Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a fun, festive treat that’s as adorable as it is delicious, you’re going to love this Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe. These ghostly goodies are super simple to whip up, perfect for Halloween parties or just when you want to surprise your family with a cute, sweet snack. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a go-to for spooky season and beyond!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to make these fun treats, which I love for last-minute celebrations.
- Gluten-Free Friendly: Using gluten-free rice crisp cereal means almost everyone can enjoy these bars.
- Easy to Customize: The white chocolate coating and dark chocolate chip eyes let you get creative—or keep it classic.
- Kid-Approved: These are a huge hit with kids, making baking together a real joy (and a little less messy than you might expect!).
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe comes together with just a few key ingredients that complement each other perfectly—melty marshmallows, crispy cereal, and creamy chocolate. Plus, I find that grabbing good-quality chocolate chips really makes the coating smooth and shiny.
- Butter: Melted to help the marshmallows bind the cereal and add richness.
- Dandies Marshmallows: These vegan marshmallows melt beautifully and give a perfect fluffy texture.
- Gluten-Free Rice Crisp Cereal: The crisp texture balances the chewiness and keeps the bars light.
- White Chocolate Chips: Used for dipping to create the ghost’s signature white look.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: These make the cute “eye” details—simple but effective.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love how versatile this Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe is—you can get creative with the chocolate coating or even add in fun mix-ins. Personally, I sometimes sprinkle in a handful of mini candy pumpkins or switch out dark chocolate for milk chocolate eyes when I want it sweeter.
- Variation: Try adding a drop of orange food coloring to the white chocolate before dipping to give your ghosts a fun twist that’s perfect for Halloween parties.
- Dietary Modification: Using vegan marshmallows like Dandies keeps this treat dairy-free-friendly if you swap out the butter for a plant-based option.
- Seasonal Change: For Christmas, you can switch the ghost eyes to red and green colored sprinkles instead of chocolate chips for a festive look.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe
Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows to Perfection
Start by microwaving your melted butter with the marshmallows in a large bowl for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. I like to stop halfway and give it a good stir to make sure everything melts smoothly without burning. It should be glossy and lump-free—this ensures easy mixing in the cereal.
Step 2: Mix in Rice Crisp Cereal
Next, add the crispy rice cereal into the marshmallow mixture. Stir it gently but thoroughly until every bit of cereal is coated. The texture here is key—you want all cereal lightly covered so the bars hold together but still stay crisp.
Step 3: Press Into Pan and Chill
Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, then press the mixture evenly into it. Don’t forget to pack it down firmly—it helps create those sturdy bars that slice nicely. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the bars can fully set and become easy to cut.
Step 4: Melt White Chocolate for Dipping
While your bars chill, melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating for 1 minute and stirring at the 30-second mark. I like to keep a close eye here—overheating white chocolate can make it grainy, so stirring midway keeps the melt silky smooth.
Step 5: Cut Bars and Dip Them in Chocolate
Once chilled, cut the rectangle slab into 12 bars. Place a parchment-lined sheet pan next to your chocolate bowl. Dip each bar halfway into the white chocolate, letting the excess drip off before placing it down. This partial dip leaves the bottom crisp and lets the chocolate coat show off the ghost shape beautifully.
Step 6: Add Dark Chocolate “Eyes” and Let Set
While the chocolate is still soft, press two dark chocolate chips onto each bar for eyes. This little detail brings the ghost to life! Then, let the bars set for at least 10 minutes—if you’re impatient like me, a quick chill in the fridge speeds up this process.
Pro Tips for Making Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe
- Marshal the Marshmallows: Use vegan marshmallows like Dandies for a smooth melt and to keep it animal-product free if needed.
- Don’t Rush Setting: Give the bars enough time in the fridge to firm up—this makes cutting and dipping way easier.
- Use Room Temperature Chocolate: If your white chocolate is too cold, it can clump. Warm it gently and keep stirring for a shiny finish.
- Be Gentle While Dipping: Dip half the bar not fully to keep a nice balance between crisp and coated; otherwise, the bars get too soggy.
