Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats are a buttery sweet and salty version of the classic crispy treat. It doesn’t take any longer to make rice krispie treats with caramel, but the difference in flavor is astounding. You’ll love this no bake dessert recipe!

titled: Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats


 

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

There’s something extra special and irresistible about soft, chewy marshmallow treats.

When you make a batch for a party or potluck, don’t expect to have anything but an empty pan to take home! 

I decided to put a twist to the classic dessert by adding caramel bits to the mix. Who knew one extra ingredient could make such a big difference??

Extra gooey, extra chewy, and the perfect balance of salty and sweet — kids and adults of all ages love them.

This salted caramel rice krispie treat recipe moves quickly, so be sure to have all of your tools and ingredients ready to go.

You won’t have time to stop and measure once the marshmallows and butter are melted.

And if you’re a fan of caramel desserts, be sure to also make our recipe for no-fail caramel sauce.

It’s the perfect topping on a slice of ice cream bread or to drizzle over brownies and blondies.

ingredients for salted caramel rice krispie treats recipe

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Unsalted Butter – If all you have on hand is salted butter, go ahead and use it but reduce the amount of additional salt by at least ¼ teaspoon.
  • Mini Marshmallows – These melt faster, easier, and more evenly than standard-size marshmallows.

    If you use the larger ones, it’s best to cut them in half or in quarters before melting.

    Need a gelatin-free marshmallow substitute? Dandies is a brand of vegan marshmallows that not only tastes like real marshmallows but melts perfectly too!
  • Caramel Bits – Find these in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips. They’re little rounds of caramel that melt perfectly into these salted caramel rice krispie bars.
  • Rice Crispy Cereal – Use the name-brand cereal or your favorite version. There are even gluten-free rice cereals available that work perfectly in this recipe.

    Whichever you choose, be sure to use a fresh package. Stale rice cereal will make your treats hard to chew.
  • Kosher Salt – This puts the “salted” in our salted rice crispy treats! Sea salt is the next best substitute, but do not use table salt or they’ll taste way too salty.
melted marshamllows and caramel

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Rice Krispie Treats with Caramel

  • Use low heat to melt the marshmallows.

When the temperature of the burner is too high, the marshmallows will melt but then seize up and become rock-hard.

It’s okay, though — there is a solution! Just turn down the heat to low, and after a minute or two, the marshmallows will begin to soften and melt again.

  • Keep your hands clean.

Melted marshmallows are very sticky, so I like to spray a silicone spatula with non-stick cooking spray and use that to gently press the cereal mixture into an even layer.

But if you prefer to use your hands, spray those instead or rub them with a little butter.

Just be careful not to press down too hard or your salted caramel rice crispy treats will be tough.

  • Make slicing super easy.

Line your pan with foil before greasing it. Once your treats are set, you can lift them straight out of the pan!

Peel the foil away from the edges, then press a large, sharp knife straight down through the salted caramel rice krispie treats for clean, straight cuts.

You may need to wipe the blade every few cuts since it can get gunked up with the marshmallows and caramel.

rice krispies added to marshmallow mixture

Prep Ahead

  • Grease baking dish
  • Measure out all the ingredients

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

  • 9×13 Baking Dish – This set is one of my favorites! It comes with a lid for easy storage and is great for casseroles too.
  • 8 Quart Stock Pot – Or any large pot you have on hand!
  • A sturdy Silicone Spatula can be used for scraping, stirring, and smoothing your salted caramel rice krispie treats and is easy to clean too!
pressing salted caramel rice krispie treats in baking dish

Storing Salted Caramel Rice Crispy Treats

Keep these at room temperature so they stay soft. We always finish them all way before they go bad, but it’s best to eat them within a week.

Rice krispie treats with caramel will harden in the refrigerator, so it’s best not to store them there.

However, you can speed up the setting process by refrigerating the pan of salted caramel rice krispie bars for about an hour. Then, store them on the counter after slicing.

