These ghost Rice Krispie treats are a perfect no bake dessert option for Halloween! They’re loved by kids and adults alike, and I’m grateful that I can easily make them ahead, which takes the party planning stress off. They’re sweet, spooky cute, and simple to make!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. A simple Halloween treat that doesn’t require an oven or complicated baking
- Perfectly spooky and cute. The ghost shape adds festive Halloween fun without being too scary
- Great for parties. They’re an easy addition to Halloween parties, classroom celebrations, and spooky movie nights!
- Kid-friendly. Kids will love both helping make and eating these adorable treats
- Easy to decorate. Add candy eyes, chocolate features, sprinkles, or other fun details to make them your own!
- Great for sharing. Individual treats are easy to serve at gatherings or package as favors
- Make-ahead friendly. Prepare a batch ahead of your Halloween party to save time
- A festive classic. Everyone loves a chewy Rice Krispie treat with a fun seasonal twist!
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Ingredients List
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or generic equivalent)
- ¼ cup salted butter (equal to 4 Tbsp)
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 2 cups white chocolate chips or melting wafers (optional)
- 24 candy eyeballs (or milk chocolate chips)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I think mini marshmallows melt best, but you can use regular sized ones too (they may just take slightly longer to fully melt)
- The white chocolate is optional, and is used to dip the tops of the treats for a smoother ghost look. If you want to skip the extra step, just add the eyes on with a dab of frosting or melted chocolate instead
- Candy eyes are the perfect edible finishing touch, but you can use milk chocolate chips (or mini ones, depending on the size of your ghosts), or use frosting instead if preferred!
- If you’d like, use an extra chocolate chip or black decorating icing to add on a mouth (but it’s entirely optional)
Equipment Note
I use ghost cookie cutters to cut out my treats into the correct shape. Mine are about 3 ½” long, but you can use any size you like (it will just vary the overall number of individual treats you get)!
If you don’t want to use cutters, you can freehand it with a knife instead, or dip standard rectangles in dark chocolate and dab on white chocolate while it’s still wet, dragging the blog with a toothpick to create a ghost tail.
Step By Step Instructions
- Grease a 13×9 pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray, or line with parchment paper
- Add the butter to a large microwave safe bowl. Heat on high until the butter is melted (about 30 seconds in my 1000W microwave). Then, add the mini marshmallows and stir to coat in butter. Continue cooking in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until melted and smooth (takes me about 1 – 1 ½ minutes total usually)
- Pour the cereal in and stir until it’s evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture, then press into your prepared baking dish. You can use your hands (greased with nonstick spray), parchment paper, or a greased spatula to flatten the mixture down into an even layer
- Cover and transfer to the refrigerator to cool, about 30 minutes. Then, use a ghost cookie cutter to cut the Rice Krispie treats into spooky shapes (or use a knife to cut them instead)
- Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (shallow and wider works better in this case). I usually do 1 minute, stir, then add additional time in 30-second increments until melted and smooth. For candy melts, use 50% power instead
- Hold a Rice Krispie treat by the bottom, and dip the top into the melted white chocolate. Tap or shake off the excess, then place them chocolate-side up either back into the 13×9 pan, or on a separate baking sheet (whatever is easier). While the chocolate is still wet, add two candy eyeballs or mini chips (you can also add a chocolate chip mouth, or pipe one on with icing later, but this is entirely optional). Repeat until all treats are dipped
- Return to the fridge and chill until the chocolate is set; 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Ghost Rice Krispie treats are sweet, chewy, and perfectly spooky, making them a fun addition to Halloween parties, classroom celebrations, and festive dessert spreads! Pair them with other Halloween sweets, salty snacks, and seasonal drinks for the perfect complement.
Halloween Treats & Desserts
- Candy corn bark: Another easy, colorful treat that fits right into a Halloween dessert table!
- Halloween brownies: Fudgy brownies add a rich chocolate option alongside the chewy treats
- Monster cookies: Fun, colorful, and easy to customize for the occasion.
