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Get into the holiday spirit with these Halloween Rice Krispie Treats! These no-bake treats are simple, adorable, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for a party, class treat, or even Thanksgiving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love to make festive holiday treats (like these Easter rice krispie treats, these Linzer augen cookies, and heart-shaped cake pops). Today, we’re making festive Halloween Rice Krispie Treats shaped into adorable pumpkins! Make a big batch of these delicious and spooky treats for your next Halloween party.
This pumpkin-shaped, pumpkin-flavored, no bake Halloween treat is cute, easy, and so much fun to make. They’re perfect for adding a festive touch to Thanksgiving, too. The addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice brings a warm, cozy Fall flavor, making them a delightful snack or dessert for the whole family.
For more fun Halloween treats, try these skeleton gingerbread cookies, Halloween mummy cake pops, or jack-o-lantern deviled eggs.
Watch a Short Video of This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
- butter or vegan butter
- pumpkin puree: Nothing says Halloween spirit like pumpkin! Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, used to enhance the pumpkin flavor.
- orange food coloring: I used this natural food coloring and added a packet of pink and yellow.
- mini marshmallows: If you want a dairy-free version, use Dandies vegan marshmallows.
- vanilla extract
- Rice Krispies cereal: This one is gluten free. You can also check your local grocery store for other gluten-free brands.
- pretzel sticks: Pretzel sticks are used to create the “pumpkin stem”.
- green M&Ms: Or pumpkin seeds. These are used to create the pumpkin’s leaf.
See the full recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large Dutch oven or saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
Step 2: Once melted, add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and stir until combined. If using, add a few drops of orange food coloring for a more vibrant shade. You’ll want it to look a bit darker than you want the final product to be since the color will lighten with the addition of marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal.
Step 3: Set aside 1 cup of the mini marshmallows, and add the remaining marshmallows into the saucepan and stir until completely melted.
Step 4: Remove the marshmallow mixture from heat, then stir in vanilla extract.
Step 5: Add Rice Krispies cereal and the remaining cup of marshmallows. Stir to gently combine.
Step 6: Let this mixture cool slightly until it’s cool enough to handle with your hands. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 7: Lightly wet your hands with water to keep them from sticking, then scoop about 1/4 cup (I used a large cookie scoop). Shape into a ball with your hands (make sure not to pack too tightly), then place in a single layer on the parchment line baking sheet without touching each other.
Step 8: Insert a pretzel stick into the center and reshape if needed. Add green M&Ms next to the pretzel sticks for the “leaf”.
Step 9: Cool for an hour to set, then enjoy!
Expert Tips
- You can use orange food coloring for a more vibrant color. I used this natural food coloring and used a packet of pink and yellow to create the orange shade. You’ll want the color to be much darker at first so it lightens up once you add the marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal.
- I like to scoop the mixture with a large cookie scoop, then wet my hands lightly before shaping it into a ball. Some people like to grease their hands but I find that water works much better.
- You can also make these homemade Rice Krispie treats in the microwave. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and marshmallows in 30 second intervals, watching carefully so they don’t burn.
Storage Tips
- Store for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, but they will firm up a bit.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, These pumpkin Rice Krispie treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days for optimal freshness, though they will keep up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them for about a week, but this might make them a bit firmer.
Yes! To shape the treats into Halloween-themed designs like a black cat, monsters, or bats it’s best to mold them with cookie cutters. Press the mixture into an even layer in a pan first, then cut out the shapes. Then decorate accordingly!
Candy Eyes: Add candy eyeballs for a fun, monster-like look.
Food Coloring: Use different colors like orange, black, purple, or green food coloring to match the Halloween theme.
Sprinkles: Festive sprinkles (spiders, pumpkins, bats) add a festive touch.
Yes! Malt-o-Meal and Nature’s Path make gluten-free crispy rice cereal. For a vegan version, use vegan butter and Dandies mini marshmallows.
If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more delicious recipes!
How to Make Pumpkin Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
Video
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, unsweetened
- 1½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- OPTIONAL: orange food coloring, I used this natural food coloring and added a packet of pink and yellow.
- 10 oz mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 cup rice krispies cereal, this one is gluten free
- 20 pretzel sticks
- 20 green M&Ms, or pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat.
- Once melted, add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and stir until combined. If using, add few drops of orange food coloring for a more vibrant shade. You'll want it to look a bit darker than you want the final product to be since the color will lighten with the addition of marshmallows and rice krispies cereal.
- Set aside 1 cup of the mini marshmallows and add the remaining marshmallows into the saucepan and stir until completely melted.
- Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Add rice krispies cereal and the remaining cup of marshmallows. Stir to gently combine.
- Let this mixture cool slightly until it's cool enough to handle with your hands. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lightly wet your hands with water to keep from sticking, then scoop about 1/4 cup (I used a large cookie scoop). Shape into a ball with your hands (make sure not to pack too tightly), then place in a single layer on the parchment line baking sheet without touching each other.
- Insert a pretzel stick into the center and reshape if needed. Add green M&Ms next to the pretzel sticks for the "leaf".
- Cool for an hour to set, then enjoy!
Notes
- You can use orange food coloring for a more vibrant color. I used this natural food coloring and used a packet of pink and yellow to create the orange shade. You’ll want the color to be much darker at first so it lightens up once you add the marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal.
- I like to scoop the mixture with a large cookie scoop, then wet my hands lightly before shaping it into a ball. Some people like to grease their hands but I find that water works much better.
- You can also make these homemade Rice Krispie treats in the microwave. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and marshmallows in 30 second intervals, watching carefully so they don’t burn.
- Store for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, but they will firm up a bit.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Can you taste the pumpkin in these or is it more for color?
I definitely taste it, along with the pumpkin pie spice. If you want to omit it, it’ll still be yummy!