Easter Rice Krispie Treats are sweet, chewy no-bake squares made with three types of cereal, marshmallows, sprinkles, and colorful M&Ms. They come together quickly and require only about 10 minutes of hands-on time.
A Treat For Every Bunny
These Easter Rice Krispie Treats are an easy, festive twist on the classic marshmallow-and-cereal bar. Instead of using only Rice Krispies, this version combines Rice Krispies, Rice Chex and Frosted Cheerios for a delightful crunchy texture. Mini marshmallows and melted butter hold everything together, while pastel M&Ms and sprinkles make each square bright and playful for spring gatherings or classroom parties.
Because these are no-bake and use pantry staples, they’re simple to prepare and budget-friendly, making them perfect for holiday baking with kids. The recipe scales easily, and you can swap cereals or candies to suit your family’s preferences.
Ingredients For Easter Rice Krispies Treats
This Bunny Bait recipe follows the same basic method as classic Rice Krispie treats but adds extra cereal and festive candy for texture and color. Below are the specific ingredients you’ll need to make a 9×13-inch pan of bars.
- Cereals: Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios for a mix of crunch and sweetness.
- Marshmallow mixture: Salted butter, mini marshmallows, and vanilla extract form the melted, sticky binder.
- Add-ins and toppings: Easter M&Ms, colorful sprinkles, and a few extra mini marshmallows for chewiness and decoration.
Measured Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 10 cups mini marshmallows, divided (use 8 cups while melting and reserve 2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 cups Rice Krispies
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups Frosted Cheerios
- 1 cup Easter M&Ms
- 2 teaspoons Easter sprinkles
How To Make Bunny Bait Treats
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and lightly coating the paper with nonstick spray or butter.
- In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the ½ cup butter with 8 cups of the mini marshmallows, stirring frequently until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat as soon as the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add the remaining 2 cups mini marshmallows and stir until they begin to soften.
- Fold in all three cereals—5 cups Rice Krispies, 2 cups Rice Chex, and 2 cups Frosted Cheerios—until they are evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Gently fold in 1 cup Easter M&Ms and 2 teaspoons sprinkles. Work quickly so the candies don’t melt and bleed color.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and use parchment paper or greased hands to press it into an even layer—press firmly but not so hard that the bars become compacted.
- Allow the treats to cool and set for about 30 minutes, then lift the parchment out of the pan and cut into squares.
Rebecca’s Tips
- If you use unsalted butter, add about ½ teaspoon of salt to balance the sweetness.
- To cleanly cut the bars, spray a large knife with nonstick spray or warm the knife under hot water and dry it before slicing.
- Add M&Ms at the very end to prevent their colors from bleeding into the marshmallow mixture.
- You can substitute Corn Chex for Rice Chex or swap other Cheerios varieties for different flavors; avoid using dense whole-grain cereals that may become soggy.
- Don’t over-press the mixture into the pan—press just enough to form a cohesive slab without compacting it too tightly.
How To Store Easter Rice Krispie Treats
Store cut bars in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly sealed, they will stay soft and fresh for up to two weeks. If you need to stack layers, separate them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
How Come My Bunny Bait Treats Are Hard?
If your bars turn out tough, there are three common causes:
- The marshmallow mixture was overheated—heat the marshmallows just until smooth and remove from heat promptly.
- The mixture was pressed too firmly into the pan—press gently to avoid compacting the bars.
- They were stored in a container that wasn’t airtight—exposure to air will dry them out.
More Yummy Easter Dessert Recipes to Enjoy with Your Family
- Classic Coconut Cake
- The Best Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting
- Easy Easter Cupcakes made from a boxed mix
- Sea Salt Caramel Carrot Cake Poke Cake
- Classic Ambrosia Salad with canned fruit, pecans, mini marshmallows, and coconut
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 294 kcal | Carbohydrates: 51 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 10 g | Saturated Fat: 6 g | Cholesterol: 19 mg | Sodium: 300 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 29 g
These colorful, crunchy bars are a fun and easy way to celebrate spring. With a few simple swaps you can adapt the recipe to whatever cereal or candy you have on hand—just take care to add delicate toppings last and avoid overworking the mixture for the best texture.