If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely addictive holiday treat, let me introduce you to my favorite go-to snack: Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe. This little bite-sized dessert packs all the marshmallowy goodness we adore, but with a perfectly cute Christmas touch thanks to its vibrant holiday colors and sprinkles. Trust me, once you try making these, you’ll have a hard time stopping at just one (or ten!). So pull up a chair, and I’ll share everything you need to get these festive bites just right.

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Why This Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry basics, making it easy to whip up these bites on a whim.
Perfect Portion Size: The bite-sized rolls mean less mess, easier sharing, and portion control without feeling deprived.
Fun Holiday Colors: Three festive batches in red, green, and white really bring the Christmas spirit to your dessert table.
Customizable Texture: Light and chewy with a little crunch from Rice Krispies, you can tweak the marshmallow amount to get your ideal consistency.

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites, festive rice krispie treats, holiday marshmallow treats, Christmas party snacks, easy Christmas treats - The image shows many small round rice treats in three colors: red, white, and green. They are arranged in three groups on a tray with a dark surface. Each treat looks shiny and has small sprinkles inside with tiny bits of red, green, and white colors mixed in. The shapes of the treats are almost perfect spheres and they fill the tray closely but not stacked. The red treats are on the left side, the white treats are in the middle, and the green treats are on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe plays an important role in delivering the chewy, crispy, and colorful result that’s nothing short of irresistible. Here’s a little bit about what you’ll need and how to choose the best:

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites, festive rice krispie treats, holiday marshmallow treats, Christmas party snacks, easy Christmas treats - Flat lay of a small mound of golden Rice Krispie cereal, a heap of white mini marshmallows, a few tablespoons of pale yellow butter sticks, three small white ceramic bowls each with bright red, deep green, and pure white dyes in liquid form, and a small white bowl filled with colorful nonpareils Christmas sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically and neatly, 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

Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Cereal: The classic base; its light crispness makes every bite delightful without being dense.
Mini Marshmallows: They melt faster and more evenly than large ones, creating that gooey binding texture during mixing.
Butter (Sweet Cream, Salted): Adds richness and prevents the marshmallows from sticking too much; salted butter helps balance the sweetness.
Wilton Color Right Food Coloring (Red, Crimson, Yellow, Blue): These gels give vibrant, long-lasting colors without watering down the mix—key for festive color!
Nonpareils Christmas Sprinkles: Optional, but boy, do they add an extra festive crunch and visual pop that kids and adults love.

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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

I love that this Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe is a total canvas for your creativity. I usually stick with classic red, green, and white color batches, but there’s plenty of room to make it your own. Don’t hesitate to add your personal twist — that’s part of the holiday fun!

Variation: One year I swapped out the green color batch for a gold glittery version by mixing in edible gold dust; it wowed everyone and felt super elegant.
Dietary Twist: If you want to keep it vegan, use vegan marshmallows and a plant-based butter alternative — the method stays the same.
Spiced Up: Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or peppermint extract to the marshmallow melt for extra holiday vibes.
Difficulty: This recipe is super friendly for beginners; just take your time melting the marshmallows, and you’ll nail it.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows Gently

Start by melting 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Trust me, low and slow is the way here—you don’t want the butter to brown, just melt. Then add 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they’re smooth and fully melted. This is the glue for your treats, so make sure no lumps remain!

Step 2: Add Your Holiday Colors

Once your marshmallows are velvety and off the heat, it’s time to add food coloring. I love using Wilton Color Right gels because a little goes a long way, giving rich, vibrant hues without changing the texture. Stir well until the color is evenly mixed throughout. This is where the magic starts to feel truly festive!

Step 3: Fold in the Rice Krispies and Sprinkles

Immediately add 3 cups of Rice Krispie cereal to the mixture, folding gently but thoroughly so each crisp is coated. If you want to take your bites up a notch, toss in some Christmas sprinkles at this stage. They add just the right amount of crunch and sparkle, especially loved by the kids.

Step 4: Shape Your Bites

Let the mixture cool just long enough so it’s safe to handle but still pliable—about 5 minutes. Then measure and roll approximately 0.6 ounces (roughly a rounded tablespoon) of mixture into small balls. Don’t worry if they aren’t perfectly smooth; rustic is charming here, and honestly, it makes them more inviting.

Step 5: Repeat for Other Colors and Enjoy

Repeat steps 1 through 4 for your other colors — typically red, green (mix yellow and blue gel for the perfect forest green), and white for a classic blend. Let all the bites cool completely before serving or storing. These little gems hold together beautifully and are ready in under 30 minutes.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Low Heat: Melting marshmallows slowly prevents scorching and keeps that smooth texture so you don’t get clumps.
Measure Before Rolling: Weighing or using a scoop for consistent sized bites makes presentation cleaner and servings equal.
Clean Hands Help: Dampen your hands lightly with water or butter to keep the mixture from sticking too much during rolling.
Cool Before Storing: Waiting until the bites are fully cooled helps maintain their shape and chewiness when stored.

