• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
howtomakecerealtreats.com
  • recipes
    • fun party treats
    • holiday treats
  • cookbooks
  • about
  • subscribe
  • marshmallow conversion
  • traditional flavors
  • seasonal flavors
  • kid's cereal treats
  • FAQ
menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • cookbooks
  • about
  • marshmallows
  • subscribe
  • tips for making treats
  • traditional flavors
  • fun party treats
  • holiday treats
  • kid's cereal treats
  • seasonal flavors
  • vegan and gluten-free
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • recipes
  • cookbooks
  • about
  • marshmallows
  • subscribe
  • tips for making treats
  • traditional flavors
  • fun party treats
  • holiday treats
  • kid's cereal treats
  • seasonal flavors
  • vegan and gluten-free
×
Home » Recipes » traditional flavors

Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats

Published: Apr 11, '23 · Modified: Apr 11, '23 · By: Beth Klosterboer · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

Enjoy the flavors you love in a classic banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers in a crispy and chewy cereal treat. These Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats are easy to make and are bursting with banana pudding flavor.

If you love a creamy banana pudding dessert layered with vanilla wafer cookies, you'll definitely want to give this recipe a try.

banana pudding rice krispie treats topped with vanilla wafer cookie pieces and vanilla glaze

Until today, I had never added instant pudding mix to our Rice Krispie Treats recipe. I honestly wasn't sure how the treats would taste.

While experimenting with this recipe, I started by adding a whole 3.4-ounce box of instant banana pudding to our small-batch crispy treat recipe that is made in an 8-inch pan. The banana flavor was way too strong.

So, I cut it in half and the resulting flavor was much nicer. The treats still had a pronounced banana pudding flavor but it wasn't overpowering. Adding vanilla wafers to the treats gave them that classic layered dessert flavor which I loved!

Let's make some treats!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Top tips
  • Storage
  • Related
  • Recipe
  • Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients

banana pudding rice krispie treats recipe ingredients
  • Rice Krispies Cereal - We always recommend using Kellogg's Rice Krispies. We think they have the best texture and flavor.
  • vanilla wafer cookies - This is a classic addition to a layered banana pudding dessert and they add another layer of flavor and texture to the treats.
  • butter - We recommend using salted European-style butter (with a higher butterfat content than American-made butter). It will give your treats the very best flavor. See our taste test results for more information.
  • marshmallows - We recommend using Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows because they produce perfectly chewy treats. Some store-brand marshmallows are too sticky once melted and are difficult to blend with the cereal. If you do use them, you may need to add up to an extra cup of cereal. You can use mini or large marshmallows. See our marshmallow conversion chart for details about measuring marshmallows.
  • instant banana pudding mix - I used half of a 3.4 ounces box of Jell-O pudding and thought the flavor was very nice.
  • glaze - This is optional, but it looks pretty and adds another layer of flavor. You can make a simple glaze using powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream or milk, and vanilla.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Equipment

  • extra-large mixing bowl - You want to use a bowl that allows you room to mix the cereal and marshmallows together.
  • medium-large (3 or 4-quart) saucepan - I like using a non-stick pan so the marshmallows don't stick too badly.
  • 8-inch square baking pan - If you use a non-stick pan, you'll be able to easily remove the treats from the pan. A glass pan works fine too just be sure to grease it well with butter.
  • silicone spatula - If you grease a silicone spatula (or Spoonula) with butter or baking spray, the cereal treat mixture won't stick. You can also use a wooden spoon but I'd grease it too.
  • small bowl - Use this to make the glaze.

Instructions

whole vanilla wafer cookies in a bowl and vanilla wafer cookie pieces in a measuring cup

Reserve 10 vanilla wafer cookies for the top of the treats and break the remaining cookies into small pieces.

Rice Krispies Cereal with vanilla wafer cookie pieces

Sprinkle the pieces over the cereal in a large well-greased (buttered) mixing bowl.

melting butter in saucepan over low heat

Cut the butter into small pieces and place them in a medium-large saucepan set over low heat.

Pouring marshmallows into pan filled with melted butter and peanut butter.

Allow the butter to begin to melt then pour in the marshmallows and toss to coat in the butter.

banana pudding mix sprinkled over mini marshmallows and melted butter in a saucepan set over low heat

Sprinkle the banana pudding mix over the marshmallows.

mini marshmallows coated with banana pudding mix and melted butter

Toss the marshmallows with the pudding mix.

melting marshmallows and banana pudding mixed together with butter in a saucepan

Allow the marshmallows to begin melting. Stir every minute or so.

stirring melted banana pudding marshmallows

Remove from the heat when 75% of the marshmallows have melted.

