These Rice Krispies S’mores Bars bring together the irresistible trio of crunchy graham cracker crust, gooey toasted marshmallows, and a luscious chocolate Rice Krispies topping. Think of them as a campfire s’more taken to a whole new level—chewy, crispy, sweet, and perfectly indulgent.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
If you adore s’mores but don’t always have a campfire handy, this recipe is the ultimate solution. With layers of rich milk chocolate, fluffy marshmallows, and a decadent chocolate-coated Rice Krispies topping, every bite delivers nostalgia and pure comfort. They’re easy to make ahead, perfect for parties, bake sales, or a weeknight treat, and they keep well in the fridge for whenever the craving strikes.
Rice Krispies S’mores Bars
S’mores have long been a beloved treat in American culture, often associated with camping trips, cozy nights, and shared moments with family and friends. This recipe brings all that joy indoors, transforming the rustic tradition into an elegant yet approachable dessert bar. Instead of building your treat stick by stick over a fire, you’ll have the chance to layer each component with precision, resulting in a bar that’s not only easier to enjoy but also more complex in flavor and texture.
Traditional s’mores are made with just graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows roasted over a fire, but this version takes things further by layering in a chocolate Rice Krispies topping. That final addition is what makes these bars stand out from the rest. The topping is rich, chewy, and crunchy all at once, giving the nostalgic combination a satisfying twist that keeps you reaching for another square.
The buttery graham cracker crust creates a firm yet tender base that pairs beautifully with the soft marshmallow layer. It’s not too sweet, allowing the chocolate and marshmallow to shine. The crust also helps keep the bars sturdy, so you can enjoy them as a handheld snack without worrying about crumbling pieces everywhere.
The milk chocolate layer melts gently against the warm crust, creating that signature s’mores gooeyness that everyone loves. There’s something about the way the chocolate softens just enough to coat the back of your spoon or fingers, adding that indulgent melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Instead of stopping there, we add a chocolate-marshmallow Rice Krispies topping that gives crunch and richness. This element not only enhances the texture but also locks in the marshmallow layer underneath, creating distinct layers that are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat.
This twist turns the treat into a portable bar that can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. No need for a campfire, skewers, or sticky fingers—these bars are neat, travel-friendly, and crowd-pleasing. They are particularly popular with kids, who are often fascinated by the gooey marshmallow layer and the crispy topping.
The recipe is beginner-friendly, with simple steps that yield bakery-quality results. Even if you’re new to baking, the clear layering process makes it easy to follow along, and the payoff is incredibly rewarding. The visual contrast of the golden crust, toasted marshmallows, and glossy chocolate topping makes them look far more sophisticated than the effort required.
Kids love helping make these bars, especially arranging the marshmallows and mixing the Rice Krispies topping. It becomes a family activity that’s fun and engaging, allowing children to participate in the baking process without complicated steps. It’s also a great way to introduce them to the joys of homemade desserts.
They’re perfect for holidays like the Fourth of July, summer gatherings, or as a surprise lunchbox treat. Whether you’re serving them after a barbecue or including them in a festive dessert spread, these bars always disappear quickly, leaving guests asking for the recipe.
The contrast of textures—crunchy, chewy, and melty—is what makes these bars unforgettable. Each bite offers something slightly different, with the crisp base, gooey middle, and chewy top layer working together in perfect harmony.
You can easily customize the recipe with dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even flavored marshmallows. The flexibility ensures you can adapt the bars to suit your preferences or experiment with new flavor combinations for special occasions.
The recipe uses corn syrup to ensure the topping stays chewy without becoming too hard. This ingredient helps stabilize the chocolate and marshmallows, giving the topping that signature glossy finish and pleasant texture that holds together beautifully.
These bars refrigerate well and even taste amazing frozen for an extra chewy texture. If you’re a fan of chilled desserts, you’ll love how the layers firm up in the fridge, making each bite denser and more decadent.
Serving them chilled makes slicing easier, but once cut, they soften beautifully at room temperature. This makes them versatile for parties and gatherings, as you can prepare them ahead of time and serve them when ready without any fuss.
Ultimately, this recipe combines everything people love about s’mores with the convenience of a handheld dessert bar. They’re nostalgic, fun, delicious, and endlessly adaptable, ensuring they’ll be a repeat favorite in your household.
Servings
Makes about 16 bars
Time
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Cooling & Chilling Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~2 hours
Ingredients
- 2 cups finely crushed graham crackers
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 9 (1.5 oz) milk chocolate bars, unwrapped
- 12 oz large marshmallows
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 6 oz mini marshmallows
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Make crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until evenly moistened. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 6 minutes, then remove (leave oven on).
- Layer chocolate & marshmallows: Immediately place milk chocolate bars in a single layer over the hot crust. Top with large marshmallows in a single even layer.
- Toast marshmallows: Return pan to oven for 7–9 minutes, or until marshmallows are puffed and golden on top. Remove and let cool for 20–25 minutes.
- Prepare Rice Krispies topping: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt semi-sweet chocolate, butter, corn syrup, and mini marshmallows, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Mix in cereal: Remove from heat and quickly stir in Rice Krispies until fully coated.
- Spread topping: Spoon mixture over cooled marshmallow layer, pressing gently to create an even surface.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until set.
- Slice: Lift bars from the pan using parchment overhang. For clean cuts, freeze for 30 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife. Let bars come back to room temperature before serving.
Tips
- Use a serrated knife to cut through the marshmallows without sticking.
- Swap milk chocolate with dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- If you don’t have corn syrup, you can use honey, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- For extra indulgence, drizzle melted white chocolate on top before chilling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Rice Krispies S'mores Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups finely crushed graham crackers
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 9 1.5 oz milk chocolate bars, unwrapped
- 12 oz large marshmallows
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 6 oz mini marshmallows
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Make crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until evenly moistened. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 6 minutes, then remove (leave oven on).
- Layer chocolate & marshmallows: Immediately place milk chocolate bars in a single layer over the hot crust. Top with large marshmallows in a single even layer.
- Toast marshmallows: Return pan to oven for 7–9 minutes, or until marshmallows are puffed and golden on top. Remove and let cool for 20–25 minutes.
- Prepare Rice Krispies topping: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt semi-sweet chocolate, butter, corn syrup, and mini marshmallows, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Mix in cereal: Remove from heat and quickly stir in Rice Krispies until fully coated.
- Spread topping: Spoon mixture over cooled marshmallow layer, pressing gently to create an even surface.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until set.
- Slice: Lift bars from the pan using parchment overhang. For clean cuts, freeze for 30 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife. Let bars come back to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Use a serrated knife to cut through the marshmallows without sticking.
- Swap milk chocolate with dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- If you don’t have corn syrup, you can use honey, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- For extra indulgence, drizzle melted white chocolate on top before chilling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.