Can You Freeze Rice Krispie Treats?

Rice Krispie treats are one of those timeless snacks that every kid loves. The main ingredients are butter, rice cereal, and marshmallows, however, there are hundreds of variations, including choc-chip, crushed candy, and rainbow sprinkles, to name just a few.

Often when you make a batch of these treats you have dozens left over, which makes it even more tempting to devour the whole batch.

Instead, why not freeze your Krispie treats? They freeze surprisingly well, despite the sticky marshmallow, and this way you can make them last a whole lot longer – why not add them to your kid’s lunch box or offer them as an occasional treat when their friends come over?

Nobody can resist a Rice Krispie Treat, so why not keep some stocked up so you can conveniently defrost a single square or an entire batch whenever the craving kicks in?

How to freeze Rice Krispie Treats

You can freeze both homemade Rice Krispie Treats and store-bought variations pretty easily.

However, there are a few different methods when it comes to how you freeze them. Here are the easiest and most successful ways to freeze your Krispie Treats…

Freezing homemade Rice Krispie treats

1. After you’ve made your batch of Rice Krispie treats, allow them to cool down completely. Once cooled, you can cut them into squares or your desired shape using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

2. You then need to wrap each treat in cling-wrap, ensuring they’re completely covered so there are no exposed parts that can allow the freshness to escape and moisture to seep in.

3. Once you’ve covered each one, place them in a freezer bag or container. If using a bag, ensure that you’ve squeezed as much air out as possible, this will reduce the risk of freezer burn and will also keep your treats fresher for longer.

4. It’s a good idea to write the date on them before you pop them into the freezer, and always ensure they’re stored flat.

Flash-freezing homemade Rice Krispie treats

A slight variation to the method above, you can also flash freeze your Rice Krispie treats:

1. Wait for the treats to cool down before wrapping in wax paper. You can either wrap the entire thing or cut it up into squares first before covering each one with wax paper.

2. After wrapping, place the treats in the freezer to freeze solid. This should take 1 to 2 hours.

3. Once frozen, cover the treats in cling wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Ensure it is tightly sealed, then write the date on the lid and place it in the freezer.

Freezing Store-bought Rice Krispie Treats

Freezing store-bought Rice Krispie treats is equally easy, simply freeze them in the original packaging if unopened, or you can wrap each treat individually.

If your treats have been partly opened and you need to repack them, remove their original packaging and wrap each one in cling wrap.

After wrapping fully, you can place them in a freezer bag, but squeeze out all the air first and ensure the bag is sealed securely.

Finally, write the date on them and store flat in the freezer.

How to defrost Rice Krispie Treats

Defrosting these treats couldn’t be easier. Simply remove from the freezer and leave them to thaw on the kitchen counter for about an hour.

Once they’re fully defrosted, they’re ready to eat, but if you want to soften them first, you can warm them in the microwave.

Factors to consider before freezing Rice Krispie Treats 

Freezing Lifespan 

If you freeze them correctly and they’re well-sealed, Rice Krispie Treats will keep for up to six months.

However, the rice can change texture if kept frozen for too long, so it’s best to consume them within a month to enjoy them at their best.

Rice Quality 

It’s also worth considering the quality of the rice cereal you use to make the treats, as this will affect how well they freeze.

For example, if you use a cheaper, supermarket brand, it may not freeze as well or taste as good when it comes to defrosting.

Defrosting Time 

If you can enjoy your Krispie treats fresh, it’s always best to do so.

However, if freezing is the best option for you, don’t forget to factor in the time they’ll take to defrost, particularly if they’re for a special occasion.

Freezing Method 

You can either freeze your entire tray of Rice Krispie treats, or you can freeze each one individually.

Either method works fine, but don’t forget, freezing the whole thing can be great for a party or special event, but it won’t be convenient if you plan on eating the treats over a few weeks.

 In this instance, cutting the tray up into squares and wrapping each one in cling-wrap is probably far wiser, as this way you and your family can help yourselves to one at a time without having to worry about wasting any.

This is also ideal for saving freezer space – as individual squares will take up far less space than one big slab. Individual squares are also handy to pack in your kid’s school lunch, or for an occasional after-dinner treat.

Summary

Everybody loves Rice Krispie treats, but these delicious squares last only two days at room temperature.

However, you can easily enjoy them for longer by freezing them, and freezing is an absolute breeze: simply cut into squares first and wrap individually, or freeze the whole thing.

Defrosting is also simple and takes no longer than an hour, meaning you can easily get these out of the freezer at the last minute if you have surprise visitors.

The main thing to remember is to ensure your treats are well wrapped before storing in the freezer, to ensure no extra moisture gets in.

This way, you can preserve that gooey sweetness for up to six months. Just remember that the better the quality of the rice cereal, the better the treats will freeze!