Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
These Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats are one of my favorite no-bake activities to make with kids. Fruity Pebbles cereal does all the colorful work (no food coloring required), and the whole thing comes together in 20 minutes with just 5 simple ingredients.
Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats are the kind of kitchen project that turns an ordinary afternoon into a fun memory. We’re talking classic Rice Krispie treats made even brighter and more cheerful with Fruity Pebbles cereal mixed right in. No food coloring, no mess, just five simple ingredients and the brightest rainbow squares you’ve ever seen.
This rainbow treats activity is perfect for kids ages 4 and up. Adults handle the stovetop part (melting butter and marshmallows on low heat), and kids take over for all the fun parts: pouring the cereals together, folding the marshmallow mixture in, pressing the treats into the pan, and of course, taste-testing along the way. It’s the cooking activity where every kid feels like they really helped make something.
I love this recipe because it sneaks in some learning without anyone noticing. Kids practice measuring, follow step-by-step directions, learn about how heat changes things (hello, melted marshmallows), and end up with a finished treat they get to share. It’s also a great activity for groups, summer camps, birthday parties, school events, or any day when you just want to do something fun together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This brightly colored no-bake treat is made with pantry staples and without food coloring. Kids and adults alike love to prepare this treat.
- The combination of Fruity Pebbles and Rice Krispies makes it easier and quicker to whip up a batch of rainbow rice krispies treats because you won’t be busy making several different colored layers.
- These colorful rice krispie treats are great to make ahead for parties. For the best texture, make them the night before or the morning you plan to serve them.
Ingredients For Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
- Fruity Pebbles cereal – This is what gives this treat a mild fruity flavor and bold color.
- Rice Krispie cereal – Adding a small amount of crispy rice cereal gives this treat more of a classic flavor and tones down the fruit flavor of the Fruity Pebbles.
- Unsalted butter – Butter helps the marshmallows to melt into a nice smooth texture. If using salted butter, omit the added salt.
- Mini marshmallows – White, mini marshmallows will melt more evenly than the large size. I don’t recommend using colored mini marshmallows because the colors will mix instead of staying vibrant.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the treats.
- Kosher salt – Salt will balance the sweetness brought on by the Fruity Pebbles and the marshmallows.
Find the full ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for an extra-fancy look.
- Use a smaller 8×8 pan for thicker, taller bars.
- Press rainbow sprinkles into the top while the treats are still warm.
- Use a mini muffin tin lined with cupcake liners for individual bite-sized treats.
- Fold ½ cup white chocolate chips in with the cereal for extra sweetness.
- Press mini M&M’s into the top for extra color and crunch.
- Insert a wooden stick into each treat before they cool for portable rainbow treat pops.
- Dip half of each square into melted white or dark chocolate for fancy bakery-style presentation
How To Make Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
- Combine cereals. Add Fruity Pebbles cereal and Rice Krispies cereal to a very large mixing bowl, gently toss them together until combined.
- Melt marshmallows. Add unsalted butter to a large pot or Dutch oven and melt it over low heat. Reserving ½ cup of mini marshmallows, add the remaining mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir constantly over low heat until the marshmallows are just melted and smooth. Don’t rush this step.
- Add flavoring. Remove the pot from the heat, and stir in pure vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt until combined.
- Combine marshmallows and cereal. Carefully pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the large bowl of mixed cereals. Fold everything together gently with prepared silicone spatula until the cereal is evenly coated. Try not to crush the cereal as you mix.
- Add reserved marshmallows. Fold in ½ cup mini marshmallows into the mixture.
- Press into pan. Transfer the mixture to prepared baking pan, and gently press into an even layer with a greased spatula or lightly buttered hands. This is the favorite part of the process for most kids!
- Cool and enjoy. Leave the treats to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour, then lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into 12 squares and serve.
For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Storage
Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them.
Fridge: Do not store Rice Krispies treats in the fridge, this will turn them hard and difficult to eat.
Freezer: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap then store in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips
- Do not press the mixture too firmly into the pan. A gentle pressure keeps the treats thick, soft, and easy to bite into.
- Let the treats cool fully before cutting so the squares hold their shape and have clean edges.
- Use fresh cereal. Stale Fruity Pebbles or Rice Krispies will give you stale-tasting treats.
- Wait the full hour to cool before slicing. Hot treats won’t hold their shape and the squares will be a mess.
- Use a sharp knife and spray the knife with nonstick spray for the cleanest edges.
Why are my rainbow rice krispies treats hard?
Melting the marshmallows on too high heat will result in tough, hard Rice Krispie treats so be sure to heat them low and slow.
Why did the Fruity Pebbles lose color?
Overmixing and overheating are two of the main causes for the Fruity Pebbles to lose color, in turn making these ‘rainbow’ treats, not so bright and colorful! Be sure to fold the cereal in gently and mix it in off of the heat.
Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 packages mini marshmallows (10 ounces each), divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides, then lightly spray the parchment and a silicone spatula with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
- Add 7 cups of Fruity Pebbles cereal and 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to a very large mixing bowl, then gently toss them together until combined.
- Add 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter to a large pot or Dutch oven and melt it over low heat.
- Reserve ½ cup of mini marshmallows and set aside. Then add the remaining mini marshmallows from (2) 10-ounce bags to the melted butter and stir constantly over low heat until the marshmallows are just melted and smooth. Don’t rush this step.
- Remove the pot from the heat, then stir in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt until combined.
- Carefully pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the large bowl of mixed cereals. Fold everything together gently with your prepared silicone spatula until the cereal is evenly coated with melted marshmallow. Try not to crush the cereal as you mix.
- Finally, fold in the reserved ½ cup of mini marshmallows into the bowl.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan, then gently press it into an even layer with a greased spatula or lightly buttered hands.
- Let the treats cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour, then lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into 12 squares.
- Serve at room temperature and ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
More Great Rainbow Activities
- Bring out the sun and rainbows on a rainy day with my Rainbow Sun Craft. The bright colors will add cheer to every household.
- Try out this mind-blowing Walking Water Experiment next time the kids need something new to do. I’m willing to be you already have all of the supplies you need for this neat, colorful activity.
- Everyone can make their own unique pattern or stick to classic ROYGBIV with this Tissue Paper Flower Rainbow craft. It’s not complicated, but there are a lot of steps to keep the kids busy.
- Everyone will be surprised when you slice open this Rainbow Bundt Cake! Plus using a box cake mix makes it super easy to put together.
