This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
The 4th is almost here, and these 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats are my go-to 4th of July Dessert! They’re made with browned butter (YUM), no artificial dyes, and I sprinkle in natural red, white, and blue cornflowers for a festive touch.
Also check out my Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats and Mummy Rice Krispie Treats for more fun twists!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a difference those cornflower petals make! These are the prettiest Rice Krispie Treats—thick and gooey, just how we like them!Kristyn
Why You’ll Love These
Tried-and-true – I’ve been making these for years and they never fail. Always buttery, gooey, and SO good.
Bakery-style – Thick, soft, and chewy… everyone always asks if I bought them at a fancy bakery!
One-pot wonder – Easy cleanup, no mess. Everything comes together in one pot.
Naturally festive – No artificial dyes here! I use red, white, and blue cornflowers to make them naturally beautiful. These are perfect for a 4th of July party!
4th of July Rice Krispie Treat Ingredients
Rice Krispies Cereal: Classic and crispy! The OG ingredient for this nostalgic treat. If you’ve got a different puffed rice cereal, that’ll work too.
Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted so I can control the flavor, but if salted is all you have, don’t stress—it’ll still taste amazing. Bonus points if you brown it for that extra toasty, nutty flavor. Trust me, it makes a difference.
Marshmallows: Mini or large, both work. Just make sure they’re fresh and fluffy. If you’re using large ones, weigh them out (10 oz total) so your ratio stays gooey and perfect.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash gives the whole batch a warm, cozy flavor boost. Don’t skip it!
Red, White & Blue Cornflower Petals: This is where the magic happens, edible flowers that look like little firework confetti! So pretty and festive! Don’t have cornflowers? Use patriotic sprinkles or even freeze-dried berries chopped up for a similar effect.
How to Make 4th of July Rice Krispies
Melt some butter in a big pot—if you’ve got the time, let it turn golden brown for that extra brown butter flavor (trust me, it’s worth it!).
Toss in the marshmallows and stir until smooth and gooey.
Add the Rice Krispies and mix it all together with a spatula until every piece is coated.
Grease a 9×13 dish, scoop it in, and use parchment paper to gently press the top flat—no sticky hands here.
Let them cool for about 30 minutes (hardest part!) then slice and serve.
So easy, and such a hit for the 4th!
Use a piece of parchment paper or wax paper and slightly press down so they’re flat on top. The paper acts as a barrier and makes it easy to create an even layer without sticky hands.
Allow them to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- To keep your Rice Krispie treats fresh, simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- You can add food coloring to Rice Krispie Treats. In fact, this is a great way to make them festive for holidays like the 4th of July! Simply add a few drops of food coloring to the melted marshmallow mixture and stir until it’s evenly distributed.
- Drizzle white chocolate over the top for an even sweeter treat. I did something similar with our mummy rice Krispie treats for Halloween.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few reasons why Rice Krispie Treats might get hard. One reason is that they were stored in the fridge. another reason is that they weren’t covered tightly, allowing them to dry out. Finally, if you used old marshmallows, they may not have had enough moisture to keep the treats soft.
These 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats will last for several days at room temperature in an airtight container. If you need them to last longer, you can store them in the freezer for up to two months. Just be sure to thaw them before serving.
Not at all! Use more for thicker treats or less for extra gooey ones—just adjust the marshmallows to match.
There are lots of ways you can customize these delicious treats You could add:
Patriotic sprinkles like red and blue sprinkles
Red and Blue M&Ms
Mini Chocolate Chips
Star Sprinkles
There are lots of ways you can customize the 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats. You could add sprinkles, chocolate chips, really anything you can think of!
Cornflower petals are small, edible flowers that can be used to decorate food. They have a delicate flavor and can be found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. Adding a few cornflower petals to your 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats is a great way to make them look extra special.
No, you don’t have to refrigerate Rice Krispie treats. In fact, storing them in the fridge can make them hard and dry.
More 4th of July desserts
I hope you enjoy these homemade rice Krispie treats! They’re an easy fourth of July dessert and perfect for parties. If you have any questions or tips, be sure to leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
My new Entertaining book is here! Order Now!
4th of July Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 8 ounces unsalted butter
- 12 ounces Rice Krispies, 1 box
- 20 ounces mini marshmallows, large are fine too
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cornflower petals
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 baking sheet with cooking spray or butter it well.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. For a rich, nutty flavor, keep going until it turns golden brown.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, then add the Rice Krispies. Fold everything together until coated. Add cornflower petals and give it one last gentle stir.
- Transfer to a greased 9×13 pan and press down using parchment paper for a smooth top (no sticky fingers!).
- Use a piece of parchment paper or wax paper and slightly press down so they're flat on top. The paper acts as a barrier and makes it easy to create an even layer without sticky hands.
- Allow them to cool for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before cutting and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What a difference those cornflower petals make! These are the prettiest rice krispie treats! Thick & gooey, just how we like!
Thanks for the tip about using parchment paper to press them, down – it made them nice and smooth on top! No cornflower petals where I live, so I used sprinkles. Kids loved them!
I appreciate you taking the time to share all of your tips, so useful! Our rice Krispie treats turned out perfect, just how they should be!