Growing up we knew when our mom made these Caramel Marshmallow Rice Krispie Balls, Christmas was just around the corner. And after sharing them over a decade ago, these viral marshmallows have been made millions of times now from families all over the world.
With just a handful of ingredients, you can have a sweet, no-bake treat that tastes like holiday nostalgia. They’re made by dipping chewy, whole marshmallows in gooey caramel, then rolling them in crunchy Rice Krispies cereal. Whether you need them for a holiday party, movie night, or a neighborhood gift, during the holiday season, they’ll be gone in a flash.
Reader review: “Oh my GONE. GREAT recipe…we rolled them in crushed pistachios, let set up a few minutes then dipped back into the Carmel, then rolled in crushed rice Krispies. Let set up a few minutes. Dipped into melted white or dark chocolate…Best Recipe yet. Thank You!!!” -Laura
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 5 ingredients. All you need is wrapped caramels, sweetened condensed milk, butter, marshmallows, and Rice Krispies cereal.
- No oven required. When your oven is already being used for holiday cooking, make these on the stovetop instead.
- Genuine nostalgic recipe. Readers have reported that they’ve been making this recipe for generations, too!
- Freezes great. Make a big batch before the holiday rush begins!
What People Call These
This recipe has been around for ages, and it goes by a lot of names. Long-time readers have shared that their families have called these “Goofballs,” “Pocupine Balls,” or “Caramellows.” Does your family have a name for these? We’d love to hear it in the comments below!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Caramels: Individually wrapped Kraft caramels are generally what we use for this recipe. If you want to save yourself some time unwrapping them, you can also buy caramel bits. They’re usually sold unwrapped in the baking aisle!
- Sweetened condensed milk: This is necessary for the caramel to set up – it can’t be substituted for evaoperated milk!
- Butter: You only need 2 tablespoons to make a smooth caramel.
- Marshmallows: We generally use standard-size large marshmallows, but a few readers have reported that jumbo marshmallows tend to hold their shape better and are easier to dip cleanly. Mini marshmallows also work if you want bite-sized pieces.
- Rice Krispies cereal: This is the classic coating option for this recipe, but readers have suggested using toasted coconut, Coco Krispies, finely crushed pretzels, or pecans.
- Global Swaps: readers outside the US have used MacIntosh Toffee bars (frozen and crushed) in place of caramels with great results.
How to Make Caramel Marshmallow Rice Krispie Balls
- Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Pour the Rice Krispies Cereal into a large bowl and set both aside. Insert a toothpick or skewer into each marshmallow and unwrap the caramels.
- Make the caramel. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the caramels sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Stir constantly until smooth and creamy (about 8-10 minutes). Remove the pan from the heat and let the caramel cool slightly (about 2-3 minutes). The short rest matters! Dipping marshmallows immediately is the most common reason marshmallows melt or slide off the toothpick.
- Dip the marshmallows. Working one marshmallow at a time, dip it into the caramel, turning to coat completely. Tap off the excess, then immediately roll it in the Rice Krispies cereal. The caramel sets up fast, so coat each one right away rather than dipping a batch first.
- Let them cool. Place on the prepared baking sheet and gently twist out the toothpick. Let set at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving or storing.
Tips for Success:
- Work in small batches. If you’re making a double batch, keep half the caramel mixture warm (with very low heat) while you dip the first batch. The caramel will continue to harden as it cools.
- If your Rice Krispies aren’t sticking, your caramel has likely cooled and thickened too much. Reheat it gently for 20-30 seconds and try again.
- Keep a bowl of warm water nearby to rinse sticky fingers and utensils between dips.
- Line your pan for easier cleanup and to keep the caramel from sticking to the sheet itself.
Variations to Try
- Roll in toasted coconut
- Swap in chopped pecans, peanuts, or pistachios
- Drizzle or dip the finished marshmallows in melted chocolate or white chocolate
- Add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top for a salted caramel version
- Use Coco Krispies or colorful holiday sprinkles for a festive look
- Dust them with cinnamon sugar
- For parties with kids, leave the tooth pick in or stand up the finished treats up in mini cupcake liners to keep hands less sticky
Make-Ahead, Storage and Freezing
Room temperature: store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The Rice Krispies coating is crispiest on the first day and will slowly soften.
