Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats: This recipe is a fun twist on an old classic! Soft, gooey Rice Krispie treats get a chocolate upgrade with the addition of chocolate chips. Ready in under 10 minutes, this sweet treat is the perfect last minute snack!
Classic rice krispie treats are a classic for a reason – they come together quickly and easily, they use simple pantry ingredients that most of us have on hand at all times, and they are delicious!
A traditional Rice Krispy treat is just marshmallows, butter and rice cereal, but I’m a chocolate lover so of course I needed to try adding chocolate into the Rice Krispie treats. And the end result didn’t disappoint! If you’re a chocolate fan and/or a Rice Krispie fan, this recipe is for you!
Or, if you want to experiment with different types of cereal, you may love using Lucky Charms for marshmallow treats!
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick & Easy: This recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make and is so simple you can even invite the kids to help you make it if you like!
- Pantry Ingredients: You don’t need anything fancy to make this yummy snack, just a few simple ingredients most of us have on hand at all times.
- It’s Delicious: Rice Krispie squares are a treat that has stood the test of time (they were first created in the early 1900’s) for a good reason – they’re delicious. The addition of chocolate to this classic recipe takes this yummy treat to a whole new level and will make chocolate lovers and cereal treat lovers everywhere happy!
Ingredients for this classic treat
You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this easy recipe!
- Butter – the addition of unsalted butter helps keep your Rice Krispie treats soft.
- Miniature Marshmallows – you can’t have a Rice Krispie treat without sweet marshmallows! Using mini marshmallows makes it easier to mix everything together as they melt quicker and more evenly.
- Half and Half Cream – adding cream makes it easier to combine all of your ingredients. It also makes your Rice Krispie treats a bit more creamy.
- Rice Cereal – this is the iconic ingredient from which the treat gets its name. Of course we can’t forget about the rice cereal (we used Rice Krispies).
- Chocolate Chips – the addition of chocolate chips elevates this snack to a whole new level.
You can find a complete list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card below.
Instructions for making this easy chocolate Rice Krispie treat recipe
- Prepare: Spray an 8×8 pan with non stick cooking spray.
- Melt: In large saucepan on low or medium-low heat, combine butter, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Stir often until marshmallows have melted. Add in half and half and stir until mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Stir: Add cereal into your melted chocolate and marshmallow mixture and mix until everything comes together and cereal is coated in the marshmallow mixture.
- Press: Place the cereal mixture into the prepared pan, pressing firmly to fill the bottom of the pan evenly.
- Chill: Allow to set or chill for 10 minutes before cutting.
Serving Suggestion: Try sprinkling some extra chocolate chips and extra marshmallows on top of your Rice Krispies treats before they set.
More Rice Krispie marshmallow treats: If you’re looking for more quick, easy, and delicious Rice Krispie treats, you definitely need to try our caramel Rice Krispies treats and our Oreo Rice Krispie treats!
Other fun cereal treats: If you love cereal, check out this fun Fruity Pebbles treat recipe!
Looking for other easy desserts? We have plenty!
Substitutions
The ingredients in this recipe are pretty simple, but there are a few substitutions that can be made if you need.
- Half and half cream – you can use whole milk (or whatever milk you have in the fridge) instead. Your rice Krispy treats won’t be as creamy, but the milk will still help with mixing the ingredients together more easily.
- Marshmallows – I haven’t tried this, but some people have had great success replacing the marshmallows with marshmallow fluff or even creamy peanut butter. If you do try this substitution, let me know in the comments below!
- Chocolate Chips – you can use 4 ounces of milk chocolate instead of chocolate chips. Either one will create that yummy chocolate flavor we are looking for in this dessert.
Variations
Our chocolate Rice Krispie treats are already a variation on a classic no bake fun treat, but there’s still tons of ways you can mix things up! Here are a few suggestions…
- Mix-ins – our favorite way to add variety to simple recipes is to add some mix-ins to match the occasion. Whether it’s a holiday, a birthday, or just a Tuesday, you can find fun and festive sprinkles and candies to stir into and sprinkle on top of your Rice Krispie treats!
- Mint – instead of vanilla extract, try using peppermint extract to turn these into Mint Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats!
- Switch Up The Cereal – instead of classic crispy rice cereal, try a different rice cereal like cocoa Krispies, fruity pebbles, or similar!
Storage
Store your Rice Krispie treats in the pan (covered), in an airtight container, or wrap each treat individually in plastic wrap. Treats should keep for 2 days at room temperature.
Expert tips and FAQs
I haven’t tried this, but some people have had great success replacing the marshmallows with marshmallow fluff or even peanut butter. If you do try this substitution, let me know in the comments below!
The biggest culprit here is heat – if you melt your marshmallows over too high of heat (even though it’s tempting to speed things up) they will become harder! Take it low and slow and you’ll be rewarded with soft, chewy Rice Krispie treats.
Technically you can, but old marshmallows don’t melt as well as fresh ones. We would highly recommend grabbing a fresh bag for this recipe!
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a review below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 – 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 5 cups crispy rice cereal I used Rice Krispies
- 1 tablespoon half and half cream or whole milk (optional)
Instructions
- Spray an 8×8 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In large pot on low heat, combine butter, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Stir often until marshmallows have melted. Add in half and half and stir until mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add cereal and mix until everything comes together and cereal is coated in marshmallow mixture.
- Place into the prepared pan, pressing firmly to fill the pan evenly.
- Allow to set or chill for 10 minutes before cutting (optional, but highly recommended).
Notes
- Adding the half and half cream or whole milk makes combining everything a lot easier.
- Use fresh marshmallows for the best results.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Jennifer says
Sooo yummy & totally addicting!! Love these!
Diana says
The kids absolutely loved these and asked when can we make them again! It was a nice change from the plain ones that I usually make. thank you
Caroline Y says
My three teenage boys devoured these! Great recipe!