When summer hits I am all about no bake desserts! There is no turning on the oven and heating up the house which is always a blessing. No bake desserts, like these Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats are also super simple to make. A few easy steps, a handful of ingredients and a small pocket of time is all it takes to create a mouthwatering sweet treat. Sometimes it may seem a bit too simple but let me tell you something…people LOVE Rice Crispy Treats! They are nostalgic, they are delicious and they deserve a place at the dessert table.
Do you love no bake cereal bars? Try these No Bake Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars!
What are Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats?
Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats are just like the traditional rice crispy treats you know and love. The only difference {at least in this recipe} is that you are adding chocolate rice cereal and chocolate chips.
The crispy squares still have the same soft texture and amazing crunch from the cereal. With chunks of whole marshmallows and pockets of chocolate chips they are next level amazing. If you are a chocolate fan then this Chocolate Rice Krispy Treat is exactly the recipe for you!
Ingredients Needed
- Butter-Melted with the marshmallows, the butter helps to thin the marshmallows out and give the bars a super rich flavor.
- Marshmallows-Added both whole and melted, the marshmallows act as the glue to hold the rice krispie cereal together.
- Semi sweet chocolate chips-Mini chocolate chips are my preference but whatever you love is what you should go with.
- Cocoa Krispie cereal-The chocolate version of traditional rice crispy cereal.
How to make Easy Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
- Pour the chocolate Rice Krispie cereal into a large bowl. Add 1 cup of mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips, set aside.
- Add the butter to a medium saucepan and melt over medium-low heat. Pour the remaining marshmallows into the melted butter and continue to cook over medium-low heat until melted.
- Pour the melted butter and marshmallow mixture over the chocolate cereal mixture and stir until everything is combined and evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 9×9 baking pan and press down firmly. NOTE: I like to use a zipper bag over my hand that is sprayed with non-stick spray to be sure it doesn’t stick to my fingers.
- Cover and allow the no bake bars to set up at room temperature for 2 hours to overnight {or refrigerate for 1 hour}.
- Cut into squares. If desired, melt chocolate and drizzle over the top of each bar. Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Use parchment or wax paper between layers.
Tips for the perfect no bake cereal bars:
- Prepare your pan {spray liberally with nonstick cooking spray} ahead of time. Once you have the sticky mixture ready to pour you don’t want to have to go back and do that step.
- Add your butter and marshmallow mixture to the dry ingredients and not vice versa. By adding the melted mixture to the dry ingredients it allows everything to be coated a bit more evenly. It also keeps the cereal from breaking up when you stir.
- Put a buttered sandwich bag on your hand before you press the mixture down. Adding the sandwich bag to your hand will keep it from sticking to your fingers. It is also a breeze to clean up.
- Allow the krispie treats to cool completely before cutting. In order to get good clean cuts I suggest refrigerating them for an hour or so.
- Go the extra mile and drizzle a bit of melted chocolate on the top of the treats. This doesn’t take much time, effort or special skills but the end result is amazing.
Variations
Marshmallows-There are different flavored marshmallows that you can purchase now that would be a fun way to change things up. Look around on Amazon or your favorite grocery store and see what they have.
Chocolate Chips-Add a variety of different chip flavors or keep it simple with only white chocolate. There are also amazing cinnamon chips now which would taste fabulous in a rice krispie treat.
Rice Cereal-Go crazy with the kind of rice cereal you choose. Go fruity or plain! You could even try a different cereal altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I store Chocolate Crispy Treats?
The best way to store Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats is in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for 2-3 days.
If you have to stack the treats then be sure to add a piece of parchment paper {or wax paper} between the layers so that they don’t stick together.
Can I freeze rice crispy treats?
You can freeze rice crispy treats but I don’t recommend it. Once they are defrosted they lose some of the crispy texture that you expect from a rice crispy treat.
The truth is that this dessert is so simple to make, I would only make and eat them fresh.
Can I double the recipe?
This Chocolate Rice Crispy Treat recipe can easily be doubled. Use a 9×13 pan to press them into and enjoy.
Why are my rice crispy treats falling apart?
If your rice crispy treats are falling apart there could be a couple of problems. First of all, you may have added too many marshmallows or too much butter to them.
Secondly, if you don’t press them firmly into the pan and allow them to cool completely they may fall apart.
Can I make these Chocolate Krispie Treats with a microwave?
The great news is that yes! These Krispie Treats can be made in the microwave. Melt the butter and marshmallows in the microwave for 1 and half minutes, stir and repeat 30 second intervals until you have a nice smooth mixture. Pour over the dry ingredients, stir and press into the pan.
Do you love no bake desserts? Try these amazing recipes…
- Easy No Bake Millionaire Bars
- No Bake Texas Sheet Cake Bites
- No Bake Twix Cake Recipe
- No Bake Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars Recipe
- Golden Oreo & Sprinkle Truffles
Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons butter
- 13 ounces mini marshmallows
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 4 ½ cups chocolate rice crispy cereal {like Cocoa Krispies}
Optional Toppings
- ¼ cup chocolate melting wafers
- ¼ cup white chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
- Spray a 9x9 baking pan liberally with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Pour the chocolate Rice Krispie cereal into a large bowl. Add 1 cup of mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips, set aside.
- Add the butter to a medium saucepan and melt over medium-low heat. Pour the remaining marshmallows into the melted butter and continue to cook over medium-low heat until melted.
- Pour the melted butter and marshmallow mixture over the chocolate cereal mixture and stir until everything is combined and evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x9 baking pan and press down firmly. NOTE: I like to use a zipper bag over my hand that is sprayed with non stick spray to be sure it doesn't stick to my fingers.
- Cover and allow the no bake bars to set up at room temperature for 2 hours to overnight {or refrigerate for 1 hour}. Cut into squares. If desired, melt chocolate and drizzle over the top of each bar. Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Use parchment or wax paper between layers.
Nutrition