- Ghost cupcakes: Keep the spooky theme going with frosted cupcakes decorated like ghosts
- Chocolate-covered pretzels: A sweet-and-salty addition with plenty of crunch! My Frankenstein Pretzels fit the Halloween theme perfectly!
- Caramel apples: A classic fall treat with a fresh, fruity contrast
- Pumpkin cookies: Warm fall spices add variety to the dessert spread
Sweet & Salty Snacks
- Halloween snack mix: Combine popcorn, pretzels, candy, and cereal for an easy party snack!
- Popcorn: A lightly salted option helps balance a table full of sweets
- Pretzels: Their salty crunch is a perfect contrast to soft, sweet treats
- Kettle corn: Sweet, salty, and ideal for Halloween movie nights
- Cheese and crackers: Add a savory option if you’re serving a larger party spread
Fall Favorites
- Apple cider donuts: A cozy fall bakery favorite that pairs well with Halloween treats. I like to heat Trader Joe’s Apple Cider Donuts in the Air Fryer!
- Pumpkin bread: Moist and warmly spiced for a different texture and flavor
- Cinnamon sugar donuts: A simple, crowd-pleasing fall addition!
- Candy apples: Crisp apples provide a refreshing contrast to chewy desserts
- Roasted pumpkin seeds: A lightly salty, crunchy snack for balance
Drinks
- Coffee: A hot cup of coffee balances the sweetness, especially for adults
- Hot chocolate: A cozy, kid-friendly choice for Halloween movie night
- Apple cider: Sweet, spiced cider is a natural fall pairing
- Milk: A classic choice for kids and sweet treats
- Chai latte: Warm spices complement the marshmallow flavor beautifully!
Cocktail Pairings
- Espresso martini: A bold coffee cocktail that contrasts nicely with sweet desserts. My S’mores Espresso Martini highlights the marshmallow notes beautifully!
- Spiked apple cider: A festive choice for an adult Halloween party
- Pumpkin spice White Russian: Creamy and indulgent for a seasonal dessert pairing
- Irish cream coffee: A cozy option for an evening gathering
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make These On The Stove Instead?
Yes! Prepare the Rice Krispie treat mixture on the stovetop by melting the butter and marshmallows in a large pot or saucepan over low heat, then stirring in the cereal. Shape and decorate the ghosts as directed.
How Do I Keep Rice Krispie Treats From Sticking?
Lightly grease everything with butter or cooking spray before handling the mixture. This includes the cookie cutters, knife if cutting, spatula, or your hands. Avoid packing the treats too tightly, which can also make them harder to remove.
Can I Make Different Halloween Shapes With This Recipe?
Absolutely! Use the same mixture with pumpkin, bat, monster, or other Halloween-themed cookie cutters or molds, and dip into colored candy melts to create different designs. It’s an easy way to turn one basic recipe into a variety of festive treats.
Tips For the Best Ghost Rice Krispie Treats
- If you’re dipping the treats, make sure to get a solid dip (I recommend about halfway deep) so that you get an even coating. Otherwise, you’ll end up with some holes and pockets. If that happens, smooth them with a spatula before it dries!
- Make sure the treats are fully cooled and well set before you start cutting and dipping. Otherwise, they will be too soft and bend and flop around and be too hard to work with. My recommendation of 30 minutes is bare minimum – you can absolutely go longer as well!
- Cookie cutters have two sides. Make sure the sharp side points into the treat (or it will hurt your hand to press down)! Once fully pressed, give the cutter a little wiggle to help the shape break loose from the treats around it before you pop it out
- You can press treat scraps together after cutting out the shapes if you want to make some additional ones, but note that they will never come out as smooth and perfectly pressed as the originals, so expect some lumps!
Storage and Serving
Storage Tips
- Store ghost Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days for the best texture
- Separate layers with parchment or wax paper to keep the decorations from sticking together
- Keep them in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight (the chocolate will melt if it’s too warm)
- If you have to refrigerate them to keep cool, remove 10-15 minutes before serving for the best texture
- Freeze for longer storage for up to 1-2 months. Wrap individually, then place in a freezer-safe container and thaw at room temperature. I recommend freezing before dipping in chocolate, as it can crack when thawing. Defrost and dip when you plan to serve them
Serving Tips
- Serve at room temperature for the softest, chewiest texture
- Display them on a Halloween dessert tray with other spooky cookies, candy, and treats
- Give each ghost a different expression (or dip in different colored chocolates) for a fun and playful presentation!
