Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe

Christmas is not complete without a little sparkle and a lot of sweetness, and that’s exactly why my Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe is one I come back to every year. These festive little bites are bursting with color, easy to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering. If you love Rice Krispies as much as I do, but want to impress with something a bit extra special, this recipe is just what you need to get into that holiday spirit.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The charm of this Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully. When shopping, I recommend grabbing the freshest mini marshmallows and a trusted butter brand to ensure creamy melting. Also, pick bright gel food colors for the most vivid hues that won’t water down your treats.

• Rice Krispie Cereal: The classic crispy backbone – choose the original Kellogg’s for that perfect crunch-to-chew ratio.
• Mini Marshmallows: Smaller marshmallows melt quickly and evenly, making your mixture nice and smooth.
• Unsalted Butter: I like to use salted sweet cream butter for a little flavor boost, but unsalted works too if you want more control.
• Wilton Color Right Food Coloring: Using gel-based colors like red, crimson, yellow, and blue helps keep the mixture from getting watery and dull.
• Nonpareils Christmas Sprinkles: These add festive sparkle and a fun crunch – totally optional but highly recommended for the holiday vibe.

Variations

I love mixing things up depending on the crowd and my mood – this Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe is so versatile. Feel free to swap colors, change sprinkles, or even infuse flavors to make it your own festive signature.

• Flavor Twist: Once, I added a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the melted marshmallow — it gave the bites a delightful holiday zing that my family still talks about!
• Chocolate Variation: Swapping one batch with cocoa powder gives a rich chocolate trio that looks just as pretty in red, green, and white.
• Allergy-Friendly Swap: If you’re catering to allergies, try using dairy-free butter and marshmallows – just keep an eye on melting times.
• Sprinkles Swap: Use crushed candy canes for a peppermint crunch or edible glitter for an extra sparkle that dazzles your guests.

How to Make Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows

Start by melting 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Once melted, add 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until everything is totally melted and smooth. It’s crucial you keep the heat low to prevent scorching. I learned this the hard way once — burned marshmallows totally ruin the batch!

Step 2: Add Your Festive Color

Remove the pan from heat and stir in your choice of food coloring. Whether you want red, green, or white, I like to add a few drops at a time until I get that vibrant holiday shade. Since white just means no coloring, reserve that batch with melted marshmallows as is.

Step 3: Mix in the Cereal and Sprinkles

Tip in 3 cups of Rice Krispie cereal and fold gently until the cereal is completely coated. If you’re adding nonpareils or Christmas sprinkles, now’s the time to fold them in. This sprinkle step makes the treats feel like a festive party every bite!

Step 4: Shape the Treat Bites

Let your mixture cool just enough so your hands won’t melt it, about 5 minutes. Then, scoop about 0.6 oz per bite — I use a small cookie scoop for consistency — and roll into balls. Place them on wax or parchment paper to set. This part is so fun, especially when kids jump in to help!

Step 5: Repeat for Each Color

Make two more batches, one green (using a mix of yellow and blue coloring) and the last white batch with no added coloring. This triple-batch process gives you an impressive mix of Christmas colors all ready to serve.

How to Serve Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate over the top for extra holiday flair. Sometimes I press a little candy cane piece into the top of each bite right after shaping for a peppermint pop. Not just pretty, it adds crunch and extra flavor.

Side Dishes

These Rice Krispie bites go beautifully alongside hot cocoa or mulled cider – think warm cozy vibes! For a party, pair them with cookies, fudge, or even a cheese board for a sweet-and-savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these in a clear glass jar with a festive ribbon or on a tiered dessert tray with greenery and ornaments poking out. Another favorite trick is serving them skewered like lollipops wrapped in cellophane – kids adore the novelty!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these treats in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay perfectly chewy and fresh for up to 4 days. My trick is to layer parchment paper between them to prevent sticking and maintain their shape.

Freezing

If I need them further in advance, I freeze the Rice Krispie bites in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They thaw quickly on the counter and taste just as fresh as the day I made them—perfect for holiday prep.

Reheating

I rarely reheat these, but if you want that just-made softness, a 10-second zap in the microwave softens them right up. Just watch closely to avoid melting the sprinkles or coloring.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe turns out every single time – it’s one of my favorite ways to bring some holiday magic into the kitchen. There’s something so joyful about rolling out those colorful bites, sharing the fun with family, and seeing everyone’s faces light up when they take that first crunchy, chewy bite. If you want a simple sweet treat that’s festive, fun, and foolproof, you really can’t go wrong with these. Trust me, once you make these for your holiday celebrations, they’ll become a tradition you cherish, just like I have.

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