Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats

Buttery soft Rice Krispies treats made with melted marshmallows, toasty brown butter and sea salt. Sticky, delicious and so easy to make at home! These are 100x better than the treats you grew up with because they have rich vanilla flavor and no mystery ingredients. Just 6 ingredients and 30 minutes ’til ready to enjoy!

My daughter is really beginning to love baking in the kitchen with me. Though I started a little later in life, it warms my heart to see the joy of baking come full circle in my family. One thing we love to do most is recreate popular bakery-style desserts – brownies, cookies, pies – and who could forget everyone’s lunchbox favorite, Rice Krispies treats!

Ever since we began making these at home, I knew they could be done better than the store bought snack. With a few secrets up my sleeve, I got to work perfecting the recipe for you. Our family and friends have been OBSESSED with this salty-sweet version, and I have had no limit of lucky taste testers!

True magic happens when you take a little time on your Rice Krispies treats. It only takes minutes to create brown butter for these bangin’ little sweets! With a swirl of vanilla extract (and caramel sauce, if you wish) added to the melted marshmallow and flaky salt, you’ve got yourself a dreamy dessert in less than 30 minutes.

Let’s get cooking!

Ready to whip up some Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats?

• Line a baking pan with parchment paper or waxed paper; set aside.

• In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. It will melt, foam, then turn golden brown and smell nutty. Watch carefully, stirring constantly.

• When butter is evenly browned, stir in marshmallows, salt and vanilla. Cook, stirring often, until mixture is melted and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. If using, stir in your caramel sauce now. Remove pot from heat.

• Stir in crispy rice cereal and mix well, preferably with a silicone spatula. Scrape into prepared pan and press down lightly (easy tip: coat your spatula or hands with butter or cooking spray, then press down on cereal mixture – this helps avoid a sticky mess). Dust top with additional salt, if desired.

• Let treats cool at least 20 minutes in your refrigerator. Cut into squares or bars.

Keep reading for full ingredient list + recipe, below

Looking for more fun and easy treats? Try these!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats

1-Minute Microwave Rice Krispies Treats in a Mug

Best Ever Cocoa Brownies

No-Bake Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

5-Ingredient Graham Cracker Toffee

Incredible 3-Ingredient Nutella Brownies

Don’t you just wanna grab a piece? Well, come on then! There are plenty to go around.

When the sweet tooth strikes, Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats are one of our go-to recipes for a quick and easy dessert. These elevated, elegant little bites only need 6 ingredients and 30 minutes, until they’re ready for your enjoyment – or gifting! I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t love to receive a box of these for their birthday (or any other occasion).

The caramel sauce in these is completely optional, but I do recommend it. When we have it on hand, it is a scrumptious add-in that amps up the salty-sweetness and makes these even more flavorful… and sticky-finger-lickin-good!

I hope you try these amazing, adult-ish Rice Krispies treats, and love them like we do. Please leave a comment and a star rating, if you give them a go!

Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats

Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats

Yield: 12 treats
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 1/2 cup butter, 1 stick
  • 10 oz. (5 cups) mini marshmallows
  • 1/2 tsp. coarse salt
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup caramel sauce or caramel syrup, optional

Instructions

  1. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or waxed paper; set aside.
  2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. It will melt, foam, then turn golden brown and smell nutty. Watch carefully, stirring constantly.
  3. When butter is evenly browned, stir in marshmallows, salt and vanilla. Cook, stirring often, until mixture is melted and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. If using, stir in your caramel sauce now. Remove pot from heat.
  4. Stir in crispy rice cereal and mix well, preferably with a silicone spatula. Scrape into prepared pan and press down lightly (easy tip: coat your spatula or hands with butter or cooking spray, then press down on cereal mixture - this helps avoid a sticky mess). Dust top with additional salt, if desired.
  5. Let treats cool at least 15 minutes in your refrigerator. Cut into squares or bars.
  6. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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  1. So good! Everyone loved them!

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