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    Kelly Neil » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    Chai-Spiced Rice Krispie Treats

    Published: Sep 19, 2020 · Modified: Dec 21, 2021 by Kelly Neil · 10 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats are a tasty, no-bake sweet loved by kids and adults alike! The spicy, peppery flavour has cool weather written all over it.
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 4 minutes mins
    Total Time: 9 minutes mins
    Rice Krispie squares laid out on a white surface.

    I don’t know if there’s any other homemade treat that reminds me of my childhood the way Rice Krispie squares do. My Mum’s were always perfect. Crisp, yet chewy, and loaded with butter and vanilla.

    I started playing with a spice blend a few years ago, resulting in my recipe for homemade chai spice. It’s a cardamom-forward blend inspired by India’s famous Masala Chai. As soon as the weather cools off, I make a batch, and use it anywhere I use cinnamon. I’ve added it to apple galette crust and apple upside down cake, however, my love of chai spice really began with these chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats. If you love the classic childhood treat, and also love spicy chai flavour, you will love this recipe!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Notes & Tips
    • Substitutions
    • 🖨 Recipe
    Chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats on a vintage red and white plate.

    Ingredients

    • Butter
    • Marshmallows
    • Homemade chai-spice
    • Vanilla
    • Rice Krispies
    Ingredients to make chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats laid out on a white stone surface.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    If you haven’t done so already, start by making a batch of homemade chai spice. If you have all of the spices it takes less than 5 minutes.

    Grease an 8×8-inch (20×20-cm) square baking pan generously with butter.

    A hand smearing butter on the inside of a square baking pan.

    Place the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl and melt it in the microwave.

    A glass bowl with a large chunk of butter.
    A glass bowl of melted butter.

    Add the marshmallows to the melted butter and stir to coat.

    A hand stirring marshmallows and melted butter in a glass bowl with a rubber spatula.
    A glass bowl of marshmallows that have been stirred with melted butter.

    Place the bowl back in the microwave and cook the marshmallows and butter until the marshmallows are puffy and inflated.

    A glass bowl of half melted marshmallows.

    Give the marshmallows a stir with a rubber spatula. If after stirring they are still holding shape, cook them a little longer in the microwave. Continue to stir until the marshmallows are smooth and creamy.

    A hand stirring melted marshmallow and butter in a glass bowl with a rubber spatula.
    A glass bowl of melted marshmallows.

    Add the homemade chai spice and vanilla to the melted marshmallows and stir.

    A hand about to mix melted marshmallows, spices, and vanilla in a glass bowl with a rubber spatula.
    A hand mixing melted marshmallow, spices, and vanilla.
    Melted marshmallows mixed with chai spice and vanilla in a glass bowl with a rubber spatula.

    Pour the Rice Krispies into the bowl and stir.

    Rice Krispies in a glass bowl with a rubber spatula.
    A hand stirring Rice Krispies and melted marshmallow.

    Once all of the Rice Krispies are coated, and the marshmallow is evenly distributed, spoon the chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats mixture into the prepared tin.

    A bowl of mixed marshmallow treats before being pressed into a pan.
    A pan of Rice Krispie treats before smoothing.

    Use a small piece of lightly-buttered parchment paper to gently press the Rice Krispies lightly and evenly into the pan, smoothing the top.

    A hand smoothing the top of a pan of marshmallow treats with a small piece of parchment paper.
    A hand smoothing the top of a pan of marshmallow treats with a small piece of parchment paper.

    Let the chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats cool for 30 minutes before slicing.

    A pan of cut Rice Krispie squares with a red-orange-handled knife on a res checked tea towel.

    Notes & Tips

    For cost efficiency, buy the spices for homemade chai spice in bulk.

    You must, and I cannot stress this enough, check your Rice Krispies for freshness before you begin! Trust me, nothing is worse than biting into chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats only to find you used stale cereal. Ultimate sadness!

    The amount of time it takes to melt the butter and marshmallows is completely dependent on the power of your microwave. I have a large, high-powered microwave which gets the job done in less than two minutes.

    If you don’t own, or don’t want to use a microwave, you can follow the same method with a large pot on the stove top. I recommend melting the marshmallows at a low heat, which takes longer, but results in a chewier chai-spiced Rice Krispie treat.

    Eight crispy marshmallow treats on white surface.

    Substitutions

    You can switch in DIY pumpkin spice for chai spice if you like.

    I haven’t tried vegan marshmallows, however, if you have experience with them and think they could work, you could also substitute the butter with dairy-free butter to make vegan chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats.

    For years, I’ve been meaning to try this recipe with crushed corn flakes but haven’t. I think it would be delicious! Let me know if you have done this in the comments below. I’d love to know.

    One spiced Rice Krispie treat on a small white speckled plate.

    More Delicious No-Bake Treats

    Rocky Road Candy Bars A classic, simple slice made from chocolate and marshmallows.

    Chocolate Raspberry Ice Box Cake An old fashioned no-bake icebox cake with just five ingredients.

    Chocolate Puffed Quinoa Bars A healthier, vegan, raw, and gluten-free riff on a prairie classic, puffed wheat squares.

    🖨 Recipe

    Chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats on a vintage red and white plate.

    Chai-Spiced Rice Krispie Treats

    Author: Kelly Neil
    Chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats are a tasty, no-bake sweet loved by kids and adults alike! The spicy, peppery flavour has cool weather written all over it.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 minutes mins
    Total Time 9 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American / Canadian
    Servings 9 squares
    Calories 174 kcal

    Equipment

    • 8-inch (20-cm) square baking dish glass or metal
    • Large glass or ceramic mixing bowl
    • Measuring cups and spoons or digital kitchen scale
    • Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
    • Small piece of parchment paper optional

    Ingredients
     

    • ¼ cup butter, room temperature, plus extra for greasing the pan
    • 38 to 40 large marshmallows
    • 1 tablespoon chai spice
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • 5 ½ cups Rice Krispies

    Instructions
     

    • Grease an 8-inch (20-cm) square baking pan generously with butter. Set aside.
    • Place the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat the butter in the on medium-power until completely melted (the amount of time depends on the size and power of your microwave).
    • Add the marshmallows to the bowl and stir well until all of them are coated in melted butter.
    • Place the bowl back in the microwave and cook the marshmallows and butter until the marshmallows are puffy and inflated, about 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Give the marshmallows a stir with a rubber spatula. If after stirring, they are still holding some shape, cook them in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring after each segment. Continue to cook and stir until all of the marshmallows are smooth and creamy.
    • Add the chai spice and vanilla to the melted marshmallows and stir well to combine.
    • Pour the Rice Krispies into the bowl and stir. Once all of the Rice Krispies are well coated, and the marshmallow is evenly distributed, spoon the mixture into the prepared tin. Use a small piece of lightly-buttered parchment paper to gently press the Rice Krispies lightly and evenly into the pan and corners, smoothing the top. Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

    Notes

    Homemade chai spice is super easy to make and comes together in minutes if you have all the spices. For cost efficiency, I like to buy the spices in bulk.
    You must, and I can’t stress this enough, check your Rice Krispies and marshmallows for freshness before you begin! Trust me, nothing is worse than biting into chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats only to find you used stale cereal and old marshmallows. Ultimate sadness!
    The amount of time it takes to melt the butter and marshmallows is completely dependent on the power of your microwave. I have a large, high-powered microwave which gets the job done in less than two minutes.
    If you don’t own, or don’t want to use a microwave, you can follow the same method with a large pot on the stove top. I recommend melting the marshmallows on low heat which takes longer but results in a chewier Rice Krispie square.

    Substitutions

    You can substitute DIY pumpkin spice for chai spice if you like.
    I haven’t tested this recipe with vegan marshmallows so I can’t comment on that.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 54gCalories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 127mgPotassium: 40mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 1216IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 6mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @kellyneildotcom or tag #kellyneil!

    This is the original image that appeared with this post in September 2011.

    One chai-spiced rice krispie square on a board next to three wax paper-wrapped squares tied with twine.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. angelaamati@hotmail.com says

      September 27, 2011 at 11:35 pm

      These look delish. I will never grow tired of Rice Krispie Squares.

      Reply
    2. juliakrystine@yahoo.com says

      September 29, 2011 at 11:53 am

      I love chai. Husband loves rice krispie treats. This would be DEVOURED in our house!

      Reply
    3. elise@visulvixen.com says

      September 29, 2011 at 1:53 pm

      What a great idea. I love this spin on rice krispie treats and I double love that you made your own chai spice!

      Reply
    4. pinkpanda4589@yahoo.com says

      December 10, 2012 at 1:58 am

      I just made these tonight. They taste like heaven! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    5. kellyjneil@gmail.com says

      December 10, 2012 at 2:34 am

      Amazing!!! So happy you liked them 🙂

      Reply

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