Have some spooky fun this Halloween with these tasty rice krispie treats! They’re quick & easy, full of peanut buttery goodness and are so stinkin’ cute!
The best part of Halloween has to be the treats. These Halloween rice krispie treats should definitely be on your baking list this year. They’re simple to make, call for just a few ingredients, and turn out adorably festive. If you prefer “cute scary” to full-on spooky, these are perfect — sweet, peanut-buttery, and a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients for your rice krispie treats
- Rice Krispie cereal: The base of the treats. Use a gluten-free crispy rice cereal if needed.
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth binding texture.
- Maple syrup: Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for proper sweetness and consistency.
- Salt: A pinch helps enhance the flavors.
- White chocolate chips: For the coating.
- Food coloring: Neon or standard gel food coloring both work well for bright colors.
- Candy eyes: Available at craft stores or in baking aisles.
How to make Halloween rice krispie treats
- Prepare the pan. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients. Place the rice krispies and a pinch of salt in a large bowl and set aside.
- Melt peanut butter and maple syrup. In a small pot over medium heat, warm the peanut butter with the maple syrup, stirring until smooth and slightly melted. Pour this mixture over the cereal and stir until every flake is coated.
- Press and chill. Press the coated cereal firmly into the prepared pan, then freeze for about 30 minutes. When set, cut into eight pieces and keep them in the freezer while you prepare the coating.
- Make the chocolate coating. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat white chocolate chips with coconut oil in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth. If needed, add a bit more coconut oil to thin. Stir in 2–3 drops of food coloring until you reach the desired shade.
- Dip and decorate. One at a time, dip the chilled rice krispie pieces into the colored white chocolate, place on parchment-covered trays, and add candy eyes, sprinkles, or other decorations while the coating is still wet.
- Set and serve. Chill the decorated treats in the refrigerator for a few minutes to set the coating, then serve.
This truly is a delicious peanut butter rice krispie treat with a fun Halloween twist.
Let the decorating begin!
Decorating is the best part. I kept mine simple with candy eyes and green sprinkles for “hair,” but you can get creative. A few ideas:
- Crushed Oreos
- Rainbow sprinkles
- M&M’s, whole or chopped
- Melted milk or dark chocolate to draw mouths or details
- Rolo candies attached on the sides to mimic Frankenstein bolts
The decorating possibilities are endless and make these treats great for parties or school events.
FAQ
- Why did my rice krispie treats turn out soggy? That usually means there was too much liquid or sticky mixture for the amount of cereal. Stir in more cereal until the texture firms up.
- What can replace marshmallows? This recipe uses peanut butter and maple syrup instead of marshmallows. They bind the cereal and add flavor without marshmallows.
- Other coating options? Colored candy melts, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate work well. Follow package directions for candy melts; melt chocolate gently and add a little oil if you need to thin it.
- How should I store them? Store finished treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep for up to one week.
Why you’ll love this Halloween dessert
- Easy and delicious: Quick to make and full of creamy peanut butter flavor.
- Cleaner ingredients: This version skips marshmallows and uses peanut butter and real maple syrup for natural sweetness and added protein.
- Fun to decorate: The cute faces are irresistible and perfect for sharing or gifting.
Need it gluten-free? Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal.
Need it dairy-free? Choose non-dairy white chocolate melting wafers for the coating.
More fun dessert recipes you might like:
- Halloween Monster Crinkle Cookies
- S’mores Skillet Dip
- Cookies & Cream Oreo Blondies
- Double Chocolate Chip Butternut Squash Brownies
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies (gluten-free option)
Made one of these recipes? Tag your photos on Instagram and leave a comment to share how they turned out!
Easy Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
These peanut butter rice krispie treats are dipped in colored white chocolate and decorated with candy for a festive Halloween dessert the whole family will love.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Gluten free
Keyword: easy, Halloween, maple syrup, peanut butter, rice krispie treats
Servings: 8 pieces
Author: Caitlin
Ingredients
- 3 cups rice krispie cereal*
- ½ cup + 4 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup (use the real stuff)
- pinch of salt
- 1½ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- Food coloring (neon or gel)
- Candy eyes
Instructions
-
Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
-
Add the rice krispies and a pinch of salt to a large bowl. In a pot over medium heat, warm the peanut butter and maple syrup, stirring until smooth. Pour over the cereal and mix until fully coated.
-
Press the mixture into the prepared pan and freeze for 30 minutes. When firm, cut into 8 pieces and return them to the freezer while you prepare the coating.
-
Melt the white chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Add a little extra coconut oil if you need to thin the chocolate. Stir in your food coloring.
-
Dip each frozen rice krispie piece into the colored chocolate, place on parchment, and decorate with candy eyes and sprinkles while the coating is wet.
-
Chill the decorated treats in the fridge for a few minutes to set, then serve.
Notes
*Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal if you need a gluten-free version.
Storage: Store the treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.