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Bars FAQ

Can I make a smaller batch?

Absolutely. Simply divide this salted caramel rice krispie treat recipe in half, then use an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan.

Or, keep everything the same and use a smaller pan for extra thick bars! Note that it will take a bit longer for them to set if they are thicker.

Why are my rice krispie treats hard?

The more you press the cereal mixture into the pan, the harder and denser your treats will be.

Salted caramel rice crispy treats, in particular, are meant to be soft and airy. Spread the mixture evenly into the pan, then gently press it into an even layer without pushing down too much.

Why are my krispie treats falling apart?

Too much butter is almost always the culprit — the ratio between butter and marshmallows needs to be just right.

Slice the stick of butter into smaller chunks to help it melt faster and more evenly, and be sure it’s completely melted before adding the marshmallows and caramel bits.

If you followed the recipe exactly and your salted caramel rice krispie treats are still too loose, you may not have pressed them enough into the pan.

slicing salted caramel rice krispie treats

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

 Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter Pinterest | Instagram


stacked salted caramel rice krispie treats

Other Easy Dessert Recipes

stacked salted caramel rice krispies treats

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

Donna Elick
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats are a buttery sweet and salty version of the classic crispy treat. You’ll love this no bake dessert recipe!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Stovetop
Servings 24

Ingredients
 

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 stick
  • 20 ounces mini marshmallows, about 11 cups, divided
  • 11 ounce bag caramel bits
  • 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Spray a 9″x13″ baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Melt butter in a large ( 8 quart) pot over medium-low heat. Once butter is completely melted, add 7 cups of marshmallows and the caramel bits. Stir to combine. Stir occasionally until the marshmallows, and caramels melt completely.
  • Once the mixture is smooth and combined, add the cereal and salt. Stir to combine. Add the remaining 4 cups marshmallows. Stir until combined.
  • Scoop into your prepared baking dish. Gently press into your baking pan. The more you press them down, the denser they become. I love light and airy, ooey-gooey treats. So, press gently.
  • Cut treats and serve. Enjoy!

Donna’s Notes

To make an 8″x8″ or 9″x9″ pan, simply divide the recipe in half.
I spray a silicone spatula with non-stick spray to gently press treats into an even layer, and it keeps the treats in the pan and not sticking to my spoon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 194cal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 294mg | Sugar: 23g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 3mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats - PIN

Originally Published January 2021, updated and republished February 2025

The Simple Kitchen cookbook affiliate linked banner

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

17 Comments

  1. Hi there! I could have sworn I've been to this blog before but after looking at a few of the posts I realized it's new to me.

    Anyhow, I'm definitely happy I stumbled upon it and I'll be book-marking it and checking back
    regularly!

    1. Hi Shelbie! Sorry for the inconvenience, the link is now posted above. Have a great day!

    1. Absolutely the best ever!! I made them today . A huge hit. Easy and decadent my favorite things. Chock full of flavor. Will be making them again.

    1. Kraft makes them. They’re actually called Caramel Bits, a bag of little balls of caramel, “unwrappped for easy melting.” I can only find them at Walmart in my area.

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe was AMAZING! I am so happy I came across this. It is definitely going into the recipe box. My kids loved it so much that they got caramel all over my carpet. Thank goodness for carpet cleaners! Thanks for sharing this and can’t wait to get another recipe from your site!

  3. The best Rice Krispies I ever made. I could not find caramel bits so I used Werther’s Original Chewy Caramel 5oz bag and it was just the right amount of sweetness.

  4. If you can’t find caramel bits by Kraft, you can use 1 bag of Kraft caramels. They will take longer to melt but Google says one bag of caramels equals one bag of caramel bits.

  5. I use parchment paper to press them down in the dish. You get no sticky on your hands and it doesn’t stick to the treats either. I also line the dish with the paper.Then all you do is lift the paper out of the dishon the table and cut them. No mess at all.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating