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These Rice Krispie Monsters are a fun take on a classic treat! Easy to make and perfect for Halloween, they’re a hit at parties and a good way to get the kids involved in the kitchen. What I love about Monster Rice Krispie Treats is that you can make them with traditional rice crispy cereal but they also work perfectly with puffed brown rice, which is only one ingredient and doesn’t include corn syrup, fructose, and vegetable oils. A treat that’s fun and slightly healthier? That’s a win for any spooky celebration!
Jump to Section
- Why you’ll love these monster rice krispies
- Ingredients to make rice krispie monsters
- Popular substitutions & additions
- How to make rice krispie monsters
- Make your Monster rice krispie treats
- Tips for making the best monster rice krispie treats no dye
- How to store rice krispie monsters
- Frequently asked questions
- More Halloween recipes:
- Monster Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Not only do these monster Rice Krispies look the part for Halloween, but they also taste great. Think of a gooey inside and a chocolatey outside—basically, the best of both worlds in one treat! And let’s not forget about those candy eyeballs; they add a bit of crunch and a whole lot of fun. They’re the kind of snack that both kids and adults will reach for, no questions asked.
Why you’ll love these monster rice krispies
- So Easy to Make. All you need is a large pot, a spatula, and a baking pan. This is a great way to get a homemade treat without having to use mixers, multiple bowls, or specialty molds. Even if you’re new to cooking, you’ll find this so easy to make.
- Endless Customization. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can get creative! Feel like adding some sprinkles or other types of candy to your rice Krispie monsters? Go for it! It’s a recipe that you can easily make your own.
- Easy to Adapt. You can use gluten-free crisp rice cereal, dairy-free chocolate, or plant-based marshmallows to suit any allergies or dietary preferences. That way, everyone can enjoy a spooky treat.
- No-Dye Needed. Unlike many themed treats that require food coloring, these Monster Rice Krispie Treats get their personality from the candy eyes and chocolate coating, making them a simpler and more natural option for your gatherings.
Ingredients to make rice krispie monsters
- Butter: It’s best to use unsalted, but if you only have salted, you can use it; the taste difference is minor.
- Marshmallows: Any large marshmallows will do. If you’re feeling adventurous, try flavored marshmallows!
- Rice krispie cereal: You can use any brand you like of rice krispie cereal or even swap it for puffed rice cereal, but won’t be as crispy, but will have a more chewy consistency.
- Chocolate candy melts: Because candy melts do not require tempering like chocolate does, they are easier to use for everyone, especially kiddos who may want to help these treats.
- Candy eyeballs: These add the spooky “monster” look. They’re usually easy to find, especially around Halloween. You could also make homemade eyes with white chocolate and a dot of dark chocolate.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Swap the candy melts for chocolate. Just melt the same amount of chocolate with a tablespoon of coconut oil and use it for dipping. The chocolate will be harder to work with, but I think it tastes better!
- Add dye-free food coloring to white candy melts. This way, you can make some colorful monsters for Halloween with orange, purple, or green rice krispie treats
- Use alternative decorations. Beyond the candy eyeballs, consider using licorice strings for hair or candy corn for monster teeth. It can make the decorating part even more fun and allows for a lot of creativity!
- Experiment with different cereals. While Rice Krispies are the classic choice, you can switch things up with other puffed cereals like Cocoa Krispies or even fruity ones for a different flavor profile.
How to make rice krispie monsters
- Add the butter to a large pot. [Image 1]
- Melt the butter, it will begin to foam. Once it starts to foam, keep a close eye on it and cook until you start to see brown specks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture smells nutty. [Image 2]
- Reduce heat and add marshmallows. [Image 3]
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the marshmallows are melted. [Image 4]
- Remove from heat and add the cereal. [Image 5]
- Quickly stir in the cereal until the rice krispie mixture is well-combined. [Image 6]
Make your Monster rice krispie treats
- Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan, and using a nonstick spatula, press the mixture into an even layer. Let sit. [Image 1]
- Once set, use a sharp knife, cut into 16 equal bars. [Image 2]
- Melt the chocolate melts per the package instructions. Place a stick in the middle of each bar and then dip in the candy melts. Shake off any excess chocolate. [Image 3]
- Press the eyes into the treats and allow them to set. [Image 4]
Tips for making the best monster rice krispie treats no dye
- Use a cup with tall sides for the candy melts. This will make it so much easier for dipping your rice krispie treats halfway into the chocolate candy.
