Snap, crackle, and pop! Rice Krispies Cereal has been around for just shy of a century, with their signature snack quickly appearing on the market soon after their fruition.
This magical marshmallow and cereal concoction is the perfect combination of crunchy and sweet.
No matter if you make them from scratch or you buy the company’s conveniently packaged products, one thing is for certain — you do not want them to go to waste!
Can you freeze rice Krispie treats? We have the tasty details!
Not only do all of the ingredients freeze well in the freezer, but Kellogg’s actually recommends freezing their Rice Krispies Treats. This is because when made from scratch, they will only maintain optimal quality for two days.
Therefore, layer the cooled treats between pieces of wax paper in an airtight Tupperware container. Apply a tight layer of aluminum foil over the top and then snap on the lid.
You can also individually wrap the bars in freezer wrap or wax paper and then store them in either freezer-safe ziplock bags or vacuum seal plastic. Any of the three methods will keep the snacks fresh for up to three months. Best of all, thawing only takes 15 minutes at room temperature!
Rice Krispie Treats Ingredients
Rice Krispies Cereal
This classic cereal has been a household name for generations! As the name implies, Rice Krispies are made with crisped rice and a whole lot of sugar, hence the appeal to children and adults alike.
Cereals are recommended for freezer storage for up to two months.
Jet-Puffed Marshmallows
This soft and sweet topping is essentially whipped sugar! Not only do marshmallows taste deliciously melted, but they also fare quite well in the freezer.
Marshmallows will span two to four months at room temperature, but you can increase their shelf life by another month by placing them in cold storage.
This also goes for marshmallow creme, which can be a suitable substitute for the marshmallows in this recipe.
Butter
This dairy product is a semisolid version of cream that bodes beautifully in the freezer! In fact, it can span six to nine months.
This is especially true for salted varieties. However, it is important to note that the longer butter stays in cold storage, the more subdued the flavor will become.
Chocolate
Whether you like to include this extra ingredient in your homemade bars or you purchase one of Kellogg’s four chocolate-based products — Mini M&M’s, Cookies n’ Creme, Cocoa Krispies, or Homestyle Chocolate Bars — there is no worry about freezing! Chocolate is another fantastic food to keep in cold storage.
However, it is important to pay attention to which type of chocolate that you are freezing.
Dark chocolate can be stored for up to two years whereas milk chocolate will only last a year in cold storage.
White chocolate lasts even less time, only spanning up to four months. Despite these differing storage times, you can safely store chocolate-covered Rice Krispie Treats, M&M filled versions, or whatever chocolate creation you decide to concoct.
Kellogg’s Storage Recommendations
Due to the fact that all of the ingredients in Rice Krispies Treats are recommended for freezer storage, it should be no surprise that you can freeze the finished product as well. The company states that you can keep them in cold storage for up to six weeks.
Moreover, if you do not buy the individually packaged versions made by Kellogg’s, they also advise that you only keep homemade Rice Krispie Treats at room temperature for two days in an airtight container.
This is why freezing this product is such a spectacular solution!
How To Freeze Homemade Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Make Your Rice Krispies Treats
Creating this sugary treat is a quick and easy process. In fact, the hardest part is waiting for the mixture to cool.
This allows the melted butter and marshmallows to set and essentially reharden, holding the cereal in place.
This step is also extremely important for freezer storage. You should never put warm or hot products in the freezer.
Thus, allow them to cool FULLY and then cut them into squares.
Step 2: Package Your Homemade Rice Krispie Treats To Freeze
Method 1: Airtight Tupperware Container
Put a sheet of wax paper on the bottom of an airtight Tupperware container. Then, place a layer of cut Rice Krispie Treats along the bottom of the tray.
Apply another layer of wax paper. Repeat until all of your snacks are packaged.
Place a final layer of wax paper on top and then apply a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the top and sides of the Tupperware.
Finally, snap on the lid and label with the date of the freeze. Finally, place them in cold storage. This is the optimal method of packaging as dictated by the company.
