Fruity Pebbles Sushi is a playful, colorful dessert that transforms the beloved breakfast cereal into an adorable sushi-inspired treat that will amaze kids and adults alike. This fun recipe uses crispy rice cereal treats as the “rice” base, sweet fruit leather as the “nori” wrapper, and colorful gummy candies as the “fish” filling, all rolled together to create perfect bite-sized pieces that look remarkably like real sushi. With its vibrant rainbow colors and familiar sweet flavors, this creative dessert is perfect for birthday parties, school events, or any time you want to surprise someone with an unexpected treat. The recipe makes about 24 pieces, serving 6-8 people, and requires no baking or special skills – just creativity and a sense of fun.
What You’ll Need
For the sushi base:
- 6 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For assembly:
- 6-8 sheets fruit leather or fruit roll-ups (green apple or strawberry work best)
- 1 cup gummy fish or gummy worms, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup gummy bears, halved
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
For serving:
- Small dishes for “soy sauce” (chocolate sauce)
- Pickled ginger candy (optional)
Making the Cereal Base
In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and marshmallows together in 30-second intervals, stirring between each heating, until completely smooth. This usually takes 1-2 minutes total. Stir in the vanilla extract while the mixture is still warm.
Creating Your Sushi Rice
Add the Fruity Pebbles cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture and stir quickly but gently until every piece of cereal is coated. Work fast because the mixture will start to set as it cools. The colorful cereal creates a beautiful speckled appearance that mimics seasoned sushi rice.
Shaping the Foundation
Press the cereal mixture into a greased 9×13 inch pan, using a piece of wax paper or greased hands to press it down evenly. The layer should be about 1/2 inch thick and uniform across the pan. Let it cool completely for 30 minutes until firm and easy to handle.
Cutting Your Sushi Pieces
Once cooled and set, cut the cereal base into rectangles approximately 2 inches by 1 inch, similar to the size of traditional sushi pieces. You should get about 24 pieces from one pan. Clean your knife between cuts to maintain neat edges and uniform shapes.
Preparing the Wrapping
Unroll your fruit leather sheets and cut them into strips about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide. These colorful strips will serve as your “nori” seaweed wrapper. If the fruit leather is too sticky, lightly dust your work surface with powdered sugar.
Assembling Your Sushi
Take each cereal rectangle and wrap a strip of fruit leather around the middle, leaving the top and bottom exposed just like real sushi. The fruit leather should stick to itself easily. If it doesn’t adhere well, lightly moisten one end with water.
Adding the Toppings
Place small pieces of gummy fish, halved gummy bears, or white chocolate chips on top of each piece to represent the fish or seafood. Get creative with colors and combinations. The gummy pieces should sit nicely on top of the cereal base, held in place by the slight stickiness of the marshmallow mixture.
Creating the Perfect Presentation
Arrange your finished Fruity Pebbles sushi on a large platter or individual plates, just like you would present real sushi. The colorful array of shapes and colors creates an impressive display that looks surprisingly authentic from a distance.
Adding Authentic Details
Sprinkle a few sesame seeds over some pieces for extra realism. Create small dishes of chocolate sauce to serve as “soy sauce” for dipping. You can even add some pickled ginger candy on the side to complete the sushi experience.
Serving Your Creation
Provide small plates and chopsticks if you want to maintain the sushi theme, though these treats are perfectly finger-friendly. The combination of textures – chewy, crunchy, and gummy – creates an enjoyable eating experience that’s completely different from regular candy or desserts.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover sushi pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cereal base may lose some crispness over time, but the flavors remain delicious. For best results, assemble the pieces the day you plan to serve them.
Fun Variations
Try using different colored fruit leather to create various “types” of sushi rolls. Cocoa Puffs mixed with marshmallows can create “brown rice” sushi, while Rice Krispies make a more traditional white rice appearance. You can also use different shaped gummy candies to represent various sushi toppings.
This Fruity Pebbles Sushi recipe proves that creativity in the kitchen knows no bounds. It’s a perfect project for cooking with kids, party planning, or anytime you want to create something that’s both delicious and guaranteed to make people smile. The familiar flavors presented in such an unexpected way make this treat memorable and fun for everyone involved.
