There’s something magically festive about mint and marshmallows combined in a treat you can whip up in no time. This Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe adds a fun holiday twist to a classic snack: think crispy, chewy, with bursts of refreshing peppermint and crunchy candy cane pieces. It’s a total crowd-pleaser that’s worth the extra step with chocolate drizzles and crushed candy canes on top.

The image shows several square pieces of a crispy rice treat stacked loosely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has two layers: the bottom layer is light golden in color with a puffy, airy texture from the crispy rice, while the top layer is made of dark brown chocolate with white chocolate drizzled unevenly over it. The chocolate is sprinkled with crushed red and white candy pieces, adding a textured, festive touch. Around the treats are whole round peppermint candies with red and white stripes, scattered randomly across the surface. The photo is 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 love how this recipe takes my nostalgic favorite and instantly turns it into a holiday showstopper. It’s quick, no-fuss, and you can easily make it while catching up with friends or prepping for a party. The pops of peppermint and candy cane crunch make these treats feel extra special without any complicated steps.

Festive flavor boost: Peppermint extract and crushed candy canes transform classic Rice Krispies treats into a seasonal delight.
Double chocolate drizzle: Using both dark and white chocolate adds a pretty marbled look and extra rich taste.
Perfect texture balance: Soft marshmallow gooeyness meets crisp cereal crunch, with candy cane bits adding a refreshing snap.
Easy to customize: Whether prepping for a holiday gathering or personal treat time, you can tweak flavors or toppings as you like.

The image shows several square pieces of a crispy rice treat stacked on a white marbled surface. Each piece has three main layers: the bottom and middle layers are light golden and crispy, made of puffed rice cereal mixed with a sticky, smooth marshmallow layer, while the top layer is a thin coating of dark chocolate drizzled unevenly, sprinkled with crushed red and white peppermint candy bits. Two whole peppermint candies sit near the front right of the frame, with some blurred stacks of the treats in the background, creating depth. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in making these treats both tasty and texturally delightful. Using salted butter adds depth, peppermint extract brings that iconic holiday flavor, and the candy canes give a satisfying crunch. Plus, the chocolate drizzle? It’s the glamorous finishing touch that ties it all together.

Flat lay of a half cup of salted butter block, two small piles of miniature white marshmallows, a small white bowl with clear peppermint extract, a large mound of golden puffed Rice Krispies cereal, a small white bowl filled with crushed red and white candy cane pieces, a simple white bowl with chopped dark chocolate chunks, and another white bowl with chopped white chocolate chunks, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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: Melts smoothly to bind everything; the salt enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
Miniature marshmallows: Essential for that gooey, chewy texture – I recommend using fresh marshmallows for best melt.
Peppermint extract: A little goes a long way here, so don’t overdo it – it gives that classic minty holiday vibe.
Rice Krispies cereal: Adds the crispy crunch that contrasts perfectly with the marshmallow softness.
Crushed candy canes: Adds festive color and crunchy bursts; use fresh candy canes for maximum crunch.
Dark chocolate (chopped): Adds a bittersweet edge that pairs wonderfully with the sweet marshmallow and mint flavors.
White chocolate (chopped): Melts beautifully to drizzle, adding a creamy sweetness and visual contrast.

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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 like to switch things up depending on the occasion—sometimes I add a sprinkle of red and green festive sprinkles on top or swap out peppermint extract for a drop of vanilla when I’m short on the mint. You should definitely feel free to tweak this Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe to your liking!

Variation: One holiday, I swapped the peppermint for orange extract and crushed dark chocolate orange candy—such a fun twist! It was a hit with friends who wanted something less traditional.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Workstation and Ingredients

Start by lining your 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper—this makes cleanup and removal way easier. Then unwrap your candy canes and crush them finely using a rolling pin or in a plastic bag. Having everything ready upfront keeps the process smooth.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows Gently

Melt the butter over medium heat, then lower to low before adding most of the marshmallows (save a cup for later). Stir frequently until the marshmallows fully melt and the mixture is silky. Go slow—this helps prevent scorching or burning, which can ruin the flavor.

