Halloween Rice Krispies Treats – Monster Crunch Bars!
Home » COOK » Recipes » Holiday Recipes » Halloween Recipes »
Make a batch of Monster Crunch Bars (Halloween Rice Krispies Treats) to satisfy the little monsters in your home this Halloween! Regular Rice Krispie treats get a monstrous makeover, combining sweet and salty flavors in one delicious snack.
Pretzels, peanuts, choc chips, candy corn and more all go into these bars, and some monsters even get trapped in the process – you can see their eyeballs pushing through the chocolate layer trying to escape!
Affiliate Disclosure
We have included affiliate links to products and services related to the topic of this post.
This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you purchase after clicking on those links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read Our Full Disclosure and Privacy Policy
Halloween Rice Krispies Treats
I just LOVE these Monster Crunch Bars – they not only look awesome but they taste so good too! They have that sweet-salty combo going on that so many people love, and they’re actually a great way to use up leftover candy too.
The bars are made in several layers, and all the cooking (well, melting) is done in the microwave. There is a layer of Rice Krispies (or other generic puffed rice cereal) mixed with pretzels on the bottom, a peanut butter layer next, followed by a layer of melted chocolate at the very top, which is covered with peanuts, pretzels, candy corn, and Reese’s Pieces. Oh, and candy eyes too in various sizes! To me, it looks like the monsters are peeking up from inside the dessert itself!
Ingredients used in this recipe
The full ingredients list and instructions are found in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, but here is a brief outline so you know what to expect from the recipe. I highly recommend always reading a recipe all the way through before starting.
- Butter
- Mini Marshmallows
- Rice Krispies (or generic puffed rice cereal)
- Miniature Pretzels
- Light Corn Syrup (We don’t have this in the UK, but Golden Syrup is a good substitute when used in small quantities like this recipe)
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Chocolate Chips
- Peanuts
- Reese’s Pieces
- Candy Corn
- Candy Eyes (assorted sizes)
Equipment used in this recipe
You are likely to have many of these cooking tools in your kitchen already, but I’ve added some Amazon links for your convenience should you need to purchase anything for this recipe.
How to make Monster Crunch Bars
You can save the Monster Crunch Bars recipe video to your YouTube Playlists for future reference. (Don’t forget to subscribe while you are there!)
These Halloween Rice Krispies Treats would be a great recipe for kids to make as it is so ridiculously easy to do. Depending on their age and kitchen experience, they will need help with the microwave and handling of hot liquids. So this might be something that you do for them. But adding the monster toppings is definitely a job for them!
The snack is so easy that even if you don’t have a cooking bone in your body, you can make this – I promise!
Grab yourself a 9×13 baking dish and a few microwave-safe bowls and lets get cookin’!
Starting with the Rice Krispies & pretzel layer which is made by melting butter and marshmallows and then stirring in the cereal and chopped pretzels. This mixture is pressed into the bottom of the dish and left to set in the fridge while you prepare the next layer.
Don’t worry about it setting completely as we’ll be leaving the completed dish for a few hours before cutting into bars.
For the peanut butter layer you will melt butter, corn syrup, and peanut butter chips and then stir in chopped peanuts. This is spread onto the cereal layer and popped back in the fridge while you do the next layer!
The final “cooked” layer is made by melted butter, corn syrup, and chocolate chips together, and then poured over the peanut butter layer. I think you’ll agree that so far, so easy?!
Now the best part – adding the monster crunch topping! While the chocolate is still warm, press in candy eyes (I know they’re missing from the photo below) – use assorted sizes as they add a real fun element to this Halloween dessert. Then add the rest of the topping ingredients – pretzels, chopped peanuts, candy corn, and Reese’s Pieces – or any candy you like really!
Place the dish into the refrigerator and leave to set for a few hours before cutting into bars – enjoy!
Make It A Meal!
You’ve made the dessert, but what about the rest of the courses? Here are some recipes to take a look at to make a complete meal!
- Appetizer: Slow Cooker Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup
- Main Dish: Sheet Pan Steak Dinner: Garlic Parmesan Steak with Asparagus
- Side Dish: Spiced Roasted Autumn Vegetables
- Beverage: Pumpkin Juice – Harry Potter Copycat Recipe
There are 500+ Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog for you to enjoy! Please feel free to check them out too.
More Recipes Using Candy
More Halloween Recipes
Once you’ve made these awesome Halloween Rice Krispies Treats I know you’ll be looking for more Halloween recipes – here are some for you to take a look at:
Monster Crunch Bars
Fun to make, and fun to eat, these Monster Crunch Bars are a delicious sweet and salty snack for Halloween!
Ingredients
For the Rice Krispies Layer
- 6 Tbsp butter
- 1 (10.5 oz/300 g) package mini marshmallows
- 3 cups Rice Krispies (or generic puffed rice cereal)
- 2⅔ cups mini pretzels, coarsely chopped
For the Peanut Butter Layer
- 2 Tbsp butter
- ¼ cup light corn syrup*
- ¼ cup peanut butter chips
For the Chocolate Layer
- 2 Tbsp butter
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup chocolate chips
For the Monster Crunch Topping
- ¼ cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup Reeses Pieces candy
- ¼ cup candy corn
- ⅓ cup miniature pretzels
- Candy eyes in assorted sizes
Instructions
- Grease a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- For the Rice Krispies layer: In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave 6 tablespoons of butter until melted.
- Add the marshmallows to the bowl of melted butter and return to the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until marshmallows are melted, stirring in 30-second intervals.
- Add Rice Krispies and pretzels. Stir to combine and immediately press into the prepared baking dish. Use wax paper to press down as the mixture will be very sticky. Place dish in the fridge while you prepare the next layer.
- For the peanut butter layer: Combine the butter and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or until the butter is melted, stirring halfway.
- Add the peanut butter chips and stir well. Return to microwave and cook for another 30-40 seconds or until the chips are melted, stirring halfway. Spread the peanut butter mixture over the cereal layer. And place in the fridge while you prepare the chocolate layer.
- For the chocolate layer: Place the butter and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 45-60 seconds, or until the butter is melted, stirring halfway. Add the chocolate chips to the bowl and stir. Return to microwave and cook for a further 30-40 seconds, until the choc chips are melted, stirring halfway through. Spread the chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
- For the Monster Crunch topping: While the chocolate is still warm, arrange the candy eyes over the top, along with all the other topping ingredients. Press down gently so that everything sticks to the chocolate.
- Return to the fridge to set completely.
- Cut into bars and serve.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Notes
*can substitute for Golden Syrup in the UK.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 219Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 167mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 22gProtein: 3g
This site uses an outside source (Nutritionix) to provide estimated nutrition. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
The post is part of the Crafty October series on The Purple Pumpkin Blog. Check out Crafty October from 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012 for awesome Halloween ideas and inspiration; including recipes, printables, crafts, and more!