Browned Butter Rice Krispie Treats

These gooey Browned Butter Rice Krispie Treats are simple to make and have a sweet and nutty taste in each bite.

We’re huge fans of making cereal treats, like these S’mores Rice Krispie Treats or this Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn mix.

white plate with rice krispy treats piled on top.

In my opinion, the perfect rice krispie treat is both soft and chewy, not too buttery and not too stiff. The texture should be pillowy, yet still slightly firm to the touch.

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There should be a touch of salt added at the end to enhance and balance the flavor of the sweet marshmallows.

Browned Butter Rice Krispie Treats

If you follow my simple steps, you’ll learn how to create the very BEST rice krispie treats. They are so easy to customize with fun flavors, but nothing beats the original.

This rice krispie recipe is just like the original recipe with one slight difference that makes a HUGE flavor impact.

ingredients on wooden surface with marshmallows and cereal.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need in order to make this rice krispie recipe. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.

  • Butter
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Puffed Rice Cereal
  • Salt

PRO TIP: Keep a small handful of mini marshmallows to the side and toss them in at the very end when you’re mixing it all together.

browned butter with marshmallows in pot.

How To Make Recipe

My favorite, and fool-proof way to make rice krispie treats is on the stove top. Some people swear by using the microwave, but I just don’t think you get the same results as using a heavy pot on the stove.

BROWN BUTTER Start by melting the butter in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Let the butter melt and stir often, until it turns a golden brown and has a nutty aroma. This should take about 5 to 8 minutes.

ADD MARSHMALLOWS Once the butter is browned, add in the mini marshmallows and stir until it’s smooth and the marshmallows have melted completely.

adding rice cereal to marshmallow sauce in pot.

ADD CEREAL Remove the marshmallow mixture from the stove top and stir in the vanilla extract, sea salt and rice cereal. Just before you’re finished coating the cereal, toss in a cup of mini marshmallows.

The marshmallows will melt ever so slightly in the warmth of the cereal, but should still retain most of their shape, leaving little bits of marshmallow throughout.

adding mini marshmallows to cereal.

PRESS INTO PAN Quickly pour the cereal mixture into a prepared pan and use a piece of parchment paper to GENTLY press down and slightly compact the cereal.

Let the rice krispies cool and then you can slice into squares and enjoy.

pressing cereal treats into pan with parchment paper.

It’s amazing how quickly these browned butter rice krispie treats disappear! You might want to make a double batch.

Why Are My Rice Krispie Treats Hard?

One of the biggest mistakes that can be made when making rice krispie treats is to have them turn out rock hard. Attempting to bite into one of these and you’re bound to scratch the roof of your mouth.

WHAT HAPPENED –

  • You over cooked your marshmallow mixture
  • There’s not enough butter
  • Pressing the treats too hard into the pan

THE SOLUTION – The obvious solution is to do the opposite of what caused the treats to become too stiff.

stack of three rice krispie treats with marshmallows

Why Are My Rice Krispie Treats Too Soft?

The biggest reason rice krispie treats can turn out too soft is if too much butter is used.

When using an excessive amount of butter, you’ll end up with a soft rice krispie treat that doesn’t want to hold together. They will easily fall apart and leave your hands greasy.

Are they still delicious? Sure! It’s sugar and rice cereal after all. Just not ideal.

hand holding rice krispie treat with marshmallows.

More Rice Krispie Treat Recipes

If you like this recipe, you’ll love these ones too!

I can’t wait for you to give this simple recipe a try! Let me know what you think in the comments below.

white plate with rice krispy treats piled on top.
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5 from 2 votes

Browned Butter Rice Krispie Treats

This ooey-gooey treat takes the classic rice krispie to the next level with a nutty browned butter flavor in each bite.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 9 people
Calories: 239 kcal
Author: Shawn

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter, salted
  • 10 oz mini marshmallows, reserve 1 cup to stir in at the end
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 cups puffed rice cereal
  • ¼ tsp sea salt, flaked

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Instructions

  • Coat a 9"x9" baking pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
  • In a large, heavy bottomed pot, heat butter over medium heat. Stir often until butter is melted and begins to toast lightly. The color should turn a golden brown and give a nutty smell. This should take about 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Add the marshmallows to the browned butter (reserve 1 cup for the end). Stir until marshmallows are melted and smooth.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour in the puffed rice cereal and sea salt and stir to coat. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 cup of mini marshmallows and fold into the treats. Quickly pour this mixture into the prepared pan and gently press down. *use a sheet of parchment paper on top of the treats to keep your fingers clean while pressing down
  • Let the treats cool before slicing into squares and enjoying!

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords: Browned Butter, Rice Krispie Treats Variations, rice krispies
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?don’t forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!

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browned butter rice krispie treats
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. Hello Shawn, I’m such big fan of you and all of your delicious meals! I’m always bragging about your recipes to my family. I’ve made so many of your recipes and I even ordered your cook book. Theres lots of love and heartiness put into your meals. Anyway, I’m in the process of making your Browned Butter Rice Krispy treats. I don’t have mini marshmallows, but I have the large ones. Can I use those instead, and if so how much do need?

  2. 5 stars
    This just a brilliant idea! I made browned butter chocolate chips cookies and they are awesome. So this recipe is bound to be a winner!