Method 2: Freezer Safe Ziplock Bag
An alternative technique is to individually wrap your Rice Krispies Treats in sheets of freezer wrap or wax paper.
Then, stack them in a freezer-safe plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Finally, label with the date before freezing.
Method 3: Vacuum Seal Bags
The final method for storage involves applying the same freezer wrap to the individual treats and then using a vacuum seal machine to preserve the snacks.
It is important to note that when using this method, only vacuum seal portions will be used within two days of thawing.
Otherwise, food waste is inevitable. Conversely, the other two methods allow you to extract the amount of homemade rice crispy treats that you need with the option of resealing and freezing the remainder of the product for later use.
Step 3: Freeze Rice Krispie Treats
The most effective way to freeze Rice Krispie Treats is to place your container of choice on a clear freezer shelf. Make sure that nothing is obstructing the air vent and freezer fan.
These small steps will allow for rapid cooling, ensuring that large ice crystals do not form on the cereal bars.
This is extremely important in preventing this crispy treat from taking on a soggy form when defrosted.
How To Freeze Pre-Packaged Rice Krispie Treats
If you purchased one of the many types of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats in individual packages, freezing is exceptionally simple! Just throw them in the freezer!
However, if you are forgetful, grab a sharpie and label them with the date to ensure that they are used within the advised six-week time frame.
How To Thaw Rice Krispie Treats
Defrosting your treat is even easier than freezing them! Place them on the counter for 15 minutes, and Voila! You are ready to serve.
Best of all, you can safely keep this product at room temperature so busy moms and dads can throw these snacks in their kid’s lunches directly from freezer storage!
How To Make Rice Krispies Treats At Home
Step 1: Heat & Mix Your Ingredients
First, heat three tablespoons of butter with a ten-ounce package of marshmallows. If you do not have marshmallows on hand, then replace this component with seven ounces of marshmallow creme. Do this on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave.
When using the latter option, cook the mixture for three minutes, stirring after two minutes have gone by to prevent it from burning.
Stir until the mixture is fully melted. The intent is for the marshmallows and the butter to take on a smooth consistency.
Next, pour the marshmallow and butter blend over top of six cups of Rice Krispies cereal.
Gently mix together until the combination reaches an even ratio. Add in any other ingredients like chocolate chips, M&M’s, or sprinkles.
Step 2: Transfer The Mixture, Form, And Allow It To Set
Finally, take a glass Pyrex dish and spray it with PAM or butter the tray. Then, spoon in the mixture.
Using wax or parchment paper, press down until firm and even across the pan. Add any last-minute toppings. Allow it to cool FULLY.
Lastly, cut into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. If your intent is to serve these on a later date, then follow the aforementioned steps to freeze.
Alternative Step:You can also get a little messy and form your Rice Krispie Treats into balls! With this method, take a baking sheet and lay down a piece of wax paper. Then, lay out your Rice Krispie balls on the tray until they have hardened.
Healthy Alternative To Rice Krispie Treats
While exceptionally delicious, this snack is brimming with sugar! According to the American Diabetes Association, “nearly 1.6 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, including about 187,000 children and adolescents”.
This staggering statistic can be easily diminished if you make sure that your children consume sugary products in moderation.
Best of all, none of the ingredients need to be cooked — just mix, form, chill and serve. This will also keep your kids full for longer thanks to the protein boost that comes with the nut products.
Additionally, GoGurt Bark is another protein-packed sweet treat that can be a healthy alternative to Rice Krispie Treats!
Remember that some of the best snacks are creative concoctions made of healthy ingredients. The world is your oyster!
Final Thoughts
Freezing Rice Krispies treats can drastically elongate the shelf life of this scrumptious snack!
Remember that for the best quality, make sure to use fresh ingredients and freeze them prior to the three-day mark.
Additionally, always check this gooey, yet crunchy treat for spoilage before consuming. The biggest signs that this product has gone bad are changes in smell or taste.
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