These mini egg rice krispie squares are the perfect dessert for Easter. Kids and adults will love their crunchy texture with melty chocolate mini eggs! They are easily made gluten free.
These Mini Egg Rice Krispie Squares are the perfect Easter dessert! Crunchy, chewy, and chocolatey with gooey marshmallows—these rice cereal treats are a hit with kids, teens, and adults alike.
Did you buy the kilogram bag of mini eggs this year and can't stop eating them by the handful? I had the same problem, so I decided to turn this easter chocolate into an even more delicious homemade snack.
Based off of my original rice krispie treat recipe, this easter version has the perfect ratio of marshmallow to chocolate to crispy rice cereal. They are also easily made gluten free by selecting a safe brand of rice cereal. Plus they only have 5 ingredients. I bet these easter rice krispie treats won't last long on your counter!
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Are Mini Eggs Gluten-Free?
Mini eggs are a spring seasonal candy featuring milk chocolate enrobed in a crisp and colourful candy coating. There are several brands that make versions of a chocolate candy egg, with the most notable being Cadbury Mini Eggs.
Based on the ingredient list online, Cadbury Mini Eggs appear to be gluten-free. Note that I checked the US, Canadian, and UK ingredient lists. Cadbury Mini Eggs are not certified gluten-free, nor do they have a claim on the packaging, however there are no ingredients of concern, nor a may contain statement for wheat/gluten. They do however contain dairy.
Hershey's also makes their version of a chocolate egg called Eggies. They contain very similar ingredients, again with no gluten-free claim yet no ingredient concerns.
If you're in Canada you can find both Cadbury and Hershey's version of mini eggs, but I've also recently noticed that President's Choice makes a version of chocolate eggs now. Again, there are no ingredient concerns according to the label, and I like the fact that they appear to use natural extracts for the egg colourings.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super festive! Once mini eggs hit the shelves, you know it's almost Easter.
- Quick and easy to make. Just 10 minutes of hands on time is all you need to make this delicious treat.
- Easily allergy-friendly. Use a certified gluten-free rice cereal to make these treats gluten-free (see my recommendations below).
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you'll need to make these mini rice krispies:
- Butter: I like to use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, just add a pinch of salt.
- Mini marshmallows: Any brand of mini marshmallows will do for this recipe, but it is important that they're mini. They melt faster and give a chewy texture with some whole marshmallow chunks in the treats.
- Vanilla extract
- Crispy rice cereal: My pick for this recipe is the Nature's Path Organic crispy rice. It is certified gluten-free which I appreciate. The original Kellogg's Rice Krispies are not gluten-free, as they contain malt flavouring which is made from barley. If you're not gluten free, don't worry about this.
- Mini eggs: You can use your favourite brand of candy-coated chocolate eggs. Most should be gluten free but read the ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.
(1) Before you begin, crush the mini eggs into smaller pieces. It's easiest if you put them in a plastic bag and crush with a small mallet, rolling pin, or anything heavy. Just crush a few times so they are in large chunks. Set aside.
Line an 8x8" or 9x9" pan with parchment paper.
(2) Place the butter and 4 cups of mini marshmallows in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring with a greased rubber spatula in between, until completely melted.
You could also do this in a large saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
Add the vanilla extract to the melted marshmallows. Stir with a spatula to combine.
(3) Pour in the crispy rice cereal with the remaining cup of mini marshmallows and most of the crushed mini eggs. Save some for pressing on top.
Working quickly, mix with a greased spatula until everything is fully coated. Pour into a parchment-lined 9x9 baking dish.
(4) Rub any neutral oil or cooking spray on your clean hands and press the rice krispie mixture into the pan. I find that using my hands is easiest, and the oil prevents sticking.
Top with reserved mini eggs. Let cool and rest for 1 hour to firm up.
Slice into 16 squares and enjoy!
