How to create colorful Rainbow Rice Krispy treats, perfect for a birthday party or St. Patrick’s Day dessert. Different colored marshmallow squares are fun! If you loved our rainbow popsicles this is something that you don’t need to freeze and can love year round.
If you’re having a rainbow birthday party these rainbow Rice Krispy treats are the perfect dessert. You don’t really need a reason though to make them. It’s a great “baking” no bake treat to make with your kids. They can help layer the different colors and see them come to life! If you’re curious how to make these fun rainbow marshmallow squares here’s the steps you take. (affiliate links present)
Tie Dye Rainbow Rice Krispy Treats
For several different colors you will have to color the same amount separately, layer, cool slightly and then layer the next one. That is how this works. I recommend spraying your hands with non stick spray or press with parchment or wax paper. You’ll need:
Ingredients
- Mini marshmallows – they melt easier than large one
- Butter
- Rice Krispies – store brand is fine too
- Gel Food coloring – these are brilliant and easy to use
- 4 colors are used as seen here
- You can also use strawberry rice krispies as a layer which won’t need any coloring since it will already be pink as well as cocoa krispies that are already brown in case you aren’t able to food coloring.
- Cake pan – 9×13 glass pan is best because it just doesn’t stick (you could use a greased cookie sheet as well)
- Wax or parchment paper
You will want 4 bowls – or however many colors you want to make, 1 bowl for each color. If you were to make these for Fall you could shape into pumpkins for Halloween Rice Krispie Treats some time too!
To make these really colorful you could use fruity pebbles instead. With those you wouldn’t have to layer really at all since all the rainbow colors are already mixed together. Follow the recipe for rice krispy treats starting with cooking the butter and marshmallows on the stove
How to create colorful Rice Krispie treats
- Have your bowls ready with the food coloring in each bowl!!!
- Use 4 larger bowls and measure out an equal amount of rice krispies into each bowl, have these ready beforehand too! (if making 1 batch measure out 2 c. of cereal into each bowl)
- Pan and large pot you will use to melt marshmallows and stir everything together should be sprayed with non stick cooking spray before adding mixture to prevent sticking.
Once your marshmallows are melted pour 1/4 of this into each smaller bowl with food coloring in it.
- Quickly stir together with coloring and then pour it into one of the cereal bowls and mix until well combined.
- Once all colored rice krispies cereal bowls are well combined start with one of the colors and add it into your 9×13 pan
- Push down flat using a piece of parchment paper on your hand so you have a thin layer across the pan
- Dump the second color in and do the same thing creating another layer of rice krispy treat color
- Continue until rainbow layers are done
- Allow to cool completely for at least 2 hrs. at room temperature before cutting nice slices, or put in fridge to harden a bit for less time before slicing.
How to Make Rainbow Rice Krispy treats
Alternatively you can:
- Melt 1/4 of your butter and marshmallows with your food coloring on the stove until completely melted
- Mix with 1/4 of your cereal
- Make a layer in your pan
- Clean your pot
- Melt more marshmallows using another color, repeating process for all 4 colors
Can you make these extra fun with other ingredients mixed within or added to the top??
What else can you add to Rice Krispy Treats?
- Yes! I mean mini chocolate chips are easy.
- You could dump 2 tbsp of rainbow sprinkles into your cereal (just know that those colors will melt a bit and colors will mix because the marshmallows will be hot).
- Once your marshmallow mixture is in your prepared pan you can cover the top with a layer of the same sprinkles.
- You can mix in some rainbow jelly beans into your cereal mixture (the colors won’t melt and meld as much as the sprinkles would in the warm marshmallow) and then put a layer of rainbow sprinkles on the top.
OR add peanut butter like we did when explaining How to Make Scotcheroos here. Print recipe below to make this sweet treat this weekend.
We have nutritional information for you below in the recipe card. Of course that will vary depending on the type of butter you use or if you vary from the ingredients listed at all but typically for fun rice krispie treats you are looking at 100 calories for 4 ounces per serving. They are very low fat low calorie treats.
If you don’t want to add additional coloring you could use cereal that is already colored like fruity pebbles. Keep in mind that there is food coloring in the making of that cereal but probably less than if you were to add it yourself.
Other rainbow party ideas you’ll love
- Have Kool Aid paint in rainbow colors ready with watercolor paper
- Make some rainbow weaving art during the party
Rainbow Rice Krispy Treats
Equipment
- 1 9×13 pan
- 1 pot
- 4 bowls
Ingredients
- 8 c rice krispies
- 4 tbsp butter
- 8 c marshmallows, use miniature marshmallows as they are easier to melt
- food coloring, a drop of gel goes a long way, the more you put in the more vibrant the color
Instructions
- Have 4 bowls ready with a drop of food coloring in each bowl as well as 4 larger bowls next to them with 2 cups of cereal in each one.
- Melt your butter and marshmallows on the stove, remove immediately once melted and smooth. Pour 1/4 of this into each smaller bowl with the food coloring in it. Quickly stir together with coloring and then pour it into one of the cereal bowls and mix until well combined.
- Once all colored rice krispy bowls are well combined start with one of the colors and add it into your 9×13 pan that has been sprayed with non stick spray.
- Push down flat using a piece of parchment paper on your hand so you have a thin even layer across the pan. Dump the second color in and do the same thing creating another layer of rice krispy treat color.
- Continue until rainbow layers are done. Allow to cool before cutting nice slices, or put in fridge to harden a bit before slicing.
- ** You could easily double this recipe so adjust amounts accordingly. (you'd need a larger pan though)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
