This post may contain references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Oh Sweet Basil may receive compensation when you click on links to such products.
When you’re craving something sweet but don’t want a whole pan of treats sitting around, make a Rice Krispie treat for one! This gooey single serving Rice Krispie treat is made with just 3 ingredients in the microwave and is ready in about 2 minutes.
Table of Contents
- QUICK LOOK
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make a Rice Krispie Treat in the Microwave
- Tips for the Best Rice Krispie Treat for One
- Rice Krispie Treat Variations
- Can I Use a Different Cereal?
- Rice Krispie Treat for One FAQs
- More Easy Desserts for One:
- Watch How This Recipe is Made…
- Rice Krispie Treat for One Recipe
QUICK LOOK
- Serves: 1
- Time: 2 minutes
- Ingredients: 3
- Method: Microwave
- Best for: Late-night cravings, after-school treats, quick desserts
My sister and her family started making single serving Rice Krispie treats so they wouldn’t have a whole pan of dessert sitting around tempting everyone all week. I thought it was such a great idea, and now this little microwave version has become one of our favorite late-night treats after the kids are in bed.
And when you do need enough to share, our classic gooey Rice Krispie treats are the way to go. Or go all out with our brown butter dulce de leche Rice Krispie treats.
Why You’ll Love This Single Serving Rice Krispie Treat
- No whole pan of leftovers. It’s perfectly portioned for one sweet craving.
- Almost no cleanup. Mix it and eat it right from the mug.
- So gooey! Enjoy it warm and extra gooey or let it cool for that classic chewy texture.
- Easy to customize. Add chocolate chips, M&M’s, peanut butter or your favorite cereal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Butter: Adds richness and keeps the melted marshmallows smooth. Salted or unsalted butter will work.
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt fastest, but regular marshmallows work too. For the smoothest, gooiest results, use fresh marshmallows.
- Crispy rice cereal: Rice Krispies give you the classic crunch, but other crispy rice cereals work too.
If you happen to be out of Rice Krispies, scroll down to the section below for substitution ideas.
How to Make a Rice Krispie Treat in the Microwave
Grab a microwave-safe mug and you’re ready to go!
- Melt the butter and marshmallows. Add them to a microwave-safe mug and microwave until the marshmallows puff and soften.
- Stir until smooth. Stir the melted butter and marshmallows together until completely combined.
- Add the cereal. Quickly fold in the Rice Krispies while the marshmallow mixture is still warm and gooey.
- Enjoy! Eat it warm and extra gooey, or let it sit for a few minutes if you prefer a firmer Rice Krispie treat.
Tips for the Best Rice Krispie Treat for One
- Use fresh marshmallows. Older marshmallows don’t melt as smoothly.
- Don’t overheat them. Microwave just until the marshmallows are puffed and soft, then stir.
- Work quickly. Stir in the cereal while the marshmallow mixture is still warm.
- Use a microwave-safe mug with room to spare. Marshmallows expand dramatically as they heat.
- Grease your spoon if needed. A little nonstick spray or butter makes the sticky mixture much easier to stir.
- Eat it warm for maximum gooeyness. Let it cool for a few minutes if you want it to hold together more like a traditional bar.
Rice Krispie Treat Variations
The classic version is delicious, but it’s also fun to change things up! Try adding:
- Mini M&M’s
- Butterscotch chips
- Cinnamon chips
- Sprinkles
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- A pinch of cinnamon
- A pinch of flaky salt
Peanut Butter: Stir a spoonful of peanut butter into the melted marshmallow mixture.
Chocolate: Add mini chocolate chips after stirring in the cereal.
S’mores: Use Golden Grahams in place of some of the crispy rice cereal and add mini chocolate chips.
Can I Use a Different Cereal?
No Rice Krispies? No problem! Several other cereals work great in this single serving treat:
- Cheerios (any flavor)
- Chex (any flavor)
- Cocoa or Fruity Pebbles
- Crispix
- Honey Bunches of Oats
- Golden Grahams (add some chocolate chips and thank me later!)
- Another flavor of Rice Krispies (the cinnamon ones are so good!)
