If you’re looking to wow your friends or add some serious fun to your dessert game, this Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts Recipe is where it’s at. I absolutely love how these treats combine the nostalgic crunch of Rice Krispies with the colorful pop of M&Ms and the unexpected sweetness of Pop-Tarts. When I first tried this recipe, it felt like Buddy the Elf himself brought a little extra magic straight from the North Pole into my kitchen!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Unique Flavor Combo: The mix of buttery maple syrup, crunchy chow mein noodles, and sweet Pop-Tarts creates a one-of-a-kind treat.
Easy to Make: You don’t need fancy skills or equipment—just a pot, a pan, and some stirring.
Kids and Adults Both Love It: The colors and textures make this a perfect party favorite for all ages.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or just because you want to treat yourself.

The image shows several rectangular rice cereal treats arranged in rows on a white marbled surface. Each treat has three main layers: a base layer of light golden, crispy rice cereal mixed tightly together; a middle layer with thin, light brown pretzel sticks adding texture throughout; and a top layer covered with small white mini marshmallows, bright green and yellow candy-coated chocolates, dark brown chocolate pieces, and broken chunks of light brown chocolate bars. The colors contrast nicely, with the white marshmallows and colorful candies popping against the golden cereal and pretzels. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts, festive Rice Krispies treats with candy, fun holiday dessert recipes, easy homemade treat ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in harmony to create something truly special. Make sure you get high-quality mini marshmallows and real maple syrup to get that perfect melt and flavor depth. Also, don’t skip the crispy chow mein noodles—they add an unexpected crunch that takes this to the next level.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of salted butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of golden pure maple syrup, a few flakes of flaky sea salt scattered artistically, a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini white marshmallows, a mound of puffed Rice Krispies cereal, a small pile of crispy chow mein noodles, a small white ceramic bowl containing a mix of yellow, brown, and green candy-coated M&M’s, broken chunks of chocolate Pop-Tarts arranged neatly on a white ceramic plate, and a small white ceramic bowl with melted semisweet chocolate chips, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts, festive Rice Krispies treats with candy, fun holiday dessert recipes, easy homemade treat ideas

Cooking spray: Helps prevent sticking and makes shaping the treats easier.
Salted butter: Adds richness and balances the sweet flavors beautifully.
Pure maple syrup: Gives a natural sweetness with depth—stay away from imitation syrups.
Flaky sea salt or kosher salt: A pinch enhances all the sweet flavors without being overpowering.
Mini marshmallows: The glue that holds everything together and creates that classic chewy texture.
Rice Krispies cereal: The base crunch that gives the treats their iconic feel.
Crispy chow mein noodles: Adds a surprising, crispy twist that your guests will notice.
Yellow, brown, and green M&Ms: Bring fun color and chocolatey bursts throughout.
Chocolate Pop-Tarts: Broken into chunks for sweet, flaky surprises.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Melted to drizzle on top for a decadent finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts Recipe—it’s super forgiving and easy to customize. Whether you want more chocolatey goodness or a different candy mix, feel free to experiment!

Different Candy Mix: One time, I swapped out M&Ms for colorful Reese’s Pieces, and my family went crazy for that peanut butter twist.
Spiced Versions: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the melted marshmallow mix makes it feel cozy and seasonal, especially around the holidays.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap out Rice Krispies and chow mein noodles for certified gluten-free cereals and noodles to keep everyone happy at the table.
Extra Chocolate: Double the chocolate drizzle or toss in some white chocolate chips for a different sweet vibe.

How to Make Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Pan Ready and Melt Your Butter and Syrup

Start by lining a 13″ x 9″ baking pan with parchment paper—this makes cleanup and removal so much easier. Lightly spray it with cooking spray so your treats don’t stick. In a large pot over medium heat, melt your salted butter—you’ll want it completely melted before adding the maple syrup. Once the butter is melted, stir in your pure maple syrup and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly (about 2 minutes). This step is key because that bubbling thick syrup gives your treats amazing flavor and hold.

Step 2: Melt Marshmallows and Add Salt

Next, stir in the flaky sea salt and marshmallows, but reserve about 3/4 cup of marshmallows for later. Keep the heat on medium and stir frequently—this is where patience pays off. You want the marshmallows completely melted and smooth, which can take about 5 minutes. If you move too fast or crank the heat, the marshmallows can seize up or burn. Once smooth, remove the mixture from heat.

