s’mores rice krispie treats

Happy July! There are three types of desserts that always remind me of summer and the 4th of July – pie; anything red, white, and blue; and s’mores. Since I don’t have access to my own fire pit, I try to fit the s’mores flavor into any dessert I can this time of year. This year’s rendition is one of my favorites, and probably the easiest one yet – s’mores rice krispie treats!

S’mores rice krispie treats are packed with the marshmallow, graham cracker, milk chocolate goodness that you get in traditional s’mores, but they come together so quickly and easily and can serve a crowd. Another great part about these treats is that they don’t require the oven – something I really appreciate on these blazing hot summer days.

I mixed all of the chocolate and graham crackers into the rice krispie treats, but you can also wait until the end and just use those as toppings so you have the distinct layers like a campfire s’mores. Either way you make them, you can’t lose! They have that classic rice krispie treat stretch from the marshmallows that I love, and the chocolate mixed in makes them even more decadent. Broiling a layer of marshmallows on the top really seals the deal and makes them so reminiscent of campfire s’mores.

Easy and quick to throw together, these s’mores rice krispie treats are perfect for your 4th of July cookout, or your last minute summer picnics. They are so versatile, so you can change the chocolate or graham cracker flavors to your liking and make it your own! Have a happy 4th!

S’mores Rice Krispie Treats

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 10-ounce bags mini marshmallows
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¾ cup chopped milk or dark chocolate (I mixed them. You can also use chocolate chips)
¾ cup crushed graham crackers
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 cups puffed rice cereal

Lightly grease an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan with non-stick spray or butter and set aside.

In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter and 1½ bags of the marshmallows. Heat the marshmallows and butter and stir until fully melted. Add the sea salt.

Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the chocolate, graham cracker crumbs, and vanilla until all of the ingredients are well combined. Gently stir in puffed rice cereal until fully incorporated and no dry spots remain.

Press the cereal into your prepared pan and top with the remaining mini marshmallows. Broil until lightly browned (once the marshmallows start turning brown they will go very quickly, so keep a close eye on them). This will only take a few minutes.

Allow the bars to cool before serving. I find that they are easiest to cut when you spray the knife with nonstick spray.

Want more s’mores recipes?

Check out my s’mores cookies, s’mores bars, ginger cookie s’mores with homemade amaretto marshmallows, chocolate custard s’mores parfaits, and homemade honey graham cracker and whiskey marshmallow s’mores (pardon the photos – we all start somewhere, right?).