If you have a soft spot for nostalgic treats with a fun twist, you are absolutely going to love this Rice Krispie Treat Footballs Recipe. It takes that classic gooey, crispy marshmallow base and transforms it into adorable, chocolatey football-shaped bites that are perfect for game day, parties, or simply indulging your sweet tooth. The combination of cocoa-infused cereal and creamy melted chocolate laces gives these treats a rich flavor and a playful look that’s sure to score big with family and friends.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows two sticks of butter with red writing labeled

These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential, each one playing a key role in crafting those irresistible Rice Krispie Treat Footballs. From the buttery richness that melts into marshmallow sweetness, to the deep chocolatey crunch of cocoa Krispies, every component adds up to a perfect balance of taste, texture, and that signature look.

5 tablespoons salted butter: Adds creamy richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly.
6 cups mini marshmallows: The sticky, sweet glue that binds everything into that iconic chewy base.
6 cups cocoa Krispies: Gives the treats a delicious chocolate flavor and crispy texture.
1 cup white chocolate wafers: Perfect for piping on the football laces and adding a pretty contrast.

How to Make Rice Krispie Treat Footballs Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

Begin by gently melting the salted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the mini marshmallows and keep stirring until the marshmallows have completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. This step is crucial as it forms the sticky foundation that holds your treat together.

Step 2: Mix in Cocoa Krispies

Next, fold in the cocoa Krispies cereal thoroughly, ensuring every last crispy piece is coated in that luscious marshmallow mixture. The cocoa flavor transforms this classic snack into something irresistibly chocolaty and perfect for a football-themed treat.

Step 3: Shape the Footballs

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray, scoop about 2 heaping tablespoons of the mixture, then shape each scoop into a football shape right in the palm of your hand. Place them gently onto the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all the mixture is used.

Step 4: Cool to Room Temperature

Allow the formed footballs to cool completely at room temperature. This cooling phase helps them set up firmly so they hold their shape perfectly when decorated.

Step 5: Melt White Chocolate for Laces

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt your white chocolate wafers at 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and glossy. Pour the melted chocolate into a zip-top bag and snip off one corner to create a piping tool.

Step 6: Decorate Football Laces

Pipe the classic football laces onto each treat with your white chocolate, making sure to create those charming little lines that bring the football theme to life. Let the chocolate harden completely before moving or serving.

How to Serve Rice Krispie Treat Footballs Recipe

The image shows a group of irregularly shaped, brown chocolate rice crispy clusters placed on a white marbled surface. Each cluster has a rough and bumpy texture from the puffed rice mixed with chocolate, giving them a slightly shiny look. They are arranged in a loosely scattered way, with the front cluster larger and more detailed, while the clusters in the back are softly blurred to create depth. The colors are mainly dark brown with small hints of lighter tones where the puffed rice oats show through. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate the presentation, consider sprinkling a light dusting of cocoa powder or edible glitter on a serving platter for some sparkle. You can also add small green candy “grass” beneath the footballs for a playful field effect that enhances the thematic feel.

Side Dishes

Pair these football-shaped treats with a refreshing fruit platter or simple yogurt dips to balance out the sweetness. They also shine alongside classic game-day snacks like popcorn or pretzels, creating a fun mix that everyone will enjoy munching on during the big game.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, arrange the footballs on a wooden cutting board or tray shaped like a football field, or skewered on sticks as “football pops.” Wrapping them individually in clear cellophane tied with sporty ribbons makes super cute party favors everyone will love to grab.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, store your Rice Krispie Treat Footballs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 48 hours. This keeps them fresh and chewy, which is exactly how you want these treats to stay.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy them later, wrap each football tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw at room temperature and they’ll be just as delightful as day one.

Reheating

These treats are best enjoyed without additional reheating, but if you prefer them softer, warm in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Be careful not to melt the white chocolate laces or the texture may change.

FAQs

Can I use regular rice cereal instead of cocoa Krispies?

Absolutely! Using regular Rice Krispies will give you a classic flavor and lighter color, but the cocoa Krispies add a delicious chocolatey twist that really makes this recipe special.

What if I don’t have white chocolate wafers for the laces?

You can substitute with melted white chocolate chips or even use store-bought white icing in a piping bag to create the laces on your footballs.

How do I prevent the mixture from sticking to my hands when shaping?

Lightly spraying your hands with cooking spray, or rubbing a bit of butter on your palms before shaping, will keep the mixture from sticking and make it easier to form those perfect football shapes.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Just be sure to use gluten-free Cocoa Krispies or crispy rice cereal certified gluten-free, and check that all other ingredients meet your dietary needs.

What is the best way to store these treats if I want to make them a day ahead?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This keeps them fresh and ready to serve the next day without drying out.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a fun, chocolatey twist on a childhood classic, the Rice Krispie Treat Footballs Recipe is your new go-to. It’s simple, tasty, and full of playful charm that makes any occasion feel special. I can’t wait for you to try them out and see just how much joy these little footballs bring to your table!

Rice Krispie Treat Footballs Recipe

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Author: Sara
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 18 football-shaped treats
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Rice Krispie Treat Footballs are a fun and festive twist on the classic treat, perfect for game day or any sports-themed celebration. Made with cocoa-flavored Rice Krispies, melted marshmallows, and decorated with white chocolate laces, they are easy to shape and sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

5 tablespoons salted butter
6 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups cocoa krispies cereal
1 cup white chocolate wafers (such as Ghirardelli)

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Instructions

Melt the Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter completely. Stir in the mini marshmallows and continue cooking while stirring until the marshmallows are fully melted and combined with the butter.
Add the Cocoa Krispies: Stir in the cocoa krispies cereal thoroughly, making sure every piece is coated with the marshmallow mixture.
Prepare the Work Surface: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking during shaping.
Shape the Footballs: Take about 2 heaping tablespoons of the mixture into the palm of your hand and shape it into a football shape. Place each football on the parchment-lined baking sheet to cool.
Repeat Shaping: Continue shaping the remaining mixture into footballs, spraying your hands as needed to avoid sticking.
Cool the Footballs: Allow the shaped footballs to cool to room temperature so they can set firmly.
Melt the White Chocolate: Place the white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully smooth.
Pipe the Laces: Transfer the melted white chocolate to a zip-top bag, cut a small corner off, and pipe lace details onto each football to mimic real football laces. Allow the chocolate laces to cool and harden.
Storage: Store the finished footballs in an airtight container for up to 48 hours or serve them immediately.

Notes

Use cooking spray on your hands to make shaping the sticky mixture easier.
Allow the treats to cool completely before adding the white chocolate laces to ensure clean decoration.
Store treated footballs at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
You can substitute regular Rice Krispies with cocoa krispies for a chocolate flavor.
For extra flavor, you may add a pinch of salt or a splash of vanilla extract to the marshmallow mixture if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American