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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats

    Published: Aug 10, 2021 · Modified: Apr 6, 2023 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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    These Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats take the classic gooey and buttery marshmallow bar you love to the next level! The combination of mini chocolate chips and soft, unmelted marshmallow pieces adds an extra layer of texture and flavor to this timeless dessert.

    Chocolate chip rice krispie treat on a bown parchment square, pulled apart to show gooey marshmallow.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Key Ingredients
    • How to Make Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats
    • Quick Tips
    • Rice Krispie Treat Variations
    • How to Store Rice Krispie Treats
    • More No-Bake Recipes
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Quick and Easy: These Rice Krispie Treats with chocolate chips can be made in just 10 minutes, making them perfect for busy schedules or impromptu dessert cravings.

    Loaded with Marshmallows: These treats have the normal gooey marshmallows that are melted and mixed with the cereal, but then extra marshmallows are added in at the end, which adds texture to the treats. Those unmelted mini marshmallows are my favorite part!

    Chocolatey goodness: The addition of mini chocolate chips sprinkled throughout the treats provides a burst of rich chocolate flavor that everyone will love.

    Fun for the Whole Family: This recipe is not only easy, but it's also a fun activity for kids to help make, adding to the enjoyment of the delicious end result.

    If you are looking for an easy recipe that will be a hit with adults and children alike, these Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats it!

    Just like Oreo balls, this is a great treat to pack in a lunchbox or to enjoy as an after-school snack! It is also perfect for potlucks and pool parties!

    Key Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients, cereal, chocolate chips, butter, marshmallows, and vanilla extract.

    See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full list of ingredients, including measurements.

    Rice Cereal - For a traditional foundation to these bars, I use the Kellogs brand of Rice Krispies cereal. Generic rice cereal can also be used.

    Miniature Marshmallows - The small size of the marshmallows helps them to melt quickly, though a 12-ounce bag of large marshmallows can be used instead.

    Mini Chocolate Chips - Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a crowd-pleasing option, though you can use dark chocolate chips if that is your preference. Mini chips are used instead of the regular size so that the chocolate can be spread more consistently throughout the bars and each bit has just the right amount of chocolate.

    Butter - I prefer real butter in this recipe, but margarine or your favorite Vegan butter are fine substitutions.

    Vanilla Extract - The addition of vanilla boosts the flavor of all of the other ingredients, and makes this taste like a treat that is straight from the bakery!

    How to Make Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats

    1.  Melt the Marshmallows and Butter

    • This can be done in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Or if you don't want to dirty another dish, just melt them in a microwave-safe bowl that is large enough to mix in the cereal.
    • Be careful not to overheat the marshmallows, as they will become crispy.

    2.  Stir in the Rice Cereal

    • Spray a rubber spatula with nonstick cooking spray so that the melted marshmallows don't stick to them. Then use the spatula to stir in the cereal until it is coated with the marshmallow mixture. It should be mixed in fairly evenly, with no dry cereal or chunks of melted marshmallow.
    • Let cool for 6-8 minutes before adding the chocolate.

    3.  Add in Chocolate Chips and Remaining Marshmallows

    • Work quickly to stir in ¾ cup of miniature chocolate chips and the remaining marshmallows.
    • You want them distributed evenly throughout the cereal before they begin to melt.

    4.  Press into Baking Dish

    • Gently press into a greased 9x13 baking dish.
    • Do not press too firmly or the treats will be hard. If desired, sprinkle additional chips on top.
    4 steps of making rice krispies: Bowl of marshmallows & butter; mixed with cereal, chocolate chips added; and in pan.

    Quick Tips

    • Use fresh marshmallows for the best texture and flavor.
    • Spray the spoon or spatula with nonstick spray before stirring the cereal into the marshmallows. This will help prevent the marshmallow from sticking.
    • Allow the Rice Krispie mixture to become cool to the touch before mixing in the chocolate chips. This will take 6-8 minutes.
    • Once the chocolate chips are added, work quickly to stir them into the cereal mixture. If you allow them to sit for too long before pressing the bars into the pan then the residual heat will melt the chocolate and you will end up with brown Rice Krispie Treats.
    • You can also freeze the chocolate chips before adding them to the cereal mixture. This will buy you a little extra time before they start to melt.
    • Be careful not to pack the cereal mixture too firmly in the pan or it will make the bars stiff.
    • For clean slicing, spray a knife with nonstick spray before cutting the bars.
    Overhead shot of cut treats on parchment paper.

    Rice Krispie Treat Variations

    S'mores: If you love the combination of chocolate and marshmallows you will want to try these S'mores Rice Krispie Treats!

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip: Add a half cup of creamy peanut butter to the melted marshmallow mixture to make these into Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats with chocolate chips.

    M&M: Stir in a half cup of M&M candies for an even more chocolatey crunch!

    Marshmallow Fluff: Make these without mini marshmallows by replacing the 5 cups of melted marshmallows with a 7 ½ ounce jar of Marshmallow Fluff. You can choose to still stir in the unmelted marshmallows, or leave them out.

