Are you ready for a fun, easy holiday recipe that’ll satisfy any sweet tooth and earn you a ton of compliments? Good, me too! I loved making these Chrismas rice krispie treats and I hope they’ll earn a place in your rotation this holiday season.

They come together quickly and without any fuss (no oven required!), and are the perfect treat for classroom parties, bake sales, or cozy nights in with the kids. You’ll start by melting butter and marshmallows together until smooth, then folding in Rice Krispies for that perfect gooey crunch. Once the mixture sets, it’s topped with melted white chocolate, M&Ms, and sprinkles for the ultimate holiday finish.

Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Festive and fun: Red and green M&Ms plus holiday sprinkles make these look straight out of Santa’s workshop.
No-bake simplicity: You only need a few ingredients and a stovetop — no oven, no stress.
Perfect texture: Soft, chewy, and buttery with just the right amount of crunch.
Kid-approved: Easy enough for little helpers to stir, press, and decorate.
Great for gifting: Wrap them in cellophane or tuck into treat boxes for teachers, neighbors, or friends.
Crowd favorite: They vanish from cookie platters faster than you can say Merry Christmas!

Love a festive holiday treat? Make sure you also check out my Santa hat cupcakes, Christmas tree cupcakes, double chocolate reindeer muffins, reindeer brownie bites, Santa’s cookie bars, sweet Christmas tree pies, and iced oatmeal cookie bars!

Ingredients

There’s a printable recipe card waiting for you at the bottom of this post! It covers ingredients, measurements, instructions, and basically everything you need to make this recipe from scratch in your own kitchen. Feel free to print it out and stick it in your holiday recipes folder!

Rice Krispies cereal – the classic base that gives these treats their signature crunch.
Unsalted butter – adds richness and helps everything hold together.
Vanilla extract – brings out that nostalgic, sweet marshmallow flavor.
Salt – just a pinch to balance all the sweetness.
Mini marshmallows – they melt down to create that gooey, chewy texture we all love.
White chocolate – for drizzling on top and making them look extra festive (and taste even better).
Mini Christmas sprinkles – because no holiday treat is complete without a little sparkle.
Red and green M&Ms – the perfect finishing touch for color, crunch, and Christmas cheer.

How To Make Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with foil and lightly grease it so the treats come out easily later.
In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the salt and vanilla for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until they’re completely melted and smooth — about 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove from heat and gently fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until every bit is coated in that glossy marshmallow mixture.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and let it cool for a minute or two so it’s easier to handle.

With greased hands or a rubber spatula, press the mixture into an even layer — not too firm, just enough to hold its shape.
Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until firm and set.
Once cooled, lift it out of the pan and place it on a cutting board.
Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth. Drizzle it over the top, then add sprinkles and M&Ms for that festive pop of color.

Finish with another quick drizzle of white chocolate and a few more sprinkles if you’re feeling extra festive.
Let the chocolate harden completely, then cut into squares and serve.

Storage

Store your Christmas rice krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay soft, chewy, and perfectly festive, no fridge needed.

If you want to make them ahead, you can prepare them a day early and keep them tightly covered with plastic wrap or foil.

Substitutions & Variations

You can easily switch things up to make these Rice Krispie treats your own. Swap the white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate if you prefer something richer. You can also stir in a handful of festive mini marshmallows or crushed candy canes for extra color and holiday flair.

If you want to make them extra indulgent, drizzle a little caramel or chocolate sauce over the top before adding sprinkles. For a fun twist, try using chocolate or cinnamon Rice Krispies for a different flavor base.

You can also cut them into Christmas shapes with cookie cutters once they’ve set — trees, stars, or ornaments make them even more festive for parties or gift boxes!

Serving Ideas

These are perfect for bake sales, classroom parties, or holiday potlucks, and because they hold their shape so well, they’re easy to package up as homemade gifts. Just wrap each square in clear cellophane and tie it with red and green ribbon for a simple, festive presentation. You can also stack a few in a holiday tin or treat box for gifting to teachers, neighbors, or friends.

For serving at home, pile them high on a Christmas platter or cake stand and scatter a few extra M&Ms or sprinkles around for a cheerful touch. They pair perfectly with a mug of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha and make a fun, kid-friendly treat to enjoy while decorating the tree!

Print Recipe

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

These Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are soft, chewy, and loaded with holiday cheer! Made with buttery marshmallow cereal layers, a drizzle of white chocolate, and plenty of festive sprinkles and M&Ms, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat!

Prep Time40

Cook Time10

Total Time50

Course: Dessert

Servings:

Ingredients

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
½ cup unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
10 oz mini marshmallows
½ cup white chocolate
2 tbsp mini Christmas sprinkles
40-50 red and green M&Ms

Instructions

Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with foil and lightly grease it so the treats come out easily later.
In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the salt and vanilla for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until they’re completely melted and smooth — about 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove from heat and gently fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until every bit is coated in that glossy marshmallow mixture.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and let it cool for a minute or two so it’s easier to handle.
With greased hands or a rubber spatula, press the mixture into an even layer — not too firm, just enough to hold its shape.
Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until firm and set.
Once cooled, lift it out of the pan and place it on a cutting board.
Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth. Drizzle it over the top, then add sprinkles and M&Ms for that festive pop of color.
Finish with another quick drizzle of white chocolate and a few more sprinkles if you’re feeling extra festive.
Let the chocolate harden completely, then cut into squares and serve.

They’re fun, they’re festive, and they’re sure to be a big hit with kids and adults alike this Christmas! If you try them, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback below. It helps other readers who might be thinking about trying the recipe, and it also gives me inspiration for creating more recipes that you’ll enjoy. Happy Christmas, and be sure to also tag me in your pics on Instagram @slimmingviolet!