Wickedly Easy Zombie Rice Krispie Treats: A Spooktacular Halloween Recipe for Kids
Whip up these incredibly easy Zombie Halloween Rice Krispie Treats for a spooktacularly fun and cute party idea this season! With just a few simple ingredients, you can quickly make these adorable little gremlins that the kids (and adults!) will absolutely love to gobble up. Forget the fright; let’s embrace the delight of delicious, no-bake Halloween fun!
Let me be completely honest right from the start: I am the ultimate scaredy-cat when it comes to anything genuinely spooky. Horror movies, zombie apocalypses, or anything involving intense violence? You won’t find me watching them. My ideal evening involves much cozier activities, like baking up a storm or getting creative with crafts. That’s precisely why my answer is almost always ‘no’ to any sentence that begins with, ‘Have you seen that terrifying movie where…?’ and why I’m probably the least informed person about current horror blockbusters in Hollywood.
So, while it might come as a surprise that Halloween ranks as one of my absolute favorite holidays, I can assure you that my affection for this supposedly scary occasion does NOT revolve around terrifying movies or haunted houses (my second least favorite activity). Instead, my deep love for Halloween stems entirely from the joyous opportunity to create a plethora of CUTE and non-scary treats and crafts. It’s about embracing the festive spirit, the vibrant colors, and the sheer delight of imaginative, edible creations that bring smiles rather than screams.
And that’s exactly why today, I’m officially kicking off our Halloween crafting and baking season here on the blog with these absolutely charming Zombie Halloween Rice Krispie Treats! These aren’t your typical gruesome zombies; they’re the friendly, delicious kind, designed to be a delightful addition to any Halloween celebration. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up these fun, cone-shaped treats for your upcoming Halloween party, a school event, or simply as a fantastic and engaging activity to do with the kids at home. They’re a brilliant way to enjoy the holiday’s playful side without any of the fright!
Why You’ll Love Making These Zombie Rice Krispie Treats
- Super Simple & No-Bake: Forget complicated baking! This recipe is incredibly straightforward, perfect for busy parents or anyone looking for a quick and impressive Halloween treat. No oven required!
- Kid-Friendly Fun: The process of shaping the Rice Krispie mixture and decorating the zombie faces is wonderfully hands-on, making it an excellent activity for children of all ages. They’ll love creating their own little edible monsters!
- Perfect for Parties: Served in individual ice cream cones, these treats are easy to grab, mess-free, and a delightful addition to any Halloween spread. They also make fantastic party favors or classroom snacks.
- Adorable & Unique: Stand out from the usual Halloween candy with these cute zombie creations. Their goofy expressions and vibrant green color are sure to be a conversation starter and a photo favorite.
- Minimal Ingredients: You likely have most of the basic Rice Krispie Treat ingredients in your pantry already, making this a convenient and cost-effective Halloween project.
What You Need for Zombie Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
Gathering your supplies is the first step to bringing these friendly zombies to life! Here’s a detailed list to ensure you have everything on hand:
- Rice Krispie Treat Recipe: You’ll need the base mixture. Find our detailed and easy recipe below in the recipe card. This typically includes mini marshmallows, unsalted butter, and Rice Krispies cereal.
- 8-10 Ice Cream Cones: Standard sugar cones or wafer cones work best for their shape and stability. These form the body of our zombie treats.
- 12 Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These will be used to create the distinct “eyes” and other facial features.
- Plus 3 more tablespoons of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: You’ll melt these separately to pipe the signature “X” shapes for the zombie’s bewildered expression.
- 12 oz. bag of Green Candy Melts: This is the crucial ingredient for our zombie’s vibrant green skin! If you can’t find green, you can use white candy melts and add a few drops of green food coloring gel (gel colors work better than liquid for candy melts).
- Optional: Round Pink Sprinkles For Cheeks: For an extra touch of adorable, friendly zombie charm, these sprinkles add a pop of color to their cheeks.
How to Make Cute Zombie Halloween Rice Krispie Treats:
Let’s get started on bringing these adorable zombies to life! Follow these simple steps for a fun and easy crafting experience.
- Prepare the Rice Krispie Base: First, you’ll need to prepare your Rice Krispie Treat mixture according to the recipe provided below. Once the mixture is thoroughly combined and still warm but cool enough to handle, it’s time to shape. Gently press about 1 tablespoon of the warm, pliable mixture inside each ice cream cone. This step creates a sturdy foundation and helps the cones hold the main Rice Krispie ball securely.
- Shape the Zombie Heads: Now, scoop the remaining Rice Krispie mixture into compact, pressed balls, roughly 3 inches in diameter. To prevent sticking and make shaping easier, lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray. Press one of these Rice Krispie balls onto the opening of each filled cone, shaping it slightly to resemble a rounded head. Place the assembled cones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Let them cool completely for about 15-20 minutes. This setting time is crucial for the treats to firm up and maintain their shape during decoration.
