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Sweet & Salty Marshmallow No Bake Bars
These sweet and salty no-bake marshmallow bars are an ideal dessert when you need something quick, crowd-pleasing, and make-ahead friendly. A crunchy cereal and pretzel base gets coated in a creamy white chocolate and marshmallow mixture, then finished with a drizzle of melted white chocolate and a sprinkle of kosher salt for contrast. They come together fast and hold up well when made the day before, making them perfect for parties, potlucks, or any time you want a stress-free dessert option.
The recipe yields a full 9″ x 13″ pan and is easy to scale if you need to feed a larger group. It combines pantry staples—Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows—into a nostalgic treat with an adult-friendly salted finish. Below you’ll find the ingredient list, step-by-step directions, and a few tips to help you get perfect results every time.
Sweet and Salty No Bake Marshmallow Bars for a Crowd
Prep Time: 20 mins • Total Time: 20 mins • Servings: 18 bars
A little salty and plenty of white chocolate sweet, these no-bake bars are a fantastic make-ahead treat that’s ideal for gatherings and potlucks.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Rice Chex cereal (about 4.5 ounces)
- 2 cups Original Cheerios (about 2 ounces)
- 1½ cups mini pretzels (about 2.5 ounces)
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Cooking spray
- ⅓ teaspoon kosher salt, for sprinkling
- 11 ounces white chocolate chips, divided (7 oz + 4 oz)
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 1 — 9″ x 13″ baking dish
Instructions
- Spray a 9″ x 13″ pan lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the Rice Chex, Cheerios, and mini pretzels. Toss gently and set aside.
- In a very large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter for about 30 seconds. Add 11 ounces of the white chocolate chips (reserve 4 ounces for later), the ¼ teaspoon table salt, and all the mini marshmallows. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth—about 1 to 1½ minutes total, depending on your microwave.
- Stir the melted mixture until smooth, then immediately add it to the bowl with the cereal and pretzels. Quickly fold everything together until the cereal mix is evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated mixture into the prepared pan and press it evenly into the pan with a spatula or lightly greased hands. Sprinkle the top with the ⅓ teaspoon kosher salt to taste.
- Place the remaining 4 ounces of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until smooth. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the bars for a decorative finish.
- Allow the bars to cool completely (about 1 hour) so they set up nicely. Once firm, cut into 18 squares and serve.
Recipe Notes
Make-ahead tip: Store the bars in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to one day. If you need to keep them longer, separate layers with parchment and refrigerate for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. For a different flavor profile, try using milk chocolate chips or adding a handful of chopped nuts to the cereal mixture.
More Cooking for a Crowd Winners
If you enjoyed these bars, explore other crowd-friendly recipes that travel well and are easy to prepare ahead of time. Look for no-bake treats, hearty casseroles, and make-ahead desserts that simplify entertaining without compromising flavor.