There’s something irresistibly festive about the crisp crunch and snowy sweetness of this Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe. The blend of peppermint and chocolate adds a grown-up twist to a classic childhood favorite that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in.

The image shows square treats layered with three visible parts: the bottom layer is a light beige crispy rice cereal, soft and airy, the middle layer is a dark brown chocolate drizzle with a glossy look, and the top layer is a white drizzle with small crushed red and white peppermint candy pieces sprinkled all over. The treats are arranged on a white marbled surface, mixed with small whole peppermint candies scattered around, adding a festive red and white color contrast. One treat is held by a woman's hand showing the porous texture inside. 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 Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this recipe has saved the day when I needed a quick, festive treat that brings everyone to the table. It’s seriously easy to whip up, yet it feels special and tastes like a decadent holiday indulgence.

Simple Yet Elegant: With just a few pantry staples plus a dash of peppermint magic, you get a treat that looks and tastes like it took hours.
Perfect Holiday Flavor: The crushed candy canes and peppermint extract give a bright, refreshing lift that you won’t find in your everyday Rice Krispies treats.
Fun Texture Combo: Gooey marshmallows meet crunchy candy cane bits and silky chocolate layers—it’s a celebration of textures in every bite.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep these days in advance, making holiday hosting so much less stressful.

The image shows a stack of two square rice cereal treats with a light, crispy texture and beige color. The top layer is covered with a shiny, dark chocolate coating that has small bits of red and white candy sprinkled over it. Pieces of white marshmallow are baked inside the treats, visible within the beige layers. The treats are placed on a surface with a white marbled texture, and a few striped red and white peppermint candies lie beside them. In the background, blurred cereal treats can be seen, with a clear glass bottle featuring a red stopper adding some height. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe plays an important role to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Shopping for the quality basics really makes a difference, and I've tossed in some notes to help you pick the best versions.

Flat lay of a small square pat of salted butter, a generous pile of miniature white marshmallows, a small white bowl of clear peppermint extract, a neat mound of puffed Rice Krispies cereal, a small white bowl filled with crushed red and white candy cane pieces, a small white bowl of chopped dark chocolate chunks, a small white bowl of chopped white chocolate chunks, all arranged symmetrically and naturally fresh 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

Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly; salted butter gives a subtle savory balance.
Miniature Marshmallows: Their gooey melt binds everything together—don’t skip on good-quality marshmallows for the best chewiness.
Peppermint Extract: The key flavor booster that gives the “peppermint” punch without being overpowering—extraslete if you love minty treats.
Rice Krispies Cereal: The classic crispy base—make sure it’s fresh for maximum crunch.
Crushed Candy Canes: Brings crunch plus that festive peppermint sparkle; crush them finely to avoid too big shards that might be tough to bite.
Dark Chocolate: Adds a rich, slightly bitter contrast that deepens the flavor profile.
White Chocolate: Offers creamy sweetness and a beautiful color contrast; melt both chocolates carefully to keep the texture silky.

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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 this recipe up depending on the occasion or mood. It’s super forgiving, so feel free to make tweaks that suit your taste or dietary needs—you can make it your own in minutes!

Vegan Variation: When I tried using vegan butter and marshmallows once, it still worked well—just be sure to pick quality vegan marshmallows that melt nicely.
Extra Chocolaty: I sometimes swirl more dark or white chocolate on top or even sandwich a layer inside to make these treats extra indulgent.
Nutty Twist: Adding chopped toasted almonds or pistachios on top gives a lovely crunch that pairs beautifully with the peppermint flavor.
Spicy Peppermint: For a surprising twist, I’ve added a pinch of cayenne for a subtle warmth that complements the cool peppermint.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Space and Candy Canes

Start by lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper — this makes cleanup a breeze and helps you pop the treats out easily later. Then unwrap your candy canes and crush them into small pieces, saving about a quarter cup for the recipe. I like to do this with a rolling pin inside a zip-top bag to get an even crush without a mess.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until fully liquid, then reduce the heat to low. Add most of your marshmallows, saving one cup for later, and stir gently but continuously. The mixture should be silky and smooth—watch carefully so marshmallows don't scorch, which can happen quickly at higher heat.

