S’mores Rice Krispies Treats

S’mores Rice Krispie Treats

These S’mores Rice Krispie Treats take everything I love about classic Rice Krispie treats and give them a fun campfire-inspired upgrade. They’re packed with crispy rice cereal, graham cracker pieces, milk chocolate, and plenty of gooey marshmallows—including a whole layer of marshmallows that gets toasted under the broiler before being folded into the treats.

That toasted marshmallow flavor is what really makes this recipe special. Instead of simply mixing mini marshmallows into the cereal mixture, half of the marshmallows are toasted until golden brown first. It gives you little pockets of that slightly caramelized marshmallow flavor you normally only get when making traditional s’mores around a campfire.

Then there’s the chocolate. I use pieces of milk chocolate bars instead of only using chocolate chips because I love getting those bigger pockets of soft, melty chocolate throughout the treats. And if that isn’t enough chocolate for you, you can melt two additional chocolate bars and drizzle them over the top.

You end up with soft and chewy S’mores Rice Krispie Treats filled with crispy cereal, gooey toasted marshmallows, crunchy graham crackers, and creamy milk chocolate in every bite.

No camping trip required!

Why You’ll Love These S’mores Rice Krispie Treats

There’s a reason classic Rice Krispie treats are such a childhood favorite. They’re simple, sweet, gooey, and incredibly easy to make.

This version keeps everything we love about the original while adding the flavors of classic s’mores.

You’ll love this recipe because:

• It uses simple ingredients you can find at just about any grocery store.
• Toasted mini marshmallows add authentic campfire flavor.
• Graham cracker pieces add flavor and crunch.
• Milk chocolate bars create bigger pockets of melted chocolate.
• Vanilla bean paste adds a rich vanilla flavor.
• You don’t need an actual campfire.
• The treats stay soft and chewy when they’re gently pressed into the pan.
• The optional melted chocolate topping makes them even more decadent.
• They’re a great summer dessert but can be made any time of year.
• They’re perfect for parties, cookouts, camping-themed celebrations, or an easy dessert at home.

If you’re already a fan of traditional Rice Krispie treats, this is such a fun twist on the classic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a short list of ingredients for this S’mores Rice Krispie Treats recipe.

Nonstick Cooking Spray

A little cooking spray makes working with sticky marshmallows much easier. You’ll use it on the pan for toasting the marshmallows as well as the parchment paper in your baking dish.

Mini Marshmallows

You’ll need two 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows.

One bag gets toasted under the broiler while the second bag is melted with butter to create the marshmallow mixture that holds the treats together.

Using fresh marshmallows is important. Older marshmallows can become dry and don’t always melt as smoothly.

Butter

You’ll need ½ cup of butter.

The butter gives the marshmallow mixture richness and helps everything stay soft.

I typically use salted butter here because I love the tiny bit of saltiness against all that sweet chocolate and marshmallow.

Vanilla Bean Paste

One teaspoon of vanilla bean paste adds a rich vanilla flavor.

If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract can be substituted.

Salt

Just ¼ teaspoon balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Rice Krispies Cereal

Seven cups of crispy rice cereal create the base.

Make sure your cereal is fresh so the finished treats have plenty of crunch.

Graham Crackers

You’ll need 1½ cups of graham crackers broken into bite-sized pieces.

I prefer actual pieces rather than graham cracker crumbs because you get more texture and a stronger graham cracker flavor in each bite.

Milk Chocolate Bars

Break three milk chocolate bars into small pieces and fold them throughout the treats.

Milk chocolate gives you the flavor closest to traditional s’mores.

Optional Melted Chocolate Topping

For even more chocolate, melt two additional milk chocolate bars and drizzle them over the finished treats.

Why Toast the Marshmallows?

This is my favorite part of the recipe.

Traditional s’mores aren’t just made with marshmallows—they’re made with toasted marshmallows.

That little bit of browning completely changes their flavor.

By spreading an entire bag of mini marshmallows onto a baking sheet and putting them under the broiler, we can recreate some of that toasted campfire flavor without actually building a fire.

The marshmallows become golden brown on top while staying incredibly soft and gooey underneath.

Those toasted marshmallows are eventually folded into the cereal mixture, creating pockets of gooey marshmallow throughout the bars.

