These Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats are a delightful twist on a classic favorite, blending gooey caramel, crispy cereal, and a hint of sea salt. In just 25 minutes, you can create a batch of irresistible squares that balance sweet and salty flavors perfectly.
The chewy texture of the caramel melds beautifully with the light crunch of the Rice Krispies, making every bite a satisfying treat. Whether you’re whipping them up for a party or a cozy night in, these treats are sure to impress with their rich, buttery aroma and decadent taste.
Perfect for sharing or savoring solo, these squares are a crowd-pleaser that’s both easy to make and hard to resist. The salted caramel adds a sophisticated depth, while the familiar crunch of Rice Krispies keeps it comforting and nostalgic.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a dessert that feels indulgent yet approachable. These treats are ideal for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen, making them a go-to recipe for any occasion.
What You’ll Need for Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
- ½ cup (113 g) salted butter (plus additional for greasing the pan)
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 6 Tablespoons (88 ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 oz (283 g) marshmallows (mini or regular-sized will work fine)
- 7 cups (205 g) crisped rice cereal
- ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate baking bar (optional, for drizzle)
- Additional flaky sea salt (optional, for sprinkling on top)
How to Make Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
- Prepare the pan: Lightly grease a 13×9″ baking pan with butter and set aside.
- Make the caramel: In a large pot, melt together ½ cup salted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and 6 Tablespoons heavy cream over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
- Cook the caramel: Increase the heat to medium and whisk for 2 minutes (do not let it boil). Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add flavor: Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Melt the marshmallows: Add 10 oz marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted.
- Combine with cereal: Add 7 cups crisped rice cereal and stir well, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the caramel mixture.
- Press into the pan: Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing it down evenly.
- Melt the chocolate (optional): In a microwave-safe bowl, melt ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate baking bar in 15-second increments, stirring regularly until smooth.
- Drizzle and finish: Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cereal mixture. Sprinkle with additional flaky sea salt if desired. Let sit until the chocolate hardens before cutting and serving.
Sweet & Salty Topping Ideas
Take your Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats to the next level with creative toppings! Sprinkle flaky sea salt for an extra burst of flavor, or drizzle white chocolate alongside the semisweet for a marbled effect. For a crunchy twist, add chopped nuts or crushed pretzels on top before the chocolate sets.
Perfect Serving Suggestions
These treats are perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a sweet snack. Cut them into bite-sized squares for easy sharing, or serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. Pair with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy treat!
Storage Tips for Freshness
Store your Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving to maintain their chewy texture.
Quick Recipe Variations
Switch things up by using dark chocolate instead of semisweet for a richer flavor. For a nutty twist, mix in 1/2 cup of peanut butter with the caramel mixture. You can also swap the crisped rice cereal for cornflakes or puffed quinoa for a unique texture.
Time-Saving Hacks
To speed up the process, use a stand mixer to combine the caramel mixture and cereal. Pre-measure all your ingredients before starting to avoid mid-recipe delays. If you’re short on time, skip the chocolate drizzle and simply sprinkle with sea salt for a quick finish.
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter (plus additional for greasing pan)
- 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 6 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 oz marshmallows (mini or regular-sized will work fine)
- 7 cups crisped rice cereal
- ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate baking bar for drizzle, optional
- additional flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top optional
Instructions
- Prepare a 13×9″ baking pan by lightly greasing the bottom and sides with butter. Set aside.
- In large pot melt together butter, brown sugar and heavy cream on medium-low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.
- Once butter is melted, increase heat to medium and whisk for 2 minutes (do not allow to come to a boil).
- Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Stir in salt and vanilla extract.
- Stir in marshmallows, stirring constantly until completely melted.
- Add cereal and stir well, ensuring ingredients are well combined and cereal is entirely coated by caramel mixture.
- Spread into prepared pan.
- Melt chocolate in microwave by heating at 15 second increments and stirring regularly.
- Drizzle chocolate over cereal in pan. Allow rice krispies to sit until chocolate hardens before cutting and serving.