Summer’s here, and that means it’s time for all the fun summer treats that bring sunshine and smiles! Whether you’re throwing a backyard bash, heading to the beach, or just looking for something cute to make with the kids on a hot day, these pool party Rice Krispie Treats are a must-try.
These are classic brown butter Rice Krispie Treats we all know and love with a fun summer makeover—complete with blue “pool water” chocolate, tiny chocolate towels, and the cutest little Teddy Graham sunbathers lounging on top. These treats are adorable, easy to make, and perfect for any pool party or summer celebration.
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Ingredients for Pool Party Rice Krispie Treats
You only need a handful of ingredients to bring this idea to life—and I’m leveling up the flavor by using brown butter as the base! It gives these treats a warm, toasty depth that makes them even more irresistible.
For the treats:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, but recommended)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
For decorating:
- Approximately 12 ounces blue candy melts (or white chocolate dyed blue with oil-based food coloring)
- 1/2 cup white or brightly colored candy melts for the “towels”
- 2-3 tsp coconut oil (or vegetable oil, to make the candy melts easier to work with)
- Teddy Grahams (original, cinnamon, or chocolate)
- Piping bottle or piping bags + decorating tips (flat, wide tip recommended)
How to Make Pool Party Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Make the brown butter Rice Krispie Treat base
Here’s how to get that rich, nutty brown butter flavor just right:
1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Watch it foam—this is the water evaporating from the butter.
3. After a minute or two, the foam will start to subside, and you’ll see golden brown flecks forming on the bottom of the pan.
4. Once it smells nutty and toasty and looks golden, immediately remove the pan from the heat so it doesn’t burn.
5. Stir in the marshmallows using the residual heat to melt them. If needed, return to low heat and stir until smooth.
6.Mix in the salt and vanilla extract.
7. Once the mixture is smooth, pour in the Rice Krispies and stir quickly to fully coat the cereal.
8. Press the mixture into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan. I like to use parchment paper or a buttered spatula to gently press the mixture in place—firm enough to hold shape, but not so tight that it becomes dense.
9. Let cool completely at room temperature, then cut into rectangles.
Step 2: Dip in blue “pool water” chocolate
10. Melt the blue candy melts according to the package directions. Or, melt white candy melts and add blue food coloring.
11. Add a bit of coconut oil or vegetable oil to give it a slightly thinner texture. I don’t usually measure this, but I would guess somewhere between ½-1 teaspoon would be enough for about 6 oz of melting candies.
12. Dip one end of each Rice Krispie rectangle into the chocolate so it looks like it’s sitting in a pool. Place the dipped treats on parchment paper and let the chocolate set.
Step 3: Decorate with chocolate “towels” and Teddy Grahams
13. Melt your other colored candy melts and transfer to a piping bottle or bag fitted with your decorating tip. Pipe a small towel shape near the “pool” end of the treat—any bright color works!
14. Before the chocolate sets completely, gently press a Teddy Graham onto the towel so it looks like it’s lounging in the sun. Let everything firm up before serving or packaging.
Pro Tips
- Brown your butter carefully: Watch for the butter to foam, then settle. Once you see golden flecks and smell a nutty aroma, it’s ready—pull it off the heat right away so it doesn’t burn.
- Don’t overdo the towel decorations: When piping your chocolate towel onto your rice krispie treats, that chocolate will come out pretty fast and it’s easy to end up with a chocolate puddle instead of a chocolate towel. I would recommend going slow and steady for that. Also, if you want to wait until the chocolate cools a bit, it will be easier to work with. Just don’t let it cool so much that it solidifies and clogs up your piping tip.
- Use fresh marshmallows: This makes a big difference in the softness of your treats. Stale marshmallows lead to stiff bars.
- Chill before decorating: If you’re worried about the chocolate weighing down the treats, pop the cut bars in the fridge for 10–15 minutes first.
- Don’t overpack: Press the cereal mixture gently into the pan to keep the texture light and chewy. I like to put an extra piece of parchment paper over the rice krispie treats in the pan and press down on that to help flatten the rice krispie treats and pack them in the pan.
- Thin melting chocolate if needed: If your chocolate is too thick for dipping or piping, stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable oil to smooth it out.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought Rice Krispie Treats instead?
Yes! If you’re short on time, pre-made treats work great. Just unwrap them and go straight to decorating.
Can I use fruit roll-ups for the towels instead of chocolate?
Absolutely. Fruit roll-ups are a fun and colorful option, and they’re a popular shortcut.
What kind of Teddy Grahams should I use?
Any flavor works—honey, cinnamon, or chocolate. You could mix and match for variety!
How do I keep the candy melts from hardening while I work?
If you’re working in small batches, keep your piping bottle or bag over a warm mug of water or use a heating pad to keep the chocolate fluid.
Do these treats travel well?
Yes! Once the chocolate is set, they’re easy to stack and transport, making them great for potlucks, school parties, and of course—pool parties. Just don’t let them get so warm that the chocolate starts melting. I would store them in the fridge when they’re not being served.
These pool party Rice Krispie Treats are everything I love in a summer dessert: easy, fun, and totally adorable. They’re great for kids to help decorate, and they’re guaranteed to make a splash at your next gathering.
Whether you’re planning a backyard birthday, a neighborhood BBQ, or just looking for something cheerful to brighten a hot afternoon, these are the kind of easy summer desserts that everyone will remember.
Pool Party Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 1 icing bottle or piping bag with a flat, wide tip
Ingredients
Rice Krispie Treats
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 10 oz mini marshmallows
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Decorations
- 12 oz blue candy melts (or white chocolate melts and blue food coloring) approximately, you may need more or less
- 1/2 cup white or another color of candy melts approximately, you may need more or less
- 2-3 tsp coconut oil or vegetable oil, to make the candy melts easier to work with
- 12 Teddy Grahams any flavor
Instructions
Make Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Watch it foam—this is the water evaporating from the butter. After a minute or two, the foam will start to subside, and you’ll see golden brown flecks forming on the bottom of the pan.
- Once it smells nutty and toasty and looks golden, immediately remove the pan from the heat so it doesn’t burn.
- Stir in the marshmallows using the residual heat to melt them. If needed, return to low heat and stir until smooth.
- Mix in the salt and vanilla extract.
- Once the mixture is smooth, pour in the Rice Krispies and stir quickly to fully coat the cereal.
- Press the mixture into a greased or parchment-lined 9x13-inch pan.
- Let cool completely at room temperature, then cut into rectangles.
Decorate Pool Party Rice Krispie Treats
- Melt the blue candy melts according to the package directions. Or, melt white candy melts and add blue food coloring.
- Add a bit of coconut oil or vegetable oil to give it a slightly thinner texture. About ½-1 teaspoon should be enough for around 6 oz of melting candies.
- Dip one end of each Rice Krispie rectangle into the chocolate so it looks like it’s sitting in a pool. Place the dipped treats on parchment paper and let the chocolate set.
- Melt your other colored candy melts and transfer to a piping bottle or bag fitted with your decorating tip. Pipe a small towel shape near the “pool” end of the treat—any bright color works!
- Before the chocolate sets completely, gently press a Teddy Graham onto the towel so it looks like it’s lounging in the sun.
- Let everything firm up before serving or packaging.