How to Serve Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I keep it simple by adding dark chocolate chip eyes to create the ghostly face. If you want to jazz it up, sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or a few mini black sprinkles for a spooky sparkle—my niece loves that extra bit of magic!
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet ghost bars with a cold glass of milk or your favorite pumpkin spice latte. They also work great alongside a savory snack board with cheese, crackers, and some fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, I like to serve these bars standing upright on a platter, nestled in a bed of shredded coconut “spider webs.” You can also wrap them in clear cellophane tied with fun themed ribbon for gifting—or even place them on sticks like cake pops for an easy party treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the cereal crisp and the chocolate coating firm without getting sticky. Just make sure they’re in a cool spot away from direct sunlight!
Freezing
Freezing works surprisingly well! I wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap then pop them into a freezer bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes—chocolate stays smooth and the bars stay chewy-crisp once thawed.
Reheating
Since these bars don’t really require reheating, I recommend enjoying them chilled or at room temp. If the chocolate feels too firm from the fridge, just let them sit out for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before serving.
FAQs
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Can I use regular marshmallows instead of Dandies in the Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe?
Absolutely! Regular marshmallows work just fine and will give you the classic fluffy texture. I mention Dandies because they’re vegan and melt well, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
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What’s the best way to prevent the white chocolate from seizing when melting?
Melting white chocolate slowly is key. Use short bursts in the microwave with stirring in between, or melt over a double boiler. Avoid any water contact as it causes seizing.
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Can I make these bars without dipping them in white chocolate?
Definitely! The bars are delicious on their own if you prefer. The dipping just adds a festive look and extra sweetness.
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How long do Rice Crispy Ghost Bars stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, they stay fresh for 3 to 4 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing works well for a few weeks.
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Can I use a different cereal instead of rice crisp cereal?
You can try similar puffed cereals, but keep in mind the flavor and texture will be different. Rice crisp cereal is best for that classic crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Rice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe is one of those simple, joyful desserts that brings back memories of childhood treats but with a fun, festive twist. I love how it’s quick to make yet feels special—perfect for sharing with friends or bringing a little spooky cheer to your kitchen. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised how quickly these disappear (not to mention the smiles they bring!).
PrintRice Crispy Ghost Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delightfully spooky and sweet, these Rice Crispy Ghost Bars combine gluten-free rice crispy cereal with melted marshmallows and a smooth white chocolate coating. Perfect for Halloween celebrations, each bar is dipped in white chocolate and decorated with dark chocolate chip eyes to create adorable ghost shapes.
Ingredients
Rice Crispy Bars
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 10 ounces Dandies marshmallows
- 6 cups gluten-free rice crisp cereal
White Chocolate Coating
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
- 24 dark chocolate chips (about 1/4 cup)
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: Microwave the butter and marshmallows together in a large bowl for 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring halfway through, until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine with Cereal: Add the gluten-free rice crisp cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture and stir thoroughly until all cereal is evenly coated.
- Press into Pan and Chill: Press the mixture firmly into a parchment paper-lined 9×13 inch pan and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let it fully set and firm up.
- Melt White Chocolate: In a medium-sized bowl, microwave the white chocolate chips for 1 minute, stirring at the 30-second mark, until completely melted and smooth.
- Cut Bars: Remove the set rice crispy mixture from the pan and cut into 12 rectangular bars.
- Dip Bars in White Chocolate: Dip each bar halfway into the melted white chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off before placing them on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Add Eyes: Place two dark chocolate chips on each dipped bar to create ghost eyes while the chocolate is still wet.
- Set and Serve: Allow the coated bars to set for at least 10 minutes until the chocolate hardens, then serve and enjoy your festive ghost treats.
Notes
- Use gluten-free rice crisp cereal to keep the bars gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and ensure marshmallows are vegan-friendly.
- To make the eyes more expressive, you can add tiny dots of melted dark chocolate on top of the chocolate chips.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep them fresh and crisp.
- For easier cutting, lightly grease your knife or heat it before slicing to get clean edges.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg