Caramel marshmallow rice krispie balls are easy to make and completely no bake! Soft, chewy marshmallows get covered in rich caramel, then coated in crunchy rice krispie cereal!

Why you’ll love this easy recipe:

Next time you feel like making rice Krispie treats, make these caramel marshmallow rice krispie balls instead! They’re a fun twist on a classic and the perfect treat for holidays, movie nights, or gifts for the neighbors!

If you thought the only sweet treat you could make from rice krispie cereal and marshmallows were rice krispie treats, you’re in for a real treat! These caramel marshmallow rice krispie balls are both crunchier AND chewier than the rice krispie bars we all know and love.

Ingredients you’ll need:

Marshmallows
Caramel bits
Sweetened condensed milk
Butter
Rice Krispie cereal

Don’t let the caramel coating scare you! Store-bought caramel bits are a great shortcut to make this recipe super quick and easy! All you’re doing is melting down the caramel bits with sweetened condensed milk and butter to create a sweet and smooth coating. No candy thermometer required here!

I find my caramel bits in the baking aisle at Target, but if you can’t get your hands on them, this recipe would also work with any kind of individually wrapped store-bought baking caramels. Kraft and Werther’s offer great options.

How to make the best caramel marshmallow rice krispie balls:

Insert a toothpick into each marshmallow and place them upright on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Set aside.
Pour the rice krispie cereal into a large bowl. Set aside for later.
In a microwave safe bowl, combine caramel bits, sweetened condensed milk and butter. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in-between until the mixture is melted and smooth.
Working one by one, dip each marshmallow completely into the melted caramel mixture, let the excess drip off, then coat in the bowl of rice krispie cereal and return to the prepared baking sheet.
Repeat until there are no marshmallows remaining and let cool for 30 minutes to set the caramel. Remove all toothpicks before enjoying!

Soft marshmallow center, gooey caramel, and crispy crunch of rice krispies, what’s not to love? If you love easy, no bake recipes just like this one, you need to try my caramel brownie bugles, potato chip candy clusters, and cookie dough pretzel bites too!

My top tips:

LINE YOUR SHEET PAN: Be sure you’re lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent any sticking. Skip this step, and you’ll have a sticky caramel mess on your hands!
TOOTHPICKS OR SKEWERS: If you don’t have toothpicks on hand, you can also insert skewers into the marshmallows. You’ll just want something that will act as a handle while dipping the marshmallows in the hot caramel mixture.
MELTING THE CARAMEL MIXTURE: If using a microwave to melt the caramel mixture, it’s important to heat the mixture in 30 second intervals, stirring in-between, to prevent burning. You can also melt the mixture in a saucepan over low heat until smooth.
CARAMEL BITS VS SOFT CARAMELS: I love the convenience of using caramel bits because they don’t require you to unwrap individual candies. I use Kraft caramel bits, but they also make baking caramels that can be used in this recipe as well, they’ll just need to be unwrapped individually.
KEEPING THE CARAMEL WARM: If you find that the caramel is becoming too firm to continue dipping the marshmallows, pop it back in the microwave for 30 seconds, give it a quick stir, and it should loosen back up for you to continue dipping.
STORING: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature and they will stay fresh for up to a week!

Looking for more fun and easy dessert ideas? Check these out!

Print Recipe