Can You Freeze Rice Krispie Treats?
Made with butter, rice cereal, and marshmallows, Rice Krispie treats are a timeless snack enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
There are several variations of this delicious treat that include adding ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles, cookies, and crushed candy.
Often when you make a batch at home, you tend to go overboard and have dozens left over. Since they have a limited shelf life, you either have to eat them all or store them in a way that they last longer.
So, can you freeze Rice Krispie treats? Yes, you can freeze Rice Krispie treats even though they contain melted marshmallows — it doesn’t affect the freezing process. You can freeze homemade Rice Krispies as well as store-bought ones.
Read on to find out more about Rice Krispie treats, how you can freeze them, how long they can stay frozen, and much more.
Freezing Rice Krispie Treats
Not only are Rice Krispie treats super delicious, but they’re also incredibly easy to freeze. You may think that the ingredients used to make these yummy snacks wouldn’t freeze as well, but you’d be pleasantly surprised!
Rice Krispie treats are made with Rice Krispies cereal, a classic cereal made with crisped rice and a lot of sugar that has been a household name in the US for generations.
Other ingredients include marshmallows and butter, both of which fare well in the freezer for a short time.
You can add extra ingredients to the recipe or purchase readymade chocolate Rice Krispie treats from the store.
Either way, there is no worry about freezing them since chocolate is another ingredient that keeps well in cold storage. The exact time depends on the type of chocolate since some freeze longer than others.
How To Freeze Rice Krispie Treats
You can easily freeze both homemade Rice Krispie treats as well as the store-bought ones, although the way you can do it is a little different for both products.
Here are the easiest and most successful ways to freeze Rice Krispie treats.
Freezing Homemade Rice Krispie Treats
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- After you’ve made your batch of Rice Krispie treats, let them cool down completely.
- Once they’re cooled, cut them into your desired shape using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Wrap each Rice Krispie treat in cling wrap, making sure to cover them completely so that there are no exposed parts for freshness to escape and moisture to seep in.
- Place the individually-wrapped treats in a freezer bag or container.
- If you are using a bag, make sure to expel as much air as possible from the bag to minimize the risk of freezer burn. If you are using a container, make sure it is tightly sealed.
- Label the bag or container with the date so that you can keep track of its freshness.
- Pop them in the freezer, making sure they are stored flat.
Flash-Freezing Homemade Rice Krispie Treats
Flash-freezing is a variation of the freezing method mentioned above.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Wait for the Rice Krispie treats to cool down, after which wrap them in wax paper. You may wrap the entire thing or cut it into smaller pieces to wrap them individually.
- Place the wrapped treats in the freezer for 1-2 hours so that they are frozen solid.
- Once completely frozen, cover the treats in cling wrap and put them in a freezer bag or container.
- Again, if you are using a bag, make sure to expel as much air as possible from the bag to minimize the risk of freezer burn. If you are using a container, make sure it is tightly sealed.
- Write the date on the bag or container and place it in the freezer.
Freezing Store-Bought Rice Krispie Treats
Freezing store-bought Rice Krispie Treats is just as easy as freezing homemade ones.
If they are unopened and in their original packaging, simply keep them in the freezer as is.
If the treats have been opened, you need to repack each treat individually using cling wrap. After wrapping, place them in a freezer bag, making sure to squeeze out all the excess air before sealing it shut.
Write the date on the freezer bag and store it flat in the freezer.
How Long Do Rice Krispie Treats Last In The Freezer?
Storebought Rice Krispie treats can last up to several days at room temperature after the best-by date printed on the packaging, considering that the packaging hasn’t been damaged or compromised in any way.
If you have made Rice Krispie treats at home, they have a very limited shelf life and can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for only about 2 days.
You need to keep them away from any direct sources of heat, light, and humidity as these will accelerate the degradation process.
Since butter is one of the main ingredients used for making Rice Krispie treats, they’ll start to go bad as soon as the butter turns rancid.
Refrigeration is a great method for preserving Rice Krispie treats, particularly the homemade variety and store-bought treats that have been opened.
They should stay good refrigerated for 3-5 days. The total time will depend on how well they have been stored and the extra ingredients used to make them.
If you want to make them last as long as possible in the fridge, it is best to store them in an airtight container. This will help keep out bacteria and moisture, both of which can cause the treats to go bad faster.
If you wish to store them for even longer, freezing is the way to go. If stored properly following the instructions mentioned above, Rice Krispie treats will last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Keep in mind though that, if kept frozen for too long, the rice cereal can change its texture and affect the quality of the treats. Therefore, it is best to consume them within 1 month.
Factors To Consider When Freezing Rice Krispie Treats
Since Rice Krispie treats freeze so well, you can make a big batch and store it for later use. For best results, if you are making the treats at home, be sure to use the best ingredients you can find.
The quality of the ingredients plays a huge factor in how well the treats freeze and then defrost. For example, using low-quality rice cereal will turn the treats grainy or soggy and affect both the taste and quality.
The way you store them will also have a huge impact on how they turn out. If the treats are well-sealed and kept at the right temperature in the ideal storage conditions, they will keep for up to 6 months.
You can freeze either the entire tray of Rice Krispie treats or freeze each piece individually. Both methods work fine and you can choose which one works best for you depending on how you plan on using the treats later.
If you plan on defrosting and consuming the entire tray at once, you can freeze it all together. If you plan on using small servings each time and over a few weeks, we suggest freezing them individually so that it becomes easy to defrost and use.
Individual pieces will also take up much less space than a giant slab of Rice Krispie treats. They are also super convenient to use and pack for your kid’s school lunch.
