Strawberry Crunch Rice Crispy Treats with Vanilla Pudding Mix

Prep: 30 minCook: 8 min16 barsmediumAmerican
Strawberry Crunch Rice Crispy Treats with Vanilla Pudding Mix

These rice crispy treats combine the nostalgic crunch of cereal with a homemade strawberry crunch topping made from Jell-O and pudding mix. The base features gooey marshmallows and crispy rice cereal, while the signature strawberry-vanilla crunch adds sweet, fruity flavor and delightful texture. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or whenever you want to impress with a creative twist on the classic treat. The colorful appearance and unique flavor combination make these bars a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

VegetarianNut-Free

Ingredients

Yield: 16 bars
  • 1 package strawberry Jell-O, 3 oz
    raspberry Jell-O1:1flavor

    different berry flavor

  • 1 package vanilla pudding mix, 3 oz
    banana pudding mix1:1flavor

    tropical twist

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 7 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 6 cups Rice Crispies Cereal
    Cocoa Puffs1:1flavortexture

    chocolate version

  • blue sprinkles(optional)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven and line baking sheet with parchment paper

  2. 2

    Whisk strawberry Jell-O with flour and melted butter in small bowl

  3. 3

    Whisk vanilla pudding mix with remaining flour and melted butter in separate bowl

  4. 4

    Spread strawberry mixture on half of baking sheet and vanilla mixture on other half, pressing down firmly

  5. 5

    Bake until edges bubble

  6. 6

    Cool completely, then combine both mixtures in bowl and whisk together

  7. 7

    Store crunch mixture in freezer until ready to use

  8. 8

    Grease baking pan or line with parchment paper

  9. 9

    Melt butter in large pot over medium heat, swirling occasionally

  10. 10

    Add marshmallows, vanilla, and salt to pot and stir until marshmallows melt completely

  11. 11

    Fold in rice crispies and reserved marshmallows until coated

  12. 12

    Mix in strawberry crunch mixture

  13. 13

    Transfer to prepared pan and press into even layer

  14. 14

    Let set at room temperature until firm

  15. 15

    Remove from pan, grease knife with oil, and slice into pieces

  16. 16

    Top with sprinkles if desired

Tips

Tip 1

Press the crunch mixture firmly on the baking sheet to ensure it holds together after baking and cooling.

Tip 2

Reserve 1 cup of marshmallows to fold in at the end for extra gooey pockets throughout the treats.

Tip 3

Grease your knife with oil when cutting to prevent the sticky marshmallow from clinging to the blade.

Good to Know

Storage

Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Make Ahead

Crunch topping can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in freezer.

Serve With

Best served at room temperature for optimal texture and flavor.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip cooling the crunch mixture completely to avoid melting when mixed with warm marshmallows.

Watch

Press mixture firmly into pan to prevent crumbling when cutting.

Substitutions

strawberry Jell-O→
raspberry Jell-O1:1flavor

different berry flavor

vanilla pudding mix→
banana pudding mix1:1flavor

tropical twist

Rice Crispies→
Cocoa Puffs1:1flavortexture

chocolate version

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini?

Yes, but cut them into smaller pieces first for easier melting and more even distribution throughout the treats.

What if I don't have vanilla pudding mix?

You can substitute with an equal amount of powdered milk or omit entirely, though the crunch topping will be less flavorful.

How long do these keep?

Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness up to 1 week.