Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats

These fun Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats are such a delicious little treat for all your fall gatherings. They’re the kind of edible dessert kids of all ages will naturally gravitate toward, and they couldn’t be easier to make. The cute pumpkin shape makes them perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or simply enjoying on a cool fall day. And, of course, they have that classic buttery, marshmallowy flavor of the Rice Krispies Treats we all know and love.

Easy Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats

I think everyone should have at least one childhood memory of making Rice Krispies Treats. These pumpkin treats are such a simple, sweet treat to make, especially when adults and kids work together in the kitchen, creating memories and something delicious to enjoy. This easy recipe for pumpkin-shaped treats is extra fun to make for fall gatherings, when hosting a Halloween party, and it also makes a festive Thanksgiving dessert that the kiddos are sure to love.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Cereal – Crispy rice cereal i.e. Rice Krispies or a similar store brand that you enjoy.
Pretzels – You’ll need thick pretzel sticks or pretzel rods for the stems.
Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows form the edible “glue” that gives rice krispies treats their chewy texture.
Flavoring – Vanilla extract enhances the taste of the marshmallows.
Butter – Salted butter or unsalted butter to melt with the marshmallows.
Food Coloring – Orange food coloring gel to give the pumpkins their signature color.
Decorations – Green fondant or Airheads and one tube of green cookie icing to make the vines and leaves.

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How to Make Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats

How Do You Make Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats? The process is the same as making classic Rice Krispies Treats. In a large deep pot you’ll melt together the butter and mini marshmallows while stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
Add Vanilla and Orange Food Coloring – To the pot add vanilla extract and orange food coloring. Stir well, then add the crispy rice cereal, adding more food coloring to suit your desired color preference.
Work Quickly – Work quickly mixing to evenly coat the cereal with all of the marshmallow mixture.
Shape into Pumpkins – Spray your hands with cooking spray and divide the cereal mixture with a measuring cup shaping into a pumpkin.
Transfer to a Sheet Pan – Place onto a sheet pan and repeat until all of the mixture is used.
Add the Stem – Press a pretzel stick into the center while warm, let them cool completely.
Create Leaves – Decorate using a tube of green cookie icing to create vines and place leaves onto the tops. Let set then enjoy!

Kitchen Equipment to Make Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Large pot. When in doubt go larger, not smaller since the pot doubles as the mixing bowl.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Rubber spatula or spoon.
Large baking sheet pan.
Leaf shaped cookie cutter.
Knife and cutting board to make the leaves.
Alternate Technique – You can press the marshmallow mixture onto wax paper and use a pumpkin cookie cutter to make the pumpkin shape. Please note that you’ll have more scraps doing it this way.

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Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Making Fondant Leafs – You can use premade fondant or green airheads for making the leaves for the pumpkins. Use the tip of a knife to create the leaf shape that you want. You can even create the veins of the leaves with the knife. If you have a leaf shaped cookie cutter by all means use it!
Marshmallows – If you want to make these treats using large marshmallows, you’ll need 40 total to equal one package of mini marshmallows.
Food Coloring – You can use liquid food coloring or food coloring gel to tint the mixture. I prefer to gel as it doesn’t add liquid to the equation. Add the amount that creates the level and intensity of orange that you desire.
Add Shape – You can make the indentations in the krispies treats using the dull side of a knife. After forming into the pumpkin shape press at even intervals to create grooves to mimic the look of a pumpkin.
Decorate – You can decorate these as jack-o-lanterns for Halloween using black icing and drawing faces onto the pumpkins.
Store-Bought Fondant – Premade fondant is available at any craft store or baking supply store as well as most places where cake decorating supplies are sold.
Cool Completely Before Adding Embellishments – Wait for the pumpkins to cool completely before using the icing, it could melt into the treat if they’re still warm.
Add the Stem While Warm – Place the pretzel when the pumpkin is still warm and sticky. If you wait until the marshmallow is cooled, it is really difficult to get it in there. Marshmallow is like glue when it cools. You could also use mini tootsie rolls for the stems in a pinch.
Test the Icing – Using a tube of cookie icing is super convenient way to draw the vines on the pumpkins especially if you’re not one to use a piping bag. I’ve found that the thickness of the icing can vary from brand to brand. Test it on a piece of wax paper and see if you’ll need to retrace the vines more than once to make them appear thicker. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect, this is a fun treat where the kids can help.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store Pumpkin Rice Krispies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Freezer – I don’t recommend freezing rice krispie treats, they can become soggy when thawed.

More No Bake Simple Recipes to Make

No campfire is required to make these No Bake S’mores Bars.
Easter Rice Krispies Nests are filled with colorful candy eggs.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars for game day, picnics or the holidays.
Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats for Halloween.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers are a vintage sweet and salty treat that anyone can make. They can be dipped in white chocolate, too!
Strawberries and Cream Rice Krispies Treats are delightful.
Butterscotch Rice Krispies Treats are a grown-up version that everyone will love.
Lemon Meringue Rice Krispies Treats from 365 Days of Baking.

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