Fruity Pebble Crunch Bars

Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats are a celebration of color and flavor, offering a delightful twist on a classic no-bake dessert. These vibrant, sweet, and incredibly easy-to-make treats are an instant hit at any gathering, requiring only a handful of common ingredients and minimal effort. Perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a nostalgic snack, they bring a burst of joy and deliciousness to every bite.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the iconic cereal? If you have extra Fruity Pebbles on hand, you might also love this Fruity Pebble Crunch Candy for another simple and fun treat!

Stacked Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats showing their colorful, gooey texture and fun appeal.

The Ultimate Guide to Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats

There’s an undeniable magic to Rice Krispies Treats. Simple, satisfying, and reminiscent of childhood, they hold a special place in many hearts. While classic versions are always beloved, my family has a particular obsession with Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats and festive Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats. However, the true showstopper in our home remains the playful and flavorful Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats!

The secret to their irresistible charm lies in those bright, colorful flakes that transform an ordinary treat into an extraordinary sensory experience. This recipe builds upon my tried-and-true original Rice Krispie Treat recipe, which has delighted readers for years. By simply substituting traditional puffed rice cereal with the vibrant Fruity Pebbles, we achieve a delightful new dimension of flavor and visual appeal.

The beauty of these Fruity Pebbles treats is that they retain all the simplicity and speed of the classic version. You can whip up a batch in less than 10 minutes, and no baking is required, making them perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings or last-minute party preparations. The result is a chewy, sweet, and wonderfully fruity snack that consistently earns rave reviews from everyone who tries it. Get ready to add a burst of color and a fruity twist to your dessert repertoire!

Why You’ll Adore This Fruity Pebbles Treat Recipe

  • Effortlessly Easy: With just six ingredients and no baking required, these treats are perfect for beginners or busy schedules.
  • Quick to Prepare: From start to finish, you’ll have these delightful squares ready in under 10 minutes (plus cooling time!).
  • Bursting with Color: The iconic rainbow hues of Fruity Pebbles make these treats visually stunning and incredibly fun, especially for kids and parties.
  • Irresistibly Sweet & Chewy: The combination of fruity cereal and gooey marshmallows creates a perfectly balanced sweet and chewy texture.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone, from children to adults, loves these nostalgic and vibrant cereal bars. They’re guaranteed to disappear fast!
  • Versatile Snack: Ideal for lunchboxes, birthday parties, potlucks, bake sales, or simply as an everyday sweet indulgence.
Arrangement of ingredients for Fruity Pebble Rice Krispies Treats: cereal, marshmallows, salt, vanilla extract, and butter.

Key Ingredients for Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats

Crafting the perfect batch of Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats requires just a few simple ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential for achieving the best flavor and texture:

  • Unsalted Butter: The foundation of our treats! Using unsalted butter allows you to precisely control the overall saltiness of the dessert. High-quality butter enhances the richness and flavor, contributing to a truly superior treat.
  • Miniature Marshmallows: These are crucial for creating that signature gooey, chewy texture. Always opt for fresh, soft marshmallows; older, harder marshmallows won’t melt as smoothly and can result in dense, tough treats. We’ll use most for melting and reserve some to stir in at the end for pockets of extra chewiness.
  • Salt: Don’t skip this! A small pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness of the marshmallows and cereal. It deepens the flavors and prevents the treats from being overly cloying.
  • Vanilla Extract: Real vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile. Its warm, aromatic notes complement the fruity cereal and sweet marshmallows beautifully, adding a layer of sophisticated taste.
  • Fruity Pebbles Cereal: The star of the show! Fruity Pebbles provide the signature vibrant colors, delightful crunch, and irresistible fruity sweetness that define these treats.
  • Rice Krispies Cereal: While you can use all Fruity Pebbles, I prefer to incorporate a little plain Rice Krispies cereal. This subtle addition helps to slightly balance the intense sweetness of the Fruity Pebbles, creating a more harmonious flavor. Feel free to use all Fruity Pebbles if you enjoy a sweeter, more intensely fruity profile.

