There’s something magical about the ease and festive fun in these **No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe** — crunchy, gooey, and perfectly sweet little bites you can toss together in no time. They’re a total lifesaver when your holiday to-do list is bursting, and they always bring smiles.

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface, filled with clusters of light tan crispy cereal treats. Each cluster is made of puffed rice cereal coated in a creamy, smooth beige mixture that binds the cereal together. The clusters vary in size and have a rough, textured surface with visible individual cereal pieces clumped tightly. In the background, a white cloth with red stripes is softly draped, adding a pop of color behind the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has become my go-to for holiday treats because it’s ridiculously simple yet incredibly festive. It’s the kind of cookie you can make with the kids, no oven required, and still impress everyone with that perfect balance of sweet marshmallows, crunchy rice krispies, and melty white chocolate. Trust me, you’ll want to keep these around for every season.

Super Quick: From start to finish, these cookies come together in under 15 minutes — no baking necessary!
Easy to Customize: You can swap out peanut butter or add festive sprinkles to match your holiday vibe perfectly.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Perfect for making memories with little helpers since you just mix and chill.
Storage Friendly: Keeps well in the fridge, so you can have these ready ahead of time without fuss.

The image shows many small, round clusters of light golden popcorn mixed with a smooth, creamy coating, placed on a baking tray lined with white parchment paper. The baking tray is gray with a slight shine, and it rests on a white marbled surface with a red-striped cloth partially visible in the corner. Each popcorn cluster looks bumpy and textured, with the coating evenly covering the popcorn, forming irregular shapes, all arranged neatly in rows on the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe works so well because every ingredient plays a fantastic role — from the melty white chocolate that binds everything together to the crunchy rice krispies for that satisfying texture, and the peanut butter adds an irresistible richness. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Flat lay of a small mound of glossy white chocolate chips, a smooth scoop of creamy peanut butter, a neat pile of crunchy rice krispies, and a cluster of soft white marshmallows, each ingredient arranged separately in simple white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White chocolate chips: These melt smoothly and give a creamy, sweet backbone to your cookies.
Peanut butter: Adds depth and a slight savory note that balances the sweetness.
Rice krispies: Classic crispy cereal adds that fun, light crunch you expect in a rice krispie treat.
Marshmallows: They melt just enough to create that soft, gooey texture while holding the treats together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing it up with this recipe — sometimes I swap peanut butter for almond butter to cater to allergies or add a few drops of peppermint extract for a minty twist. The beauty here is you can make it your own while keeping things super simple.

Nut-Free Variation: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and use dairy-free white chocolate for allergy-friendly treats. I tried this for my niece and it worked like a charm!
Add Some Color: Fold in red and green holiday sprinkles or mini M&Ms for an extra pop of festive cheer.
Seasonal Flavors: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of ginger can add subtle holiday warmth if you want to jazz it up.

Step-by-Step: How I Make No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt Your White Chocolate and Peanut Butter

I like to use a double boiler here to gently melt the white chocolate chips and peanut butter together. If you don’t have one, no worries — just simmer a little water in a saucepan and place a metal or glass bowl on top. Stir until everything is smooth and velvety. Be careful when you remove the bowl; it gets hot, and steam can escape, so use an oven mitt!

Step 2: Mix in the Rice Krispies and Marshmallows

Once your chocolate and peanut butter are melted and combined, stir in those crispy rice krispies and marshmallows. This is where magic happens — the marshmallows will slightly soften and melt into the chocolate, bonding everything together while keeping a nice chewy texture. Stir gently so the rice krispies stay crispy.

Step 3: Form Your Cookies

Spoon tablespoon-sized dollops onto waxed paper or parchment. Don’t worry if they look a little uneven — homemade charm! Then pop them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes until firm. This chilling step is key for that perfect no-bake cookie texture.

Step 4: Store and Enjoy

Keep your cookies in an airtight container in the fridge — they’ll stay fresh for about a week. I usually make a double batch because they tend to disappear fast around here!

Top Tip

After a few tries making these No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned a couple of tricks that make a huge difference in texture and ease:

Melting Gently: Low heat is crucial when melting white chocolate and peanut butter to avoid burning or graininess—patience really pays off.
Don’t Overmix: When adding the rice krispies and marshmallows, fold gently so you keep the crispness intact for that satisfying crunch.
Use Waxed Paper: Dropping dollops on waxed paper helps cookies come off easily without sticking or deforming.
Chill Well: Don’t rush the chilling — letting the cookies set firmly in the fridge makes all the difference in keeping their shape and texture.

How to Serve No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe

Christmas Rice Krispies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually toss a few festive sprinkles or mini red and green candies on top right after spooning the cookies out to set. It adds that extra holiday pizzazz and a touch of crunch. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar looks like fresh snow—perfect for cozy gatherings.

Side Dishes

Serve these alongside a warm mug of cocoa or your favorite spiced cider. They also pair surprisingly well with a sharp cheese board for a sweet and salty contrast — I love unexpected flavor combos!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging them on a festive platter lined with holly leaves or wrapping each cookie individually in cellophane tied with a glittery ribbon — makes them fantastic for gifting. Layering them with different heights using cake stands adds a nice visual flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the fridge — they'll keep for at least a week. I always make sure to separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together or lose their shape.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I want one, I just let it thaw at room temperature for 10-15 minutes — they’re almost as good as fresh.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake and best enjoyed chilled, I don’t usually reheat them. If you want them a little softer, I pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds, but be careful not to melt it completely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of white chocolate?

Absolutely! Regular milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips will work just as well, though they will change the flavor profile and color of your cookies. Just melt them gently following the same method.

How long do these cookies last?

Stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, these cookies stay fresh for up to one week. Make sure not to leave them out at room temperature too long to prevent stickiness.

Can I make these nut-free?

Yes! Simply replace the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or another nut-free spread, and ensure your chocolate chips are nut-free as well.

What’s the best way to melt the ingredients without a double boiler?

If you don’t have a double boiler, create a makeshift one by simmering water in a saucepan and placing a heatproof bowl on top. Stir carefully until melted. Alternatively, a microwave can work but heat in short bursts to avoid burning.

Final Thoughts

This No-Bake Christmas Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe has earned a permanent spot in my holiday kitchen arsenal — it’s quick, fun, and almost foolproof. I love sharing it with friends and family because it sparks joy without the stress of baking. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to whip up some festive magic together. I promise, once you try it, these cookies will be a cherished tradition for you too.