Creating the Football Look
Here’s a team-neutral picture for you if you prefer, but I’m leaving the red background, sorry!
First I started making the Rice Krispy treats using the usual recipe, but I used brown rice cereal. It’s what I happened to have on hand, but the brown color was perfect to get that football look without needing extra cocoa or food coloring. See my tip in the recipe below if you’re using regular (i.e. not brown) rice cereal.
Meanwhile, I opened a bag of BBQ rice chips and the girls helped me smash the bag with a rolling pin. You could also just scrunch it up with your hand. It should look like this when you’re done…about the size of chocolate chips.
Mixing the Sweet and Salty Ingredients
Pour the crushed chips in with the rice krispy mixture…
…and then the chocolate chips. I had a little bit of white chocolate left over, so I threw those in as well. You can use any type of chocolate you like. Sweet will stand up more to the salty/spicy flavor profile.
Stir it all together, and then press it into an oval baking pan. If you have a football-shaped pan or football cookie cutter, even better! Then to make the football’s stitches, add a line of marshmallows down the middle. Do an odd number.
Then alongside every other marshmallow, add a pair of marshmallows on either side to complete the lace.
All done!
Now you’re really ready for some football. Enjoy the season!
Football Rice Krispie Treats Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 6 cups Brown rice cereal* (or Cocoa Krispies for a darker look)
- 4 cups Mini marshmallows, plus additional for decoration
- 3 Tbs Butter
- 1 Bag (3 oz) Barbeque flavored rice chips
- 1/2 bag (6 oz) Chocolate chips, any flavor (or melted chocolate for dipping)
Special equipment needed: Large oval baking pan (12.5 inch x 8.5 inch) or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Directions
In a saucepan, melt butter and 4 cups marshmallows over low heat. Add rice cereal and stir until combined. Remove from pan into a bowl. Crush entire bag of BBQ chips until about the size of chocolate chips, and add to bowl. Add chocolate chips. Fold ingredients together until combined.
Press mixture into oval baking pan. Use cooking spray on your hands to prevent sticking. When cooled, decorate with reserved mini marshmallows to mimic stitches of a football. Alternatively, you can pipe white icing or frosting for the laces. Serve at room temperature.
*Note: If you’re using regular (i.e. not brown) rice cereal or want a richer chocolate rice flavor, add chocolate chips while the rice krispy mixture is still hot. The chocolate chips will melt and coat the rice krispies to make them brown. You may want to increase the amount of chocolate chips just a little bit to make sure the cereal is fully coated. Feel free to experiment!
Conclusion
In case you’re wondering how to make the best football rice krispy treats with BBQ and chocolate, we’ve got you covered! This football-themed dessert is perfect for your next tailgate or Super Bowl party. Follow our step-by-step tutorial and you’ll be in business in no time! Make sure to leave a comment letting us know how it turns out. We can’t wait to hear your feedback!
FAQs
Q: What is a simple football rice krispie treats recipe for game day?
A: A super easy, no-bake football rice krispie treats recipe starts with classic rice cereal and marshmallows. Melt the butter in a large bowl or in the microwave, stir in marshmallows until the marshmallows are melted and form a smooth marshmallow mixture, then fold in the krispies or cereal. Press the mixture into a pan or onto a piece of parchment paper and use a football cookie cutter or shape by hand into rice krispie footballs. Decorate with white icing or melted chocolate for the laces to make a delicious game day dessert or football-themed snack.
Q: Can I make chocolate football rice krispy treats instead of the classic version?
A: Yes — to make chocolate rice krispie treats, stir cocoa or melted chocolate chips into the melted marshmallow mixture before adding the cereal, or use chocolate cereal like cocoa krispies. For a chocolate football rice version, dip the shaped treats in melted chocolate or coat with Ghirardelli melted chocolate for an extra-rich finish, then pipe white icing to create the lace for a touchdown-worthy look.
Q: How do I melt the butter and marshmallows — stove or microwave?
A: Both methods work. For microwave, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, add mini marshmallows, and heat in short intervals, stirring until the marshmallows are melted and smooth. On the stove, melt butter in a pan over low heat, add marshmallows and stir until they melt. Then remove from heat and fold in the cereal to make your mixture. Microwaving is super easy and fast for game day prep.
Q: What’s the best way to shape and decorate football treats for a Super Bowl party?
A: After pressing the rice krispie mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, let it cool slightly. Use a football cookie cutter or form football shapes by hand. For decorating, melt chocolate or white chocolate and dip or frost with a piping bag or a sandwich bag with the corner snipped (bag and cut). Pipe white icing to create laces and use chocolate chips or candy for extra accents to make them look like real footballs for Super Bowl Sunday or any tailgate.
Q: Any tips for making a big batch of rice krispie footballs?
A: To make a large batch, double or triple the ingredients and work in a large bowl or two batches to avoid the mixture hardening. Spray your hands with cooking spray or use a piece of parchment paper to press the mixture to prevent sticking. Keep extras in an airtight container; if you plan to coat in melted chocolate, dip in batches so the chocolate doesn’t set before you finish.