    Brown Butter: Melt ½ cup of butter in a stainless steel pan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until it turns amber in color. Stir the marshmallows and vanilla extract into the browned butter and continue with the regular recipe directions.

    Topping: Drizzle with melted milk chocolate, white chocolate, or caramel sauce for an even more decadent treat! Or dip half of each bar in chocolate!

    Various Flavors: Replace the mini chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped peanut butter cups, or butterscotch chips for even more flavor options!

    Traditional Rice Krispie Treat: If you wish to make the original recipe for Rice Krispie Treats, just leave out the chocolate chips. 

    How to Store Rice Krispie Treats

    Once the treats have completely cooled, cut them into desired sizes and store them at room temperature in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.

    If you want to layer the treats, separate each layer with a sheet of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. I do recommend storing them in the fridge or freezer as this can make the treats hard and stale.

    When stored properly, Rice Krispie Treats can last for up to 5 days.

    3 treats, stacked with 2 on the bottom and 1 on the top, on brown parchment.

    More No-Bake Recipes

    • 3 s'mores rice krispie treats on a white plate.
      Easy S'mores Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
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      No-Bake Peanut Butter Buckeye Bars
    • 3 Christmas Tree treats on a rectangle plate.
      Christmas Rice Krispie Treats (With Variations)
    • Bowl of edible cookie dough balls with a glass of milk in background.
      No-Bake Edible Cookie Dough Bites

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why are my Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats falling apart?

    There are a few reasons your bars could fall apart. First, make sure you measured properly and added enough marshmallows. If you overcooked your marshmallows that could also make them stiff where they don't properly bind with the other ingredients. Finally, they may just need more time in the refrigerator! Once they are fully set they should hold together.

    Can I make this Rice Krispie Treats recipe dairy-free?

    It is easy to make your Rice Krispie Treats dairy-free! Use margarine or dairy-free butter along with dairy-free chocolate chips!

    3 treats, stacked with 2 on the bottom and 2 on the top.

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    Stack of 3 chocolate chip rice krispie treats with some mini marshmallows and chips sprinkled on parchment.

    Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats

    Recipe by: Erin
    Gooey marshmallows, crispy cereal, and little bites of chocolate make this Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats recipe a kid-pleasing snack or dessert!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 221 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 7 cups miniature marshmallows (12 ounces, divided)
    • ¼ cup salted butter (58 grams)
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal (160 grams)
    • 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips (180 grams, divided)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Grease a 9x13-inch pan with butter or nonstick spray.
    • Place the butter, 5 cups of miniature marshmallows, and vanilla extract into a large stock pan. Melt over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until melted.
      Alternatively, place in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted. If the marshmallows are not yet melted after 1 minute, continue microwaving in 10-second intervals.
    • Pour the cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture. Stir until the cereal is completely coated with the marshmallows. Set aside for 6-8 minutes, until the marshmallows are cool to touch.
    • Gently stir in the remaining marshmallows and ¾ cup of chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the cereal mixture.
    • Transfer the cereal mixture into the 9x13-inch pan. Using your spatula, gently press into the bottom of the pan, being careful not to pack in too firmly as that will make the bars stiff.
    • Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over the top of the bars. Cool completely.

    Notes

    • Spray the spoon or spatula with nonstick spray before stirring the cereal into the marshmallows. This will help prevent the marshmallow from sticking.
    • Work quickly when stirring in the chocolate chips so that they can be mixed in thoroughly before they start to melt.
    • For clean slicing, spray a knife with nonstick spray before cutting the bars.
    • Store in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 794IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. RG Richards

      August 16, 2021 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      I've been making this recipe for years but I melt the chocolate chips with the marshmallows and butter. I also don't include the vanilla. A fabulous crunchy, chocolate treat!

      Reply
      • Erin

        August 17, 2021 at 8:53 am

        Chocolate Rice Krispie treats are sure delicious too, aren't they?

        Reply
    2. Luca - Ruoka on valmis

      August 12, 2021 at 4:06 pm

      5 stars
      Combining marshmallows and chocolate seems the perfect choice for a sweet snack. I had never heard of this and now I am heavily regretting đŸ˜€

      Reply
    3. Leslie

      August 12, 2021 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      YES!! I love my Rice Krispie Treats with fluffy marshmallows like this! I'm excited about the use of mini chocolate chips in this recipe! YUM!

      Reply
    4. Elizabeth

      August 11, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fun and delicious update to classic Rice Krispie treats! My kids are obsessed!

      Reply
    5. Jeri

      August 11, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      What an easy and fun recipe, perfect to get the little ones involved in the kitchen! I love that the chocolate chips don't melt! Yum!

      Reply
    6. Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      August 11, 2021 at 11:03 am

      5 stars
      By the time I finished reading your recipe and instructions I was almost dribbling LOL! I need to make these ASAP!

      Reply

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    Photo of Erin Gierhart

    Welcome! I'm Erin: Wife, mom, lover of great food, and former food safety administrator. I am passionate about cooking mostly from scratch recipes that bring comfort, without spending all day in the kitchen. Most recipes on this site can be made in under 30 minutes! This approach to cooking allows me to provide delicious meals for my family while freeing up time to spend with those I love.

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