Turn your favorite Easter candy into a fun, colorful treat with these Peeps Rice Krispy Treats! This easy recipe is made with gooey marshmallow Peeps and is perfect for Easter celebrations—or using up leftover Peeps.
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The Quick Dish on This Recipe
Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine Inspiration: Easter, American Treats
Primary Cooking Method: Oven-Baked, No-Stovetop
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Kid-Friendly
Key Flavor: Sweet, Buttery Marshmallow
Skill Level: Super Easy – Perfect for all ages!
You’ll Love These Peeps Rice Krispy Treats!
Peeps Rice Krispie Treats are just like classic Rice Krispie treats but with a fun Easter twist! Made with gooey marshmallow chicks, they’re even easier than regular cereal bars – one dish and a few minutes to make.
Ever wonder why marshmallow chicks are an Easter tradition? Chicks, bunnies, and eggs all symbolize new life, so they’re the perfect fit for Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. So why not add these to your Easter basket and make them part of your tradition?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Bright & Fun – A colorful treat that looks as good as it tastes!
✔ Kid-Friendly – Get the little ones involved in the kitchen.
✔ Quick & Easy – One dish, 4 ingredients, and you’re done!
And if you love these, you’ll love my Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats, Lucky Charms Bars, bright and tasty Peeps Whoopie Pies, this kid-approved marshmallow Peeps Ice Cream and these fun PB&J PEEPS malomars – simple and delicious!
Peeps Rice Krispie Treats Ingredients
- Rice Cereal – Use Rice Krispies or another rice cereal if making these gluten-free. Rice Krispies brand are not gluten-free.
- Peeps Easter Marshmallows – Between 16-20 is all you need; use a variety of colors. No mini marshmallows here!
- Butter – I used salted, but you may also use unsalted butter at room temperature! Just a few tablespoons of butter is all that is needed
- Vanilla Extract – This is optional but adds a more rounded flavor.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Peeps Rice Krispy Treats
The best part? No saucepan, extra bowls, microwave, or standing over the stove! These are made effortlessly in the oven—no fuss, no muss! Just pop them in, let the marshmallow chicks melt, mix, and press. That’s it!
Step 1 – Preheat oven and Pan prep
First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190° C) and line a 13×9 inch pan with parchment paper or spray the inside of an aluminum baking pan with cooking spray or butter a baking dish lightly. There is no large saucepan to clean up here!
Step 2 – Pop Peeps treats in the oven
Now open the packages of peeps and line them in whatever combination you would like in the bottom of the pan. Then just pour the cups of rice krispies cereal over the peeps and give the pan a little shake to even them out.
Layer the top with thin slices of butter and pop into the oven.
Bake the treats long enough to melt the peeps and butter, about 8 minutes.
Step 3 – Stir together to combine
Remove the pan from the oven and stir the cereal mixture with a sprayed rubber spatula or spoon right in the pan to combine all the ingredients. Using the back of a spatula, press mixture down slightly (too hard and they will become little rocks, just enough to hold it all together.
If adding, sprinkle the vanilla over the top while stirring. If you want them extra colorful, you can add a little food coloring, and sprinkles — go ahead, go crazy!
Rice Krispie Peeps are extra soft and delicious, warm out of the oven. Just be careful the little ones don’t burn their hands in excitement. You can also cut the classic Rice Krispie treats into squares in an even layer or use a cookie cutter while still warm and allow them to cool. If thicker squares are desired, push the Rice Krispie Treats into one side of the pan.
Variations & Substitutions
- Change these Easter Peep Cereal Treats for the different colors of Valentine’s Day Heart Peeps, Christmas Tree Peeps, Chocolate Pudding Peeps, or even Party Cake Peeps for any ‘ole time of the year!
- Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Peeps! While Rice Krispie Brand cereal treats are not certified gluten-free, there are crispy cereals that are! So, change the cereal brand and use gluten-free vanilla because Peeps are gluten-free! – Voila!
- Add colored jimmies or sprinkles to the mixture for an even more vibrant and perfect Easter treat.
- Cut Easter Rice Krispie treats into desired shapes (cookie cutters work great for this), then insert a popsicle stick and maybe a drizzle of white or dark chocolate.
- Package them in a cello bag with a piece of wax paper between each treat and then top with leftover Peeps. I sent these to my college son for Easter!
Frequently Asked Questions
Simply butter your spoon or use the cooking spray before stirring! Then reapply as needed. You may also press the mixture with your hands; I sometimes use a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper.
