What’s better than Rice Krispie Treats? Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats! Crispy, gooey Rice Krispie treats with vanilla and marshmallow join up with rich caramel and flaky sea salt for a sweet-and-salty Rice Krispie square that is simply irresistible.
These Caramel Rice Krispie Treats bring delicious warm salted caramel flavor to your standard Rice Krispie Treats, for a gooey marshmallow-caramel treat that is out-of-this-world good!
If you’re like me, you love the salty and sweet interplay of salted caramel. Something about that rich, buttery taste of caramel combined with a touch of magical sea salt that both enhances the flavor and balances the intense sweetness of the caramel. When you add those flavors to these salted caramel Rice Krispie squares, I can’t think of a better sweet treat!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- So delicious! – Classic Rice Krispie treats get a serious upgrade with the addition of soft caramels and flaky sea salt. They’re gooey, sticky, and so good!
- Easy to make – No need to make finicky homemade caramel. Instead, you stir soft caramel candies into your Rice Krispie treats for a super simple way to add amazing caramel flavor and texture.
- Super fast – Just 10 minutes prep time is all you need! After that, they just need a little time to set (put them in the fridge to speed up that process) and it’s time to dive in!
- No-bake dessert – All these Rice Krispie treats with caramel need is some time on the stovetop and a little more time to set, and that’s it! No oven needed.
Recipe Notes
This Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few ingredients and a few minutes for a family-friendly dessert.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Butter – Salted butter has the best flavor, but unsalted butter will work if that’s all you have.
- Mini marshmallows – I like to use a bag of mini marshmallows because they melt quickly, but if you have full-size marshmallows, those will work too.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract adds sweet vanilla flavor to these decadent caramel Rice Krispie squares.
- Soft caramel candies – I use Werther’s, but you can use any chewy caramel candy.
- Rice Krispies – You can use name brand Rice Krispies, any off brand puffed rice cereal.
- Flaky salt – Flaky sea salt is milder in taste than some traditional salts. Fleur de sel or Maldon sea salt are both great flaky finishing salts.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Cocoa Caramel Rice Krispie Treats– Swap in cocoa Rice Krispies for a chocolatey twist.
- M&M Caramel Rice Krispie Treats– Add M&Ms (or, in keeping with the theme, caramel M&Ms!) Mix them in with the Rice Krispies and/or sprinkle them on top.
- Caramel Pretzel Rice Krispie Treats– Chop up pretzel pieces and mix them in with the Rice Krispies. Lay a few extra on top. The pretzels should be plenty salty, so you can leave out the flaky sea salt.
Recipe Step by Step
In a large pot, melt the butter and marshmallows until smooth and creamy.
Add the vanilla and caramel candies. Stir until melted and smooth.
Fold in the Rice Krispies and stir until evenly coated with the marshmallow-caramel mixture.
Pour the mixture into a baking pan and lightly flatten. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt, then let set and then cut into squares.
Recipe Tips
- Low and slow– Melt the marshmallows and candies over low heat, stirring often, so that they melt evenly without burning.
- Don’t pack it down– It’s tempting to press and flatten the Rice Krispie treat mixture into the baking pan, but don’t! Lightly pile it in and gently flatten so that your salted caramel Rice Krispie squares stay light, fluffy, and chewy.
- Use a larger pan for a thinner bar – If you prefer thinner caramel rice crispy squares, swap the 8″x8″ pan for a larger 9″x13″ pan.
- Use a light hand with the salt – All you need are a few flakes on top of these salted caramel Rice Krispie squares, so sprinkle just a bit and remember a little goes a long way!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Line your pan with parchment paper – For easy clean-up, lining your pan before adding your caramel Rice Krispie treats will make clean-up easier.
- Use your (non-stick) hands – Use your hands to gently flatten your Rice Krispie Treats into your pan, but coat your hands with a little non-stick spray first. The Rice Krispie Treats won’t stick to your hands and clean-up will be a cinch.
- Use marshmallow creme – Skip the marshmallow-melting step with a 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme.
- Chill them – If you’re in a hurry for your salted caramel Rice Krispie bars to be set, place them in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator up to a week
- on the counter for 3-4 days
Recipe FAQ’s
What is a substitute for marshmallows in rice crispy treats?
You can use a 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme, or marshmallow fluff, in place of the marshmallows.
Can you still use stale marshmallows?
Stale marshmallows will work if they’re all you have, but there is a chance they might not melt completely smooth, so keep that in mind.
How long does it take for Rice Krispies to harden?
It will take about an hour at room temperature, or about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. These salted caramel Rice Krispie bars do not get completely hard; they are intended to be ooey gooey caramel treats.
Why are my rice crispy treats so hard?
If you melt your marshmallows at too high a temperature, it could result in a hard Rice Krispy treat. Be sure to melt your marshmallows at a low temp.
More EASY Dessert Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy dessert recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
- 3-Ingredient Nutella Brownies
- Caramel Snickerdoodle Cookies
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows, (1 large bag)
- 8 ounces soft caramel candies
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 7 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1/8 teaspoon flakey salt, or more to taste
Instructions
- Spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the marshmallows, then reduce heat to low and continue stirring until the marshmallows are completely melted. Mix in the caramel candies and vanilla, and stir until caramel is melted and completely combined with marshmallows.
- Fold in rice krispies until they are combined. Then pour the mixture into the dish and use greased hands to pat down so that it takes the shape of the dish.Tip: spray your hands with cooking spray (like Pam) to keep from getting sticky.
- Sprinkle the salt sparingly over the top. Allow to set for 1 hour, or 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator. Cut into 12 squares, or 9 extra large squares, and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- Butter – Unsalted butter will work, also.
- Marshmallows – Regular size marshmallows will work, too, but they’ll take longer to melt. Just keep stirring, low and slow.
- in the refrigerator for up to a week
- on the counter for 3-4 days
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