M&M Rice Krispie Treats blend crispy rice cereal with colorful fun colors and candy-coated chocolate. This delightful treat uses minimal ingredients and effort to make, makes a fantastic choice to satisfy sweet cravings, and is perfect for gatherings or parties.
If you are a fan of Rice Krispies like I am you have to take a moment to look at these recipes for Krispie Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares, Krispie Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, Sweet Krispie Bars, Rice Krispie Treats with Marshmallow Fluff, Rice Krispie Hay Bales, Rice Krispie Cookies, Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats and Easy Rice Krispie Baskets. We even used the cereal Sugar Crisp to create Sugar Crisp Squares.
Why You Will Love This Rice Krispies Treats with M&M's
- Easy Recipe. These dessert bars are very easy to make and only require a handful of ingredients.
- Perfect for a Crowd: You can easily double this recipe when you're serving for a party. Simply make them in a 9x13 pan instead.
- Everyone Loves Them. Kids and adults alike will love this gooey, chewy, crowd-pleasing treat!
- Timeless Classic: Rice Krispie Treats have been around forever but adding M&Ms gives them a modern touch that is always welcome.
Ingredients
This delicious treat requires just a few ingredients. Here's a look at what you need:
- Mini Marshmallows: The sticky binder that holds your treats together. For best results, use fresh, soft marshmallows. If all you have are large marshmallows, just be sure to cut them up for more even melting.
- Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and also aids the marshmallows in melting. If you use salted butter skip the additional salt.
- Rice Krispies Cereal: The heart of this dessert bar recipe. Use regular crispy rice or brown rice crisps instead.
- M&M Candies: You can create these treats with traditional or mini M&M's.
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this Krispie Mars Squares recipe.
- No Marshmallows: You can use four Mars Bars or Milky Way Bars instead of marshmallows. Simply chop bars, and melt over low heat with a half cup of butter. Follow the rest of the directions for making the recipe.
- Make Chocolate Topping: Melt a cup of chocolate chips and a quarter cup of butter over low heat in a small saucepan. Pour the melted chocolate all over the top of the cereal mixture and spread until covered. Cover the with more M&M's if you want.
- Add Chocolate Drizzle: Melt additional chocolate and drizzle it over the squares for more chocolate flavor.
- Make it Seasonal: To celebrate different holidays use themed M&M's to make your Rice Krispie Treats festive. Think Christmas, Easter or Spring, Valentine's Day, Halloween or 4th of July M&M's.
- Add Nuts: Chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts for added crunch works great!
How to Make M&M Rice Krispie Treats
Here's how to make this M&M dessert bar recipe. The complete instructions and printable recipe card are further down on the page.
Step 1: Melt the butter over low heat in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt to the melted butter and stir to combine.
Step 2: Add the mini marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Step 3: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies cereal. Mix until cereal is evenly coated with the marshmallow butter mixture.
Step 4: Allow the mixture to cool slightly for a minute or two, then gently add the M&M candies.
Step 5: Mix the M&M's in gently. Do not over-mix, as the candies will crush.
Step 6: Transfer the rice krispie treats to the prepared baking pan. Use an offset spatula to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan being careful not to crush the candy. Add extra M&M candies on top!
Step 7: Cool for about 30 minutes to an hour. Use a sharp knife to cut them into 16 squares.
Step 8: Serve them up and enjoy!
Storage
Storing: Store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep them at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Avoid putting them in the fridge as they will harden too much.
Freezer: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or air-tight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
- A big glass of milk or chocolate milk always works. Try our Oreo Frappuccino or Salted Caramel Milkshake for a treat!
- If more desserts are needed have a look at our collection of brown sugar dessert recipes, potluck dessert recipes, or Easter trifle recipes for some great ideas.
Tips
- Cutting the Bars. Make sure they're cool and use a very sharp knife. Coat the knife with cooking spray to reduce stickiness and make cutting easier.
- Measure Accurately. Too much cereal can make them hard and too little can make them too gooey.
- Cook Over Low Heat. Use low heat to melt marshmallows and prevent burning.
- Grease Your Hands. Lightly grease your hands or a spatula when pressing the mixture into the pan to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
- Line Your Pan. Line the baking pan with parchment paper leaving it hanging over the edges so you can easily lift the entire tray of desserts out. This makes cutting them easier.
- Cool Completely. Allow the treats to cool completely before cutting.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! To make Peanut Butter M&M Rice Krispie treats, add peanut butter to the marshmallow and butter mixture as it melts. This ingredient enriches the treats with a nutty flavor that pairs well with the M&Ms.
For holidays like Christmas, festive variations can include adding green and red M&Ms and a sprinkling of crushed peppermint candy.
Video
How could we not make a video to show you exactly how to make these totally addictive treats?! Take a moment to check it out!
More Rice Krispie Treat Recipes
If you are a fan of Rice Krispies like I am, you have to take a moment to look at some of the other desserts you can make with cereal. You never know, you just might find another recipe worth trying!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
M&M Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- pinch of salt
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup M&M candies
Instructions
- Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan with butter or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add a pinch of salt to the melted butter and stir to combine.
- Next, add the mini marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies cereal. Mix until cereal is evenly coated with the marshmallow butter mixture.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly for a minute or two, then gently fold in the M&M candies. Do not overmix, as the candies will crush.
- Transfer the rice krispie treats into the prepared baking pan. Use an offset spatula to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan being careful not to crush the candy.
- Add extra M&M candies on top!
- Let the Rice Krispie treats cool for about 30 minutes to an hour. Once the treats have cooled use a sharp knife to cut them into 16 squares.
Video
Notes
- Cutting the Bars. Make sure they're cool and use a very sharp knife. Coat the knife with cooking spray to reduce stickiness and make cutting easier.
- Measure Accurately. Too much cereal can make them hard and too little can make them too gooey.
- Cook Over Low Heat. Use low heat to melt marshmallows and prevent burning.
- Grease Your Hands. Lightly grease your hands or a spatula when pressing the mixture into the pan to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
- Line Your Pan. Line the baking pan with parchment paper leaving it hanging over the edges so you can easily lift the entire tray of desserts out. This makes cutting them easier.
- Cool Completely. Allow the treats to cool completely before cutting.
Nutrition
This post was originally published August 2018. It has been updated with new images and content.
Mike says
Such an amazing idea. They were so tasty. Ill never make regular Rice Krispie squares again. Thx
Karin and Ken says
They are definitely different than the original version! So happy to hear you loved them as much as we all do! Take care and be well. Karin
Sylvia says
I cant believe how good these tasted. I ate too many but everyone loved them Thanks for sharing
Karin and Ken says
I always eat too many of them too! I’m glad to hear you all enjoyed them! Such an easy and delicious dessert. Thank you for letting me know! All the best to you. Karin
Anonymous says
These are even yummier than they look. Delish!!!
Christine
Karin and Ken says
So true! Glad I am not the only one who thinks these bars are amazing! Take care and all the best to you. Karin