Step 3: Add Peppermint, Rice Krispies & Candy Canes

Once your marshmallow mixture is melted, remove from heat immediately. Stir in the peppermint extract, Rice Krispies cereal, two tablespoons of crushed candy canes, plus the reserved marshmallows. The extra marshmallows add chewy pockets that I really love—they create little surprises as you bite in.

Step 4: Transfer and Press into Pan

Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and gently press it evenly. Don’t press too hard or you’ll lose that light texture, but make sure it’s packed enough to hold together. I usually use the back of a butter wrapper to gently press—it’s sticky-proof and perfect for shaping.

Step 5: Drizzle Chocolate and Add Final Candy Cane Crunch

Melt your dark and white chocolates separately by microwaving in 20-second intervals, stirring well in between until smooth. Drizzle both over the set treats and give the pan a gentle shake to spread the chocolate a little. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes on top for that unmistakable festive look and crunch. Let them set completely before slicing!

Top Tip

Making peppermint Rice Krispies treats might sound straightforward, but getting that perfect texture and flavor balance takes a little know-how from my kitchen to yours. These tips have saved me from sticky messes and bland batches more times than I can count.

Low and Slow Melt: Melting marshmallows over low heat prevents burning and ensures a smooth, glossy base that mixes well with the cereal.
Use Fresh Marshmallows and Cereal: Old or stale ingredients can make the treat tough instead of chewy—fresh is best for that classic texture.
Press Gently: Using a butter wrapper or lightly buttered spatula lets you press out the mixture firmly without squishing out the airiness.
Chocolate Patience: Temper your expectations here—don’t rush the chocolate drizzle or setting process or you’ll lose the beautiful marbled effect and crunch of candy canes on top.

How to Serve Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Peppermint Rice Krispies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to add a sprinkle of extra crushed candy canes or even a light dusting of edible glitter when serving these treats to make them look as special as they taste. Sometimes, a few whole peppermint sticks make a cute presentation cue if you’re serving at a party.

Side Dishes

These treats are sweet and rich on their own, so I usually keep the sides simple: a warm cup of hot cocoa, a creamy coffee, or even a tart cranberry salad to balance the flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I sometimes cut these into festive shapes with cookie cutters—stars or Christmas trees are the biggest hits with family—and package them in clear treat bags tied with ribbon for easy gifting or party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover treats in an airtight container on the counter, and they usually stay chewy and fresh for about five days. If you live somewhere humid, you might want to keep them in a cool, dry spot to avoid them getting sticky.

Freezing

Freezing works beautifully if you want to prep early or save leftovers. I wrap each square individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, then pop them in a container. They keep well for up to two months and thaw at room temp without losing their texture.

Reheating

I like to warm thawed treats very briefly in the microwave, about 10 seconds, to bring back some gooey softness—just watch closely to avoid melting the chocolate drizzle or making the candy canes soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe without peppermint extract?

If you don’t have peppermint extract on hand, you can skip it or add a bit of vanilla extract instead. However, the mint flavor is what makes this recipe special, so I’d recommend grabbing a bottle—it lasts forever and is great for many holiday treats!

How do I crush candy canes without making a mess?

I like to place candy canes in a heavy-duty zip-top bag and gently tap them with a rolling pin or meat mallet to get crushed bits without shards flying everywhere. This method keeps your workspace clean and gives you a nice range of candy sizes.

Can I use a different cereal instead of Rice Krispies?

You can experiment with puffed wheat or even gluten-free crispy rice cereals if needed, but keep in mind the classic light crunch of Rice Krispies is key to that signature texture. Using other cereals may change the chew and density.

What’s the best way to store these treats to keep them fresh?

The best way is to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat or moisture. Avoid the fridge, as it can make them hard and less chewy. For longer storage, freezing wrapped squares is ideal.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe holds a special place in my holiday repertoire because it brings together simple ingredients to make something truly magical. I hope you’ll give it a try and discover how easy it is to brighten your holiday celebrations or cozy moments with this peppermint-chocolate delight. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become a classic you reach for year after year!