Description
Delightfully creamy and crunchy, these Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats blend classic banana pudding flavors with the nostalgic texture of Rice Krispies and gooey marshmallows, making for an irresistible no-bake dessert perfect for parties or snack time.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter
- 16 oz (454g) mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 (3.4 oz / 96g) packet instant banana cream pudding mix (dry only)
- 7 cups (175g) Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup (100g) crushed vanilla wafer cookies (like Nilla Wafers)
Optional Garnishes
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or banana chips for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the treats once set.
- Melt Butter: Place a saucepan over low heat and melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter slowly to avoid browning.
- Add Marshmallows: Add 12 oz of the mini marshmallows to the melted butter, stirring continuously until fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Incorporate Pudding Mix: Remove the saucepan from heat. Whisk in the entire dry instant banana cream pudding mix until thoroughly combined for that signature banana flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Stir in 7 cups of Rice Krispies cereal and 1 cup of crushed vanilla wafer cookies, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated with the marshmallow-pudding mixture for balanced texture and flavor.
- Add Remaining Marshmallows: Fold in the remaining 4 oz of mini marshmallows gently to add gooey pockets throughout the treats.
- Press Into Dish: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down gently but not too tightly to maintain a light, chewy texture.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the treats to cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes until set, then slice into approximately 20 squares. Optionally, garnish with white chocolate chips or banana chips before serving.
Notes
- Use low heat when melting butter and marshmallows to prevent scorching and ensure a smooth mixture.
- Do not over-pack the mixture in the baking dish, as it can make the treats dense instead of light and chewy.
- These treats are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature and consumed within 3 days for optimal freshness.
- Adding white chocolate chips or banana chips on top provides an extra layer of flavor and texture but is optional.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the vanilla wafer cookies with gluten-free alternatives.
