Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

If you’ve been on the hunt for a fun, nostalgic twist on a classic favorite, then you’re going to flip for this Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe. I absolutely love how these treats turn out—super colorful, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet magic from those iconic marshmallows. When I first tried swapping out traditional Rice Krispies for Lucky Charms, I discovered a whole new level of kid-approved delight that you’ll want to keep making again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fun, colorful twist: Lucky Charms add those whimsical marshmallows that make every bite exciting.
  • Simple and quick: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal fuss—perfect for a last-minute treat.
  • Kid and adult approved: My family goes crazy for these, and I bet yours will too.
  • Customizable: Easily tweak the sweetness and colors to suit your mood or party theme.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe uses a combination of cereals and marshmallows that work beautifully together—the Luck Charms bring patches of sweetness and color, and the Rice Krispies provide that classic crispy texture we all adore. Plus, a touch of butter and a pop of green food coloring to make these treats extra festive.

Flat lay of a heap of multi-colored Lucky Charms cereal with pastel marshmallows, a separate pile of golden Rice Krispies cereal, a small white bowl filled with round white mini marshmallows, a small white bowl containing creamy salted butter, and a tiny white bowl holding vibrant green gel food coloring, all arranged perfectly symmetrical in fresh natural form on simple white ceramic dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats, colorful marshmallow treats, fun no-bake dessert, kid-friendly sweet snacks, quick festive dessert
  • Lucky Charms Cereal: The star of the show—choose the original with marshmallows for maximum magic.
  • Rice Krispies Cereal: Adds that iconic crispiness; the combo of both cereals creates the perfect texture balance.
  • Mini Marshmallows: For melting and binding everything; mini size melts faster and more evenly.
  • Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps keep the treats firm but chewy.
  • Green Gel Food Coloring: Optional but I love adding it for that fun Lucky Charms green pop.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to encourage you to really make this Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe your own. Play around with the colors, add mix-ins, or switch up the cereal ratios to find your favorite combo. Here are a few twists I’ve tried that worked out great:

  • Add white chocolate drizzle: I once drizzled melted white chocolate on top after chilling, and it took the treats to dessert-level deliciousness.
  • Use rainbow food coloring: For a more vibrant look, especially fun for birthday parties or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
  • Swap salted butter for browned butter: Adds a nutty depth that balances the sweetness beautifully—trust me, it’s a game-changer.
  • Make mini treats: I cut them into bite-sized squares for easy snacking at picnics or lunchboxes.

How to Make Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan

Start by buttering a 9×13” baking dish thoroughly. This little step makes all the difference because it ensures your treats won’t stick, and you’ll get those perfect clean edges when you slice.

Step 2: Melt Your Marshmallows and Butter

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt your mini marshmallows in 20-second bursts—usually two increments do the trick—until they’re just a bit melty but not too liquid. Meanwhile, melt your butter in another microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments until nearly all melted. Then combine the butter with the marshmallows and give them another gentle 20-second zap. Stir everything until smooth. I discovered this method helps prevent scorching and keeps the consistency silky.

Step 3: Add Color and Cereal

Stir in your green gel food coloring right into the marshmallow mixture; I love this tip because it gives you control over how vibrant your treats turn out. Then gently fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until fully combined. Finally, stir in the Lucky Charms cereal, making sure all those colorful marshmallows get lovely coatings of that sticky mixture.

Step 4: Press and Chill

Using a buttered rubber spatula, evenly spread your mixture into the prepared pan, pressing down just enough to get it compact without squishing out the crunchy magic. Sprinkle extra marshmallows on top for an added soft bite and visual pop. Refrigerate the whole thing for about 30 minutes to set before cutting into squares—12 for standard size, or 8 if you want something more indulgent.

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Pro Tips for Making Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

  • Melting Marshmallows Gently: I learned that heating in short increments avoids burning and keeps the texture smooth and stretchy.
  • Butter Temperature: Leaving some butter unmelted is okay because it melts perfectly with the marshmallows, giving a more even flavor.
  • Color Control: Add green gel coloring gradually and stir well so you hit the exact shade you want—no surprises!
  • Avoid Overpacking: Press the mixture firmly but not too hard; over-pressing can make treats tough rather than chewy.

How to Serve Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

The image shows two thick, square cereal treats stacked on top of each other on a white plate. The treats are bright green with a rough, bumpy texture, and they are filled with colorful marshmallow pieces in pink, blue, yellow, and white, scattered throughout each layer. The top treat is slightly tilted, showing the layers clearly with the colorful bits inside. In the background, there is a glass bottle of milk with a green and white striped straw, placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats, colorful marshmallow treats, fun no-bake dessert, kid-friendly sweet snacks, quick festive dessert

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with an extra sprinkle of mini marshmallows on top—adds texture and looks festive. Sometimes I also toss on a few edible glitter sprinkles for birthday parties because why not? They’re an easy way to make the treats pop visually without changing the flavor.

