Mom’s Lunchbox Classic Grew Up: 16 Rice Krispie Treats Worth Making This Holiday Season

Remember standing at the stove stirring marshmallows while Mom pressed the warm, sticky mix into a pan? Rice Krispie treats were the lunchbox classic of so many childhoods, and they still cost just a few dollars a pan. Now a no-stove hack is all over social media. One Allrecipes reel about it has more than a million views, and home cooks keep finding new ways to dress them up for the holidays. Here are the Rice Krispie treats worth making this season, from extra tall bakery squares to Christmas wreaths..

The No-Stove Hack for Rice Krispie Treats

You do not even need the stove. Melt the butter and marshmallows in a big microwave safe bowl in short bursts, stir, then fold in the cereal right in the same bowl. Fewer dishes, no scorched pot, and the marshmallow stays soft and gooey because it never gets too hot. Press it into the pan gently, not hard, and you get the tallest, softest squares. Have you tried the microwave way?

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 1 bag (10 oz) mini marshmallows plus 1 extra cup for the end, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1/2 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Butter an 8×8 pan for tall treats or a 9×13 pan for thinner ones. 2. Microwave butter and the 10 oz marshmallows in a large bowl for 1 minute, stir, then 30 seconds more until smooth. 3. Stir in vanilla and salt. 4. Fold in the cereal and the extra cup of marshmallows. 5. Press gently into the pan with buttered hands. 6. Cool 30 minutes and cut.

The Classic 3-Ingredient Rice Krispie Treats

This is the recipe on the back of the box that generations of kids grew up with: butter, marshmallows and crispy rice cereal. The stovetop way works great too. Keep the heat low so the marshmallows melt slowly and stay soft. High heat is what makes treats hard as a brick. Do you cut yours in squares or rectangles?

You will need: 3 tbsp butter, 1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows or 4 cups mini marshmallows, 6 cups crispy rice cereal.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. 2. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. 3. Remove from heat. 4. Stir in the cereal until coated. 5. Press into a buttered 9×13 pan with a buttered spatula. 6. Cool and cut into squares.

Extra-Tall Bakery-Style Squares

Bakery treats are thick, soft and full of pockets of marshmallow. The trick is more marshmallow than the classic recipe, a smaller pan and a handful of mini marshmallows folded in at the end so they stay whole. Do not pack the mix down hard. Just press it lightly. Would you take a giant square or two small ones?

You will need: 6 tbsp butter, 16 oz mini marshmallows (divided), 7 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp salt.

How to make it: 1. Butter an 8×8 pan. 2. Melt butter and 13 oz marshmallows over low heat. 3. Stir in vanilla and salt. 4. Fold in the cereal, then the last 3 oz of mini marshmallows. 5. Press lightly into the pan. 6. Cool 1 hour and cut into 9 big squares.

Let the Kids Make Them

Rice Krispie treats are a perfect first recipe for kids. A grown up melts the marshmallows in the microwave, then the kids stir in the cereal, press it into the pan and add sprinkles. Butter their hands or give them a piece of wax paper to press with so nothing sticks. What was the first recipe you ever made?

You will need: 3 tbsp butter, 4 cups mini marshmallows, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, sprinkles or mini chocolate chips, wax paper.

How to make it: 1. A grown up melts butter and marshmallows in the microwave, 1 minute plus 30 seconds. 2. Kids pour in the cereal and stir with a big spoon. 3. Tip into a buttered pan. 4. Press flat with wax paper. 5. Add sprinkles on top. 6. Cool and cut.

Peanut Butter Scotcharoos

Ask anyone from the Midwest about Scotcharoos and watch them smile. They are crispy rice bars made with peanut butter and a sugar syrup instead of marshmallows, then topped with melted chocolate and butterscotch. They show up at every church potluck and family reunion. Have you ever had one?

You will need: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 1 cup butterscotch chips.

How to make it: 1. Bring sugar and corn syrup just to a boil, stirring. 2. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. 3. Stir in cereal and press into a buttered 9×13 pan. 4. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together. 5. Spread over the top. 6. Cool until set and cut.

Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats

Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies turn plain treats into a cookies and cream dessert. Fold the cookie pieces in at the very end so they stay chunky, then drizzle with white chocolate. Serve them with a glass of cold milk, of course. Cookies and cream or classic?

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows, 5 cups crispy rice cereal, 15 chocolate sandwich cookies (chopped), 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (melted).

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and marshmallows. 2. Stir in cereal. 3. Fold in chopped cookies. 4. Press into a buttered 9×9 pan. 5. Drizzle with white chocolate. 6. Cool and cut.

S’mores Rice Krispie Treats

Campfire flavor, no campfire needed. Mix crushed graham crackers into the treats, press them into the pan, top with chocolate pieces and more marshmallows, then broil for 30 seconds until toasty. Watch closely because marshmallows burn fast. Golden brown or totally charred: how do you like your marshmallows?

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows plus 2 cups for topping, 5 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 1/2 cups graham crackers (broken), 1 cup milk chocolate pieces.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and 10 oz marshmallows. 2. Stir in cereal and graham crackers. 3. Press into a buttered 9×9 metal pan. 4. Top with chocolate and the 2 cups of marshmallows. 5. Broil 30 to 60 seconds until golden. 6. Cool and cut.