Storage
Place rice krispie treats in an airtight container with parchment pieces in between layers to prevent sticking. They will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. After that time, they may begin to get a bit crisp and stale, but still delicious! Freezing is not recommended.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for successful rice krispie squares:
- Be careful crushing the mini eggs. Using a knife can be dangerous since the mini eggs are small and can roll around. Instead, place the mini eggs in a large ziplock bag and crush with a heavy object. Just don't crush them to dust. Be sure to leave large chunks.
- Pre-measure all ingredients before beginning. This will speed up your process and ensure the rice krispie treats turn out properly.
- Work fast! The rice krispie treats will cool quickly.
- Let them cool completely. If you try to remove your rice krispie squares from the pan too early, they will be too sticky and won't hold their shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends! Most rice krispie squares are actually not gluten-free if they use Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal. See the question below for more on that.
In Canada, they are not gluten-free. I recommend Nature's Path Organic or Farm Boy for gluten-free alternatives. Always be sure to read the packaging, as this may differ depending on your country.
Based on the ingredient list online, Cadbury Mini Eggs appear to be gluten-free. Cadbury eggs are not certified gluten-free, nor do they have a claim on the packaging, however they do not have any gluten-containing ingredients, nor a may contain statement for wheat/gluten. From all of this information, yes, Cadbury Mini Eggs are gluten-free and safe to eat. Hershey Eggies are popular and have very similar ingredients. Be sure to read the label before consuming as ingredients may change over time.
Since most mini eggs on the market contain milk ingredients, it would be tough to make this recipe dairy-free. If you can find dairy-free chocolate eggs, great! If not, try following my gluten-free and dairy-free rice crispy treat recipe for an original version.
Yes! Simply melt the marshmallows and butter in a large, heavy-bottom saucepan, stirring frequently. Then add the vanilla and follow with the rest of the instructions. Note that this method may take a few minutes longer.
These mini egg rice krispie treats are the perfect easter treat! They're crunchy, chewy, and chocolatey. Great for kids and adults, the whole family will love these easter treats. Add them to your Easter dessert spread along with other sweet treats like Gluten Free Carrot Cake, Mini Egg Cookies, and Gluten Free Lemon Cookies.
Have you made these gluten free mini egg cookies? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!
More Springtime Treats You'll Love!
- Ninja Creami Shamrock Shake Protein Ice Cream
- Mini Egg Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)
- Viral Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Clusters
- Healthy Dill Pickle Egg Salad
Recipe
Mini Egg Rice Krispie Squares
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (56g) salted butter
- 4 + 1 cups (180g + 45g) mini marshmallows
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5½ cups (155g) crispy rice cereal
- 1 cup (200g) mini eggs, crushed
Instructions
- Before you begin, crush the mini eggs. It's easiest if you put them in a plastic bag and crush with a small mallet or anything heavy. Just crush a few times so they are in large chunks. Set aside. Line an 8x8" or 9x9" pan with parchment paper.
- Place the butter and 4 cups of mini marshmallows in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring with a greased rubber spatula in between, until completely melted. You could also do this in a large pot on the stove over medium heat.
- Add the vanilla extract to the butter-marshmallow mixture. Stir with a spatula to combine. Pour in the crispy rice cereal with the remaining cup of mini marshmallows and most of the crushed mini eggs. Save some for pressing on top.
- Working quickly, mix with a greased spatula until everything is fully coated. Pour into a parchment-lined 9x9 baking dish.
- Rub any neutral oil on your clean hands and press the rice krispie mixture into the pan. I find that using my hands is easiest, and the oil prevents sticking. Top with reserved mini eggs. Let cool and rest for 1 hour to firm up. Slice into 16 squares and enjoy!
Notes
- To make these gluten free: Ensure your cereal is gluten free, as Kellogg's Rice Krispies contain barley malt extract. I like Nature's Path Organic.
- Are Mini Eggs gluten free? The two most popular brands, Cadbury Mini Eggs and Hershey Eggies both do not contain gluten ingredients. Any brand of mini eggs will work in this recipe.
- Storage Instructions: Mini egg rice krispie squares will keep for about 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll still be good after that, just a little stale. Freezing is not advised.
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