Rice Krispies with Lucky Charms Recipe (Marshmallow Treats)
These Rice Krispies with Lucky Charms are buttery, gooey, and packed with colorful marshmallows for that perfect mix of crunch and chew. The brown butter adds richness, a little flaky salt on top balances the sweetness, and they come together in just minutes—no oven needed! If you love a fun twist on a classic treat, this is your new go-to! Trust me, you won’t want to put these lucky charms rice krispie treats down! You’ll love my cereal treats – head to the recipe card for more tips to make this easy dessert extra special!
I love a nostalgic treat like my brown butter rice krispies. Other favorites include brown butter brownies, m&m sugar cookies, and chocolate chip cookies without brown sugar! There’s just something about a delicious sweet treat that makes me feel like I’m a kid again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super gooey and chewy – Extra melted marshmallows mean every bite is soft and sticky in the best way.
- Fun and nostalgic – If you grew up loving Lucky Charms, this is basically the best part of Lucky Charms turned into a dessert bar.
- Easy, no-bake treat – No need to turn on the oven! Just a large pot, a rubber spatula, and a baking dish, and you’re set. PS: no bake treat = perfect for summer!
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter – Browning the butter adds depth and a toasty, caramel-like flavor that makes these extra special.
- Vanilla extract – Rounds out the sweetness and adds warmth to the marshmallow mixture.
- Mini marshmallows – The key to gooey marshmallows in every bite. Want them extra chewy? Stir in a handful right at the end before pressing into the pan.
- Lucky Charms cereal – The real star! Grab a fresh cereal box so you get the crispiest, crunchiest texture—stale cereal = sad bars.
- Kosher salt – A pinch makes everything taste better by balancing all that sweetness.
- Flaky sea salt (optional) – Sprinkling this on top gives a little sweet-salty contrast that makes these delicious cereal bars even more addictive.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Swap Lucky Charms for Fruity Pebbles – A colorful, fruity variation that’s just as fun and chewy.
- Use white chocolate chips – Stir in a handful for extra creamy sweetness.
- Mix in Rice Krispies cereal – For a more classic texture, replace half the Lucky Charms cereal with rice cereal for extra crunch.
- Skip the brown butter – If you’re in a hurry, regular melted butter works too (but brown butter is worth the extra step!).
Ingredient Additions
- Extra Lucky Charms marshmallows – Set some aside before mixing and press them on top before they set for even more colorful marshmallows in every bite.
- Peanut butter swirl – Melt ½ cup peanut butter and swirl it into the marshmallow mixture before adding the cereal.
- Crushed pretzels – Adds a salty crunch that makes these sweet treats even better.
- Drizzle with white or dark chocolate – Because, why not? A little extra chocolate never hurt.
Step by Step Instructions
Brown the butter – In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
Melt the marshmallows – Reduce the heat to low and stir in the mini marshmallows and kosher salt until fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
Coat the cereal – Gently fold in the Lucky Charms cereal, stirring until evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
Press into the pan – Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch pan lined with parchment paper or greased with nonstick spray. Lightly press it into an even layer using a rubber spatula or butter wrappers (avoid pressing too firmly for softer treats).
Finish and cool – Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if using. Let the treats cool completely at room temperature before slicing and serving.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh cereal – Seriously, don’t use an old box of Lucky Charms from the back of the pantry. Fresh cereal = the best texture for these lucky charms rice krispies treats.
- Melt butter slowly – Medium heat is best to get that golden, nutty brown butter without burning it.
- Don’t press too hard – Lightly press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan so they stay chewy instead of dense.
- Line your pan for easy removal – A piece of parchment paper or wax paper makes lifting them out so much easier!
- Let them cool completely – I know it’s hard to wait, but if you cut them too soon, they’ll fall apart.
Serving Suggestions
- Birthday parties – Cut the lucky charms krispie treats into bite-sized squares and pile them up on a platter. Always the first thing to go!
- Ice cream sandwiches – Press slightly softened vanilla ice cream between two lucky charm treats for the ultimate dessert mashup.
- St. Patrick’s Day fun – Drizzle with green-tinted white chocolate for an easy, festive recipe.
Storage Instructions
- Store at room temperature – Keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 days to stay fresh and chewy.
- Wrap for freshness – If you need to store them longer, wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.
- No fridge needed – Refrigeration makes the lucky charm rice krispies too firm and takes away that chewy texture.
- How to refresh them – If they start to get a little stale, pop them in the microwave for 5-7 seconds to bring back that soft, gooey bite.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @onebowlbakery on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
Rice Krispies with Lucky Charms Recipe (Marshmallow Treats)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (1.5sticks) unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 10 cups (470g) mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups (180g) Lucky Charms cereal
- Flaky sea salt optional, for topping
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the mini marshmallows and kosher salt until fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gently fold in the Lucky Charms cereal, stirring until evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch pan lined with parchment paper or greased with nonstick spray. Lightly press it into an even layer using a rubber spatula or butter wrappers (avoid pressing too firmly for softer treats).
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if using. Let the treats cool completely at room temperature before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cereal – Seriously, don’t use an old box of Lucky Charms from the back of the pantry. Fresh cereal = the best texture for these lucky charms rice krispies treats.
- Melt butter slowly – Medium heat is best to get that golden, nutty brown butter without burning it.
- Don’t press too hard – Lightly press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan so they stay chewy instead of dense.
- Line your pan for easy removal – A piece of parchment paper or wax paper makes lifting them out so much easier!
- Let them cool completely – I know it’s hard to wait, but if you cut them too soon, they’ll fall apart.