By allowing the residual heat to melt the remaining marshmallows, your treats will be nicely chewy. When marshmallows get too hot they create hard treats.

stirring melted butter, marshmallows, and banana pudding mix

Stir until smooth and creamy.

pouring melted banana pudding marshmallows over Rice Krispies cereal and vanilla wafer pieces

Pour over the cereal and cookies.

Rice Krispies Cereal and vanilla wafer pieces mixed with melted banana pudding marshmallows

Stir the cereal, cookie pieces, and banana marshmallow mixture until well blended.

banana pudding rice krispie treats in a square 9-inch pan next to vanilla wafer cookies

Gently spread the cereal treat mixture into a well-greased 8-inch square pan.

vanilla wafer cookie pieces arranged on top of the banana pudding cereal treats in a pan

Immediately, break the remaining 10 cookies into small pieces and press them onto the treats.

banana rice krispie treats cut into rectangles

Let the treats cool for 30 minutes. Cut into 12 rectangles or 16 squares.

powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream

To make the glaze, you'll need powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy whipping cream or milk.

vanilla and heavy whipping cream poured over a bowl of powdered sugar

Pour the vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the cream over the powdered sugar into a small bowl.

add more heavy whipping cream to the thick vanilla glaze

Stir until smooth. If the glaze is too thick to drizzle, stir in more cream or milk ½ teaspoon at a time.

thinned vanilla glaze that can be drizzled

You want the glaze to be thin enough that it falls in ribbons but still holds its shape.

vanilla glaze drizzled over banana pudding Rice Krispie treats

Spoon the glaze into a small zip-top bag, snip off one tip, and pipe the glaze over the cereal treats.

You can also use a spoon to drizzle the glaze onto the treats, but it looks neater if you use the bag.

The glaze will form a firm crust in about 30 minutes. You will be able to stack the treats once the glaze has firmed up.

banana pudding rice krispie treats recipe image

Substitutions

Vanilla wafers are a traditional ingredient in many banana pudding desserts but you can use graham crackers or any other cookies you like.

You can swap out coconut oil for the butter using the same quantity.

Variations

Drizzle chocolate over the banana-flavored cereal treats instead of the glaze as we did for our Chocolate Chex Treats or add even more chocolate by making Chocolate Dipped Treats.

If you love the combination of peanut butter and banana, start by making our Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats recipe and add in ½ a 3.4-ounce box of banana pudding mix. Mix a tablespoon of peanut butter into the glaze to give it a nutty flavor.

Top tips

Do not overheat your marshmallows! The sugar in the marshmallows will caramelize when heated too much and this will cause your treats to be hard.

Also, do not smash the cereal into the baking pan or you will compact the treats too much which will also make hard treats.

banana pudding rice krispie treats recipe image

Storage

These Banana Pudding Rice Krispie treats will taste the best the day they are made but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

To keep them longer, you can freeze them in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months.

Related

If you like fruit-flavored rice crispy treats, give these other recipes a try.

  • Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats speckled with freeze-dried strawberries are stacked next to fresh strawberries.
    Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
  • Cinnamon Apple Rice Crispy Treats are loaded with bits of dried apple rings and freeze-dried apple crumbs.
    Apple Cinnamon Rice Krispie Treats
  • neapolitan rice krispie treats
    neapolitan Rice Krispie Treats
  • The BEST LEMON RICE KRISPIE TREATS -- delicious, no-bake dessert perfect for summer. Printable recipe and VIDEO.
    lemon Rice Krispie Treats

Recipe

banana pudding rice krispie treats recipe image

Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats

Beth Klosterboer
Chewy Rice Krispie Treats are flavored with banana pudding mix and are topped with vanilla wafers and a sweet vanilla glaze.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Resting Time 1 hour hr
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 218 kcal

Ingredients
  

Banana Rice Krispie Treats

  • 4 ½ cups Rice Krispies Cereal
  • 24 vanilla wafer cookies
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 10 ounces marshmallows
  • 1.7 ounces (½ of a 3.4 ounce box) of instant banana pudding mix

Vanilla Glaze

  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream or milk, plus 1-2 teaspoons more if needed
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Banana Pudding Rice Krispie Treats