- Press gently, not firmly. When pressing the mixture into the pan, don’t press too hard. You want your monster rice krispie treats to be easy to bite into, not dense and hard. A gentle press is all you need for them to hold their shape.
- Quickly stir in the cereal. Once you’ve melted the marshmallows, work quickly to stir in the cereal. This ensures an even coating and makes it easier to spread out in the pan before the marshmallow mixture begins to set.
- Stir constantly when melting marshmallows. Don’t walk away from the pot when the marshmallows are melting. Constant stirring ensures even melting and prevents them from sticking to the bottom of the pot or getting too gooey.
- Cool the treats in the fridge. If you’re short on time or just super eager to dig in, pop the pan into the fridge for about 10 minutes. They’ll set quicker.
How to store rice krispie monsters
Once your Monster Rice Krispie Treats are all set and decorated, place them in an airtight container. If you’re stacking them, put a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. You can keep the container on the counter for quick snacking, but they’ll stay fresher a bit longer in the fridge.
How long will rice krispie monsters last in the fridge?
Your rice krispie monsters will last for up to a week when stored in the fridge. Just make sure they’re sealed tightly in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Can i freeze monster rice krispies?
Good news—these treats freeze well! If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, simply wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and then place them in a zip-top freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Mini marshmallows work just fine. They might even melt a bit quicker, so keep an eye on the pot. Just remember to measure out the same amount you would use if you were using the large ones.
Absolutely! Replace the butter with vegan butter, use vegan marshmallows and opt for a vegan crispy rice cereal alternative. As for the chocolate candy melts, ensure they are vegan-friendly, as some might contain dairy ingredients.
For Christmas, you could turn them into snowmen with mini carrot noses. For birthdays, sprinkle some colorful edible glitter or rainbow sprinkles on top. They’re a versatile treat!
These Rice Krispie Monster Treats are not only a fun and “scary” addition to any Halloween gathering, but they’re also easy to make and a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen. Plus, with options to make them a bit healthier or adapt for other occasions, they’re a versatile go-to that’s sure to please!
More Halloween recipes:
- Dark Chocolate Halloween Cookies
- Candy Corn Parfait
- Halloween Deviled Eggs
- Halloween Fruit Kabobs
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- No-Bake Pumpkin Balls
- Dirt Pudding Cups
- Mummy Pizza
- 4 Banana Halloween Themed Food
- Frankenguac
If you try this feel good Monster Rice Krispie Treats recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Monster Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 40 large marshmallows Jet-Puffed work best
- 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
- 16 ounces chocolate candy melts
- 32 large and small candy eyeballs
Instructions
- Line a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving excess on at least two sides so the treats can easily be removed once set.
- Add the butter to a large pot and set over medium heat. Once melted the butter will begin to foam. Once it starts to foam, keep a close eye on it and cook for about 5 minutes more, or until you start to see brown specks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture smells nutty.
- Reduce heat to low and add marshmallows. Cook, stirring constantly, until the marshmallows are melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in cereal, working quickly to make sure everything is well-combined.
- Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan, and using a nonstick spatula, press the mixture into an even layer. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Once set, remove from the pan using the parchment paper as a sling. Using a sharp knife, cut into 16 equal bars.
- Melt the chocolate melts per the package instructions. Place a stick in the middle of each bar and then dip in the candy melts. Shake off any excess chocolate. Then press the eyes into the treats and allow them to set for 10 minutes.
Equipment
- Decorative Sticks
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
