Introduction

These Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats are a fun twist on the classic snack, combining the nostalgic flavors of banana pudding and vanilla wafers. They’re chewy, sweet, and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze for an extra special touch.

The image shows a stack of four square cereal treats with a chewy, textured light golden color. Each treat is made of puffed rice cereal bound together, with small round cereal pieces visible inside. The top surfaces and sides have white icing drizzled in smooth, slightly thick lines that run down the edges. The treats are placed directly on a white marbled surface with a clean, bright background. The stack is slightly uneven and leaning, showing the soft, crispy texture of the cereal treats. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
24 vanilla wafer cookies
4 tablespoons butter
10 ounces marshmallows
1.7 ounces (1/2 of a 3.4 ounce box) instant banana pudding mix
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream or milk, plus 1-2 teaspoons more if needed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Grease an extra-large mixing bowl and an 8-inch square non-stick baking pan with butter or baking spray.
Step 2: Pour the Rice Krispies cereal into the mixing bowl. Break 14 of the vanilla wafer cookies into pieces and add them to the cereal. Reserve the remaining 10 cookies for topping.
Step 3: Cut the butter into small pieces and melt it in a medium-large saucepan over low heat.
Step 4: When the butter starts to melt, add the marshmallows and sprinkle the banana pudding mix over top. Stir to combine.
Step 5: Stir the marshmallows every few minutes until about 75% are melted. Remove from heat and continue stirring until fully melted, being careful not to overheat.
Step 6: Pour the melted mixture over the Rice Krispies and cookie pieces. Stir until well combined.
Step 7: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Press gently to form an even layer, being careful not to compact it too much.
Step 8: Immediately press the reserved cookie pieces onto the top of the treats. Let rest for 30 minutes.
Step 9: Meanwhile, prepare the vanilla glaze by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream or milk until smooth.
Step 10: If the glaze is too thick, add more cream or milk 1/2 teaspoon at a time until it’s thin enough to drizzle.
Step 11: Cut the treats into 12 rectangles or 16 squares. Drizzle the glaze over the top and allow it to firm up for about 30 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use heavy cream instead of milk for a richer vanilla glaze.
For a stronger banana flavor, add a few drops of banana extract to the melted marshmallow mixture.
Try adding chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips for extra texture.
Press the treats gently to avoid making them too dense or hard.

Storage

Store the Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week. Let refrigerated treats come to room temperature before serving for best texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of six square cereal treats made from crispy rice cereal mixed with melted marshmallow, with visible peanut butter bits inside. The treats have a light golden color with a soft, bumpy texture from the cereal pieces. The top of each square is decorated with white drizzle icing that is thick and creamy, flowing in neat wavy lines across the surface. The stack is placed on a white marbled surface with a plain white background, giving a clean and bright look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular pudding mix instead of instant?

Instant pudding mix works best here since it dissolves easily without cooking, giving the treats their signature banana flavor and smooth texture. Regular pudding mix requires cooking and won’t integrate well into the marshmallow mixture.

Can I make these treats gluten-free?

You can make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free crispy rice cereal and gluten-free vanilla sandwich cookies instead of the traditional Rice Krispies and vanilla wafers.