  • Grease an extra large mixing bowl and an 8-inch square non-stick baking pan with butter or baking spray.
  • Pour the Rice Krispies Cereal into the mixing bowl.
  • Break 14 of the Vanilla Wafer cookies into pieces and toss them into the bowl of cereal. Break the remaining 10 cookies into pieces and reserve them for later to sprinkle over the top of the treats.
  • Cut the butter into small pieces and place them in a medium-large saucepan. Set the pan over LOW heat.
  • Let the butter begin to melt, then pour the marshmallows into the pan. Sprinkle the banana pudding mix over top and stir to combine.
  • Stir the marshmallows every few minutes until about 75% of them have melted. Then, remove the pan from the heat and continue to stir until melted. The residual heat will continue to melt the marshmallows without allowing them to get too hot. Do not overheat the marshmallows or your treats will be too hard.
  • Pour the melted banana marshmallows over the cereal and vanilla wafer cookie pieces. Stir until well combined.
  • Spread the banana pudding Rice Krispie treats mixture into the greased pan. Gently press it into an even layer. Do not press too hard or you will compact your treats making them too hard.
  • Immediately, press the remaining cookie pieces onto the top of the treats.
  • Let the treats rest for 30 minutes.

Vanilla Glaze

  • Meanwhile, make the vanilla glaze by stirring together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream or milk until smooth.
  • If the glaze is too thick, add more heavy whipping cream or milk, ½ teaspoon at a time until it is thin enough to drizzle.
  • Cut the treats into 12 rectangles or 16 squares. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the treats. Let the glaze firm up for about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

MICROWAVE METHOD

You can melt the butter, marshmallows, and banana pudding mix in the microwave if you prefer. Grease a large microwave-safe mixing bowl with butter. Add the ingredients. Heat on high power for 1 minute. Remove and let the bowl rest in the warm microwave for 3 minutes. Remove, and stir vigorously until the marshmallows are melted and smooth. Only, if absolutely necessary, heat for an additional 10-15 seconds, repeating the process until melted. DO NOT OVERHEAT! 

LARGE BATCH INGREDIENTS

If you'd like to use the entire box of pudding mix,  make a batch of treats in a 9x13-inch pan using this list of ingredients.
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 20 ounces (two 10-ounce bags) marshmallows
  • 9 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
  • 48 vanilla wafer cookies
  • 3.4 ounces (1 whole box) of instant banana pudding mix 
  • ⅔ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream or milk plus more if needed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Use the instructions above. 

STORAGE

Store these banana pudding rice crispy treats in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Or, you can place them in a zip-top bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. 
 
Keyword banana pudding, banana,, rice krispie treats

More traditional flavors

  • Fluffernutter Rice Krispie Treats.
    Fluffernutter Rice Krispie Treats
  • Churro Rice Krispie Treat sticks with dulce de leche
    churro Rice Krispie Treats
  • dairy free rice krispie treat squares arranged on a black table with a black background
    Dairy-free Rice Krispie Treats
  • collage of gourmet Rice Krispie treats
    gourmet Rice Krispie Treats
Beth Klosterboer and Meaghan Mountford authors at How To Make Cereal Treats We love creating easy Rice Krispie Treats recipes to share with you and hope you find our tips and instructions helpful. ___ - Beth and Meaghan
rate the recipe Did you make this recipe and think it was great or do have any questions? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe using stars (5 stars is the best!)   

Reader Interactions

Please leave a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Beth and Meaghan from How To Make Cereal Treats

Hi, we are recipe developers, food photographers, and cookbook authors who love sharing creative cereal treat recipes with you.
Read more about us →

popular recipes

  • BEST Rice Krispie Treats Recipe You'll Ever Try!
  • marshmallow fluff rice kripsie treats with marshmallow cream showing inside the treats
    marshmallow fluff rice krispie treats
  • Fruity Pebbles Rice Crispy Treats
  • chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
    chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

Summer Fun Recipes

  • popsicle Rice Krispie Treats for summer
    popsicle Rice Krispie Treats
  • Rice Krispie Treat Sandcastle
    Rice Krispie Treat Sandcastle
  • watermelon rice krispie treats for summer
    watermelon Rice Krispie treats
  • ice cream cone rice crispy treats recipe image
    Rice Krispie Treat Ice Cream Cones

Buy our cookbook

How To Make Cereal Treats cookbook image

Footer

↑ back to top

use policies

  • privacy policy
  • photo-use policy
  • terms of service

join us

  • Subscribe (newsletter)
  • our online courses

contact

  • contact
  • about us
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 How To Make Cereal Treats