Snacks, KELLOGG, KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES TREATS Squares
Whole food · Snacks
Photo: Wikipedia
A pre-packaged, chewy square of crispy rice cereal bound together by a sweet, marshmallow-based binder. It offers a distinctive, satisfying crunch followed by a sticky, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Nutritionally, it's a high-energy, carbohydrate-dense snack with significant added sugar.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 77% carbs · 19% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its iconic, nostalgic sweetness and the perfect contrast between the crispy rice and soft marshmallow. It's a versatile, crowd-pleasing treat that evokes childhood memories and is easy to enjoy on the go.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (19.36g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes, making it a poor choice for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. It also lacks fiber and protein, offering little satiety. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts or a cheese stick) and practice strict portion control.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Convenient, portable, and requires no preparation.
- Offers a familiar, comforting taste and texture.
- Low in fat compared to many other sweet snacks.
- A popular treat for children's lunchboxes and parties.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original recipe was created in 1939 by Malitta Jensen Kaup, a home economist at Kellogg's, as a way to promote cereal sales and use up broken pieces of Rice Krispies.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 5.9 g |
| Energy | 417 kcal |
| Energy | 1743 kj |
| Protein | 3.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 9.0 g |
| Ash | 1.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 80.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 19.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 13.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 42.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 39.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 351 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.50 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 1.6 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 11.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.70 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.80 mg |
| Niacin | 9.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.90 mg |
| Folate, total | 241 ug |
| Folic acid | 199 ug |
| Folate, food | 42.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 381 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 270 ug |
| Retinol | 270 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 900 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.88 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.32 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, corn-based, extruded, chips, plain — USDA does not publish this profile for Snacks.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.25 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.23 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.18 g |
| Methionine | 0.14 g |
| Cystine | 0.12 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.32 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.27 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.33 g |
| Histidine | 0.20 g |
| Alanine | 0.49 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.46 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.57 g |
| Serine | 0.31 g |
FAQ
Are Rice Krispies Treats gluten-free?
The standard Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal contains malt flavoring derived from barley, which contains gluten. Therefore, the pre-made treats are not considered gluten-free. Gluten-free versions using certified gluten-free rice cereal are available from other brands.
Why are they so sticky?
The stickiness comes from the melted marshmallow binder, which is primarily sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin. As it cools, it creates a chewy, adhesive matrix that holds the crispy rice cereal together.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, they freeze well. Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 6 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.17 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 19.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 9.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.