Yes! Just cover the pan or platter tightly with plastic wrap. Or you can place cut squares into an airtight container.
While I would not call them a “health” snack, they are made of cereal and are only 86 calories. The peeps do add a lot of sugar, along with their gooey marshmallow flavor though!
The WK Kellogg Co. still makes Rice Krispies cereal in the US and Canada.
More Yummy Easter Goodies
- Easter Dirt Cake
- Cadbury Easter Egg Cookies
- Giant Cadbury Cookie Cake
- Oreo Dessert Pudding (Oreo Pudding Pie Recipe)
- Magnolia Banana Pudding
- Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
- The Best Key Lime Pie
- Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
How to Store Rice Krispie Peeps
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–4 days. If stacking, place parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat.
To freeze, wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe baggie or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just let them thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes before enjoying.
For the best taste and texture, enjoy them fresh within a few days!
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Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies or other rice cereal
- 16-20 Peeps Variety of colors
- 6 tablespoons butter unsalted or salted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and spray a disposable aluminum pan or 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray or butter lightly.
- Place Peeps separately, in a variety of color combinations, into the bottom of the pan, then pour rice krispies over the top of the peeps, give it a shake to even the cereal out.
- Slice the butter into thin slices and lay evenly over the top of the rice krispies. Bake for 8 minutes.
- Spray a spatula or spoon with non-stick spray and gently stir to combine the Peeps with the rice krispies cereal, sprinkle a little vanilla extract over the top while you are stirring.
- Peeps rice krispie treats are extra soft and delicious warm out of the oven, but may be cooled and cut into squares while still warm. If thicker squares are desired, push the Rice Krispie Treats into one side of the pan.
Notes
- Change these Easter Peep Cereal Treats for the different colors of Valentine’s Day Heart Peeps, Christmas Tree Peeps, Chocolate Pudding Peeps, or even Party Cake Peeps for any ‘ole time of the year!
- Make them Gluten-Free! While Rice Krispie Brand cereal treats are not certified as gluten-free, there are crispy cereals that are! So, change the cereal brand and use gluten-free vanilla because Peeps are gluten-free! – Voila!
- Add colored jimmies to the mixture for an even more vibrant and perfect Easter treat.
- Cut Easter Rice Krispie treats into desired shapes (cookie cutters work great for this), then insert a popsicle stick and maybe a drizzle of white or dark chocolate.
- Package them in a cello bag with a piece of wax paper between each treat and then top with leftover Peeps.
Nutrition
Toni Moore
I made the gluten-free version of the recipe this morning and because I’m known for my love of sprinkle, I had to add some on top. Super easy and super delicious!
Love this so much. Glad you out your love of sprinkles twist on them.
dana
These were so so tasty! Absolutely loved them. They didn’t last long. I need to make more, already being begged to, lol. Thank you!
So glad you liked them!!
Jess
Just when I thought rice krispies couldn’t possibly get any better!!
Haha! Right?!?
Jen
This is a really fun holiday treat and I like being able to make it in the oven instead of on the stovetop. It’s also a great way to use up leftover Peeps after Easter!
Makes it so easy!!
Shweta
Such a fun recipe to make with my kids! They loved it and we had a blast!
That’s what I love, bringing kids into the kitchen!
Beth
This is SO perfect for Easter and after. I always get Peeps and this is a great way to use them. Very cool.
Thank you, Beth!
Julie
What an adorable idea. I’ve always got leftover peeps that no one wants to claim but they sure did when I transformed them into these delicious treats.
Love hearing that!
Mindy
Made this fun treat for Easter and it was a hit! Both adults and kids loved them! Thanks for another awesome recipe!
Yay! It is a fun treat for kids and adults alike!
Susannah
I made these for an Easter party and both the kids and adults devoured them. They are so much fun!
YAY! Love hearing that, thanks so much!
Debi
These were a great way to use the peeps we got at Easter. So much better than eating peeps all by themselves! LOL And so colorful!
Absolutely, I couldn’t agree more!!
Sandra Shaffer
Such a fun treat with the speckle of different colors, and I love the way you packaged the peeps! using cookie cutters is such a clever idea too!
Aw, thank you so much Sandra!
Patricia
Hello, love this idea. One pan no mess. And who doesn’t love crispy treats? Gluten free rice crispy cereal is available at ALDIs. My daughter is celiac so I buy them there all the time since non of the major brands are gluten free any longer. Just an FYI. ????
Exactly Patricia! Love that ALDI’s carries GF Rice cereal, we don’t have them in Colorado, wish we did!