- Prepare Your Decorating Station: While your Rice Krispie cones are cooling and setting, prepare your decorating area. Line a separate baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. This will serve as the surface for hardening your chocolate “X” eyes and for catching any excess candy melts later.
- Craft the Chocolate “X” Eyes: Melt 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until completely smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate. Once melted, scoop the chocolate into a small plastic bag (a Ziploc bag works perfectly) and snip off a tiny corner to create a makeshift piping bag. Pipe small “X” shapes directly onto your parchment-lined baking sheet. Make a few extra, just in case! Allow these chocolate “X”s to harden completely at room temperature or by placing them in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
- Coat with Green “Zombie Skin”: Once the Rice Krispie cones are completely cool and firm, it’s time for their signature green look! Melt the 12 oz. bag of green candy melts according to the package directions (usually in the microwave at 50% power, stirring frequently until smooth and fluid). Dip the top portion of each Rice Krispie cone (the “head”) into the melted green candy, or use a spoon to generously coat each Rice Krispie ball. Use a knife or small offset spatula to smooth the candy melt and ensure full, even coverage. Work relatively quickly as candy melts can set fast.
- Add Facial Features Immediately: As soon as each cone is coated with the green candy melt (while it’s still wet and tacky), immediately press a regular chocolate chip onto the face for a nose or mouth (pointy side down for a nose, flat side for a simple mouth). Then, carefully place one of your pre-made chocolate “X” eyeballs onto the green “face.” If you’re using them, gently press a round pink sprinkle on each side for the cheeks. The wet candy melt will act as the perfect adhesive. Repeat this process for all your zombie cones.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow your finished Zombie Rice Krispie Treats to set completely. This may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature, or you can expedite the process by placing them in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes until the candy melt is fully hardened. Once set, they are ready to serve! Arrange them on a festive Halloween plate or in a fun ice cream cone holder. For party favors or gifts, individually wrap each treat in a clear plastic bag and tie it off with a cute printable Halloween gift tag for an extra special touch!
Yield: This recipe typically makes 8-10 zombie cones, depending on how much Rice Krispie mixture you use to “fill” each cone and for the head.
Pro Tips for Perfect Zombie Treats
- Grease Your Hands: When shaping the Rice Krispie mixture, a light coating of butter or cooking spray on your hands will make the process much easier and prevent the sticky mixture from clinging.
- Don’t Overheat Marshmallows: When melting marshmallows, keep the heat low and stir constantly to prevent them from becoming tough.
- Work Quickly with Candy Melts: Candy melts can set quite fast. Have all your decorations (chocolate chips, “X” eyes, sprinkles) ready and within reach before you start coating the Rice Krispie cones.
- Consistency of Candy Melts: If your candy melts are too thick, you can add a small amount of coconut oil or vegetable shortening (about ½ teaspoon at a time) to thin them out to a smoother, more pourable consistency.
- Storage: Store your finished Zombie Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They tend to soften if refrigerated for too long.
- Get Creative with Faces: While the “X” eyes and chocolate chip nose are classic, feel free to get creative! You could use edible markers for stitches, different colored candy melts for scars, or mini candy eyes for a quicker option.
Cute Zombie Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
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Ingredients
- 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows (about 4 cups)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (not margarine)
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- Green Candy Melts (or white wafers + green food coloring gel)
- Chocolate chips (for eyes and facial features)
- Optional: Round pink sprinkles (for cheeks)
- 8-10 Ice Cream Cones
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Instructions
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In a large saucepan, melt unsalted butter (¼ cup, i.e., ½ stick) over low heat.
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Add mini marshmallows (10 ounces, about 4 cups[a/djustable]) and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
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Add Rice Krispies cereal (6 cups) and stir until all the cereal is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
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Pour the mixture into a large heat-resistant bowl or onto a parchment-lined surface and let it cool for 15-20 minutes. The mixture should be warm enough to be pliable but cool enough to handle comfortably. If it’s too hot, shaping will be difficult; too cool, and it will harden too much.
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Follow the detailed instructions in the blog post above (steps 1-7 in the “How to Make Cute Zombie Halloween Rice Krispie Treats” section) to assemble and decorate your zombie Rice Krispie treats using the ice cream cones, candy melts, and chocolate chips.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
Nutrition
These adorable zombie treats are sure to be a Halloween hit! They’re proof that Halloween fun doesn’t always have to be scary; sometimes it’s all about the cute, edible crafts that bring smiles and make for fantastic photo opportunities at any Halloween gathering. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, looking for a unique classroom treat, or simply want a fun baking project with your kids, these Zombie Rice Krispie Treats fit the bill perfectly. They’re quick, delicious, and undeniably charming.
So tell me in the comments below, when it comes to Halloween decorations and treats, are you a fan of the scary-spooky or the cute-and-friendly? Share your favorite Halloween traditions!