If you’re looking for a fun, colorful, and delicious rainbow dessert for St. Patrick’s Day, you will love these rainbow Rice Krispie treats! This simple no-bake dessert takes minimal effort for maximum flavor and looks incredible!
This is just the basic Rice Krispies treat recipe with added food coloring. Yes, you have to make each color layer individually, but it takes less time than expected!
And this fun treat’s bright color layers will delight your taste buds and eyes. Whether planning a St. Patty’s Day party or just looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, these rainbow Rice Krispies treats are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
In this post I’ll describe how to make rainbow Rice Krispies Treats, how to store them, how to freeze them along with expert tips. So, let’s dive in and start baking!
🧁More Recipes!
Looking for more Rice Krispies treats recipes? Check out these Holiday wreaths and Christmas trees.
🍀Key Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Butter
- Mini marshmallows
- Rice Krispie cereal
- Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple gel food coloring
🥣How to Make Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
- Prep – Line a square baking dish with parchment paper to lift the treats when you are done. The treats will be made one layer at a time.
- Melt butter and marshmallows – Put the butter and marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-45 seconds and stir until the marshmallows are melted.
- Add food coloring – Add a few drops of food coloring to the marshmallow mixture and stir until the color is consistent. Make the colors one at a time in the order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
- Add cereal – Stir in cereal. Then press it into the prepared pan, pressing it down, so it is flat and even.
- Repeat – Wash the bowl and repeat with the next color, pressing the next layer on top of the first.
- Cut – Once all the layers are in the pan, let it cool for 30 minutes. Then lift the layers out and cut them into squares.
🍴Serving Ideas
Serve these fun rainbow treats for your St. Patrick’s Day party! They are a simple no-bake dessert that both kids and adults love.
Combine them with favorites like air fryer corned beef or Irish nachos for a delicious, kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
💭How to Store
Rice Krispies treats are always best within a few hours of being made. But you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
🧊How to Freeze
You can easily freeze these festive treats. After they are cooled and cut into squares, wrap them in waxed paper. Then freeze them in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. Leave them out on the counter for a few hours to thaw them.
🍫Variations
- Drizzle the treats with melted chocolate for extra flavor.
- Add rainbow sprinkles on top.
- Try the recipe with Fruity Pebbles or Lucky Charms cereal for a different look.
☘️Why are my Rice Krispie Treats Hard?
Usually, Rice Krispie treats harden as they get older. So eat them more quickly! In addition, if you overcook the marshmallows, it can result in harder treats.
❓Can I Melt the Marshmallows and Butter on the Stove?
Yes, using the stove is fine. Put the butter and marshmallows into the pan and cook on low heat until they melt and are smooth.
⭐Expert Tips
- Use gel food colors to get bright colors. And mix it into the marshmallow mixture before stirring in the cereal.
- Make sure to use fresh marshmallows. They can dry out, harden and get stale over time.
- Use a greased spatula to press the gooey marshmallow mixture down, or spray your hands with cooking spray.
- Clean the bowl well between colors or use multiple bowls so there is no color mixing.
- Don’t cut the Rainbow Rice Krispie treats until they are completely cooled.
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Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 9 cups mini marshmallows divided
- 9 cups Rice Krispies cereal divided
- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple gel food coloring
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. The colored layers should be made in the order red – orange – yellow – green – blue – purple.
- Place 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 1/2 cups of marshmallows in a medium, microwave-safe bowl. Heat the bowl in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds until the marshmallows are melted, then stir the mixture to blend.6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 9 cups mini marshmallows
- Add three to four drops of food coloring to the bowl and stir to mix the color throughout.red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple gel food coloring
- Next, fold in the cereal, making sure the pieces are completely coated in the marshmallow mixture.9 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Spread the first color evenly on the bottom of the pan. Press it down with waxed paper or a greased spatula to flatten it.
- After emptying the bowl, wash and dry it to remove any leftover food coloring. Repeat the process with the remaining colors, layering each new color on top of the previous ones in the pan.
- Once finished, allow the bars to cool completely, slice them into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Use gel food colors to get bright colors. And mix it into the marshmallow mixture before stirring in the cereal.
- Make sure your marshmallows are fresh. They can dry out, harden and get stale over time.
- Use a greased spatula to press the gooey marshmallow mixture down, or spray your hands with cooking spray.
- Clean the bowl well in between colors or use multiple bowls, so there is no color mixing.
Nutrition
