Go Back

Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispie Treats

Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispie Treats are classic gooey no-bake bars made with three marshmallow layers tinted red, white, and blue. You’ll press each cereal layer firmly for clean slices with a soft, melted-marshmallow texture.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
cooling 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

rice krispie cereal
  • 12 cup rice krispie cereal divided into 3 bowls
mini marshmallows
  • 3 bag (10 oz) mini marshmallows divided into 3 batches
unsalted butter
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter divided
gel food coloring (red and blue)
  • 1 red and blue gel food coloring

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Prep the pan
  1. Grease a 9x13-inch pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting later. Visual cue: the surface should look lightly coated, not wet or greasy.
Make the red layer
  1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter with one bag of marshmallows, stirring constantly until completely smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Visual cue: the mixture turns glossy and no dry marshmallow bits remain.
  2. Tint the melted marshmallow mixture red with gel food coloring, stirring until the color is uniform. Visual cue: streaks disappear and the red looks even throughout.
  3. Stir in 4 cups of cereal until evenly coated, then press it firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Visual cue: the surface looks compact with minimal loose cereal visible.
Make the white layer
  1. Repeat the melting process with the second batch: melt 2 tablespoons butter with one bag of marshmallows over low heat, stirring until smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Visual cue: mixture becomes glossy and uniform again.
  2. Stir in 4 cups of cereal until coated, then press it over the red layer to form the middle layer. Visual cue: the red layer shows through only at the edges, not as a thick gap.
Make the blue layer
  1. Repeat once more with the final batch: melt 2 tablespoons butter with one bag of marshmallows over low heat, stirring until smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Visual cue: no lumps remain when you swipe the spatula through.
  2. Tint the mixture blue with gel food coloring, stirring until the color is consistent. Visual cue: the blue looks solid with no faint white streaks.
  3. Stir in the remaining 4 cups of cereal until evenly coated, then press it over the white layer to form the top. Visual cue: the top layer is tightly packed and level.
Cool and slice
  1. Let the treats cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing into bars. Visual cue: the top looks set and the bars hold their shape when gently pressed.

Notes

For clean layers, press each cereal mixture firmly while it’s warm, then let the pan rest untouched for at least 30 minutes so the marshmallow firms up. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; freeze up to 2 months (wrap bars well). For a simple swap, use vegan marshmallows and plant-based butter to keep the layered look while adjusting for dairy-free needs.