Rainbow Cereal Balls {No Bake}
Use your favorite breakfast cereal and marshmallows to make easy rainbow cereal balls. You can even hide surprises inside them. Great for kids parties!
*Thank you Post Cereal for sponsoring today’s post. As always, all photographs and opinions are mine.*
These days, there are so many different shapes, colors and flavors of cereal in the marketplace that you can get super creative. For instance, these Rainbow Froot Loops Marshmallow Bars and this Trix Cereal Cake are both a hit with kids and adults plus they are just so much fun to make.
Today’s treats would be perfect for rainbow birthday parties or even St.Patrick’s Day. These can be enjoyed as an after school snack or dessert. Best of all, they also have a hidden surprise inside them, just like pinatas. Obviously, that makes it even more exciting to to break into them.
How to make cereal balls from scratch?
- Heat butter and marshmallows- Until fully melted.
- Add cereal- And mix until combined.
- Make balls- By scooping small portions of the mixture and shaping them.
- Fill them- This is optional.
- Let them set- At room temperature.
The Berry Colossal Crunch cereal is very colorful like the rainbow. The other cereal is made up of cocoa corn puffs and adorable little marshmallow pieces in the shape of pandas and stars. I used the cocoa puffs to make the exterior of the ball and and filled the inside with those cute marshmallow pieces.
Variations
Add-in options- Try mini toys (make sure they are not too small to be a choking hazard), small candies, chocolate chips, dried fruits, nuts, sprinkles, mini candy bars.
Use other cereals- Try Cocoa Puffs or Froot Loops, Lucky Charms, Cheerios. Stick to big and bulky cereal shapes/ sizes because they are not as delicate and it’s easier to mold them into a ball without breaking them.
Try flavored marshmallows- This will add another level of flavor.
Add extracts- To really take the flavor over the top. Try almond extract, vanilla extract or even coconut extract.
Tips and Techniques
Adjust the amount of marshmallows- This is based on your preference. I didn’t want the marshmallows to overpower the cereal. So, 20 jumbo marshmallow was a good enough amount for me and also easier to handle.
Oil your hands and mixing spoon- Because this will prevent the sticky mixture from sticking to everything.
Make a bigger batch- Just double or triple all the ingredients to serve a lot of people.
Separate with wax paper- This is very important when storing them because if they touch each other, they will end up sticking together.
Use them as party favors– Just package them in cute individual boxes. Match the colors with the theme of the party.
Storage
Room temperature- Store in a covered box, separated by sheets of wax paper for 2-3 days.
Refrigerate- This is not recommended because the moisture from the fridge will make the cereal soggy and marshmallows sticky.
Freeze- This is not recommended because upon thawing, the cereal will become soggy and marshmallows will become sticky.
More Kids Desserts
Rainbow Cereal Balls
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Butter , Unsalted
- 20 Marshmallows, Jumbo size, Add more if you want a stronger marshmallow flavor
- 4 cups Cereal, Berry Colossal Crunch OR Kung Fu Panda Po Power Crunch
- 1 cup Add-ins, Such as almonds, dried cranberries, candies e.t.c.
Instructions
- Melt butter and marshmallows in a non-stick saucepan.
- Add cereal.
- Mix everything together until you end up with a big marshmallow cereal ball.Tip: Spraying the spoon with some oil will prevent the cereal from sticking to it.
- Spray your hands with oil.
- Take small portions of this marshmallow cereal mixture and fill the center with add-ins of your choice.
- Cover the top with some more of the marshmallow cereal mixture.Use your hands to shape this cluster into a ball.
- If you are using Kung Fu Panda Po Power Crunch, only use the cocoa puffs to make the sticky cereal mixture.Take small portions of this mixture and fill the center the marshmallow pieces. Cover the top with some more of the cereal mixture.Use your hands to shape this cluster into a ball.
- Place them on a cookie tray, lined with wax paper to dry up slightly and firm up. Then, enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a covered box at room temperature for 2-3 days.
This looks like such a fun snack for the whole family! I love the idea hiding the Kung Fu Po Power Crunch marshmallows inside the ball! #client
I am all for hidden surprises! heheh 😉
Rice krispie treats was the first recipe I’ve ever made BUT I never thought to put something inside! That’s so clever. I made a batch earlier with a ferrero rocher inside. Came out pretty massive but worth the mess Thanks for the fun idea!
I make these sometimes with cereal and sometimes with popcorn. I put them around a tootsie or blow pop and the kids love them!