These Monster Rice Krispie Treats are big, colorful, and super fun! Made with crispy rice cereal and gooey marshmallows, they’re perfect for a party or just munching at home.
The best part? You can decorate them with candy eyes and sprinkles to make them look like cute monsters. I can’t help but giggle every time I see them! 😄
They’re quick to make too, so I whip up a batch whenever I need a sweet snack. Just mix, press, and enjoy these gooey goodies with friends or family!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Rice Krispies: This cereal is the star of the treat, providing that classic crispy texture. If you can’t find Rice Krispies, any puffed rice cereal will work similarly, but avoid those that are overly sweetened.
Mini Marshmallows: These give that gooey goodness that holds everything together. You can substitute with regular marshmallows—just make sure to chop them to smaller pieces so they melt evenly.
Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness to the treats. If you want to make them dairy-free, use coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative. They’ll still taste great!
Gel Food Coloring: Gel colors provide a strong color without adding too much liquid. If you don’t have gel, liquid food coloring works, but you may need to use more, and it could alter the texture a bit.
Candy Eyes: These are essential for the monster look! If you can’t find candy eyes, you can use chocolate chips, M&M’s, or any small round candy to achieve the same effect.
How Do You Get the Perfect Treat Shape?
Getting those Rice Krispie treats into perfect shapes can be tricky! Here are some tips to help you:
- Make sure to use a buttered spatula or wax paper when pressing the mixture into the pan. This prevents sticking.
- Press down firmly but gently—over-pressing can make the treats too hard, while not pressing enough can make them fall apart.
- Let them cool entirely before cutting. This helps them firm up and hold their shape better.
Keep these tips in mind for perfectly shaped treats every time!
How to Make Monster Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Gel food coloring (green, orange, purple)
- Candy eyes (various sizes)
- Candy melts or colored icing for noses and mouths (green, orange, purple, black, white)
- Optional: white candy melts or small white candy pieces for teeth
How Much Time Will You Need?
This fun and festive recipe will take you about 15 minutes to prepare and about 30 minutes to cool and set properly. So, in just under an hour, you can have these delightful Monster Rice Krispie Treats ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Mixing Bowls:
Start by gathering three separate bowls or large containers. You’ll use these to mix your different colored marshmallow mixtures. This way, you can easily make green, orange, and purple treats!
2. Make the Marshmallow Mixture:
In a large pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat. Once melted, add about 1⅓ cups of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until everything is melted and smooth. Remove the pot from heat when ready.
3. Color the Marshmallows:
Quickly stir in about two teaspoons of gel food coloring—choose green, orange, or purple depending on which color batch you’re making. Mix until the color is evenly distributed.
4. Mix in the Rice Krispies:
Add about 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to your colored marshmallow mixture. Stir well until all the cereal pieces are evenly coated with the colorful marshmallows.
5. Pack the Mixture into the Pan:
Pour the mixture into a buttered or parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan. To shape them perfectly, use a buttered spatula or wax paper to press the mixture evenly and firmly into the pan. Repeat steps 2–5 for each color batch you want to make!
6. Let the Treats Cool:
Allow the treats to cool completely in the pan. This will help them set and hold their shape better.
7. Cut into Squares:
Once cooled, carefully remove the treats from the pan and cut each colored slab into squares of your desired size.
8. Decorate Your Monster Treats:
Now comes the fun part! Attach candy eyes to each Rice Krispie square using a little melted icing or candy melt as glue. Get creative!
9. Add Noses and Mouths:
Use colored candy melts or icing to decorate monster noses and mouths on each square. Don’t forget to add some fun monster teeth by placing small white candy pieces or using white candy melts for fangs!
10. Let Them Set Before Serving:
Allow your decorated treats to set for a few minutes before serving. Then, share these adorable Monster Rice Krispie Treats with family and friends and enjoy the smiles!
Happy munching! These treats are perfect for Halloween or anytime you want to share something fun and colorful!
Can I Use Different Types of Cereal?
Absolutely! While Rice Krispies are traditional, you can substitute them with any puffed rice cereal. Just make sure it’s not overly sweetened to keep the flavor balanced!
How Do I Store Leftover Treats?
Store any leftover Monster Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If they’re exposed to air, they can become hard and lose their gooey texture.
Can I Prepare These in Advance?
Yes, you can make these treats a day in advance! Just keep them stored in an airtight container. If decorating the next day, it’s best to wait until they cool completely to seal in freshness.
What If My Marshmallow Mixture Becomes Too Hard?
If your marshmallow mixture becomes too hard to work with, just reheat it gently on low heat in a pot while stirring. This will soften it up so you can mix in the cereal easily.