Rice Krispie Treat for One FAQs
Yes! Regular marshmallows work just fine, though they may take slightly longer to melt.
The marshmallows were most likely overheated. Microwave them just until they’re soft and puffy, then stir until smooth.
Yes. You can substitute coconut oil or your favorite dairy-free butter.
Yes, but you’ll need to use a crispy rice cereal specifically labeled gluten-free. Standard Kellogg’s Rice Krispies contain malt flavoring, so they aren’t considered gluten-free.
It’s buttery, gooey, crunchy and sweet! This Rice Krispie treat for one is exactly what you need for that late night craving! Now grab a mug, hide from the kids and enjoy every gooey bite! 😉 And if you make one, tag us on social media so we can see!
More Easy Desserts for One:
- Brownie in a Mug
- Peanut Butter Mug Cake
- Pumpkin Mug Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Baked Oatmeal in a Mug
Watch How This Recipe is Made…
Rice Krispie Treat for One
Ingredients
- ½ Tablespoon Butter, unsalted
- 1 Cup Rice Krispies Cereal
- 1 ¼ Cup Mini Marshmallows, or 9 Large Marshmallows
Instructions
- Place the butter and marshmallows in a microwave safe mug and microwave in 30 second intervals, or until the butter is completely melted.½ Tablespoon Butter, 1 ¼ Cup Mini Marshmallows
- Stir the marshmallows with the butter and add the rice krispies cereal quickly, stirring as soon as it has been added.1 Cup Rice Krispies Cereal
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
3 days?! One of those won’t last 3 minutes!
Thank you for this smaller recipe 💜 I love them, but can’t really be trusted with a big batch, lol
I feel that Laurinda!! They are so good! Thanks for leaving a comment!
This doesn’t make sense. The way it’s written, one is to put the marshmallows and butter into a cocoa mug that’s already hot. I’m assuming that what is meant is that the ingredients are to be put into a mug, period, not a hot one, and not one specifically for cocoa 🙄.
Hi Joyce…yes, just put them in a microwave safe mug!
Love this quick and easy recipe! I’ve made this with coconut oil instead of butter and chocolate Rice Krispies instead of plain. So yummy! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Carla!! Coconut oil is a great way to make it dairy free! Thank you so much for the feedback!
Yep, and its AWESOME!!!!
Thank you Carol!!
When you say large, are they the super large or the normal size for roasting.? Thanks .
Judy Casey Senath, Mo.
Normal size…not those giant things they have these days. Enjoy!
Any chance this would work without butter or oil?
You could try it, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t melt quite right. You could try a healthier oil like coconut oil.
Oh, my! Super fast and so delicious. Thanks for this recipe.
It’s so fast and delicious it’s dangerous! I think about making on almost every night!
Hi. This is a great idea! Thank you.
I use a combo of RK and corn flakes. For add ins I use coconut and pecans.
I once got a batch going and found, just as you said, kids had eaten a lot of the RK. I filled in with corn flakes and it was delicious.
I am not sure how the coconut and pecans happened, but they sure kick it up a notch and add to our enjoyment.
Love the sound of those additions Yum! And corn flakes sounds delicious!
I used a large marshmallows and I think it worked better with six instead of nine. But then I add it in 1/4 cup of mini marshmallows after it was all mixed together so there was the chunks of marshmallows! Great recipe!
Sounds yummy! Thanks for the feedback Samantha!
This is way better than any microwave mug cake or cookie recipe I’ve tried. Thanks!
Yahoo! Thanks Angela!
Just heads up Rice Krispies are not gluten free, they contain malt. Rice Chex however are gluten free so anyone who can’t tolerate gluten please don’t use Rice Krispies use Rice Chex instead. I plan on trying it with the cinnamon Chex as they are also gluten free and delicious.
Thank you Lauren! I have update the post! It would be delicious using and of the Chex options!!
Ok, just whipped this up and am enjoying it less than two minutes later! Perfectly gooey rice krispie treat just like I like it and I won’t have to worry about eating an entire pan in the next 24 hours. 😛 Thanks!
Isn’t it just about the best thing ever?! So glad you enjoyed it!