These Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies take everything you love about classic cookies and give them a playful, crispy twist. The addition of rice cereal adds a light, airy crunch that perfectly complements the gooey, melted chocolate chips. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser perfect for after-school snacks, bake sales, or simply indulging in something sweet. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just to satisfy a cookie craving, these easy-to-make delights are sure to disappear fast. Plus, the texture combination is addictive you’ve been warned!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup brown sugar
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2 cups crispy rice cereal
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2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
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Fold in the crispy rice cereal and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
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Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and centers are still soft.
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Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies
The Ultimate Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Guide
If you’re looking for a cookie that perfectly balances nostalgia, crunch, and gooey chocolatey bliss, look no further than Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies. These aren’t your average cookies this recipe adds a delightful crisp from puffed rice cereal while keeping the soft and chewy texture that makes a chocolate chip cookie so irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, this treat is as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids or whipping up a batch for a cookie exchange, Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies are bound to become a household favorite.
The Origins of Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies
While classic chocolate chip cookies have been beloved in American kitchens since the 1930s, thanks to Ruth Wakefield’s original Toll House recipe, the addition of Rice Krispies is a more modern twist. Inspired by the crunchy appeal of the iconic Rice Krispies Treats originally invented in 1939 by Kellogg’s this variation fuses two dessert classics into one satisfying bite.
Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the best of both worlds: the buttery, sugary bliss of cookies and the snap-crackle-pop excitement of puffed rice cereal. It’s a simple yet genius innovation that breathes new life into a well-loved classic.
Why These Cookies Stand Out
The standout feature of these cookies is texture. Most chocolate chip cookies rely on the interplay between a chewy center and slightly crisp edge, but this recipe adds a new dimension crunch thanks to the rice cereal folded into the dough. The puffed rice adds an airy, light crunch that doesn’t overpower the cookie but enhances the eating experience in a surprising and delightful way.
Paired with melty chocolate chips and a soft, buttery dough, the contrast makes every bite exciting. The textural balance keeps you coming back for more, making these cookies dangerously addictive.
Perfect for Every Occasion
These cookies are incredibly versatile and suitable for almost every event or celebration:
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After-School Snack: A fun surprise for kids that adds a bit of nostalgia for grown-ups.
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Holiday Cookie Exchange: A unique offering that will stand out from the typical sugar cookies and gingerbread men.
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Bake Sales: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser with a twist, great for fundraising events.
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Office Treats: Who doesn’t want a midday crunch and chocolate hit at work?
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Party Platters: Pair with milk, hot chocolate, or coffee for a cozy dessert spread.
What makes these cookies particularly great for gatherings is their conversation-starting uniqueness. They’re familiar yet surprising—and people love that.
Easy to Customize
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its adaptability. With a few simple tweaks, you can personalize your cookies to suit different tastes or dietary preferences:
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Add Nuts: Walnuts or pecans pair beautifully with the crunchy cereal and gooey chocolate.
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Switch Up the Chocolate: Try dark chocolate chips for a richer taste, or white chocolate for added sweetness.
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Mix in Dried Fruit: Dried cherries or cranberries can add a sweet-tart burst that plays well with chocolate and crunch.
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Use Browned Butter: For a deeper, nutty flavor, substitute regular butter with browned butter.
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Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your puffed rice cereal is certified gluten-free.
With so many options, these cookies become a playground for creativity. You can even shape them into bars or cookie sandwiches filled with marshmallow cream for an elevated dessert.
Tips for the Best Results
While the recipe is beginner-friendly, there are a few tips that will help you nail it every time:
1. Don’t Overmix the Dough
Once you add the flour, be gentle with your mixing. Overworking the dough can lead to dense cookies. The same applies when folding in the Rice Krispies mix just until incorporated to maintain their texture.
2. Use Room-Temperature Ingredients
Softened butter and room-temperature eggs make a big difference in cookie texture and consistency. They cream together more evenly and create a smoother dough.
3. Chill the Dough (Optional, but Recommended)
If you have time, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps prevent spreading and intensifies the flavor.
4. Don’t Overbake
The cookies will continue to bake slightly on the hot baking sheet after you remove them from the oven. Pull them out when the edges are golden but the centers are still soft they’ll set up perfectly as they cool.
5. Use a Cookie Scoop
To get evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly, a cookie scoop is your best friend. It also keeps your hands clean and your cookies Instagram-ready.
The Joy of Baking with Kids
This recipe is particularly well-suited for baking with little helpers. Scooping dough, folding in cereal, and pressing the cookies onto baking sheets are simple tasks that allow kids to get involved without much mess or danger. Plus, they’ll love the fun crackling sound of the cereal and the reward of eating cookies they helped make.
Baking these cookies can be a great weekend activity or even a fun baking lesson for homeschoolers. Measuring, mixing, and watching how ingredients transform in the oven can all be educational moments disguised as delicious fun.
How to Store and Freeze
These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To maintain their crisp texture, place a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture.
You can also freeze the cookie dough just scoop it into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen with a few extra minutes added to the baking time.
If you prefer to freeze the baked cookies, wrap them individually and store them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in a low oven for that fresh-baked effect.
Conclusion:
Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delightful surprise combining childhood memories with grown-up satisfaction. They honor the familiar comfort of classic chocolate chip cookies while offering something novel in texture and bite.
Whether you’re baking for a special event, a cozy night in, or simply because you need something sweet, this recipe delivers. The balance of crispy and chewy, buttery and chocolaty, simple and inventive makes it a must-try for any cookie enthusiast.