Get ready to meet your new favorite dessert obsession. These Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats combine the nostalgic chew of a classic Rice Krispie treat with the creamy, dreamy flavor of Southern-style banana pudding. We’re talking buttery, marshmallowy goodness infused with sweet banana cream and studded with crushed vanilla wafers. This is a truly simple, no-bake recipe that comes together in minutes and delivers a massive flavor payoff. Whether you’re making a treat for the family or need a quick dessert for a potluck, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
We’ve perfected this recipe to ensure every bite is perfectly soft, chewy, and packed with authentic banana pudding flavor. Forget complicated desserts; this is pure, simple comfort in a convenient bar form.
Why You’ll Love These Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats
If you’re a fan of classic desserts, you’ll find this unique twist absolutely irresistible. It’s the perfect mashup of two beloved treats!
- Incredibly Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and no oven required, this is the perfect recipe for cooks of all skill levels.
- Packed with Flavor: We use instant banana cream pudding mix to infuse every bite with rich, sweet banana flavor, perfectly complemented by crushed Nilla wafers.
- Perfectly Soft & Chewy: Follow our simple tips to achieve that perfectly soft, gooey texture that never gets hard or brittle.
- Crowd-Pleasing: These treats are a certified hit at parties, bake sales, and family gatherings. Everyone loves the familiar flavors!
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Treat
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly special dessert. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Rice Krispie Base
- Butter: We use salted butter to balance the sweetness of the marshmallows and pudding mix.
- Mini Marshmallows: They melt more evenly and quickly than their larger counterparts. You’ll need one bag for the base and extra for stirring in at the end.
- Instant Banana Cream Pudding Mix: This is the secret ingredient! It provides all the banana flavor without adding extra moisture.
- Crispy Rice Cereal: The classic foundation for our treats.
- Nilla Wafers: Crushed wafers are mixed in to mimic the cookie layer in traditional banana pudding.
For the White Chocolate Topping
- White Chocolate Chips: Creates a creamy, sweet topping that perfectly complements the banana flavor.
- Coconut Oil: A small amount helps the chocolate melt smoothly and provides a beautiful finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats is as easy as melt, mix, and press. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
- Prep Your Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray. For extra easy removal, line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- Melt Butter & Marshmallows: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, add 10 ounces of the mini marshmallows. Stir continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Stir in Pudding Mix: Remove the pot from the heat. Immediately sprinkle in the instant banana cream pudding mix and stir vigorously until it is fully incorporated and no lumps remain.
- Fold in Cereal & Wafers: Add the crispy rice cereal, crushed Nilla wafers, and the remaining mini marshmallows to the pot. Gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can crush the cereal. For a different flavor profile, you could try our Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn recipe next.
- Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan. Use a greased spatula or a piece of parchment paper to gently press the mixture into an even layer. Do not pack it down too firmly, as this can make the treats hard.
- Melt the Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted.
- Decorate and Chill: Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top of the treats. Garnish with additional crushed Nilla wafers or wafer crumbs. Let the treats set at room temperature for about 1 hour, or in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes until the topping is firm.
- Slice and Serve: Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the treats out of the pan. Slice into squares and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats
Want to make sure your treats are absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips to guarantee success.
- Use Low Heat: Melting your butter and marshmallows over low heat is crucial. High heat can caramelize the sugar and result in hard, brittle treats.
- Don’t Over-Stir: Mix the cereal in until it’s just coated. Over-stirring will break the cereal pieces and compromise the texture. Looking for another simple sweet treat? Try this Cake Mix Cool Whip Cookies recipe.
- Press Gently: When pressing the mixture into the pan, be gentle! Compacting it too much is the #1 cause of dense, hard Rice Krispie treats.
- Fresh Marshmallows are Key: Always use a fresh bag of marshmallows. Stale marshmallows have lost moisture and won’t melt as well, which can affect the final texture.
Fun Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for creativity. For a savory option, our Dutch Oven Pork Loin recipe is a must-try.
- Add Sliced Dried Bananas: For an extra layer of banana flavor and a chewy texture, mix in some chopped dried banana chips.
- Brown the Butter: For a deeper, nuttier flavor, brown the butter before adding the marshmallows. It adds a wonderful caramel note that pairs beautifully with the banana.
- Drizzle with Caramel: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce over the white chocolate topping for a banana-caramel twist.
How to Store Your Treats
To keep your Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats fresh and soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They are best enjoyed within 3 days. We don’t recommend refrigerating them for long periods, as it can cause them to become hard. If you must, let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make them gluten-free by using a gluten-free crispy rice cereal and ensuring you use certified gluten-free vanilla wafers. Always double-check your pudding mix to ensure it is also gluten-free.
We don’t recommend using fresh bananas as their moisture content can make the treats soggy. The instant banana cream pudding mix provides the perfect amount of flavor without affecting the texture.
The key to soft treats is to melt your butter and marshmallows over low heat and to not press the mixture too firmly into the pan. High heat and over-compacting are the main causes of hard treats.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigerating them, as the cold can make them hard and dry.
You can use large marshmallows, but it may take them a bit longer to melt. Be sure to stir constantly over low heat to prevent scorching. We recommend using about 40 large marshmallows to equal a 10-ounce bag.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
We hope you love this fun and flavorful twist on a classic treat! If you make these Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats, we’d love to see them. Share your creations and be sure to follow us on Pinterest for more delicious recipe inspiration. Your shares and comments help us create more of the content you love!
Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats: The Ultimate No-Bake Dessert
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch baking pan
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
Rice Krispie Base
- 1/4 cup Salted Butter
- 16 oz Mini Marshmallows divided
- 1 box (3.4 oz) Instant Banana Cream Pudding Mix
- 6 cups Crispy Rice Cereal
- 1 cup Nilla Wafers crushed
White Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1 tsp Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter. Add 10 ounces of the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove the pot from the heat and immediately whisk in the instant banana cream pudding mix until fully combined.
- Add the crispy rice cereal, crushed Nilla wafers, and the remaining 6 ounces of mini marshmallows. Gently fold until just combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and gently press into an even layer with a greased spatula. Do not pack it down firmly.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the treats and garnish with additional crushed Nilla wafers. Let set at room temperature for about 1 hour or until firm.
- Lift the treats from the pan using the parchment paper, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
Don't Over-Pack: Press the mixture gently into the pan to avoid dense, hard treats.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for the best texture.
