Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
I’m back with another delicious, surprisingly easy fall themed sweet treat that I just know you’re going to love! These salted caramel rice krispie treats are everything you love about the classic, leveled up for fall. They’re gooey, buttery, sweet, and finished with a drizzle of warm caramel and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
I’ve also included plenty of ideas for customizing these treat bars and making them your own, like adding a chocolate drizzle (because chocolate is always a good idea) to adding crushed graham crackers for a cozy s’mores inspired vibe.
Perfect for Halloween parties, after-school treats, or just cozy nights in when you want something nostalgic with a twist. You’ll love how easy they are to make, how crowd-pleasing they are, and how that salty-sweet combo keeps everyone coming back for seconds. Bonus: no oven required!
Ingredients
Want to grab the printable recipe card? You’ll find it at the bottom of this post! It covers ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
- Unsalted butter: Keeps things rich and buttery—unsalted gives you better control over the final flavor, especially when adding flaky salt on top.
- Mini marshmallows: The classic glue of any good Rice Krispie treat. Make sure they’re fresh—stale marshmallows don’t melt as well. Save a handful for topping at the end!
- Rice Krispies cereal: The star of this show. Stick to the classic brand if you can—it holds up best and gives that signature crunch.
- Caramel melts: These make the caramel layer super easy—no candy thermometer required. I use about two-thirds in the base and melt the rest to drizzle on top.
- Flaky sea salt: Don’t skip this! It balances the sweetness and gives every bite that perfect sweet-salty finish. A little goes a long way.
How To Make Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
- Line a 9×13” baking dish with foil and give it a light mist of nonstick spray so everything pops out easily later.
- In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once it’s melted, stir in about two-thirds of the caramel melts along with a good pinch of flaky sea salt. Keep stirring until everything is smooth and glossy.
- Add in the mini marshmallows (save a small handful for the top!) and stir until melted and gooey.
- Take the pot off the heat and quickly fold in the Rice Krispies. Stir until every last piece is coated in that caramel-marshmallow goodness.
- Scoop the mixture into your prepared pan. Let it sit for a minute or two (it’ll be hot!), then lightly coat your hands with nonstick spray and press it into an even layer.
- Let the bars cool at room temp. Once set, top with those reserved mini marshmallows.
- Melt the remaining caramel and drizzle it right over the top. Sprinkle with flaky salt while the caramel is still warm so it sticks.
- Once everything’s set, lift the foil out of the pan and slice into bars. Done and done!
Variations
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Chocolate Drizzle: Melt semi-sweet or dark chocolate and drizzle it over the caramel for a Twix bar vibe.
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Peanut Butter Swirl: Mix ¼ cup peanut butter into the marshmallow mixture for a nutty, salty-sweet twist.
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Brown Butter Base: Brown the butter before adding the caramel and marshmallows for an extra layer of rich, nutty flavor.
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Espresso Kick: Add ½ teaspoon espresso powder to the caramel mix for a subtle mocha twist (pairs great with a chocolate drizzle).
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Toasted Marshmallow Topping: Use a kitchen torch or pop under the broiler briefly to toast the marshmallows on top before drizzling with caramel.
Ideas for Mix-Ins
You can stir in some fun mix-ins to make these bars your own. Crushed pretzels add a salty crunch that pairs perfectly with the caramel, while mini chocolate chips melt slightly into the warm mixture for gooey chocolate pockets. Toffee bits give a sweet, buttery depth, and crushed graham crackers bring cozy s’mores vibes. Just wait a few minutes after removing the mixture from the heat so your chocolate or other mix-ins don’t melt completely—unless that’s the look you’re going for!
Serving Ideas
Bring a tray to Halloween parties, autumn bake sales, or school events—they’re easy to make ahead and always a crowd-pleaser. Cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters for a festive twist (and eat the leftovers yourself!), or wrap individual squares in wax paper and tie with twine for the cutest fall-themed party favors. They’re also great for Thanksgiving dessert tables when you want something sweet and nostalgic that doesn’t require a fork. Pair with hot apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes for the ultimate cozy combo.
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- 5 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 (11 oz) bag caramel melts
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Line a 9x13” baking dish with foil and give it a light mist of nonstick spray so everything pops out easily later.
- In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once it’s melted, stir in about two-thirds of the caramel melts along with a good pinch of flaky sea salt. Keep stirring until everything is smooth and glossy.
- Add in the mini marshmallows (save a small handful for the top!) and stir until melted and gooey.
- Take the pot off the heat and quickly fold in the Rice Krispies. Stir until every last piece is coated in that caramel-marshmallow goodness.
- Scoop the mixture into your prepared pan. Let it sit for a minute or two (it’ll be hot!), then lightly coat your hands with nonstick spray and press it into an even layer.
- Let the bars cool at room temp. Once set, top with those reserved mini marshmallows.
- Melt the remaining caramel and drizzle it right over the top. Sprinkle with flaky salt while the caramel is still warm so it sticks.
- Once everything’s set, lift the foil out of the pan and slice into bars. Done and done!
If you make these salted caramel rice krispie treats, I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below and don’t forget to leave a star rating—it helps more people find this sweet and salty little treat. And if you’re bringing them to a party, fair warning: they disappear fast!