Refrigerator: For longer hold or if you have a warm kitchen, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let treats sit at room temp for about an hour before serving so the caramel softens up a little.
Freezer: In a single layer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes, or enjoy them partially frozen as some readers have suggested.
Make-ahead for parties: Make them up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before your event.
Shipping as a gift: If you’re mailing these (readers have asked about sending them to family in the military or shipping across the country), freeze them solid first and pack them tightly in a sturdy container. They will be fine for 2-3 days shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Freeze them in a single layer until solid, then move to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw for about 10-15 minutes at room temperature, or enjoy them partially frozen.
This usually means the caramel has cooled and thickened too much. Reheat it gently for 20-30 seconds and coat each marshmallow immediately after dipping rather than dipping several at once.
Dipping your marshmallows into the caramel immediately off the heat is the most common cause. Let the caramel mixture cool for 2-3 minutes before you start dipping.
One batch makes about 40 balls. The recipe doubles well, just work in batches when dipping so the caramel doesn’t thicken before you’re through.
No. The original Kellogg’s Rice Krispies contain malt flavoring made from barley, which has gluten. If you want to make this recipe gluten-free, you’ll need to find certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal instead.
Yes. Unwrapped caramel bits melt down the same way as wrapped caramels and save a lot of prep time!
More Christmas Recipes You’ll Love
- Cornflake Christmas Wreaths
- Christmas Crack
- Sweet and Salty White Chocolate Popcorn
- No Bake Thin Mint Ritz Cracker Cookies
Caramel Marshmallow Rice Krispie Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces caramels, about 50 wrapped Kraft caramels
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Tablespoon butter
- 12 ounces marshmallows, large
- 7 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
Equipment
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Pour the Rice Krispies Cereal into a large bowl and set both aside. Insert a toothpick or skewer into each marshmallow and unwrap the caramels.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the caramels sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Stir constantly until smooth and creamy (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the caramel cool slightly (about 2-3 minutes). The short rest matters! Dipping marshmallows immediately is the most common reason marshmallows melt or slide off the toothpick.
- Working one marshmallow at a time, dip it into the caramel, turning to coat completely. Tap off the excess, then immediately roll it in the Rice Krispies cereal. The caramel sets up fast, so coat each one right away rather than dipping a batch first.
- Place each one on the prepared baking sheet and gently twist out the toothpick.
- Let them set at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
Nutrition
Video
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
These were great little treats!!
What’s the best way to store these? Would like to make ahead for a potluck. Thanks!!
Hi Dee,
Just put them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. Let them set our for about 1 hour before serving.
I have an aunt who has stored them in the freezer, and then pulled them out in summer, as well. (She made them as a part of her Christmas baking)
That is good to know! I don’t think they would last that long around here if anyone knew I had them hiding in the freezer! Ha Ha!! Have a Merry Christmas!!
What is the calories for 1 of these ?
Sounds good could you add chocolate to the caramel I think this is just what I need for some kids at church
We haven’t made them with chocolate added to the caramel. Sounds delicious though!
The Rice Krispies did not stick to the marshmallows!
These were creamy and delish! Thank you for sharing! Will definitely fugitives into our holiday baking as well!
Ha! Don’t know how it auto corrected to fugitive, but they are now part of our holiday goodies to share! Thanks again!
You have to dunk them into the caramel mixture first, then into the krispies.
How many does this recipe make? I’m looking for something that has a high yield for a Christmas baking party
If you scroll down to the recipes it will tell you that it makes about 40 balls.
Oh my GONE. GREAT recipe. We’ve changed it up a wee bit. After their dipped in the Carmel, we rolled them in crushed pistachios, let set up a few minutes then dipped back into the Carmel, then rolled in crushed rice Krispies. Let set up a few minutes.Dipped into melted white or dark chocolate. We did batches of each chocolate. Then rolled gently in Krispies. I’m SO Making people happy. Best Recipe yet. Thank You!!!
OH MY GOODNESS! That sounds absolutely amazing! I would be very happy to receive one of these Heavenly balls of caramel and delicious layers!
These were really delicious, everyone loved them and I will make them again.
