4th July Rice Krispie Treats

These 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats are a festive and fun addition to any Independence Day celebration. With their vibrant red, white, and blue candy coatings and a sprinkle of colorful decorations, these treats are not only eye-catching but also delightfully chewy and sweet. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or any patriotic gathering, they’re sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Get ready to add some patriotic flair to your dessert table with these 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats. These fun red white and blue rice krispie treats are so easy to make and perfect for 4th of July!

This fun and festive recipe combines the classic sweetness of Rice Krispie squares with vibrant red, white, and blue candy coatings, making them the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebrations.

For more festive treats, try our Red White and Blue Chocolate Bark Candy, a fun and easy dessert to make. Another great option is our Patriotic Popcorn for 4th of July for a sweet and salty snack.

Jump to:

• What You'll Love About This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top tip
• FAQ
• More Patriotic Recipes
• Recipe

Ingredients

Rice Krispies cereal: The base of our treats, providing that iconic crunch.

Butter: Essential for melting the marshmallows and adding richness to the treats. I like salted butter, as it adds a little bit of a savory note, which enhances the sweet flavors.

Mini marshmallows: These create the gooey, sweet glue that holds the Rice Krispies together.

Red, white, and blue meltable candies: These add vibrant color and a sweet coating to our treats.

Sprinkles: Any type you like, adding extra festive flair and a bit of crunch. We used red white and blue sprinkles. But you can just use one color or all three! Totally customizable.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Begin by melting the butter in a large pot over low heat. Make sure to stir it occasionally so it doesn’t burn.

Once the butter is melted, add the mini marshmallows. Keep stirring continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.

Remove the pot from the heat. Quickly mix in the Rice Krispies cereal, making sure every piece is well coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Transfer the sticky mixture to a 9x13 inch baking pan that you’ve lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Use a piece of parchment paper or lightly greased hands to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. This prevents sticking and helps create an even layer.

Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the treats to cool and set properly.

Once the treats have set, lift them out of the pan using the edges of the parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove without breaking them.

Place the large treat on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into squares or rectangles of your preferred size.

In separate bowls, melt the red, white, and blue meltable candies according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves microwaving in 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth.

Fill separate pastry bags with the melted red, white, and blue candy coatings. Squeeze thin lines of each color onto the Rice Krispie squares, creating a festive zigzag pattern.

We alternated the colors to create a festive looking, patriotic rice krispie treat.

Tip* If you prefer dipping your rice krispie treats into the colors instead, that works too. You'll end up with different rice krispie treats in the different colors.

While the candy coating is still wet, add your chosen sprinkles to the treats. This ensures they stick well to the candy.

Allow the treats to set completely at room temperature, or place them in the refrigerator for faster setting. This helps the candy coating to harden properly.

Substitutions

• Butter: You can use margarine or a butter substitute if needed.
• Marshmallows: If you don’t have mini marshmallows, regular-sized ones will work. Just be sure to measure out the equivalent weight.
• Candy Melts: If you can’t find red, white, and blue melts, use white chocolate chips and add food coloring to achieve the desired colors.

Variations

Want to try some variations on this recipe? Here are some of our favorite ideas.

• Different Holidays: Change the color of the candy melts and sprinkles to match other holidays (e.g., green and red for Christmas, pastels for Easter).
• Chocolate Drizzle: After dipping in candy melts, drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra layer of flavor.
• Add-ins: Mix in some festive sprinkles or mini chocolate chips into the Rice Krispie mixture before pressing it into the pan for extra texture and flavor.

Equipment

• Large pot: For melting the butter and marshmallows. If you don’t have a large pot, a large microwave-safe bowl can be used instead.
• 9x13 inch baking pan: To shape the Rice Krispie mixture. If you don’t have this size, use any similarly sized pan or even a couple of smaller ones.
• Parchment paper: To line the pan and make it easy to remove the treats. Aluminum foil or wax paper can work in a pinch.
• Mixing spoon: For stirring the marshmallow mixture and combining it with the Rice Krispies.
• Bowls: For melting the candy coatings. Microwave-safe bowls are ideal.
• Cutting board and knife: For cutting the set treats into squares or rectangles.

Storage

Room Temperature: Store your Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Separate layers with parchment or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Refrigerator: If you prefer a firmer treat or if it’s particularly warm, you can store them in the refrigerator. Keep them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.

Freezer: To freeze, wrap each treat individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 6 weeks. To enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.

FAQ

Recipe