There’s something truly magical about biting into crunchy, sweet, and colorful Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe that instantly brings festive joy to your taste buds. This recipe adds a vibrant twist with holiday-themed M&Ms and sprinkles, making it not just tasty but perfect for celebrations or gifting.

The image shows a close-up of two thick square treats, layered with light tan crispy cereal mixed with white marshmallow, topped with red and green candy-coated chocolates and red and green sprinkles. A white drizzle flows across the top of the treats in thin, uneven lines. The treats rest on brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with extra red and green candies scattered around. Below, a white bowl is filled with more red and green candy-coated chocolates, adding a festive touch. 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 Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of how the festive M&Ms brighten up these treats—it’s like a party in every bite! What makes this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe so special is its perfect balance of classic gooey marshmallow goodness and colorful crunch that everyone in the family will adore.

Festive Fun: The holiday M&Ms and sprinkles not only taste delicious but also turn a simple treat into a cheerful showstopper.
Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward, so even if you’re pressed for time during the busy holidays, it’s a stress-free success.
Kid-Friendly: Kids love to help mix in the colorful candies, making it a fun family activity.
Customizable: You can easily swap in your favorite holiday-themed candies or sprinkles to suit any occasion or dietary needs.

The image shows several square pieces of rice cereal treats arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a pale beige base made from puffed rice cereal held together by a sticky substance, with visible green and red candy-coated chocolates mixed inside. The top layer is decorated with a white drizzle and scattered whole red and green candy-coated chocolates. The treats have a textured, slightly rough surface and appear soft but firm. A white bowl filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates sits in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe plays an essential role to create that perfect chewy, crispy, and colorful treat you want. Here are some handy tips for choosing the best components for your batch.

Flat lay of six tablespoons of salted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl with pure vanilla extract, a large white ceramic bowl heaped with crispy rice cereal, a small white ceramic bowl holding colorful holiday M&M's in red, green, yellow, and orange, a small white ceramic bowl of red and green holiday sprinkles in the shape of jimmies, and a small white ceramic bowl containing melted creamy white chocolate wafers, all arranged in perfect symmetry with realistic proportions, 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

Salted butter: Adds a rich, creamy base that balances the sweetness and gives the treats that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Mini marshmallows: Using minis helps melt evenly and mix smoothly with the cereal, creating a gooey coating that binds everything together.
Pure vanilla extract: This little splash enhances the sweet flavor, making each bite taste homemade and comforting.
Rice Krispies cereal: The crunchy backbone of the treat, providing the signature crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the marshmallow.
Holiday M&M's: These bring both color and a little chocolate crunch — I recommend milk chocolate or peanut butter as I find them wonderfully festive without being too hard.
Holiday sprinkles: I love using jimmies because they blend beautifully without adding crunch, but you can use quins for a fun shape. Avoid tiny nonpareils as they sometimes feel like a grit.
White chocolate melting wafers: Drizzling melted white chocolate on top adds a lovely creamy contrast and makes these treats look much fancier than they really are.

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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

One of the best parts about this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe is how flexible it is. I often like to switch up the candy and sprinkles to match different holidays or flavor cravings. You should definitely put your own spin on it too!

Variation: For example, I once swapped the holiday M&Ms for peanut butter ones during a chilly winter party, and the extra richness was such a crowd-pleaser — but I dial it down if you prefer less crunch.
Dietary swaps: You can use dairy-free butter and marshmallows if you want to keep this recipe allergy-friendly without losing the magic.
Seasonal changes: Different sprinkles and themed M&Ms work great for any holiday—try pastel colors for Easter or red and green for Christmas to keep things festive year-round.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Ingredients

Begin by lining a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper—it makes cleanup a breeze and helps you lift the treats out when they’re ready. Gather all your ingredients before you start; having everything at hand keeps the process smooth and fun.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of salted butter. Once melted, add all but 1 cup of your mini marshmallows and reduce the heat to low. Stir gently but continuously until everything’s melted into a glossy, smooth mixture—patience here is key, so don’t rush or your marshmallows might scorch!

Step 3: Flavor & Mix In Cereal and Candies

Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract—this step always feels like adding a little secret magic. Next, quickly fold in the rice Krispies cereal and the reserved 1 cup of marshmallows, mixing gently to keep those marshmallows whole throughout. Finally, stir in 1 cup of holiday M&M's and all the holiday sprinkles for that festive pop of color.

Step 4: Press and Decorate

Transfer the mixture into your prepared pan. Press gently with your fingertips to evenly spread it out—too much pressure can crush the candy pieces, so gentle is the way to go. Drizzle melted white chocolate wafers on top, then sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of M&Ms and a pinch more sprinkles to finish off the look. Let this set for about an hour at room temperature before slicing.

Top Tip

Through my many attempts at this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe, a few little hacks have saved me time and kept the treats perfect every time. These are the ones I wish I’d known when I started — and I hope they help you too!

Low & Slow Melting: Keep the heat low when melting marshmallows to stop burning which causes a grainy texture—slow, gentle stirring is everything.
Don’t Overpress: Use your fingertips instead of a spatula so you don’t mash the candies or crush the cereal too much, preserving crunch and color.
Freshness Matters: Always use fresh marshmallows and cereal. Old stuff leads to dull-tasting and tough treats; fresh always tastes lighter and fluffier.
White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt the wafers slowly in short bursts in the microwave stirring often to avoid overheating — a smooth drizzle makes your treats look professionally finished.

How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe

Holiday Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing these treats with a sprinkle of extra holiday M&Ms and a few festive jimmies on top—it’s like adding the cherry on top of a spectacular sundae. Plus, those little pops of color make your treats picture-perfect for holiday parties or gifting.

Side Dishes

Since these treats are sweet and rich, I like to serve them alongside something fresh and light like a fruit platter or a tangy cranberry dip. They pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or warm apple cider too—perfect for cozy holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

One year I arranged these treats on a platter shaped like a Christmas tree by cutting them into triangles and stacking them with sprigs of fresh rosemary for garnish—it was a fun and festive centerpiece! Wrapping individual squares in colorful cellophane with a cute ribbon also makes fantastic homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and cut, I store leftover Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay chewy and fresh for up to a week the way I do it, perfect for snacking across several days without losing that homemade charm.

Freezing

If you want to stock up or prepare in advance, these treats freeze beautifully. I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When I thaw them, they retain their texture without becoming soggy or crumbly.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t typically necessary, but if you want to soften them just a touch, I warm them for about 10 seconds in the microwave. Just be careful—not too long or the candies can melt too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular sized marshmallows instead of mini ones?

You can, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly, preventing clumps. If using regular sized, cut them in halves or thirds for best results.

What’s the best way to prevent M&Ms from melting into the marshmallow mixture?

Fold the M&Ms in gently at the end, and don’t stir too vigorously. Press the mixture gently into the pan to avoid breaking or melting the candies before setting.

Can I substitute gluten-free cereal in this recipe?

Yes! Just make sure the gluten-free cereal is similar in size and texture to Rice Krispies to maintain the classic treat’s crunch and structure.

How do I keep my treats from becoming hard or stale?

Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating them, which can dry them out. Using fresh marshmallows and cereal also makes a big difference.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made countless batches of Holiday Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe over the years, and they never fail to bring smiles and festive cheer. The perfect balance of chewy marshmallow, crunchy cereal, chocolatey M&Ms, and fun sprinkles makes them an irresistible treat everyone looks forward to. So grab your pan and get ready to create some holiday magic — I promise you’ll love sharing these bright, joyful bites with friends and family.