Step 3: Mix in the Crunchy Ingredients and Candy

Now stir in your Rice Krispies cereal and crispy chow mein noodles until everything’s evenly coated. Quickly fold in half of the M&Ms and half of the Pop-Tarts chunks before the mixture starts to set—that way, the candy disperses perfectly but still holds its shape. Then transfer this sticky, colorful mixture into your prepared pan.

Step 4: Press, Decorate, and Chill

Lightly coat your hands or a flexible spatula with cooking spray—this prevents sticking and makes smoothing easier. Pat down the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Drizzle melted semisweet chocolate over the top, sprinkle on the reserved mini marshmallows, and scatter the remaining M&Ms and Pop-Tarts. Press these toppings gently so they stick as the treats cool. Let it cool completely before cutting into squares, or you’ll end up with a gooey mess instead of nice, neat bars.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts Recipe

Use Real Maple Syrup: It makes a big difference in flavor depth compared to corn syrup or sugar substitutes.
Don’t Rush Melting Marshmallows: Low and slow gives you a smooth, manageable mixture without burning.
Prep Your Tools: Spraying your hands or spatula with cooking spray before pressing helps shape clean bars without sticking.
Add Candy Last: Folding candy in just before pressing keeps their colors vibrant and avoids melting or discoloration.

How to Serve Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts Recipe

The image shows a group of square cereal bars arranged in rows on a white marbled surface. Each bar has three main layers: the base layer is golden-brown, made of puffed rice cereal tightly packed together; on top of that, there are scattered crunchy pretzel sticks adding a light tan color with a rough texture; and the top layer is decorated with small white marshmallows, bright green and yellow candy-coated chocolates, pieces of broken milk chocolate with light brown cracked surfaces, and thin drizzles of dark chocolate in lines across the bars. One bar near the center has a triangular piece missing, revealing the dense, crispy cereal interior. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts, festive Rice Krispies treats with candy, fun holiday dessert recipes, easy homemade treat ideas

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with an extra drizzle of melted chocolate and a sprinkle of leftover mini marshmallows or M&Ms on top for that festive look. Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, I dust with a pinch of flaky sea salt to bring out all the flavors even more.

Side Dishes

These treats are sweet enough on their own but pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a simple cup of hot cocoa for a cozy snack or dessert combo your guests will rave about.

Creative Ways to Present

I love cutting these treats into fun shapes using cookie cutters for holiday parties—stars, trees, or even elves make these extra special and festive. Wrapping individual squares in colorful cellophane with a cute ribbon makes for perfect party favors or gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Rice Krispies treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their chewy texture for about 3-4 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! Just avoid stacking layers directly on each other to keep the toppings intact.

Freezing

If you want to stash some for later, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. When frozen, they can last up to 3 months without losing their charm. I found thawing at room temperature works best to maintain that lovely chewy texture.

Reheating

I don’t usually reheat these treats because they’re best enjoyed as is, but if you prefer them warm, a few seconds in the microwave does the trick—just watch closely so they don’t melt too much!

FAQs

Can I use regular Pop-Tarts instead of chocolate?

Definitely! You can experiment with any Pop-Tart flavor you like—strawberry or brown sugar cinnamon can be great alternatives. Just keep in mind the flavor will change, so pick your favorite to complement the rest of the ingredients.
What can I substitute for crispy chow mein noodles?

If you can’t find crispy chow mein noodles, crispy rice cereal or crushed pretzels add a nice crunch too. They won’t replicate that exact flavor but will keep the crunch factor alive.
How do I prevent my marshmallows from burning?

Keep your heat on medium and stir constantly when melting butter and marshmallows. Removing the pot from heat as soon as the marshmallows are smooth also helps prevent burning. Patience is key here!
Can I make this recipe vegan?

This recipe relies on butter and marshmallows that aren’t usually vegan. However, you can try using vegan butter and plant-based marshmallows. The texture might be slightly different, but it’s worth experimenting if you follow a plant-based diet.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Elf Rice Krispies Treats with M&Ms and Pop-Tarts Recipe enough—it’s one of those recipes that brings so much joy and nostalgia every time I make it. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or just want to treat yourself and your loved ones, these treats never disappoint. Give it a try and watch everyone’s faces light up with every crunchy, chewy, chocolatey bite—trust me, you’ll be making these again and again!