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Easy Halloween Rice Krispie Ghosts

halloween rice krispie ghosts - featured image

Quick and easy Halloween Rice Krispie treats shaped like ghosts with chocolate chip eyes. Perfect for last-minute school parties or spooky gatherings, these no-bake treats are soft, chewy, and budget-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 package (10 ounces) regular marshmallows (about 40 large marshmallows)
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare your pan. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. Lightly grease the parchment with a little butter or non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. Melt the butter. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter. Don’t rush this—medium heat can burn the butter. You want it just melted, not sizzling. Swirl the pan a bit to coat the bottom.
  3. Add the marshmallows. Pour in the entire bag of marshmallows. Stir constantly with your wooden spoon or spatula. The marshmallows will start to puff up and then collapse into a gooey puddle. This takes about 5 minutes. Keep stirring—don’t walk away. If you stop, the marshmallows can scorch on the bottom.
  4. Add the vanilla and salt (optional). Once the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and salt if you’re using them.
  5. Mix in the cereal. Add the 6 cups of Rice Krispies all at once. Fold gently until the cereal is evenly coated. Don’t overmix, or the cereal will crush and your ghosts will be dense. You want some whole puffs visible.
  6. Press into the pan. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Using a piece of wax paper or parchment (lightly greased), press the mixture into an even layer. Press firmly but not too hard—you want them compact enough to hold shape, but not so tight that they turn into bricks.
  7. Cool slightly. Let the treats cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. They need to be firm enough to cut but still warm enough to be pliable. If they cool completely, they’ll crack when you try to cut them.
  8. Cut the ghosts. Lift the treats out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Place on a cutting board. Use your ghost-shaped cookie cutter to press down firmly and cleanly. Wiggle it slightly to release. If the cutter sticks, dip it in a little powdered sugar or spray it with non-stick spray. Repeat until you’ve cut out as many ghosts as possible. You’ll get about 12-15 ghosts, depending on the size of your cutter.
  9. Add the eyes. While the ghosts are still slightly warm, press two mini chocolate chips into each one for eyes. Press them in gently but firmly—they’ll sink in a little and stay put as the treat cools. If the treats have cooled too much, the chips won’t stick. In that case, dab a tiny bit of melted chocolate or frosting on the back of each chip.
  10. Let them set completely. Place the finished ghosts on a wire rack or a plate. Let them cool fully for about 30 minutes. The chocolate chips will set, and the treats will firm up to that perfect chewy texture.

Notes

Don’t overheat the marshmallows—low and slow is key. Use a light hand when pressing the mixture into the pan for soft, chewy ghosts. If the mixture hardens while cutting, microwave the slab for 10 seconds to soften. These are best within 24 hours. For storage, keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to maintain softness in humid climates. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween treats, Rice Krispie treats, ghost treats, no-bake desserts, easy Halloween recipes, kid-friendly Halloween, spooky snacks