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Cheez-It marshmallow treats are a sweet and salty twist on classic Rice Krispies treats: you melt butter and marshmallows, stir in crunchy Cheez-It crackers, then press the mix into a pan and cut it into squares. The cheesy, salty crackers balance the gooey marshmallow, so they land somewhere between a snack and a dessert.
I’ll admit, when I first saw Cheez-It post this on their Instagram, I was sure it was a bad idea. Sweet marshmallow and sharp, salty cheese crackers? I doubted it hard.
I was wrong to doubt this combo. The gooey marshmallow and the salty crackers hit the same sweet-and-salty sweet spot as kettle corn or chocolate-covered pretzels, and I’ve been thinking about them ever since. If you already love an easy treat, these are about to jump the line.
If the cheese-meets-sweet combo is what got you, Chocolate Covered Brie Bites take it somewhere else entirely: creamy brie squares pressed with a fresh blueberry and coated in milk chocolate for a no-bake two-bite treat that lands between dessert and appetizer.
If you love that logic taken even further, these Sweet and Salty Potato Chip Marshmallow Treats fold in actual potato chips for a crunchier, saltier take on the same idea.
It also made my list of 3 Must-Try Rice Krispies Treats Recipes, alongside a bunch of other favorites.
It also made my list of 12 Easy Rice Krispies Treats Variations, alongside a bunch of other favorites.
What makes these Cheez-It marshmallow treats so good
It comes down to the sweet-and-salty contrast. The Cheez-Its bring buttery, cheesy crunch and a hit of salt that cuts right through the sugar, so instead of being one-note sweet like a lot of treats, every bite bounces between salty and sweet. The marshmallow glues it all together into that classic chewy, gooey bar.
They also come together in about ten minutes with three ingredients you can grab anywhere, which makes them a great last-minute option for a party, potluck, or game day spread. If you like this style of quick treat, they’re cousins of my Biscoff marshmallow treats.
Can you use different Cheez-It flavors?
Yes, any Cheez-It flavor works in these treats, so pick the one you like best. Classic gives you that familiar sharp cheddar tang, White Cheddar is a little milder and nutty, Extra Toasty leans deeper and more savory, and the hot and spicy version adds a fun kick against the sweet marshmallow. The method stays exactly the same no matter which box you grab.
How do you keep marshmallow treats from getting hard?
The trick to soft marshmallow treats is low heat and a gentle hand. Melt the marshmallows slowly over low heat so they stay soft instead of stiffening up, take the pot off the burner before you fold in the crackers, and press the mixture into the pan just enough to hold it together. Packing it down too hard is the fastest way to end up with dense, tough bars. The same low-and-slow melt keeps my ube Rice Krispie treats soft and chewy.
How long do Cheez-It marshmallow treats last?
Cheez-It marshmallow treats keep for about 2 to 3 days stored airtight at room temperature. Keep them in a sealed container or wrapped tightly so the crackers don’t go stale and the marshmallow doesn’t dry out. Skip the fridge, since cold air firms up the marshmallow and makes the bars hard.
Tips for making Cheez-It marshmallow treats
1. Melt low and slow
Keep the heat low while the butter and marshmallows melt. High heat browns the marshmallow and sets it up stiff, which gives you hard treats instead of soft, chewy ones.
2. Work fast once the crackers go in
Melted marshmallow starts setting the second it leaves the heat, so fold in the Cheez-Its quickly and get everything into the pan while it’s still soft and sticky.
3. Do not pack them down too hard
Use a piece of parchment to gently press the top flat. A light touch keeps the bars tender; smashing them down makes them dense and crushes the crackers.
4. Line your pan
Line the pan with parchment paper with a little overhang so you can lift the whole slab out in one piece and cut clean squares on a cutting board.
5. Let them cool before cutting
Give the slab time to set before you slice. Cutting too soon drags the marshmallow and gives you ragged edges, so wait until it is cool and firm, then use a sharp knife.
Storage and leftovers
Store Cheez-It marshmallow treats airtight at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. A sealed container or a tight wrap of plastic keeps the crackers crunchy and the marshmallow chewy. Don’t refrigerate them, because the cold turns the marshmallow hard and the crackers lose their snap.
If you want to prep ahead, these are best made the day you plan to serve them, since the cracker crunch slowly softens over time. If the sweet-and-savory angle is what hooked you, my egg roll mozzarella sticks take care of that on the savory side.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 10 oz Marshmallows (about one bag)
- 5.5 cups Cheez-It crackers
Ingredient notes: any Cheez-It flavor works, so use your favorite. Mini marshmallows or a bag of regular marshmallows both melt fine. Want them extra rich? Brown the butter first for a nuttier flavor.
Instructions
- Melt the butter over low heat in a large pot.
- Once the butter melts, pour in the bag of marshmallows and melt them, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Pour the Cheez-Its into the pot and gently mix them into the marshmallow until evenly coated.
- Transfer to a small or medium rectangular baking pan lined with parchment paper. Use a smaller piece of parchment to spread the mixture evenly and flatten the top without packing it too hard.
- Let it cool and set. Then lift it out, cut into squares on a cutting board, and serve.
If you make these Cheez-It marshmallow treats, I would love for you to leave a star rating on the recipe card below and drop a comment telling me which Cheez-It flavor you used. It really helps other readers find the recipe (and makes my day).
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Cheez-It Marshmallow Treats
- Total Time: 10
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet and salty Cheez-It marshmallow treats: melted butter and marshmallows folded into crunchy Cheez-It crackers and pressed into squares. A 3-ingredient, no-bake twist on classic Rice Krispies treats.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 10 oz Marshmallows (about one bag)
- 5.5 cups Cheez-It crackers
Equipment
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt the butter. Melt the butter over low heat in a large pot.
- Add marshmallows. Pour in the marshmallows and melt them, stirring occasionally.
- Off the heat. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Fold in the crackers. Pour in the Cheez-Its and gently mix until evenly coated.
- Press. Transfer to a parchment-lined pan and gently flatten the top with a smaller piece of parchment.
- Cool and cut. Let it set, then lift out and cut into squares.
Notes
- Melt the marshmallows over low heat so they stay soft, not stiff.
- Fold the crackers in off the heat so they stay crunchy.
- Press gently; packing too hard makes dense, hard bars.
- Any Cheez-It flavor works (Classic, White Cheddar, Extra Toasty, Hot & Spicy).
- Store airtight at room temperature; do not refrigerate.
- Let the slab cool fully, then cut with a sharp knife for clean squares.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 8mg