Side Dishes

These treats are sweet and rich, so I usually serve them alongside something fresh like fruit salad or a simple cup of cold milk. It balances out the sweetness perfectly. For parties, they go wonderfully with a light lemonade or iced tea.

Creative Ways to Present

For St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve shaped the mixture into little shamrocks using cookie cutters; it’s a great way to make it festive and shareable. Another fun idea is stacking small squares on a colorful serving tray layered with parchment paper for an eye-catching snack display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Wrapping them individually in plastic wrap helps keep them moist and chewy. In my experience, they don’t dry out as quickly as regular Rice Krispie treats thanks to the marshmallows from the cereal.

Freezing

Freezing works well for this recipe. I wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. When thawed, they maintain their texture and flavor quite well—perfect for making ahead of time for a party or event.

Reheating

If you want to soften frozen treats, microwave them for about 10-15 seconds wrapped in a paper towel. This warms them just enough without making them too gooey. I usually recommend eating them at room temperature for best texture.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows in this recipe?

    Yes, you can use regular marshmallows, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly, which helps achieve a smoother mixture. If using regular sized marshmallows, you might need to increase melting time slightly and stir more to avoid clumps.

  2. Why do you add green food coloring to the marshmallows?

    The green food coloring adds a fun pop of color that enhances the shamrock and Lucky Charms theme. It’s totally optional, but I love how it makes the treats more visually festive, especially for St. Patrick’s Day or themed parties.

  3. Can I make this recipe vegan or gluten-free?

    For a vegan version, replace butter with a plant-based alternative and use vegan mini marshmallows (not all marshmallows are vegan). For gluten-free, check that your Rice Krispies and Lucky Charms are certified gluten-free because the traditional versions may contain malt.

  4. How do I keep the treats chewy and not hard?

    Be careful not to overcook the marshmallow mixture, and avoid pressing the mixture too hard into the pan. Also, storing treats in an airtight container helps maintain that perfect chewy texture longer.

Final Thoughts

This Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen. It’s that feel-good, fun snack that brings smiles from the first bite, mixing childhood nostalgia with a little grown-up magic. Whether you’re making it for a holiday, a school snack, or just because, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to every time. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without that magical marshmallow crunch in your Rice Krispie treats!

Print
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Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 755 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Microwaving
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delight in these colorful Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats, a fun twist on the classic marshmallow treat combining the crunchy texture of Rice Krispies with the magical charm of Lucky Charms cereal. Perfect for parties or a sweet snack, these treats are easy to make and feature a vibrant green hue achieved with gel food coloring.


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 5 cups Lucky Charms Cereal, plus extra mini marshmallows for topping
  • 4 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 (10.50 oz) bag mini marshmallows
  • 5 teaspoons salted butter
  • Green gel food coloring, amount as desired


Instructions

  1. Prepare baking dish: Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly and set it aside to prevent sticking.
  2. Melt marshmallows: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt mini marshmallows in 20-second increments, heating twice, until partially melted and soft. Set aside.
  3. Melt butter: In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter by microwaving in 20-second increments until mostly melted but not fully liquid.
  4. Combine butter and marshmallows: Add the melted butter to the marshmallows bowl and microwave together for about 20 seconds to integrate flavors and soften the marshmallows further, then stir thoroughly to combine.
  5. Add food coloring and cereals: Mix green gel food coloring into the marshmallow mixture to achieve the desired shade of green. Then stir in the Rice Krispies cereal until evenly coated, followed by folding in the Lucky Charms cereal, carefully coating without crushing.
  6. Press mixture into dish: Using a buttered rubber spatula, evenly spread and press the cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish to form a compact layer.
  7. Add topping and chill: Sprinkle additional mini marshmallows on top as garnish, then refrigerate the dish for 30 minutes to set.
  8. Cut and serve: Once set, cut into 12 squares for standard-sized treats, or 8 if you prefer larger portions.

Notes

  • Butter does not need to be fully melted; it will melt completely when combined with marshmallows.
  • For a precise green color, add food coloring to the melted marshmallows before mixing in the cereal.
  • Microwave times may vary; monitor carefully to avoid burning marshmallows or butter.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the dish to ensure the treats hold together well.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 1/12 of recipe)
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 17g
  • Sodium: 110mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

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