What a fun way to fool your loved ones! This April Fools Rice Krispie Treats recipe is so fun and simple to make, but what's even more fun are the surprised expressions on people's faces. The shock!
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I definitely surprised and fooled my kids with this one! Boy was my daughter mad that I was giving her avocado for dessert. Not only does she get a vegetable, but she also gets one that she hates, with a passion.
So, I make Rice Krispie treats and place them on our dinner table as dessert. They look great! With sprinkles and all. But I disappoint my kids and tell them that the dessert is only "for me and dad". Then I proceed to bring out two avocados. "These are for you," I say.
My son looks at it in dismay and doesn't know exactly how to react. But then all our attention moves to my daughter when she moves the avocado with the back of her hand to the other end of the table, in such disgust too. You would think we gave her something horrifying. And this is when I take my son's avocado and open it. Both kids' eyes open wide. My daughter runs to the end of the table to grab her "avocado" and takes it out of the shell. It's a large oval Rice Krispie treat! With sprinkles and all!
I know, I know, I am mean. But we shared so many laughs; it was such a great bonding time at the dessert table.
Try this recipe and let us know how your April Fools went. You may want to fool your co-workers too - if you dare!
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Ingredients
- Avocados: you need 1 avocado per 1 person to be fooled :). For this recipe, the avocados do not need to be fully ripe. But, they should be ripe enough for you to cut them in half and carve out the avocado flesh easily. Choose avocados that feel softer to the touch, when pressed slightly. The avocado should be a darker green color. Bright green and firm avocados are not ready to be cut.
- Crispy rice cereal: Of course, this is our primary ingredient. I used KELLOGG'S® RICE KRISPIES® cereal, which is the most popular choice.
- Butter: it not only helps prevent the other ingredients from sticking to the pan, but it also helps bind the marshmallows and cereal together and adds a rich, buttery flavor.
- Marshmallows: melted marshmallows create a sticky, gooey mixture that serves as the glue to bind the crispy rice cereal together. They also add sweetness and contribute to the chewy texture of the treats.
- Vanilla Extract: this is optional, but a small amount will enhance the flavor of the treats by adding a little subtle flavor of vanilla. It's my go-to in many recipes, including these Russian Pancakes "Oladi" and this Cottage Cheese and Apple Pie recipe.
see the recipe card below for recipe quantities
Substitutions and variations
- Butter: Margarine can typically be used interchangeably with butter. Substitute melted coconut oil for butter if you prefer a dairy-free option.
- Make it Vegan: Look for vegan marshmallows made without gelatin if you need to make the recipe vegan-friendly. And, use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Make it Gluten-free: If you need to make the recipe gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free crispy rice cereal.
- You may also like to mix in: some sprinkles, chocolate chips, M&M's, nuts, or dried fruit
- Use flavored marshmallows for a fun twist, such as strawberry or chocolate.
- Green food coloring: tint the Rice Krispies mixture green for a true April Fools Rice Krispie Treats appearance.
Preparation
STEP 1: Prepare the avocados
Cut avocados in half, lengthwise, around the pit. Open the two halves. Using a tablespoon, scoop the avocado flesh out of the shell by gently carving out the avocado from the sides of the shell.
STEP 2: Melt butter
In a large pot, melt butter over low heat and stir in the vanilla extract. You may like to cut butter into smaller pieces so it melts faster.
STEP 3: Melt Marshmallows
Add the marshmallows and stir frequently until they melt completely. You can also close the lid to prevent the heat from escaping (in between stirring).
STEP 4: Add the crispy rice cereal
Quickly add the crispy rice cereal and some sprinkles, chocolate chips, and/or green food coloring (if using). Make sure to stir well so the cereal is coated with the melted marshmallow mixture.
STEP 5: Form the shape
Using damp hands so the mixture doesn't stick to them, scoop a little mixture and fill one of the avocado shell halves. Do not pat it down, but gently shape it to the size of the avocado shell.
STEP 6: Allow to set
Remove the molded Rice Krispie Treat from the shell, gently place it on a plate, and allow it to set at room temperature for at least one hour, or in the refrigerator for at least 40 minutes. Once set, place it inside one of the avocado shells and cover it with the other.
Top Tips
- Use fresh marshmallows for the best results. Older marshmallows can become hard and less moldable when melted.