Make sure you don’t refreeze the treats after thawing them as it might lead to a serious loss of taste, texture, and overall quality.
How To Make Rice Krispie Treats At Home
Making Rice Krispie treats at home is super easy. It is a simple recipe that both kids and adults absolutely love!
You can make the original plain Rice Krispie treats or add yummy ingredients for a fun variation. There are several ways you can make them more special, such as by adding chocolate, sprinkles, vanilla, and much more.
Rice Krispie treats are generally spread onto a pan and then cut into squares or rectangles.
Alternatively, you can form the mixture with your hands and create your own favorite and unique shapes. If that seems like too much work, you can use cookie cutters to cut them after they have cooled down!
Ingredients
- Rice Krispie cereal
- Butter
- Mini marshmallows
- Any desired additional ingredients (ex. chocolate chips, sprinkles, or M&M’s)
Instructions
1. Start by melting the butter and marshmallows in a small saucepan over low heat.
2. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are completely melted.
3. Add the crispy rice cereal into the saucepan — if you are using any additional ingredients, this is the time to add them.
4. Using an oiled spatula, toss all the ingredients to coat the cereal well.
5. Transfer the mixture to an oiled baking pan (sprayed with cooking oil) and spread it in an even layer using the spatula.
6. Press it down firmly with the spatula or using wax or parchment paper.
7. Allow it to cool completely.
8. Cut it into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter.
9. Enjoy right away or store for later use.
Homemade Rice Krispie Treats
Making Rice Krispie treats at home is super easy. It is a simple recipe that both kids and adults absolutely love! You can make the original plain Rice Krispie treats or add yummy ingredients for a fun variation.
Ingredients
- Rice Krispie cereal
- Butter
- Mini marshmallows
- Any desired additional ingredients (ex. chocolate chips, sprinkles, or M&M's)
Instructions
1. Start by melting the butter and marshmallows in a small saucepan over low heat.
2. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are completely melted.
3. Add the crispy rice cereal into the saucepan — if you are using any additional ingredients, this is the time to add them.
4. Using an oiled spatula, toss all the ingredients to coat the cereal well.
5. Transfer the mixture to an oiled baking pan (sprayed with cooking oil) and spread it in an even layer using the spatula.
6. Press it down firmly with the spatula or using wax or parchment paper.
7. Allow it to cool completely.
8. Cut it into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter.
9. Enjoy right away or store for later use.
Tips For Making Rice Krispie Treats At Home
When making Rice Krispie treats at home, the most common issue is the treats getting hard.
Here are a few tips for preventing your Rice Krispie treats from getting too hard:
- Don’t crank up the heat on the stovetop. Melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat unless you want rock-hard treats.
- Don’t overcook the marshmallows and the butter. Once the marshmallows have melted, take them off the heat immediately. If you continue to cook them, they will turn hard.
- Once you’ve added the rice cereal to the mixture, avoid over-stirring it. If you keep stirring, it will cause a lot of the cereal to break, which will get dense when you spread it in the baking pan.
- Avoid pressing the mixture too densely in the baking pan. Pressing too firmly will result in compact treats as opposed to the gooey and light treats you want them to be.
- Store them properly and keep them away from direct heat, sunlight, and humidity.
Can You Freeze Chocolate-Covered Rice Krispie Treats?
Chocolate makes everything better, doesn’t it? If you’re a chocolate lover, you can top your Rice Krispie treats with a layer of melted chocolate and enjoy the delicious combination of rice cereal, marshmallows, butter, and chocolate. Yum!
To make chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treats, all you have to do is spread the rice cereal mixture in a baking pan and top it with some melted chocolate.
Wait for the Rice Krispie treats to cool down and the chocolate to harden before slicing it into your desired shape.
When it comes to freezing chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treats, you can do so before adding the layer of melted chocolate on top of them.
Once the Rice Krispie treats have cooled, slice and remove them from the pan. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, put them in a freezer-safe bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When you are ready to use them, thaw them and spread the melted chocolate on top of the treats before serving!
How To Tell If Rice Krispie Treats Have Gone Bad
Storebought Rice Krispie treats have preservatives in them that prolong their shelf life. They come with a best-by date and if left unopened and in their original packaging, can last a long time without going bad.
On the other hand, homemade Rice Krispie treats are devoid of any preservatives, and since they contain butter that can become rancid if left at room temperature for too long, they can go bad at a much faster rate.
Rice Krispie treats do not contain much moisture and, therefore, do not emit a noticeable odor when they are beginning to spoil.
For this reason, the best way to tell if your Rice Krispie treats have gone bad is to visually inspect them and feel their texture.
A few obvious signs of spoiled Rice Krispie treats include discolored spots, furry growth, and the presence of mold. If you notice any of these, the Rice Krispie treats are no longer safe to eat.
Storing Rice Krispie treats for a long time may affect their taste and texture and make them go stale or very soft to the touch.
This does not mean the treats have become inedible though — they may still be eaten but their quality will be severely affected.
On the other hand, Rice Krispie treats frozen improperly or for a very long time may even become susceptible to freezer burn, which may adversely affect the texture and quality of the treats.
Related Questions
Now that you know all about Rice Krispie treats and how to freeze them, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have!
How do you thaw frozen Rice Krispie treats?
Defrosting frozen Rice Krispie treats is very easy. Simply take them out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about an hour. You can eat them once they have completely defrosted.
How do you use leftover Rice Krispie treats?
There are plenty of ways to use leftover Rice Krispie treats.
You can enjoy them as a quick dessert, use them as an ingredient in other recipes such as brownies, crumble them to sprinkle over ice cream, or layer them on a cake with chocolate frosting.
