, camping nights, or as a fun after-school snack enjoyed at room temperature or slightly warmed.

I recommend cutting these into small portions since they are rich and satisfying—perfect for indulging without going overboard. They’re equally scrumptious when served warm straight from the microwave for about 15 seconds, which revives their gooey charm and softens the chocolate to melt in your mouth.

Variations

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe is how versatile it is to customize. For example, if you want to amp up the chocolate factor, I sometimes swap out the Hershey bars for chunks of peanut butter cups or Ghirardelli squares to add a richer, more decadent flavor profile.

If you or someone you’re serving has dietary restrictions, you can easily adapt the treat. Using gluten-free puffed rice cereal and certified gluten-free graham-style cereal makes these treats safe for gluten-sensitive friends. For a vegan version, substituting butter with plant-based margarine and marshmallows with vegan marshmallows lets you keep that classic gooey texture without animal products.

For a fresh spin, I sometimes sprinkle in a few mini chocolate chips or add crushed pretzels for a salty crunch contrast. You can even toast the marshmallows lightly under the broiler for a toasty top layer if you want to mimic the campfire flavor more intensely. No matter how you tweak it, these treats stay irresistibly delicious!

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing any leftover S’mores Rice Krispies Treats in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy. A glass or plastic container with a tight seal works perfectly. They generally stay fresh for up to 3 days, though I find they’re best when enjoyed sooner to maintain that perfect gooey texture.

Freezing

These treats freeze surprisingly well, which makes them great for prepping ahead. I wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place them together inside a freezer-safe zip bag or container. They’ll keep deliciously for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes or nuke them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to bring back their soft, melty charm.

Reheating

For the best texture, I strongly advise reheating these treats gently in the microwave rather than using an oven, which can dry them out. Microwave for short intervals of 15-20 seconds to warm them just enough to soften the marshmallows and chocolate again. Avoid overheating as it can make the treats tough and less enjoyable.

FAQs

Can I use different cereals instead of Rice Krispies?

Absolutely! While Rice Krispies are the classic choice for that light crunch, you can swap them with corn flakes, puffed quinoa, or even all Golden Grahams if you prefer a more robust graham flavor. Just keep in mind that the texture may vary slightly depending on the cereal you choose.

What type of chocolate works best in this recipe?

I find that classic milk chocolate bars like Hershey’s provide the perfect balance of sweetness and meltiness, but feel free to experiment with semi-sweet chocolate, chocolate chips, or even peanut butter cups for a unique twist. Just chop the chocolate into similarly sized pieces for even distribution.

Is it necessary to use both jumbo and mini marshmallows?

Using jumbo marshmallows helps create the smooth, sticky base when melted, while mini marshmallows add pockets of gooeyness and texture throughout. You could try just one size, but I love the layered marshmallow effect that both sizes bring to the treat.

Can I make these treats gluten-free?

Yes, by choosing gluten-free certified cereals like gluten-free rice cereal and graham cracker-style cereals, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Just make sure all other ingredients, especially the chocolate and marshmallows, are also gluten-free.

How should I cut the treats without them falling apart?

Wait until the S’mores Rice Krispies Treats have fully cooled and set at room temperature before cutting. Use a sharp knife and tuck in smaller, controlled slices instead of applying pressure too hard all at once for clean, neat squares.

Conclusion

I truly hope you give this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe a try because it’s one of those feel-good desserts that instantly brings a smile to my face. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for practically any occasion where you want to add a little magic. Once you taste the mix of marshmallow, chocolate, and crunchy cereals, I’m confident you’ll want to make these again and again!