Quick Tip for Easy Pressing

When it comes to spreading the warm, sticky mixture into your pan, a little preparation goes a long way. To prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands, lightly spray your fingers with nonstick baking spray before pressing. This simple trick makes the process incredibly smooth and mess-free! Alternatively, you can use the butter wrapper (with the butter side facing down) to gently press the mixture into an even layer without any stickiness.

Melting marshmallow mixture with Fruity Pebbles and additional marshmallows being folded in for the cereal treats.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats

Creating these delightful cereal treats is incredibly simple and requires no baking. Follow these easy steps for a perfect batch every time:

  1. Prepare Your Pan: Begin by lining a 9×9-inch cake pan with parchment paper. Ensure the parchment paper hangs over the sides—this creates “handles” that will make lifting the finished treats out of the pan incredibly easy. Lightly spray the parchment paper and the sides of the pan with cooking spray. Set aside about 2½ cups (120 grams) of miniature marshmallows for later.
  2. Melt Butter & Marshmallows: In a large, nonstick pot, melt the unsalted butter over very low heat. Once the butter is fully melted, add the majority of your miniature marshmallows (all but the reserved 2½ cups). Stir continuously and gently over low heat until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. Be patient and keep the heat low to prevent the marshmallows from becoming tough.
  3. Remove from Heat & Flavor: Immediately remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the salt and vanilla extract until well combined. The residual heat will help these ingredients incorporate fully.
  4. Combine Cereals & Remaining Marshmallows: Gently fold in the Fruity Pebbles and Rice Krispies cereals into the melted marshmallow mixture. Be careful not to mash or crush the cereal too much; you want to preserve its texture. Now, add the reserved 2½ cups of fresh miniature marshmallows. Stir until all the cereal and the added marshmallows are evenly coated. The whole marshmallows will create lovely pockets of gooeyness in the final treats.
  5. Press into Pan: Pour the entire mixture into your prepared 9×9-inch pan. Lightly spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, or use the butter wrapper, and gently press the mixture into an even layer. Remember, light pressure is key here; pressing too firmly will result in dense, hard treats instead of soft, chewy ones.
  6. Cool and Set: Allow the treats to cool and set completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour. This crucial step ensures they firm up enough to be cut cleanly.
  7. Cut and Serve: Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to easily lift the entire block of treats out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board and use a sharp, lightly greased knife to cut them into perfect squares. Serve immediately and enjoy these colorful, chewy delights!
The combined Fruity Pebbles and marshmallow mixture being spread into a 9x9 pan to cool and harden.

Expert Tips for Perfect Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats

Achieving that ideal balance of soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet in your Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats is easy with these expert tips:

  • Don’t Press Too Hard: This is arguably the most important tip! When spreading the mixture into the pan, use a very light touch. Over-compressing the treats will squeeze out the air and result in dense, hard bars that lose their signature chewy texture. Aim for an even layer, but let it remain slightly loose.
  • Always Use Low Heat for Marshmallows: Melt butter and marshmallows over the lowest possible heat setting. High heat can cause the marshmallows to caramelize too quickly, making them tough and sticky instead of smooth and gooey. Stir constantly and remove from heat as soon as they are fully melted.
  • Fresh Marshmallows Make All the Difference: Always use fresh, soft miniature marshmallows. Stale marshmallows can be difficult to melt evenly and will result in a less desirable, tougher texture in your finished treats. Check the expiry date and feel them for softness before starting.
  • Mix Thoroughly but Gently: Once the melted marshmallow mixture is removed from the heat, quickly but gently fold in the cereals. Ensure every flake is coated, but avoid mashing or stirring too vigorously, which can break up the cereal and make the treats less appealing.
  • Cool Completely for Clean Cuts: Patience is a virtue here! Allow the treats to cool and set completely at room temperature (at least one hour, or even longer) before attempting to cut them. This ensures they firm up properly, preventing them from being too sticky and allowing for neat, clean squares.
  • Grease Your Tools: Lightly spray your pan, parchment paper, hands, and knife with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent stickiness at every stage, from pressing the mixture to cutting the finished bars.
  • Consider Your Pan Size: A 9×9-inch pan yields thicker, more substantial bars. For thinner treats, a 9×13-inch pan can be used, but adjust the cooling time accordingly.

