These 4th of July Rice Krispy Treats are fun, festive, and perfect for kids of all ages. With their red, white, and blue flair add a playful touch to any celebration. They make a sweet ending to a picnic spread.
Why You'll Love This 4th of July Rice Krispy Treats Recipe
Light up your 4th of July celebrations with these festive and fun Rice Krispy Treats. Crispy, crunchy rice cereal squares dressed in vibrant red, white, and blue layers create a delicious and visually stunning treat that's perfect for your patriotic gatherings.
- Festive & Patriotic: The vibrant colors of red, white, and blue showcase your spirit and make these treats a playful addition to your 4th of July celebrations.
- Simple & Easy: Made with just a few basic ingredients and requiring minimal prep time, they're perfect for busy families or last-minute party planning.
- Sweet & Crunchy Delight: The classic Rice Krispy Treat recipe gets a patriotic upgrade, offering the same irresistible crunch and sweet flavor everyone loves.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Get the kids involved in making these treats! They'll love mixing the ingredients and creating the festive layers.
See more of our Fourth of July treats at our Fourth of July Desserts round up!
Ingredients Overview
Use any crispy rice cereal to make these 4th of July themed treats. Use mini marshmallows or regular size marshmallows, both work great!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make 4th of July Rice Krispy Treats
Be sure to also spray the foil or parchment lined pan with non stick spray. Have the pan ready before starting the steps below.
Step 1: Prepare a 9" x 13" pan by laying a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper across the long side with the ends hanging over. This will let you lift the entire batch of rice krispy treats out!
Step 2: Use a large microwave safe bowl and add the marshmallows and cubed butter.
Step 3: Melt in the microwave for the time stated on the recipe card below. Add the red food color.
Step 4: Stir in the red food color until blended.
Step 5: Toss in the rice krispies and coat the krispy rice with the colored marshmallow mixture. Press into prepared pan.
Step 6: For the white layer, repeat the process above except do not add any food colorant. Press into the pan on top of the red rice krispy layer.
Step 7: Repeat a third time with the last of the butter and marshmallows, this time coloring the mixture blue. Spread on top of the uncolored layer.
Step 8: Let the pan of rice krispy treats sit to cool. Press into the top layer your patriotic themed cake sprinkles.
Step 9: Lift the slab out of the pan by pulling up on both ends of the aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Step 10: After the rice krispy treats are cooled, cut them into 12 rectangles or 24 smaller bars.
Serving Suggestions
Substitutions and Variations
Some useful substitutions and variations when making this recipe:
- Chocolate - use Cocoa Puffs instead of Rice Krispies, and regular marshmallows. Press in mini chocolate chips onto the top when cooled.
- Reese's - use peanut butter in place of the butter and press Reeses Pieces on the top when cooled.
- Rainbow - Use Pebbles fruity cereal instead of Rice Krispies. Use regular marshmallows, and press Skittles fruity candies onto the cooled surface.
Tips for Success
Helpful tips to help you when making this recipe:
- Use fresh marshmallows: Fresh marshmallows melt more smoothly and give you a softer, chewier texture.
- Low heat is best: Melt the marshmallows over low heat to prevent burning or stiff treats.
- Don't overmix: Gently fold in the cereal to avoid crushing it and making the treats dense.
- Grease your tools: Lightly butter your spatula and hands so the mixture does not stick while pressing it into the pan.
- Press lightly: Pack the mixture gently so the treats stay soft and airy, not hard.
- Add sprinkles last: Fold in patriotic sprinkles once the mixture cools slightly so the colors do not bleed.
- Let them cool completely: This helps them set before cutting into clean, even squares.
Storage Options
Here is how I store leftovers when making this recipe:
- You can freeze these as a slab, or individually wrapped for best results. They will stick together if you cut, stack, and then freeze though.
Related Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the gel food colorant is much more concentrated and you will need less.
Yes, but they may melt a little differently. If using vegan butter, peanut butter, or coconut oil, melt it separately from the vegan marshmallows, then blend the two together. This will prevent the vegan marshmallows from over cooking or seizing.
Most likely they will all be eaten before they have the chance of going bad. But you can keep them out on a counter for a few days. You can wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 6 months.
4th of July Recipes
- Watermelon Fruit Salad
- Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts
- 10 Must-Try Regional BBQ Sauces
- Watermelon Feta Salad
Get The Recipe!
4th of July Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 1 9 x 13 inch baking pan
Ingredients
- 15 oz marshmallows, divided
- 6 tablespoon butter, divided
- 7 ½ cups Crisp Rice Cereal, divided (Rice Crispies, Rice Krispies, any brand)
- red food color
- blue food color
Instructions
- Prepare your pan by either spraying it with non stick spray, or lining it with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Be sure to still spray the aluminum foil or parchment paper. The foil/paper allow you to lift the batch easily out of the pan for easy clean up. Set prepared pan aside.
- You will be dividing the cereal, marshmallows, and butter into three portions, one for each color. For each layer you will be placing 5 oz marshmallows and 2 tablespoon of butter into a large microwave safe bowl.15 oz marshmallows, divided, 6 tablespoon butter, divided
- For the red layer mix 5 oz marshmallow and 2 tablespoons butter into a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave 1 minute. Remove and mix well, then add the red gel colorant and mix in well. Return to the microwave for 15 additional seconds if needed, then add 2 ½ cups of the rice cereal mixture. Mix to coat the rice cereal and press layer into the prepared pan.7 ½ cups Crisp Rice Cereal, divided, red food color
- Repeat for the uncolored layer with 5 oz of the marshmallows, 2 tablespoons of the butter, and microwave in a large mixing bowl for 1 minute. Add the rice cereal and mix to coat with marshmallow mixture. Press into the pan on top of the red layer.
- Repeat again for the blue layer by melting the last 5 oz of marshmallows with the last 2 oz of butter in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Mix well, add the blue gel food colorant, and mix well. Return to microwave for 15 seconds if needed, mix and add the rice cereal. Coat the cereal and press into pan on top of the uncolored mixture.blue food color
- Let cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour until cool and set up. Cut into 12 large bars or 24 smaller bars.
Notes
- You will be basically making three separate small batches. You have plenty of time to just wash out the mixing bowl in between color layers. This will reduce your clean up time.
- Spray the large mixing bowl and the mixing spatula with non stick spray for easy pouring into the pan.
- Spray your hands with non stick spray to make pressing each layer easier, and less mixture sticking to your hands.
- Double your recipe so that the entire pan is filled to the top, with each layer twice as thick.
Nutrition
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