Lucky Leprechaun Rice Krispie Treats are a fun and festive twist on the classic marshmallow and crispy rice cereal treat. They’re sweet, crunchy, and packed with colorful green and gold sprinkles or candies that make them perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. These treats are simple to make and bring a little bit of magic to snack time.
I love making these with my kids because they’re easy to stir up and decorate together. Adding a handful of green food coloring gives the whole batch a cheerful, lucky-clover vibe that always gets smiles all around. Plus, you can mix in some gold-colored candies or sprinkles to look like little pots of gold inside each bite.
My favorite way to serve them is on a bright, festive plate during a party or as a special after-school surprise. They’re chewy, sweet, and just the right amount of crispy, which keeps everyone reaching for more. If you want to make them extra fun, try cutting them into little shamrocks or decorating with edible gold glitter—perfect for sharing a bit of luck with friends and family!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crispy Rice Cereal: This provides the classic crunch. I love mixing in fruity cereal for color and extra fun. If you prefer gluten-free, look for certified gluten-free rice cereal.
Marshmallows: Regular marshmallows melt smoothly and hold the treats together well. You can try mini marshmallows for quicker melting or use vegan marshmallows for a plant-based version.
Butter: Butter adds richness and helps melt marshmallows evenly. If needed, you can substitute margarine or coconut oil, but butter offers the best flavor.
Green Food Coloring: This adds festive color. Gel food coloring works best since it won’t thin the marshmallow mixture. Natural green powders like matcha can be tried for a subtle color and flavor.
Edible Leprechaun Hat Decorations: I like green sugar cubes and small candy pieces since they look cute and add texture. Licorice strips for hatbands are fun but can be swapped for black fondant or edible markers if you want to avoid licorice taste.
How Do You Mix and Shape Rice Krispie Treats Without Making Them Too Sticky or Dry?
Get your pan ready by greasing or lining it to avoid sticking. Melt butter and marshmallows on low heat, stirring constantly for a smooth texture.
- Remove from heat quickly once melted—overheating makes the mixture grainy.
- Stir in cereal gently but quickly to coat everything without crushing the cereal.
- Press the mixture into the pan using a spatula or wax paper lightly greased to avoid stickiness.
- Press firmly but don’t compact too much or treats get hard—just even and smooth.
- Let cool completely before cutting or decorating to keep shapes neat.
Following these tips gives you chewy, perfectly textured treats that hold their fun shapes and decorations!
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×13 inch baking pan – I use this to press the treats evenly and make clean cuts.
- Large mixing bowls – helpful for dividing and mixing the marshmallow mixture without mess.
- Large spatula or wax paper – for pressing the cereal mixture into the pan smoothly.
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl – to melt the marshmallows and butter safely and evenly.
- Small decorating tools or edible stickers – for adding cute leprechaun hats and details.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use white chocolate chips or colored candy melts on top for extra sweetness or shiny decorations.
- Add in mini chocolate chips or pastel sprinkles to make the treats extra colorful and fun.
- Swap fruity cereal for crumbled cookies or crushed graham crackers for a different crunch.
- Mix in small candies like M&Ms or mini marshmallows inside for surprises in every bite.
Lucky Leprechaun Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal (e.g., Rice Krispies)
- 4 cups fruity or multicolored cereal (such as Froot Loops)
- 1 package (10 oz, about 40) marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Green food coloring
- Edible decorations for leprechaun hats (e.g., green sugar cubes or green candy squares, small candy belts/buckles, black licorice pieces or edible black strips)
- Butter or non-stick spray for greasing the pan
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of active prep time, plus about 30 minutes to let the treats set and cool before cutting and decorating. It’s easy and quick, perfect for a fun St. Patrick’s Day activity!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan and Melt Butter & Marshmallows
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan with butter or non-stick spray. In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter. Add marshmallows and stir often until completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to burn the marshmallows.
2. Divide and Color the Marshmallow Mixture
Remove the pot from heat and divide the marshmallow mixture roughly in half into two large bowls. Add green food coloring to one bowl little by little until you get a nice, bright green. Stir well to evenly color the marshmallows.
3. Mix in the Cereals
Fold half of the crispy rice cereal into the green marshmallow mixture gently until fully coated. In the other bowl, fold in the fruity cereal gently to coat with plain marshmallows. Then combine both mixtures carefully by folding the green mixture into the fruity one, keeping the colors vibrant and separated.
4. Press, Cool, Cut, and Decorate
Pour the combined cereal mixture into the prepared pan. Using a buttered spatula or a piece of wax paper, press the mixture evenly and firmly. Let it cool completely for about 30 minutes. Once set, cut into squares or fun shapes.
Top each piece with an edible leprechaun hat by placing a green sugar cube or candy square on each treat, wrapping a small black licorice strip or edible black strip around it for the hatband, and finishing with a tiny yellow candy buckle or decoration. Serve and enjoy!
Can I Use Frozen Marshmallows for This Recipe?
It’s best to use fresh marshmallows because frozen ones can be sticky and hard to melt evenly. If you only have frozen marshmallows, let them thaw completely at room temperature before using.
How Should I Store Leftover Rice Krispie Treats?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep them chewy and fresh. Avoid refrigeration as it can make them hard and stale faster.
Can I Make These Treats Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare and cut them a day ahead. Just wait to add the leprechaun hat decorations until right before serving to keep them looking fresh.
What Can I Use Instead of Green Food Coloring?
If you prefer natural options, try a small amount of matcha powder or spinach juice for a mild green tint, though the color will be softer and the flavor may change slightly.