What's a celebration without a classic, nostalgic treat? These Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispies Treats are the perfect dessert for any patriotic occasion. They take a beloved childhood favorite and give it a fun, colorful, and festive twist. They are incredibly easy to make, require no baking, and are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few ingredients, you can create a beautiful, layered dessert that looks impressive but is a breeze to put together. The crisp, marshmallowy treats are the perfect canvas for a vibrant red, a clean white, and a deep blue, making them a delicious and eye-catching addition to your holiday table.

Celebration-Worthy Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispies Treats!

Yields: 16-20 treats

Prep time: 15 minutes

Chill time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

  • 1 (10-ounce) bag of mini marshmallows, divided

  • 9 cups Rice Krispies cereal, divided

  • Red gel food coloring

  • Blue gel food coloring

  • Red, white, and blue sprinkles

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan & The First Layer (Red)

  1. Prep the Pan: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

  2. Melt the Butter: In a large saucepan or pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat.

  3. Melt Marshmallows: Add ⅓ of the mini marshmallows (about 3.3 ounces) to the melted butter and stir constantly until they are almost completely melted.

  4. Add Color: Add a few drops of red gel food coloring and stir until the color is vibrant and uniform.

  5. Add Cereal: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in ⅓ of the Rice Krispies cereal (about 3 cups). Stir until the cereal is completely coated with the red marshmallow mixture.

  6. Press into Pan: Press the red mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use a piece of parchment paper or a greased spatula to flatten it.

2. Make the Second Layer (White)

  1. Repeat the process for the white layer. In the same saucepan (no need to clean), melt another 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat.

  2. Add another ⅓ of the marshmallows and stir until almost completely melted.

  3. Add the remaining ⅓ of the Rice Krispies cereal and stir until coated.

  4. Layer: Immediately press the white mixture evenly over the red layer in the baking dish.

3. Make the Third Layer (Blue)

  1. Repeat the process for the blue layer. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, add the remaining marshmallows, and stir until melted.

  2. Add a few drops of blue gel food coloring and stir until the color is uniform.

  3. Stir in the remaining Rice Krispies cereal until coated.

  4. Press & Top: Press the blue mixture evenly over the white layer. Immediately sprinkle the red, white, and blue sprinkles over the top of the blue layer.

4. Chill and Serve

  • Let the treats cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour, or you can place them in the refrigerator to speed up the process.

  • Once the treats are set, cut them into squares and serve.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Treat

  • Don't Overheat: Keep the heat on low when melting the marshmallows. High heat will make the marshmallows and butter tough, resulting in hard treats.

  • The Right Pan: A 9x13-inch pan gives you a good balance of thickness. For thicker treats, you can use an 8x8-inch pan.

  • Work Quickly: The marshmallow mixture sets up fast! Work quickly to press each layer into the pan before it becomes too stiff to work with.

  • Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is much more vibrant than liquid food coloring and won't add extra moisture to your mixture.

  • The Secret to a Clean Cut: For perfectly clean squares, grease your knife with a little butter or cooking spray before cutting.

  • No-Stick Spatula: When pressing the mixture into the pan, a greased spatula or a piece of parchment paper prevents the mixture from sticking to your hands.