- Cutting butter into smaller pieces will help it melt faster.
- Make sure to stir the marshmallow mixture constantly as it melts to ensure even melting and prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
- Once the marshmallows are melted, work quickly to stir in the crispy rice cereal.
- Don't forget to dampen your hands when molding the rice krispie treats.
- Use any remaining Rice Krispie mixture by forming it into squares. Spread the mixture evenly on parchment paper, shaping it into a rectangular form with gentle pressure. Let it set at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, then slice it into squares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make this Quick Blender Guacamole, try this Citrus Avocado Salad Recipe, add it to my Spring Vegetable and Berry Salad, or simply use it to make avocado toast.
Yes, simply warm them slightly in the microwave to make them easier to mold into the avocado shells.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Enjoy them chilled or let them come to room temperature before serving.
If you cook the marshmallow mixture for too long or over high heat, it can become too stiff. Also, if you don't use enough marshmallows or butter in proportion to the amount of cereal, the mixture may not be sticky enough and may harden too much when cooled. Make sure you're following the recipe's proportions. Using stale or old marshmallows can also result in a harder texture.
Serving suggestions
Serve the "avocado Rice Krispies treats" for dessert, optionally after serving this Fun April Fool’s 'Caviar' Canapés appetizer. The treats go well with some frosting on the side or melted chocolate as "guacamole" for dipping for an extra surprise! This Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries recipe or my Chocolate Granola Cups recipe details the chocolate-melting process.
Try these other desserts
If you tried this April Fools Rice Krispie Treats recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
April Fools Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- avocados 1 avocado per person to be fooled. - see note 1 in notes section below.
- 4 tablespoons butter cut into smaller pieces for faster melting
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 10 ounces marshmallows mini marshmallows are easier to melt. Or, cut larger marshmallows into smaller pieces for quicker melting.
- 4 cups crispy rice cereal I used Kellog's® Rice Krispies
- ¼ cup sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Prepare the avocados: Rinse avocadoes under running water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut avocados in half, lengthwise, around the pit. Open the two halves. Using a tablespoon, scoop the avocado flesh out of the shell by gently carving out the avocado from the sides of the shell. Scoop out any remaining avocado.
- In a large pot, melt butter over low heat and stir in the vanilla extract. You may like to cut butter into smaller pieces so it melts faster.
- Add the marshmallows and stir frequently until they melt completely. You can also close the lid to prevent the heat from escaping (in between stirring).
- Quickly add the crispy rice cereal and some sprinkles, chocolate chips, and/or green food coloring (if using). Make sure to stir well so the cereal is coated with the melted marshmallow mixture.
- Using damp hands so the mixture doesn't stick to them, scoop a little mixture and fill one of the avocado shell halves. Do not pat it down, but gently shape it to the size of the avocado shell. See note #1 in the notes section below to use any remaining mixture.
- Remove the molded Rice Krispie Treat from the shell, gently place it on a plate, and allow it to set at room temperature for at least one hour, or in the refrigerator for at least 40 minutes. Once set, place it inside one of the avocado shells and cover it with the other.
Notes
- The recipe makes enough mixture for about 8 avocados, but you can make 1 or 2 avocados (if you need less)and use the remaining mixture to make squres. Simply spread the mixture evenly on parchment paper, shaping it into a rectangular form with gentle pressure. Let it set at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, then slice it into squares.
- Use fresh marshmallows for the best results. Older marshmallows can become hard and less moldable when melted.
- Cutting butter into smaller pieces will help it melt faster.
- Make sure to stir the marshmallow mixture constantly as it melts to ensure even melting and prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
- Once the marshmallows are melted, work quickly to stir in the crispy rice cereal.
- Don't forget to dampen your hands when molding the rice krispie treats.
Lena
Thank you for sharing! What an awesome idea!
Irina
Thank you so much, Lena. I'm so happy you liked it!
L Share
Kellogg’s Rice Crispy Treats contain malt flavor which is derived from wheat!
Irina
Hi, thanks for your comment. If you are looking to make a gluten-free option, see our substitutions and variations section of the recipe: https://cre8athome.com/april-fools-rice-krispies-treats/#substitutions-and-variations. Gluten-free crispy rice cereal would work great! There is also a dairy-free option in the post.