If you’re craving a nostalgic treat with a delightful twist, then the Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is exactly what you need. This no-bake delight combines the classic crunch of Rice Krispies cereal with the unmistakable sweet creaminess of instant banana pudding, enhanced with vanilla wafers and a hint of white chocolate. It’s an irresistibly scrumptious mash-up that’s easy to make, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s faces at your next gathering or simply as a special snack. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become one of your go-to sweet fixes for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe are simple but essential, each playing a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of flavors and textures. From the crispy cereal base to the luscious banana pudding flavor and a touch of vanilla, these components come together to create a comforting yet exciting dessert that hardly takes any time to whip up.
- Rice Krispies cereal: Provides the classic crispy texture that forms the treat’s sturdy base.
- Mini marshmallows: Melt down to create that familiar gooey, chewy binding that holds everything together.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps smooth out the melted marshmallows for easier mixing.
- Instant banana pudding mix (dry): Infuses the entire treat with that delightful banana cream flavor that sets this recipe apart.
- Crushed vanilla wafers: Introduce a gentle crunch and extra vanilla sweetness, enhancing the nostalgic vibe.
- White chocolate chips (optional): Add pockets of creamy, sweet white chocolate throughout the bars, elevating the flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor complexity, rounding out the banana and marshmallow notes.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and sharpens all the flavors for maximum enjoyment.
How to Make Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Begin by lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish or lining it with parchment paper. This step ensures your treats will come out effortlessly in perfect squares once they’ve set. It also helps keep cleanup simple, so you can focus on enjoying the process.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
In a large pot set over low heat, melt the unsalted butter gently until it’s silky and creamy. Add the mini marshmallows and keep stirring continuously. The key here is to be patient—slowly melting them will prevent scorching and give you a smooth, velvety mixture that will bind your treats beautifully.
Step 3: Add Banana Pudding Mix and Flavorings
Once your marshmallows are completely melted, remove the pot from the heat right away and quickly stir in the dry instant banana pudding mix along with the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. This step infuses the marshmallow base with that distinctive, creamy banana pudding flavor that makes this recipe so memorable.
Step 4: Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Now for the fun part! Gently fold in the Rice Krispies cereal, crushed vanilla wafers, and if you’d like, white chocolate chips. The vanilla wafers add that delicate crunch and vanilla essence, while the white chocolate brings bursts of sweetness in every bite. Make sure everything is evenly coated to guarantee a consistent flavor and texture throughout.
Step 5: Press into the Pan and Cool
Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish and press it down firmly using a spatula or a piece of wax paper. Pressing evenly helps the treats hold their shape when cut. Leave the pan at room temperature to cool and set for at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares. Patience here rewards you with perfect bars that hold together without crumbling.
How to Serve Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Garnishes
Want to get fancy with your Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe? Sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers or thin banana chips on top right after pressing the mixture into the pan for added texture and visual appeal. Alternatively, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for a classy finishing touch that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
These treats are a rich, satisfying dessert that pairs beautifully with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. A refreshing fruit salad with berries or sliced bananas serves as a light side that compliments their sweetness without overwhelming your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving at a party, try cutting the Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats into bite-sized squares and stacking them on a tiered platter for a lovely presentation. You can also place each square in a colorful cupcake liner to make serving and snacking super easy and mess-free. For kids’ parties, consider serving them with fun, tropical-themed cocktail picks to match the banana flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though trust me, that’s rare), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the treats fresh, chewy, and perfectly tasty without drying out.
Freezing
To keep these treats longer, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe squares can last up to 2 months. Thaw completely at room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Since these treats are best enjoyed as-is, reheating is not necessary and may affect their texture. If you prefer a slightly warmed treat, microwave a single square for about 10 seconds, but be careful not to overdo it as marshmallows can become rubbery quickly.
FAQs
Can I substitute the instant banana pudding mix?
While the instant banana pudding mix is key to the signature flavor in this recipe, you could experiment with homemade banana pudding or other flavored pudding mixes. Just keep in mind this might impact the texture and taste balance.
Are these treats gluten-free?
This recipe contains crushed vanilla wafers, which typically have gluten. If you want a gluten-free version, substitute the wafers with gluten-free cookies or omit them altogether for a slightly different texture.
Can I make these treats vegan?
Traditional marshmallows and butter are not vegan, but you could try using vegan butter and marshmallow alternatives designed for vegans. The flavor will be somewhat different, but still delicious and closer to the original texture.
How long do these treats last at room temperature?
They last best for up to 3 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature. After that, they might start to lose their freshness and become less chewy.
Can I add real bananas to the recipe?
Adding fresh banana slices might introduce moisture and make the treats soggy. Instead, consider banana chips for added crunch and intensified banana flavor without altering the texture.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe enough. It’s a quick, fun dessert that brings together simple ingredients to create something truly special and nostalgic with a tropical twist. Whether you’re making it for friends, family, or just treating yourself, these bars are bound to become a beloved classic in your kitchen. So roll up your sleeves, grab those ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a sweet bite of banana pudding heaven!
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Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes cooling)
- Yield: 12 treats
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats combine the nostalgic crunch of classic Rice Krispies with the creamy, fruity flavor of instant banana pudding. Enhanced with crushed vanilla wafers and optional white chocolate chips, these no-bake treats are easy to make and perfect for a quick dessert or snack. They offer a delightful twist on traditional marshmallow squares, bringing a taste of banana pudding in a convenient bar format.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant banana pudding mix (dry)
- 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafers
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 (10-ounce) bag mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and enable easy removal of the treats.
- Melt the butter and marshmallows: In a large pot over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until the mixture is completely melted and smooth, ensuring even melting without burning.
- Combine pudding mix and flavorings: Remove the pot from heat and quickly stir in the dry banana pudding mix, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until fully incorporated and smooth, which infuses the mixture with banana flavor.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients: Fold in the Rice Krispies cereal, crushed vanilla wafers, and white chocolate chips if using. Stir continuously until all ingredients are evenly coated with the pudding and marshmallow mixture.
- Press and set: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using a spatula or wax paper, press it evenly and firmly into the pan for compact, sliceable bars.
- Cool and slice: Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to firm up before slicing into 12 squares for serving.
Notes
- For a more intense banana flavor, add a few chopped banana chips into the mixture or sprinkle them on top before pressing.
- Store these treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and texture.