Brown Butter and Sea Salt Rice Krispie Treats

This is the grown up version. Cook the butter until it turns golden and smells like toasted nuts, then melt the marshmallows in it. Finish with flaky sea salt. The nutty, salty flavor makes them taste like a fancy bakery treat. If you want more ideas, try our brown butter treats recipe. Would you go back to plain butter after trying these?

You will need: 1/2 cup butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter in a light colored pot over medium heat. 2. Cook, swirling, 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and nutty. 3. Lower the heat and stir in marshmallows until melted. 4. Add vanilla and cereal. 5. Press into a pan and sprinkle with sea salt. 6. Cool and cut.

Christmas Wreath Rice Krispie Treats

Tint the melted marshmallow green, stir in the cereal, then shape little wreaths with buttered hands. Red candies make the berries. They are easy enough for kids and look so cheerful on a cookie tray. Use a little round cookie cutter to make the hole in the middle. Would you put these on your cookie tray?

You will need: 3 tbsp butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows, green gel food coloring, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, red cinnamon candies or mini red candies.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and marshmallows. 2. Stir in green coloring until bright. 3. Stir in the cereal. 4. With buttered hands, shape small rings on wax paper. 5. Press in red candies while warm. 6. Let set 30 minutes.

Holiday Cut-Out Rice Krispie Treats

Press the treats into a thin layer in a sheet pan, let them set, then cut stars and Christmas trees with cookie cutters. Decorate with icing and sprinkles. Kids can help with every step, and the scraps make a great snack for the decorators. Trees or stars?

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 16 oz mini marshmallows, 9 cups crispy rice cereal, green gel coloring (optional), cookie cutters, white icing, sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and marshmallows, tint green if you like. 2. Stir in cereal. 3. Press 3/4 inch thick into a buttered sheet pan. 4. Cool 30 minutes. 5. Cut shapes with buttered cookie cutters. 6. Decorate with icing and sprinkles.

Chocolate-Dipped Treat Pops

Cut the treats into rectangles, push in a paper stick, then dip the top in melted chocolate and add sprinkles. Wrapped in a clear bag with a ribbon, they make perfect party favors or teacher gifts. Melt the chocolate with a spoon of coconut oil so it stays smooth. What color sprinkles would you choose?

You will need: 1 batch classic treats (cut into 12 rectangles), 12 paper treat sticks, 2 cups milk chocolate chips, 1 tbsp coconut oil, sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Push a stick into each rectangle. 2. Melt chocolate and coconut oil in 30 second bursts. 3. Dip the top half of each pop. 4. Add sprinkles right away. 5. Stand in a jar or lay on parchment until set.

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats

For fall, add pumpkin pie spice and a spoon of pumpkin puree to the melted marshmallow. A white chocolate drizzle on top makes them taste like a pumpkin latte. They are the perfect easy treat for a Thanksgiving dessert table. Are you a pumpkin spice person?

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows, 2 tbsp pumpkin puree, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (melted).

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and marshmallows. 2. Stir in pumpkin and spice until smooth. 3. Add cereal. 4. Press into a buttered pan. 5. Drizzle with white chocolate. 6. Cool and cut.

Fruity Cereal Rice Krispie Treats

Swap half or all of the rice cereal for a fruity cereal and you get rainbow treats that look like a party. They are a favorite for birthdays and class celebrations. Mix two cereals in one pan for a fun swirl. Which cereal would you mix in?

You will need: 3 tbsp butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows, 3 cups crispy rice cereal, 3 cups fruity ring or puffed fruity cereal.

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and marshmallows. 2. Stir in both cereals. 3. Press into a buttered 9×13 pan. 4. Cool 30 minutes and cut.

Peppermint Holiday Squares

Crushed candy canes and a white chocolate topping turn plain treats into a Christmas cookie tray star. Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the marshmallow for extra flavor. Crush the candy canes in a zip bag with a rolling pin, which kids love to do. Peppermint: yes or no?

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 10 oz mini marshmallows, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1 cup white chocolate chips (melted), 4 candy canes (crushed).

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and marshmallows, add peppermint extract. 2. Stir in cereal and press into a pan. 3. Spread melted white chocolate on top. 4. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. 5. Chill 20 minutes and cut.

No-Marshmallow Honey and Nut Butter Bites

Want a version without marshmallows? Warm honey and peanut butter together, stir in crispy brown rice cereal and roll into little balls. They are chewy, nutty and great for lunchboxes. Use sunflower seed butter for nut free classrooms. Would your kids like these in their lunchbox?

You will need: 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup natural peanut butter or sunflower seed butter, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, 3 cups crispy brown rice cereal.

How to make it: 1. Warm honey and peanut butter in a pot or the microwave until smooth. 2. Stir in vanilla and salt. 3. Fold in the cereal. 4. Cool 5 minutes. 5. Roll into 1 inch balls with damp hands. 6. Chill 30 minutes.

Toasted Marshmallow Squares

Here is a tip from campfire lovers: toast some of the marshmallows before you melt them. Run them under the broiler or toast them on skewers until golden, then stir them into the pot. The treats taste smoky and caramel-like, a little like a s’more without the chocolate. Have you ever toasted marshmallows for a recipe?

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 10 oz marshmallows (half toasted), 6 cups crispy rice cereal, 1/2 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Toast half the marshmallows on skewers or under the broiler until golden. 2. Melt butter with the plain marshmallows. 3. Stir in the toasted ones until mostly melted. 4. Add vanilla, salt and cereal. 5. Press into a pan, cool and cut.