How to Serve Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites, festive rice krispie treats, holiday marshmallow treats, Christmas party snacks, easy Christmas treats - A white bowl full of small, round rice cereal treats in three colors: creamy white, bright red, and bright green, each ball showing a bumpy, sticky texture with tiny colorful sprinkles throughout. The balls are piled high inside the bowl with a few placed outside on a red cloth, all set against a green pine needle background with a white marbled surface below. The image shows the rice cereal clusters close up, highlighting their shiny, textured surfaces. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like keeping it simple with a sprinkle of nonpareils or festive sugar crystals over the top just before rolling. It adds that sparkling holiday touch without overpowering the sweet, marshmallow flavor. If you’re making them for a party, a tiny drizzle of white chocolate or peppermint bark shavings makes a decadent finishing touch.

Side Dishes

Since these bites are a snack or dessert, I often pair them with hot cocoa, warm apple cider, or a simple pot of coffee for holiday gatherings. They’re also fantastic alongside a cheese and charcuterie board for some sweet balance amid savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these bites in a triangle on a festive plate to mimic a Christmas tree shape, then topped the “tree” with a star-shaped cookie. I’ve also wrapped them individually in clear cellophane with a ribbon for little take-home treats that friends and neighbors adored. Presentation is part of the fun!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites in an airtight container at room temperature, ideally in a cool spot. They last up to a week without losing their chewiness. Just avoid the fridge, or they can get a bit tough.

Freezing

These treats freeze beautifully if you want to make them ahead. Wrap individual bites tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month. When you want to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature and they’re almost as fresh as day one.

Reheating

Reheating is usually not needed, but if you want soft, warm bites, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overdo it, or they might get too sticky and lose their shape.

FAQs

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini ones for this Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe?

Yes, you can use regular marshmallows, but mini marshmallows melt more quickly and evenly, which makes the mixture easier to work with and provides a smoother texture. If you use large marshmallows, chop them into smaller pieces for best results.
How do I get bright, vibrant colors without affecting the texture?

I recommend using gel food coloring, like the Wilton Color Right Food Coloring I use in this Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe. Gel colors are concentrated, so you need less, and they won’t water down the marshmallows or affect the chewiness at all.
Can I make these treats gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just be sure to use gluten-free Rice Krispies or a similar gluten-free crispy rice cereal. Marshmallows and butter are naturally gluten-free, so the rest of the recipe doesn’t need modification.
Will these bite-sized treats be too sticky to handle?

They can be a bit sticky while warm, so I recommend letting the mixture cool for a few minutes and lightly buttering or wetting your hands before rolling. This little trick prevents sticking and makes shaping much easier.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe feels like holiday magic in the form of a snack. I’ve shared it with family, friends, neighbors—and every time they rave about how cute and delicious these bites are. The best part? It’s so easy to make together with kids or loved ones, spreading that festive cheer. So, grab your marshmallows and cereal, and let’s make this flavorful, colorful tradition part of your Christmas celebrations too!

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 42 reviews

Author: Lily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 36 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Festive Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Bites made with colorful marshmallow mixtures and fun holiday sprinkles. These bite-sized treats are perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving, featuring three vibrant colors and classic crispy marshmallow flavor.

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

9 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Cereal
9 cups Mini Marshmallows
9 tablespoons Sweet Cream Salted Butter

Coloring & Decoration

Wilton Color Right Food Coloring – Red, Crimson, Yellow, Blue
Nonpareils Christmas Sprinkles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Butter: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium pan over medium heat until fully liquefied.
Melt Marshmallows: Add 3 cups of mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
Remove from Heat & Color: Take the pan off the heat, then add desired food coloring (red, green made by mixing blue and yellow, or leave white) and mix well to evenly distribute the color.
Add Cereal: Pour 3 cups of Rice Krispie cereal into the marshmallow mixture and stir until all the cereal is fully coated and combined.
Add Sprinkles (Optional): Gently fold in Christmas-themed nonpareils sprinkles into the mixture.
Cool Slightly: Allow the mixture to cool slightly so it is easier to handle but still warm.
Form Bites: Measure approximately 0.6 oz of mixture and roll it into a compact ball using your hands. Place on parchment or wax paper to set.
Repeat for Other Colors: Repeat steps 1 through 7 for the remaining two color batches to create red, green, and white Rice Krispie Treat bites.
Cool Completely: Let the Rice Krispie Treat bites cool completely at room temperature to firm up before serving or storing.

Notes

To create green color, mix Wilton Yellow and Blue food coloring in the marshmallow mixture.
Use butter with salt to enhance flavor; adjust saltiness according to preference.
If mixture becomes too sticky, slightly grease hands with butter before rolling bites.
Press sprinkles firmly into treats right after mixing to ensure they stick well.
Store Rice Krispie Treat bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for freshness.