- Add them to treat bags for party favors, classroom celebrations, or trick-or-treat events.
- Swap to small cutters and use them as cupcake or cake toppers for an extra festive Halloween dessert
- Arrange them on a platter with Halloween sprinkles or candy to create an eye-catching party display!
Make Ahead
If you’re making these for a party, prepare them a day or two ahead and store them airtight at room temperature (or the fridge if your chocolate is melty). They’ll be ready to serve without any last-minute prep!
Final Thoughts
These ghost Rice Krispie treats are a spooky cute no bake Halloween snack the whole family will love! The blend of crispy rice cereal, gooey marshmallows, and melted chocolate is always a crowd-pleaser.
My favorite part is that they’re easy to make ahead, so it’s one less thing on your plate when you’re trying to plan a Halloween party, head out for trick or treating, or get snacks for a classroom party together!
You can customize these treats easily, with different shapes and dip colors to make a huge variety of options for your party. Alternatively, check out all of my Halloween Rice Krispie Treats for additional inspiration!
Ghost Rice Krispie Treats
Servings: 12
Ghost Rice Krispie treats are a fun no bake dessert for Halloween! Classic marshmallow treats are cut and decorated in ghost shapes, and easy to make ahead for parties.
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon; for mixing)
- Ghost cookie cutter
- Nonstick spray (and/or parchment paper)
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or generic equivalent)
- ¼ cup salted butter (equal to 4 Tbsp)
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 2 cups white chocolate chips or white candy melts
- 24 candy eyeballs (or milk chocolate chips)
- Black decorating icing (optional)
Instructions
- Grease a 13×9 pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray, or line with parchment paper
- Add the butter to a large microwave safe bowl. Heat on high until the butter is melted (about 30 seconds in my 1000W microwave). Then, add the mini marshmallows and stir to coat in butter. Continue cooking in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until melted and smooth (takes me about 1 – 1 ½ minutes total usually)¼ cup salted butter, 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- Add the cereal in and stir until it’s evenly coated in the marshmallow mixture, then press into your prepared baking dish. You can use your hands (greased with nonstick spray), parchment paper, or a greased spatula to flatten the mixture down into an even layer6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Cover and transfer to the refrigerator to cool, about 30 minutes. Then, use a ghost cookie cutter to cut the Rice Krispie treats into spooky shapes (or use a knife to cut them instead)
- Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (shallow and wider works better in this case). I usually do 1 minute, stir, then add additional time in 30-second increments until melted and smooth. For candy melts, use 50% power instead2 cups white chocolate chips or white candy melts
- Hold a Rice Krispie treat by the bottom, and dip the top into the melted white chocolate. Tap or shake off the excess, then place them chocolate-side up either back into the 13×9 pan, or on a separate baking sheet (whatever is easier). While the chocolate is still wet, add two candy eyeballs or mini chips (you can also add a chocolate chip mouth, or pipe one on with black decorating icing, but this is entirely optional). Repeat until all treats are dipped24 candy eyeballs, Black decorating icing
- Return to the fridge and chill until the chocolate is set; 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
- I think mini marshmallows melt best, but you can use regular sized ones too (they may just take slightly longer to fully melt)
- The white chocolate is technically optional, and is used to dip the tops of the treats for a smoother ghost look. If you want to skip the extra step, just add the eyes on with a dab of frosting or melted chocolate instead
- Candy eyes are the perfect edible finishing touch, but you can use milk chocolate chips (or mini ones, depending on the size of your ghosts), or use frosting instead if preferred!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any decorations added, size of cutters, amount of chocolate actually used, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 62g | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 1.8g | Fat: 9.8g | Saturated Fat: 7.8g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 14mg | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 107.8IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 1.1mg | Iron: 3mg