It’s an extra step, but it’s an easy one, and I think it’s absolutely worth it.

How to Toast Marshmallows Under the Broiler

Preheat your oven broiler to high.

Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat it with non-stick spray.

Spread one 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows across the baking sheet in an even layer.

Place the baking sheet under the broiler and watch it carefully.

And when I say carefully, I mean don’t walk away!

Marshmallows contain a lot of sugar, so they can go from barely toasted to burned very quickly.

Once the tops are golden brown, remove the pan from the oven and set it aside.

You’re looking for that toasted marshmallow color you’d want on a classic s’more.

Tools for this recipe

Baking Sheet

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Mixing Bowl

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measuring cups

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How to Make S’mores Rice Krispie Treats

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

Leave enough parchment hanging over the sides to create handles. This will make it much easier to lift the treats out of the pan once they’re set.

Lightly coat the parchment paper with cooking spray.

Set the prepared pan aside.

Step 2: Melt the Butter

Place ½ cup butter in a large pot over medium-low heat.

Allow the butter to melt completely.

You don’t need high heat for this recipe. Keeping the temperature relatively low helps prevent the marshmallow mixture from becoming overly hot, which can contribute to hard Rice Krispie treats.

Step 3: Melt the Marshmallows

Add the remaining 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows to the melted butter.

Stir frequently with a rubber spatula until the marshmallows have completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

Once everything is melted, remove the large pot from the heat.

Step 4: Add Vanilla and Salt

Stir in the vanilla bean paste and salt.

The vanilla may seem like a small addition, but it adds another layer of flavor to an otherwise very sweet mixture.

Step 5: Add the Cereal and Graham Crackers

Pour in the Rice Krispies cereal and graham cracker pieces.

Using your rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until the rice cereal and graham crackers are evenly coated with the melted marshmallows.

Try not to crush the cereal or graham crackers as you mix.

Step 6: Let the Mixture Cool Slightly

Give the cereal mixture a few minutes to cool before adding your chocolate and toasted marshmallows.

This step is important.

If you immediately add the milk chocolate bars to a piping-hot marshmallow mixture, the chocolate may completely melt into it.

A little melted chocolate is delicious, but I also want actual chocolate pieces throughout my treats.

Step 7: Add the Chocolate and Toasted Marshmallows

Gently fold the broken milk chocolate pieces and toasted marshmallows into the cereal mixture.

Don’t overmix.

You want those toasted marshmallows and chocolate chunks distributed throughout while still leaving plenty of distinct gooey pockets.

That’s what makes every square a little different.

Step 8: Transfer to the Pan

Spoon the mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.

Use a lightly greased rubber spatula or a sheet of parchment paper to gently spread it into an even layer.

And here’s one of my most important tips:

Don’t smash the mixture into the bottom of the pan.

You only need enough pressure to create an even layer and help everything hold together.

Packing the cereal down too firmly can give you dense, hard treats instead of soft and chewy ones.

Step 9: Let the Treats Set

Allow the treats to cool and set at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.

It can be tempting to start cutting right away, especially with all that gooey chocolate and marshmallow staring at you, but giving them time to set makes them much easier to slice.

Optional Chocolate Topping

If you’re a serious chocolate lover, don’t stop there.

Melt two additional milk chocolate bars and drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled treats.

You can create a light drizzle or spread a little more chocolate across the tops depending on how chocolatey you want them.

Let the chocolate set before slicing.

How to Cut Rice Krispie Treats Cleanly

Once everything has set, use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire slab from the baking dish.

Transfer it to a cutting board.

Use a large sharp knife to cut the treats into squares.

If your knife starts getting sticky, lightly grease the blade or wipe it clean between cuts.

For smaller gatherings, I like generous squares. For parties or a dessert table, you can cut them smaller for a perfect bite-size package.

The Secret to Soft Rice Krispie Treats

One of the biggest differences between amazing homemade Rice Krispie treats and disappointing ones is texture.

Nobody wants to bite into a cereal treat that’s rock hard.

There are a few things that help keep these soft.

First, don’t cook the marshmallow mixture over excessively high heat. Medium-low or low heat is all you need.

Second, remove the marshmallows from the heat as soon as they’re melted.