If you live in Canada and you can get MacIntosh Toffee – use that instead of the caramels! I think the ratio is about 6 bars of toffee or use the MacIntosh Caramel toffee wrapped candy. Either way, Freeze your toffee to speed unwrapping. Smash the frozen toffee bars into smaller bits for quicker melting. Melt and mix in a double boiler to keep your toffee warm and subtle. I like to use a wooden chopstick or a fork to dip the marshmallow into the toffee and then tap the excess off. Plunge the coated marshmallow into the cereal and place on a wax paper-lined tray. Store in an airtight container. When your chopstick gets too gummy, switch it out for a clean one. It’s a little tedious, but these little treat re so worth it! YUM YUM! A classic, favorite Christmas tradition in our family!
Do you let the caramel sauce cool down a lot? Seems like hot sauce would melt the marshmallows.
We used to put the balls into stand-up ice cream cones. It keeps small hands from getting so sticky. The cones were a favorite for taking to school for birthday treats (when kids were able to take treats).
Hi Kathy. We remember the days when we could bring tasty treats from home. Thanks for sharing the great idea of putting the caramel marshmallow rice krispie balls in stand up ice cream cones. Have a great week and a Merry Christmas!
The caramel doesn’t melt the marshmallows.
I was wondering if these could be made into bars ?
I like to roll mine in toasted coconut instead of rice krispies. Maybe will try dipping them in melted chocolate (probably dark). Yum.
Are these gluten free
These were a hit at my company party! You gotta move fast when putting the caramel on the marshmallows because they will start to melt in a matter of seconds. I found that while having the marshmallow on a toothpick, pouring the caramel over the top of the marshmallow then dunking the bottom into the caramel then putting it in the krispies was an effective way to coat them without them melting and falling off the toothpick in the caramel. I used Coco Krispies and that was so tasty!
Looks good
Made these MANY years ago. Used really fresh marshmallow and I ended up with a ess, because I’d spent a lot of time and $$$, I greased a 9×13 pan , poured everything in and made bars!!
I’ve made these several times. Sometimes with rice krispies, sometimes with toasted coconut. My favorite though, is chopped pecans! Yummy
Sounds delicious! Have a very Merry Christmas!
We have never made these into bars, just balls.
Just a quick question. Could you use your homemade Microwave caramel recipe to make these?
Did you dip the marshmallows in the warm caramel mixture first?
5 Star from me. I made mine using caramel baking bits, worked out fine and rolled in toasted coconut. They were addicting. I might even try drizzling with chocolate. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
This was my method, too, but it was too much work. I’ll see if the group loves them tomorrow at Christmas; and if so, next time I’ll try as a bar in a glass or corning ware dish for easy clean up.
Good question! We have never tried using our microwave caramel recipe for these rice krispie balls. So we aren’t sure how well they would work. Let us know if you give it a try. Sounds delicious!!
Maybe if you made a baked graham cracker crust for the bottom layer, or maybe even just make them on top of graham cracker squares. I have not tried it though. Just a thought.
I had the finished product on a sheet pan over a pan of boiling soup and it made the marshmallows smushy like a s’more and they were lovely warm!
YUM! It sounds delicious!!
I’ve been making this for more than 20 years!! I was told they were porcupine balls. I’ve used crushed pumpkin spice Cheerios in place of the rice crispies too. Both are great!
I always make them when my daughter & granddaughter come over. My daughter does the caramel layer and my granddaughter does the cereal layer. All 3 of us working together. Memories have been made
My grandson in Airforce do you think they would ship well?
I bet these would be extra sweet with the frosted rice krispies!!!
How much does this recipe make?
It makes about 40.
I grew up making these and this was the perfect recipe! Do you know if it’s ok to freeze these?
They should freeze fine in an airtight container.
This recipe was a giant hit this Christmas. It was simple and quick. This treat disappeared first; even before the chocolate truffles!
Wow! These were simply amazing. We can’t stop eating them! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.
My Walmart substitutes butterscotch chips for the caramel. Has anyone tried this?
I couldn’t find caramels so I bought caramel dip, should I still follow the same recipe in melting the caramels?
We haven’t made these using caramel dip, so not sure how they will turn out. The caramel may be a little too runny.
Couldn’t figure out what was going on because they didn’t seem right…finally realized I used evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk on accident! I’ll have to try again!
I have been making these for 35 years; started as a child with my mom. We call them Goofballs. 🙂 It’s interesting to hear the different names.
