Easy Rice Krispie Treats 5 Minute Microwave Recipe

Rice Krispie Treats are one of my kids’ favorite snacks, and I can’t blame them. I love this sweet treat too! However, sometimes they can be kind of a pain to make. I have been making rice krispie treats using this method for over 20 years and it hasn’t failed me yet! Not only is it easier than the stovetop method, they actually turn out BETTER. They are soft and chewy every time.

Secret to Perfect Rice Krispie Treats

Is there anything worse than hard, dry, crunchy Rice Krispie Treats? Why does this happen? The answer is in how the marshmallows are cooked. When you melt the butter and marshmallows over the stove, the marshmallows have a tendency to get too hot. If the marshmallows cook too long, the texture of the sugar changes and your treats will turn out hard and dry. Cooking them in the microwave allows you to control the temperature better and cooks it at a low heat. Another tip for keeping your crispy rice treats soft and chewy is to use fresh bags of mini marshmallows. Don’t grab the bag that has been sitting in the back of your cupboard. Trust me, fresh marshmallows make a huge difference in the texture!

Gluten-Free Tips

With some newly discovered gluten allergies in our family, we are always trying to be aware of gluten-free foods. If you are wondering if Rice Krispie treats are gluten-free, it depends on the brand of cereal. There is barley present in Kellogg’s brand, which contains gluten. Years ago there was a gluten-free Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal but it has since been discontinued. You can find generic brands of “crispy rice cereal” that are gluten-free. Malt-O-Meal is a brand that makes a gluten-free crispy rice cereal, and it works great in this recipe.

Sweet Variations and Add-ins

This is a no-frills, basic recipe, but feel free to take them to the next level and add anything you would like to them including:

M&Ms: Colorful M&M candies add a pop of color and sweetness to your treats. Reese’s Pieces and/or Mini Peanut Butter Cups: Try some different Reese’s candies for a crunchy chocolate & peanut butter combo Candy sprinkles: Rainbow sprinkles make your treats visually appealing and fun. Cookie Pieces: Crushed Oreo cookies or other favorite cookies can be mixed in for a cookies-and-cream variation. Flavored Extracts: A few drops of vanilla, caramel, or butter extract can infuse your treats with extra flavor. Toffee Bits: Heath bar toffee bits or similar candies bring a buttery, toffee flavor and texture. Cereal Variations: Use different cereals like Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Krispies, Reese’s Puffs or Cheerios for unique flavors and colors. Holiday variations – Try adding candy corn at Halloween or Cadbury mini eggs for Easter!

Tips for Making Microwave Rice Krispie Treats

Making Rice Krispie treats in the microwave is quick and easy. Here are some tips to ensure they turn out perfectly:

Storage Tips

To keep your crispy treats fresh and chewy, you can cut them up and put them in an air-tight container, placing wax paper or parchment between each layer. This is the way we like to store them whenever we go camping or for a picnic, It cuts down on plastic wrap. You can also store them right in the pan with plastic wrap over the top, or you can cut them into squares and wrap each individually. READ NEXT: Easy Dessert Recipes