Step 3: Mix in Flavor and Cereal Carefullly

Remove your pot from heat and stir in peppermint extract, the Rice Krispies cereal, crushed candy canes, and the reserved marshmallows. The final marshmallows give extra gooey pockets that make each bite interesting.

Step 4: Press into Pan – Don’t Compact!

Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and gently press it down evenly using your butter wrapper, a buttered spatula, or lightly greased hands. The key is to press firmly but not compact, so your treats stay light and chewy instead of dense.

Step 5: Melt Chocolate and Drizzle Beautifully

In separate bowls, microwave the chopped dark and white chocolates in short 20-second bursts, stirring after each, until smooth and easy to drizzle. Using a spoon or piping bag, drizzle both chocolates over your treats, then sprinkle the remaining crushed candy cane on top for that beautiful finishing touch.

Step 6: Let Set Completely Before Serving

Allow the treats to cool and the chocolate to set fully before slicing into squares. Patience here pays off – cutting too soon might smudge your pretty chocolate or cause the treats to fall apart.

Top Tip

When I first tried this, I underestimated how sticky the marshmallow mixture gets, so handling it with buttered hands or using the butter wrapper really made a difference in getting a smooth, even layer. Here are a few tips from my kitchen to yours to make sure your Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats come out perfect every time:

Butter Your Tools: Whether your hands, spatula, or butter wrapper, a little butter stops the mixture from sticking and makes pressing easier.
Low and Slow Melting: Melting marshmallows on low heat avoids scorch flavors and keeps everything silky smooth.
Don’t Overcomplicate Toppings: Drizzling the chocolates rather than spreading them keeps a more elegant texture and lets the marshmallow flavor shine.
Chill Before Cutting: Let the treats cool fully so they slice cleanly without crumbling or chocolate spills.

How to Serve Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

peppermint rice krispies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often garnish these treats with a sprinkle of extra crushed candy canes or a few mini peppermint candies on top just before serving. It amps up the visual appeal and adds a bit more festive crunch that guests rave about.

Side Dishes

These peppermint treats pair beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint coffee—you really create that cozy holiday vibe. For parties, I like offering a fruit tray or spiced nuts alongside so guests have a variety of flavors to enjoy.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve tried laying Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats out on a platter lined with festive napkins and decorating with fresh evergreen sprigs and candy canes as edible displays. Popping individual squares into clear treat bags with candy cane ribbon is another cute way to gift these to friends and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover treats fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually stay perfectly chewy and delicious for up to five days—just make sure the container’s sealed tightly to prevent drying out.

Freezing

One of my favorite tricks is to freeze these treats individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a container. This way, they last up to two months, and guests can thaw a square when craving a quick festive bite.

Reheating

If your treats have been frozen or just need to be warmed up for gooey goodness, I zap them in the microwave for just 10-15 seconds. Watch carefully—too long and the chocolate layers melt away or the marshmallows get tough.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular peppermint instead of extract?

While crushed candy canes add crunch and flavor, the peppermint extract is important for a true minty aroma throughout; you can certainly add more candy canes if you prefer, but I recommend using a bit of the peppermint extract for that deep peppermint flavor.

How do I prevent the Rice Krispies treats from becoming too dense?

Avoid pressing the mixture too firmly into the pan. Gently pressing with buttered hands or a spatula is enough to create an even layer while keeping the treats light and chewy.

Can I substitute the dark chocolate with milk chocolate?

Yes, definitely! Milk chocolate will add a sweeter, creamier flavor. Just be sure to melt it gently as milk chocolate can burn more easily than dark chocolate.

How long will these Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they'll stay fresh and chewy for up to five days. Keep them away from humid spots to prevent them from becoming sticky.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Recipe has become my go-to for holiday baking because it’s fast, festive, and fun to share. It reminds me of cozy winter mornings with family, sipping cocoa and snacking on something sweet and minty. Trust me, once you make this, you'll keep it in your seasonal rotation – and that’s a promise from one friend to another.