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These no-bake Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats take classic Rice Krispies to the next level! With plenty of gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate, and the crunch from the cereal, these Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats are sure to be a hit!
There’s something about Rice Krispies treats that instantly brings me back to childhood with sticky fingers, sneaking extra marshmallows from the bowl, and waiting impatiently for that first gooey bite. This easy recipe is the kind of simple, feel-good treat that’s perfect for making with kids, packing for parties, or just satisfying a late-night sweet tooth. But unlike our childhood favorite, this one gets an upgrade with rich, melty chocolate.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s a no-bake dessert, and I appreciate not needing to turn the oven on, especially in the summer
- It’s an easy recipe with simple ingredients that I typically have on hand.
- Fun to top with a chocolate drizzle and your choice of toppings!
Key Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts are in the recipe card below, but I wanted to draw attention to a few of them:
- Mini Marshmallows – You can use large marshmallows, but mini marshmallows melt faster and more smoothly, making them easier to work with and less likely to burn than large marshmallows.
- Butter – I prefer to use salted butter, but unsalted butter will work too.
- Corn Syrup – Light or dark corn syrup will work great.
- Cocoa Powder – aka unsweetened cocoa NOT hot chocolate or sweetened cocoa powder.
- Chocolate Chips – For this recipe, I highly recommend semi-sweet chocolate chips! They add lots of chocolate flavor without adding too much sweetness like milk chocolate chips would.
- Vanilla Extract
- Cereal – I like to use Cocoa Krispies or Cocoa Pebbles because I LOVE chocolate! But if you don’t want the chocolate flavor quite as intense, regular Rice Krispies work great too!
How to Make Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats
Start by preparing the pan. You can either use nonstick cooking spray or line the 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal once they’re done!
Now, you’ll grab a large pot and add most of the marshmallows, the butter, corn syrup, cocoa, and salt. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Don´t overcook–you don´t want the sugars to burn!
Then, add the chocolate chips and vanilla and mix until smooth.
Now you’ll add the cereal and, finally, the remaining miniature marshmallows.
Use a greased spatula to press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan and let it cool!
How to Top Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
I love starting with a drizzle of melted chocolate chips! While the drizzle is still melty, you can add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a handful of Mini M&M’s, colored sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips on top!
How should I store leftover Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They will harden a bit over time, so I recommend eating them or freezing them on day 3… if they aren’t gone by then! Avoid refrigerating them if possible, since the cold can make the treats hard instead of gooey and crisp. 😉
Can I freeze leftover Rice Krispie treats?
Yes! Make sure they’re completely cool, then place them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them sit on the counter for 1-2 hours to thaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you find that your cereal bars are hard, there are a couple of possibilities. First off, you overcooked the marshmallow mixture. Doing so will cook the sugars more than you want, and that will make the treats harden quite a bit as they cool.
The other possibility is that you added too few marshmallows or too much cereal. Also, they will harden if refrigerated, so keep them at room temperature.
You sure can. If you make a full recipe, you’ll end up with super-thick and tall Rice Krispie treats. OR, you could simply cut the recipe in half, and it’ll work great in a square pan!
Other Cereal Treats You’ll Love
- Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats (perfect for Valentine’s Day!)
- No Bake S’mores Bars
- Cereal Treats with M&M’s
- Lemon Rice Krispie Treats (summer-y version of classic Rice Krispie treats!)
- Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
- Best Ever Scotcheroos (peanut butter Rice Krispies with chocolate on top!)
Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- One 9×13-inch pan
Ingredients
- 8 cups mini marshmallows divided
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 cups Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies or Cocoa Pebbles about one 11 ounce box
- additional chocolate chips and/or sprinkles for topping optional
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch pan and set aside.
- Add 6 cups of marshmallows, the butter, corn syrup, cocoa powder and salt to a large saucepan.8 cups mini marshmallows, 6 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup corn syrup, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Place over medium heat and stir frequently until the marshmallows are melted and smooth.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla until the chocolate is completely melted.1 cup chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Stir in the cereal until well-coated.8 cups Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies or Cocoa Pebbles
- Stir in the remaining marshmallows.
- Press into the prepared pan and let cool.
- Top with melted chocolate, if desired, and any toppings you'd like!additional chocolate chips and/or sprinkles for topping
- Cut into squares and serve.
