Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a fun, festive treat that’s as easy to make as it is delightful to eat, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe is one of my all-time favorites, especially when the holidays are just around the corner—it’s bright, colorful, and melts on your tongue in the best way possible. These little bites combine nostalgia with a fresh holiday twist that your family and guests will absolutely go crazy for, trust me on this one!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe really comes down to simple, classic ingredients that work so well together—you get that perfect crunchy and chewy texture. Shopping tip: look for mini marshmallows, they melt more evenly, and absolutely don’t skip on the good-quality butter for best flavor.

• Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Cereal: The classic crispy rice cereal is the crunchy canvas for these bites.
• Mini Marshmallows: They melt quickly and create that signature chewy marshmallow coating.
• Butter (Sweet Cream, Salted): I prefer salted butter for that subtle balance of richness and saltiness.
• Wilton Color Right Food Coloring (Red, Crimson, Yellow, Blue): These vibrant, easy-to-use colors help you get perfect Christmas red and green shades.
• Nonpareils Christmas Sprinkles: Optional, but so worth it for adding festive sparkle and texture.

Variations

Playing around with this Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe is one of the best parts. I’ve tried a few tweaks that make it easier for different tastes and celebrations—you’ll find that a little personalization goes a long way.

• Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: I add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to one batch before adding cereal—it gives a subtle chocolatey depth and my family loves it as much as the traditional version.
• Nut-Free and Allergy Friendly: Just use allergy-safe cereal and sprinkles to keep it safe for everyone at your party.
• Mini M&M Topping: Sometimes I swap out the sprinkles for mini M&Ms to add a pop of color and a little crunch.
• Vegan Adaptation: Try a vegan butter substitute and use vegan marshmallows—they melt just the same and still taste amazing.

How to Make Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

Start by melting 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a medium pan. Once melted, toss in 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir gently but continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. When I first tried this, I learned not to rush or use too high heat—marshmallows can scorch quickly. Removing the pan from heat right when melted keeps things silky.

Step 2: Add Food Coloring and Mix

Take the pan off the stove and add your chosen food coloring color—whether red for the classic Christmas feel, or combine yellows and blues to get a rich green. The Wilton Color Right Food Coloring is great because it gives you intense, vibrant results with just a few drops. Stir to incorporate evenly. It’s like magic watching the marshmallow mixture transform into festive colors.

Step 3: Mix in Rice Krispie Cereal

Next, add 3 cups of your Rice Krispie cereal to the colored marshmallow mixture. Stir until the cereal is completely coated—you’ll want every crisp to be enveloped in that sweet, sticky goodness. This reminds me of my childhood—watching that cereal disappear as soon as the marshmallows melt around it!

Step 4: Add Sprinkles and Let Cool

If you’re using Christmas sprinkles (and I highly recommend it!), fold them in now for that extra bit of fun and texture. Then, let the mixture cool just a bit—about a minute or two—so it’s easier to handle but still pliable.

Step 5: Roll Into Bites

This is the fun part! Measure out about 0.6 ounces of mixture (I use a tablespoon and eyeball it) and roll it quickly into a ball with your hands. If your hands get sticky, just wet them with a bit of cold water between rolls—this tip saved me from sticky chaos more than once. Place the balls onto wax paper or a parchment-lined tray to cool completely.

Step 6: Repeat for Each Color

Since this recipe makes three colors—red, green, and white—you’ll repeat these steps three times, each time using the appropriate coloring or leaving one batch plain for the white bites. The result? A perfectly coordinated festive platter that’s impossible not to dig into.

How to Serve Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe

Garnishes

For a touch of extra holiday magic, I love topping these bites with a little powdered sugar dusting or a few edible glitter flakes—just enough to catch the light and make them sparkle on the plate. Sometimes I also sprinkle them with crushed peppermint candies for a refreshing twist that pairs beautifully.

Side Dishes

These bites pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa, a glass of cold milk, or even alongside spiced applesauce for a festive dessert spread. I like to serve them with other holiday cookies and candies for variety, especially at parties when guests want to try a little bit of everything.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged these bites in a Christmas tree shape on a large platter using green bites as the tree, red as ornaments, and white as snow at the base—it was a showstopper! You can also stack them in clear holiday-themed jars as gift ideas or place them on festive cupcake liners for extra charm.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for about 3 to 4 days, maintaining their chewy texture nicely without drying out. Be sure to keep them away from heat or humidity for best results.

Freezing

Freezing these bites works surprisingly well! I wrap individual balls in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When I want a quick treat, I pull a few out to thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes—they retain their flavor and texture beautifully.

Reheating

This recipe doesn’t really require reheating, but if you want to soften the bites a touch, just microwave one or two for 10 seconds—watch closely so they don’t get too melty! It’s a nice trick when they’ve gotten a bit firm in the fridge.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites Recipe manages to be nostalgic, festive, and simple all at once. It’s one of those recipes I always keep in my holiday arsenal because it gets rave reviews every single time—whether I’m handing them out to neighbors, packing them in holiday treat boxes, or serving them at family gatherings. Give it a try this season; I promise you’ll enjoy making and sharing these delightful bites just as much as enjoying the sweet reward.

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