I love it , my family loves it and my friends love it too! Absolutely delicious and so easy to make !💜
These were SO good! Unfortunately though I don’t think I used the correct kind of caramels… we don’t have Kraft Caramels in Australia, so I used Jersey Caramels. So they didn’t stick to the marshmallows – oh and our Pascall marshmallows are dusted in cornflour too so this doesn’t help 😅 Does anyone know what would be a good caramel substitute please – that I’d find over here? 😋
I have been naking these for years and I have found that if you store them in an air tight container, the rice krispies will get soft.
Haven’t made yet, looks amazing. Is the nutrition information for 1 ball?
They are really good
The nutrition facts are for one ball.
A sweet young military wife brought these over as a welcome-to-the-neighborhood treat 30 years ago! She had no idea what an obsession she would cause and a wonderful family tradition that sprang from her welcome treat. We changed it up a bit to fit our family but they remain the original recipe. We put them in cupcake wrappers and leave the toothpick in so they are a fun finger food without getting too sticky. We make dozens at a time so we put them in foil pans and stick in the freezer until we are ready to eat. It only takes about 10 minutes to come to room temp and my kids just never waited that long anyway. We have given them as gifts, taken them as a party dessert, and treated school chums on the last day of school. Always a hit and always “Can you give the recipe please?”. Keep passing this treat on to others because it is for sure a keeper and a delicious tradition to carry on.
Making these for a Halloween party!
I made it with small marshmallows and left the toothpicks in. They turned out awesome.
These are super easy and very yummy!
Could you dust with a sugar/cinnamon mixture or brown sugar/cinnamon mix as the final step?
You could certainly add the dusting of cinnamon and sugar. You would want to do it while the caramel is still soft so it will cling to the cookie ball.
So delicious!!!
How much butter do you use?? It doesn’t say?
Scroll down farther in the post and you’ll see the full recipe card. It has all of the ingredient amounts and instructions.
Made these today! Simple recipe. Taking to my grandchildren tomorrow!
I want to try these. I love salted caramel…has anyone tried sprinkling a little kosher salt on the caramel before rolling in the crispies or using a salted caramel recipe?
Easy and delicious but messy to make. I got 30 balls out of 1 recipe. Also, let the caramel mixture cool for a minute or two before dipping the marshmallows or else the marshmallows will melt 🤗
How do you keep the Rice Krispies from getting soft the next day?
We haven’t run into the problem before but another commenter said they don’t store them in airtight containers. If you’re planning to store them for a few days, maybe try freezing them instead?
This was easy and delicious! There was another recipe but it called for 2 STICKS of butter. Glad I chose this one!
Loved these last year so made them again this year and took note of the refrigerate this time. I left them to harden on the counter overnight and I know last year they didn’t see any fridge time. Do the treats need it to not get people sick? Or just to help hold their form? I hope Im not about to get a lot of people sick. I *sample* during the creation process and dont tend to keep many so I dont recall any issues from the treats last year. Please help. Thank you for an easy and tasty recipe.
My mom has been doing this for years. During Christmas time because you can get the red green and regular coloured rice crispies. Halloween black and orange., Saint Paddy’s day sometimes they come out with the green and black one..
Anyways, it’s a go to recipe for something easy and fun.
Freeze a whole bunch in the freezer they taste way better frozen to me. And plus I don’t eat so many so fast.
We have been making these for years. We use MacIntosh Toffee. We freeze them and eat them partially frozen. They are the best this way!!! You have to try it 🙂
We have been making these for years, We freeze them. Everyone tends to love them partially frozen. If you have not tried them partially frozen you are missing out!
Hi can I use the Carmel beads
Try crushed peanuts or pecans to roll the carmel covered marshmellos in. Wait 10 minutes to firm up, then drizzle with melted milk chocolate chips. Rice Krispies remain fresh only a few days….even in air tight container. They will be grubbed up sooner, but if you make dozens at a time, crushed nuts seem to stay fresher a few days longer…..and its very similar to a snickers bar when done.
Made with grandkids. The marshmallows were melting and spinning on the toothpicks. The rice cereal didn’t stick very well. I wondered if crushing the cereal first would help it stick better. We tried finely chopped pecans and they seemed to work better. If I try this recipe again, I would also try the jumbo rather than large marshmallows.