Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats

by Joanne April 28, 2023

These Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats are a twist on the classic rice krispies, and get an upgrade with real strawberries and white chocolate chips! These cereal treats store well and are perfect for bake sales and gifts.

Strawberry Rice Krispies - Cut Into Squares on Wooden Board

I think I may care about rice krispie treats far more than the average person, but I seriously love them.

It is an absurdly simple dessert to make, but there’s some kind of magic when you combine marshmallows, crisp rice cereal, and butter. I may be a little biased because I love all rice-based desserts (hello Rice Pudding), but there’s a reason these desserts are so popular.

There’s nothing wrong with a classic rice krispie treat made with those three ingredients, but sometimes I like to jazz it up a bit.

I’ve done Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, and now I’m pretty excited about a new version I recently tested, with strawberries and white chocolate.

A close up of a Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Square

In order to make this treat work, we’re going to use freeze dried strawberries. This is essential for having real strawberry flavor. Using strawberry extract isn’t enough, and I’m not a fan of strawberry jello.

Adding fresh strawberries also doesn’t work with flavor, texture (soppy mess), or storage, but freeze dried strawberries work wonderfully.

If you’ve never had freeze dried fruit, these days it is widely available at grocery stores. It is such a great way to add a fruity twist to this classic treat, to buttercream, and many other dessert recipes.

Trader Joe’s has a reasonably priced and wide selection of freeze dried fruits (right where the dried fruits and nuts are) that includes strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mangos, apples, etc. My local Whole Foods grocery store has a big selection too.

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats - Stacked on a Cutting Board

If you taste freeze dried fruit out of the bag, it has a crisp/crunchy texture, which goes perfectly with the crisp rice cereal. Though I do find that they soften up a little bit, in a pleasant way, after being mixed with the butter and marshmallow.

Step by Step Overview:

To get started, melt a few tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat in a large pot or pan that’s nonstick:

Add a 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows to the pan:

Adding Mini Marshmallows to Butter in Pan

Cook over medium low heat for a few minutes until the marshmallows melt down, stirring frequently with a silicone or rubber spatula:

Melted Marshmallows and Butter in Saucepan

Turn off the heat, then add crisp rice cereal:

Having bought different brands of this kind of cereal, I recommend going with the name brand rice krispies cereal, if possible. Some of the alternative brands are made with brown rice and have a different flavor.

Next add more mini marshmallows, freeze dried strawberries, and white chocolate chips to the cereal mixture:

Freeze Dried Strawberry Slices and Mini White Chocolate Chips Added to Rice Krispie Mixture

If you’re looking for fresh strawberry desserts, try these Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits, Strawberry Fools, or Strawberry Cupcakes.

Stir everything around until the ingredients are evenly coated in the marshmallow:

Strawberry Krispies Mixture in Pan with Melted Marshmallows

Press the mixture into an even layer in an 8×8 pan lined with foil or parchment paper, and sprayed with oil:

Pressed Out Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats Mixture in Pan

Let the rice krispie treats cool for at least 20 minutes, then cut into squares:

A Square of Strawberry Rice Crispy on a Cutting Board

Now you can enjoy your delicious strawberry rice krispie treats!

More Strawberry Desserts:

Here are some of my favorite recipes that also have a sweet strawberry flavor.

Recipe FAQ and Tips

How do you store leftover strawberry rice krispies treats?

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes, keep in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature.

Recipe Variations

Add a more pink color – Grind some of the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until you get a strawberry powder. This will distribute the color and flavor throughout and give you a lightly pink rice krispie treat. This is really fun for Valentine’s Day!

Add vanilla – Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract to the marshmallow mixture for extra aroma and flavor.

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