Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats have the perfect fall twist on the classic treat. These cereal treats are soft, gooey, and have the best pumpkin spice flavor – one bite and you’ll feel like you need a cozy sweater and a coffee.
The Best Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie Treats are a classic recipe we absolutely love – soft and gooey with some crunch – I can never get enough. They’re easy to make and even easier to flavor – and this is my fall version of that classic treat. Grab a sweater and a Pumpkin Spice Latte and enjoy these delicious treats!
Ingredients Needed
- Marshmallows: You can use regular, or mini marshmallows. As long as you have the right amount that is called for, either kind fine.
- Rice Krispie Cereal: You can use any flavor or brand of crispy rice cereal, but I used regular to focus on the pumpkin spice flavor.
- Butter: I typically use unsalted butter.
- Spices: To get the perfect fall flavor, I used pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon!
Now, I know you’ll ask: Why is there no pumpkin puree? After numerous attempts at making a cereal treat with actual pumpkin, I didn’t like any of the results. They were too soft or the wetness of the pumpkin made the cereal soggy. So I decided to make these with just pumpkin pie spice. You don’t miss the pumpkin, I promise.
How to make Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats
- To add even more flavor, we’re making these with brown butter. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat. Cook, stirring often, until the butter foams and turns light amber in color.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir in pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Add cereal and stir to coat with the marshmallow mixture. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Press firmly to compact.
Fun Kid Version
It’s easy to make a pumpkin shaped cereal treat – add some orange food coloring to the marshmallow mixture. Press into a pan but instead of letting them set, cut into equal bars and form each one into a sphere (pumpkin shape). I use parchment paper or wax paper to help form the treat without getting sticky hands. Then use candy to make tootsie roll stems and green m&m leaves.
Or, press into two 9×9-inch pans so they’re thinner and use a pumpkin shape cookie cutters to cut shapes (like my Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie treats) and coat them with white chocolate or decorate them like a jack-o-lantern for a Halloween party.
Expert Tips
- Make sure your cereal and marshmallows are not stale, because if your ingredients are stale, the treats will be as well.
- When you press down the Rice Krispie treats, spray wax paper with nonstick cooking spray so you can press without it sticking to your hands.
- Let the treats firm completely before cutting so they do not fall apart.
FAQs
Yes you can! Slice and freeze them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Store them at room temperature for up to a week.
Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 9 cups (237g) Rice Krispies Cereal
- 15 ounces (424g) mini marshmallows
- 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon (15ml) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch pan with foil or parchment and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Measure out cereal and place in a large bowl.
- To brown the butter: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium low heat. Cook, stirring often, until the butter foams and turns light amber in color.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir in pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Add cereal and stir to coat with the marshmallow mixture. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Press firmly to compact. Tip: spray wax paper with nonstick cooking spray so you can press without it sticking to your hands.
- Let set until firm then slice into bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To freeze, let cool completely then cut into bars and wrap each individual bar in wax paper and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use any flavor Rice Krispies cereal.
- You can use any size marshmallows just make sure to use 15 ounces.
- These stay extra gooey but will get stale if not stored properly.
- Only use FRESH marshmallows and not-stale cereal for best results.