Looking for a no-bake dessert guaranteed to make your next celebration unforgettable? Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats are festive, easy, and fabulously fun to make! These colorful bars are everything you love about classic Rice Krispies treats, but layered with vibrant red, white, and blue to bring a burst of patriotic flair to any table—from Fourth of July parties to summer picnics and birthday bashes. With a chewy marshmallow base and optional sprinkles on top, this treat tastes just as joyful as it looks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats lies in the simplicity of its ingredients, each one adding its own magic to the mix. There are no complicated components here—just a handful of pantry staples working together to create a show-stopping dessert!
- Rice Krispies cereal: These crisped rice puffs give your treats that signature light crunch and structure.
- Mini marshmallows: Soft, sweet, and ideal for melting; they’re the glue that binds everything together.
- Unsalted butter: Melts with the marshmallows for a rich, creamy base and keeps the texture chewy, never dry.
- Red and blue food coloring: Just a few drops bring bold, festive color—gel or liquid food coloring both work well here.
- Vanilla extract (optional): Adds a hint of warm, cozy flavor that rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
- Patriotic sprinkles (optional): An extra flourish for the top; completely optional but truly eye-catching!
How to Make Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Start by lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little nonstick spray or butter. This helps ensure your Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats release easily when it’s time to serve, so you can show off those gorgeous layers without any sticking or tearing.
Step 2: Melt Butter & Marshmallows
Set a large pot over low heat and add the unsalted butter. Let it melt completely, then pour in the mini marshmallows. Stir continuously (and patiently!) until the mixture turns smooth, gooey, and lump-free. If you’re adding vanilla, this is the perfect time to stir it in for an extra layer of flavor.
Step 3: Divide for Colorful Layers
Remove the melted marshmallow mixture from the heat and divide it evenly among three bowls. To one bowl, add drops of red food coloring; to another, add blue. Leave the third bowl plain—this will become your bright, chewy “white” layer. Stir gently but thoroughly so each bowl has a vividly even color.
Step 4: Mix With Cereal
Now, measure out your Rice Krispies cereal into three even portions. Add one portion to each bowl of marshmallow mixture, gently folding to coat every piece. You should have a bowl of red, a bowl of white, and a bowl of blue, all perfectly sticky and ready to layer.
Step 5: Press and Layer
Work quickly and start with the red mixture, pressing it firmly into the bottom of your greased pan. Smooth it out into an even base—it helps to spray your hands or spatula lightly with cooking oil. Next, gently layer the white mixture on top of the red, again pressing to create a flat, even layer. Finish with the blue mixture on top. If you have patriotic sprinkles, sprinkle them over the blue layer for a festive sparkle!
Step 6: Allow to Set and Serve
Let your Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. Once they’re set, cut into squares and serve! Each bite delivers that wonderful marshmallowy chew and a burst of color in every layer.
How to Serve Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats
Garnishes
Top your treats with a generous scattering of patriotic sprinkles right after pressing down the final blue layer, while still sticky. For a little extra sparkle, try edible glitter or mini white chocolate stars. Even a drizzle of melted white chocolate across the top can make your Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats look bakery-worthy!
Side Dishes
Pair your treats with a spread of fresh summer fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon wedges. For a full party table, serve alongside lemonade, berry punch, or other crowd-pleasing drinks. These treats also play well with other classic American desserts such as brownies or sugar cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats into classic squares or slices, or use cookie cutters to make shapes like stars or hearts for extra pizzazz. Stack them on a three-tiered tray, arrange them in cupcake liners for grab-and-go portions, or skewer squares on lollipop sticks for a festive dessert-on-a-stick display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats into an airtight container and keep them at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to three days—perfect for grab-and-go snacking or sneaking a treat after dinner.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer bag. These treats freeze well for up to 6 weeks. Just remove from the freezer and let thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to regain their best texture.
Reheating
If your treats become a bit firm, you can revive them by microwaving a square for just 5–10 seconds. This quick burst of heat brings back the gooey, soft texture everyone loves in Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats.
FAQs
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
Absolutely! Just be sure to use about 40 regular-size marshmallows to equal one 10-ounce bag of minis. Cut them into smaller pieces for easier melting.
Do I have to use unsalted butter?
Unsalted butter gives you more control over the taste, but if you only have salted butter on hand, go ahead and use it. The flavor will be slightly richer and a bit salty, which can actually balance the sweetness nicely.
Which food coloring is best for bold colors?
Gel food coloring gives the brightest, most vibrant shades for Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats, but liquid food coloring works well too. Start with a few drops and add more as needed to reach your desired color.
Can I make these treats gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use a certified gluten-free brand of crispy rice cereal. Most marshmallows and food colorings are naturally gluten-free, but always check your labels to be sure.
How do I keep the layers from mixing together?
Be sure to gently press and shape each layer before adding the next—working quickly before the marshmallow mix cools too much. A light spray of oil on your spatula or hands prevents sticking and helps achieve neat, defined layers every time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s both easy to whip up and irresistibly fun, Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats are your ticket to party perfection. Give this recipe a try and watch every bite add a little extra color and joy to your celebration!
Print
Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes plus cooling time
- Yield: 12 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the patriotic spirit with these fun and colorful Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispies Treats. Perfect for 4th of July parties or any festive occasion!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 package (10 ounces) mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- red and blue food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- patriotic sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract if using.
- Color the Mixtures: Divide the melted marshmallow mixture into three bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl, blue food coloring to another, and leave the third bowl plain for the white layer. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Combine with Cereal: Divide the Rice Krispies cereal into three portions and stir into each colored marshmallow mixture until coated.
- Layer and Set: Press the red mixture into the dish, followed by the white layer, then the blue layer. Add patriotic sprinkles if desired. Let set for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
Notes:
- Spray a little cooking oil on your hands or spatula to make pressing the layers easier.
- Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