Fun Variations and Customization Ideas

While classic Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats are fantastic on their own, don’t hesitate to get creative and customize them! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

  • Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some white chocolate or milk chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled treats for an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal.
  • Add Sprinkles: Before they fully set, sprinkle some extra colorful sprinkles on top for even more festive flair.
  • Different Extracts: Experiment with a different extract! A touch of almond extract, lemon extract, or even a different fruity extract can add a unique twist.
  • Marshmallow Swirl: For an extra gooey texture, swirl in a tablespoon or two of marshmallow fluff with the melted marshmallows.
  • Mix-ins: Consider adding mini chocolate chips, chopped white chocolate, or even a few extra mini marshmallows when you fold in the cereal for varied texture.
  • Peanut Butter Swirl: For a delicious flavor combination, swirl in a couple of tablespoons of melted peanut butter just after adding the vanilla and salt.
Gooey and colorful Fruity Pebble Rice Krispies Treats stacked, ready to be enjoyed.

Storage Guidelines for Freshness

For the absolute best texture and gooeyness, these Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats are best enjoyed the same day they are made. If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and chewy for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigerating, as it can cause the treats to harden and lose their desirable texture.

More Easy No-Bake & Simple Dessert Recipes:

  • Carmelitas: Decadent bars featuring layers of oatmeal, caramel, and chocolate.
  • Lemon Bars: Zesty and bright, with a buttery shortbread crust.
  • Seven Layer Bars: A delightful combination of coconut, chocolate chips, and more, all in one easy bar.
  • Vanilla Cheesecake Bars: Creamy cheesecake on a classic graham cracker crust.
  • S’mores Bars: All the fun of s’mores, complete with mini marshmallows, in a convenient bar form.
Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats stacked on top of each other showing the gooey desserts.
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Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats

By
Chelsea Lords
Fruity Pebble Rice Krispies Treats are vibrant, sweet, and simple. With only six classic ingredients, they’re a crowd-pleaser wherever you serve them.
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Setting up time:
1 hour
Total Time:
1 hour 20 minutes
Servings:
12 bars

Video

Equipment

  • 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper
  • Large pot nonstick

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 16 ounces miniature marshmallows (see note 1)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal
  • 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal (see note 2)

Instructions

  1. Spray a 9 x 9-inch pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Separate 2-1/2 cups (120 grams) of marshmallows from the bag to use later.
  2. In a large nonstick pot, melt the butter over low heat. Once butter is melted, add all but the reserved 2-1/2 cups (120 grams) of marshmallows. Stir constantly over low heat until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
  3. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the salt and vanilla extract until well combined. Gently fold in the Rice Krispies and Fruity Pebbles cereals. Add the reserved 2-1/2 cups of marshmallows and stir until everything is well combined and coated. Take your time here, and don’t mash the cereal while stirring.
  4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray and gently press the mixture into an even layer. Be careful not to press too hard, as this can make the bars dense and heavy.
  5. Allow the bars to cool and set at room temperature for at least an hour. Use the parchment-paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and cut them into squares with a sharp, lightly greased knife.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: The softer and fresher the marshmallows, the better these bars will taste and the chewier their texture will be.

Note 2: You can use all Fruity Pebbles instead of the Rice Krispies and Fruity Pebbles mix, but I found the combination with plain Rice Krispies to be a little less sweet and more balanced.

Storage: For the best texture, enjoy these treats the same day they are made. Store any leftovers tightly wrapped in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving |
Calories: 189kcal |
Carbohydrates: 35g |
Protein: 1g |
Fat: 5g |
Saturated Fat: 4g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g |
Trans Fat: 0.2g |
Cholesterol: 13mg |
Sodium: 115mg |
Potassium: 19mg |
Fiber: 0.1g |
Sugar: 19g |
Vitamin A: 790IU |
Vitamin C: 6mg |
Calcium: 5mg |
Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.




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