And most importantly, don’t press the cereal mixture too firmly into the pan.

You’re trying to gently bring everything together, not compact it.

Why I Use Graham Cracker Pieces Instead of Crumbs

You could technically use crushed graham crackers or graham cracker crumbs, but I prefer breaking them into bite-sized pieces.

Those larger pieces give the treats much more texture.

With crumbs, some of that distinctive graham cracker flavor can disappear into the marshmallow mixture.

Larger pieces mean you actually get bites of graham cracker alongside chocolate and toasted marshmallow—which is exactly what I want from something inspired by a classic s’more.

Can I Use Golden Grahams Instead?

Absolutely.

Golden Grahams are a fun alternative if you don’t have graham crackers or want even more cereal crunch.

You could replace some or all of the graham cracker pieces with Golden Grahams cereal.

The flavor won’t be exactly the same as using traditional graham crackers, but you’ll still get plenty of that familiar graham cracker flavor.

What Kind of Chocolate Is Best for S’mores Rice Krispie Treats?

I prefer milk chocolate bars because they give these treats the flavor of traditional s’mores.

Hershey chocolate bars are an obvious choice because they’re such a classic s’mores ingredient.

Break the bars into small pieces before folding them into the mixture.

You can also use milk chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips if that’s what you have in the pantry.

Chocolate bars, however, give you those larger, irregular pools of melty chocolate that I really love in these treats.

Can I Use Dark Chocolate?

Definitely.

If milk chocolate is a little too sweet for you, substitute semisweet or dark chocolate.

The slight bitterness of dark chocolate can actually be a nice contrast to the very sweet marshmallow mixture.

You could even combine milk and dark chocolate.

Can I Add Extra Marshmallows?

Absolutely.

There are already plenty of gooey marshmallows in this recipe, but I won’t argue with anyone who wants more!

You can reserve a handful of mini marshmallows and press them into the top before the treats set.

If you want those marshmallows toasted, carefully use the broiler before transferring them to the treats rather than putting the entire finished pan under high heat.

Can I Brown the Butter?

Yes, and this would be a delicious variation.

Brown butter adds a deeper, toasted, slightly nutty flavor that works beautifully with graham crackers and chocolate.

If you want to try it, brown the butter first and then continue with the recipe.

It’s not necessary for a great result, but it’s a fun twist if you’ve made the original version before.

S’mores Rice Krispie Treat Variations

Once you’ve made the basic recipe, there are plenty of easy ways to switch things up.

Extra Chocolate S’mores Treats

Add more chocolate chips or drizzle extra melted chocolate over the top.

Dark Chocolate S’mores Treats

Replace the milk chocolate bars with dark chocolate.

Golden Grahams S’mores Treats

Replace some of the graham cracker pieces with Golden Grahams cereal.

Peanut Butter S’mores Treats

Add a drizzle of melted peanut butter over the finished treats along with the chocolate.

Extra Graham Cracker S’mores Treats

Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the melted chocolate topping before it sets.

Salted S’mores Treats

Finish the chocolate drizzle with a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Can I Make These Gluten-Free?

Rice Krispies cereal and graham crackers aren’t automatically gluten-free, so you’ll need to check your ingredients carefully.

To make a gluten-free version, use a certified gluten-free crispy rice cereal along with gluten-free graham crackers.

Check the chocolate and marshmallow packaging as well if you’re preparing the recipe for someone who needs to strictly avoid gluten.

Can I Use Marshmallow Cream?

I don’t recommend replacing the mini marshmallows with marshmallow cream in this particular recipe.

The melted marshmallows provide the structure and texture needed to hold the cereal together.

You also wouldn’t get those distinct toasted marshmallow pieces that make this version special.

For the best results, stick with fresh mini marshmallows.

Do S’mores Rice Krispie Treats Need to Be Refrigerated?

No.

In fact, I prefer keeping them at room temperature.

Refrigeration can make the butter, chocolate, and marshmallow mixture firmer, which means you lose some of that soft and chewy texture.

Unless your kitchen is unusually hot, room-temperature storage is best.

How to Store S’mores Rice Krispie Treats

Place leftover treats in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days.

If you need to stack them, put parchment paper or wax paper between the layers.

That keeps the gooey marshmallows and chocolate from sticking the squares together.

Don’t leave the treats uncovered for long periods because exposure to air will gradually make them harder.

Can You Freeze S’mores Rice Krispie Treats?

You can, although these treats have their best texture when they’re fresh.

If you need to freeze them, wrap individual squares and place them inside a freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container.

Allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.

For the softest marshmallow texture, I still recommend making them fresh whenever possible.

When to Serve S’mores Rice Krispie Treats

You don’t need a camping trip to have an excuse to make these.

They’re a fun dessert for:

• Summer cookouts
• Birthday parties
• Camping-themed parties
• Sleepovers
• Family movie nights
• Potlucks
• Picnics
• Backyard barbecues
• School treats
• Holiday dessert trays

They’re also a good idea when you want a sweet treat that looks fun but doesn’t require making a cake, frosting cupcakes, or spending hours baking.

More S’mores Desserts From Krystel’s Cooking

If the combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers is one of your favorites, try my Easy Golden Grahams S’Mores Bars next. They use Golden Grahams cereal with gooey marshmallows and chocolate for another easy way to get classic s’mores flavor without building a campfire.

My Easy S’mores Cupcakes are another fun option when you want to turn those familiar campfire flavors into a more traditional baked dessert. They’re a great choice for birthdays, summer parties, or whenever you’re craving chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker flavor in cupcake form.

For chocolate lovers, my Gooey Toffee S’mores Brownie Pies take things in an even richer direction. They combine fudgy brownie, graham cracker crusts, marshmallows, chocolate, and toffee for a decadent twist on traditional s’mores.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are S’mores Rice Krispie Treats?

They’re a twist on classic Rice Krispie treats made with crispy rice cereal and melted marshmallows, plus graham crackers, chocolate, and toasted marshmallows to recreate the flavors of traditional s’mores.

Why are my Rice Krispie treats hard?

The marshmallow mixture may have been cooked at too high a temperature, or the cereal mixture may have been packed too firmly into the pan. Use medium-low heat and press everything into the pan gently.

Can I use chocolate chips instead of chocolate bars?

Yes. Milk chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, semisweet chips, or chocolate chunks can all work. I prefer milk chocolate bars because they give you larger pockets of soft chocolate and a more traditional s’mores flavor.

Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?

Yes. Substitute an equal amount of vanilla extract.

Do I have to toast the marshmallows?

No, but I highly recommend it. Toasting the marshmallows gives these treats a flavor that’s much closer to actual campfire s’mores.

Can I make these without graham crackers?

Yes. Golden Grahams cereal makes a good substitute if you still want that graham flavor and crunch.

Why should I let the cereal mixture cool before adding the chocolate?

If the mixture is extremely hot, the chocolate will completely melt. Allowing it to cool slightly gives you a combination of melted chocolate and distinct chocolate pieces.

How long do S’mores Rice Krispie Treats last?

For the best texture, store them in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy them within about 3 days.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes. If you’re making a large batch, divide the mixture between two 9×13-inch pans rather than trying to create an overly thick layer in one pan.

Can I make these ahead?

Yes. You can make them a day before serving and keep them tightly covered at room temperature.

Final Thoughts

These S’mores Rice Krispie Treats are what happens when two childhood favorites come together in one seriously gooey dessert.

You still get everything you love about classic Rice Krispie treats—the crispy cereal, melted marshmallows, and soft chewy texture—but then we add graham cracker pieces, creamy milk chocolate, and toasted marshmallows to bring in all those nostalgic s’mores flavors.

For me, the toasted marshmallows are what take this simple recipe to the next level. They add that little bit of caramelized campfire flavor that makes these taste like much more than ordinary marshmallow rice cereal treats.

Add the optional melted chocolate drizzle if you’re feeling extra chocolatey, cut everything into squares, and you’ve got an easy sweet treat that’s perfect for summer parties, family get-togethers, or those nights when you want s’mores but have absolutely no intention of starting a campfire.remember that sometimes the most delightful things in life come from combining the familiar in unexpected ways. As American chef, James Beard, once said, “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” Embrace the shared experience of indulging in these Ultimate S’mores Rice Krispy Treats and embark on a delightful journey of taste and togetherness.

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