These 4th of July Rice Krispy treats are perfect for kids both young and young at heart. Bring smiles with these red white and cool patriotic themed rice krispy treats.
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Why You'll Love This 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.
They take just minutes to make, so don't forget to splash a bit of flour on your face after making them!
- 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 26 Red White and Blue Desserts round up!
Ingredients You'll Need
Use any crispy rice cereal to make these 4th of July themed treats. Use mini marshmallows or regular size marshmallows, both work great!
- Crispy rice cereal
- Marshmallows
- Butter
- Red food color
- Blue food color
- Patriotic themed cake sprinkles
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Rice Krispy Treats
- 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!
Be sure to also spray the foil or parchment lined pan with non stick spray. Have the pan ready before starting the steps below.
Make The Red Layer
NOTE: You'll repeat the same method of coloring this red layer for the blue layer also.
- Use a large microwave safe bowl and add the marshmallows and cubed butter.
- Melt in the microwave for the time stated on the recipe card below. Add the red food color.
- Stir in the red food color until blended.
- Toss in the rice krispies and coat the krispy rice with the colored marshmallow mixture. Press into prepared pan.
Make The Blue Rice Krispy Layer
- 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.
- Repeat a third time with the last of the butter & marshmallows, this time coloring the mixture blue. Spread on top of the uncolored "white" layer.
Add Sprinkles And Chill
- Let the pan of rice krispy treats sit to cool. Press into the top layer your patriotic themed cake sprinkles.
- Lift the slab out of the pan by pulling up on both ends of the aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Serve Red White & Blue Rice Krispy Treats
- After the rice krispy treats are cooled, cut them into 12 rectangles or 24 smaller bars.
Substitutions and Variations
Try pressing in some red white & blue M & M's candies on the top of the pan of 4th of July Rice Krispy treats! Don't stir them into the warm mixture though, as the candy coating will melt and bleed color.
- 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
- Double the recipe and make taller bars for an even more stunning presentation! The 9" x 13" pan will easily hold the doubled batch.
Serving Suggestions
Hint: Using parchment paper or aluminum foil to line the baking pan will allow you to lift the entire batch out of the pan easily. Faster cleanup also!
Wrap these 4th of July Rice Krispy treats up individually so they pack well in summer camp lunch boxes too!
We have a few more Independence Day themed recipes also:
Related Recipes
- How To Make Sourdough Bread Starter
- Coffee Biscotti
- Fluffy Buttermilk Raspberry Pancakes
- Rum Raisin Bread Pudding
- Condensed Milk Brownies
Storage Options
- 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.
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.
More Delish Ideas
- Instant Pot Keto Strawberry Cheesecake
- Rhodes Monkey Bread
- Christmas Bundt Cake
- Raspberry and White Chocolate Loaf Cake
4th of July Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 15 oz marshmallows, divided
- 6 tablespoon butter, divided
- 7 ½ cups Crisp Rice Cereal, divided (Rice Crispies, Rice Krispies, any brand)
- red gel food colorant
- blue gel food colorant
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 gel food colorant
- 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 gel food colorant
- 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.
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