Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Bars

Imagine this: the nostalgia of your favorite childhood treat, but with a grown-up twist that makes your taste buds do a little happy dance. Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Bars are the ultimate indulgence, blending the classic crispy, chewy texture you know and love with a decadent layer of buttery caramel that’s just the right amount of sweet and salty. These bars aren’t just a snack; they’re an experience. Whether you're whipping them up for a special occasion or simply treating yourself because you deserve it, these bars are a delightful reminder that sometimes, the simplest things really are the best—especially when they’re taken to the next level with a drizzle of golden caramel.

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Bars Photo By: Pinch of Yum

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Bars

Recipe from Pinch of Yum

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 15–20 bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup lightly packed light brown sugar

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

• 2 teaspoons flaky sea salt

• 10-ounce package miniature marshmallows (16 ounces for extra gooey!)

• 12-ounce box of Rice Krispies or crispy rice cereal (about 11–12 cups)

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add sugar and whipping cream; stir to incorporate. It will take a minute, but as it heats, you’ll start to see a smooth, creamy caramel mixture form. Heat over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, until you have a slightly thickened caramel sauce that coats the back of a spoon.

3. Remove from heat and stir in the salt. Taste and adjust for more salt if you want.

4. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted.

5. Stir in the cereal. Press mixture into a 9×13 pan. You might have a little bit of extra that doesn’t fit in the pan – perfect for a little snack, if you ask me.

6. Cool slightly, cut into squares, and enjoy! You can eat these at room temperature, but I also love them in the refrigerator! They stay excellently tight, compact, and yet still soft and chewy as they thaw. For some reason that cold, crispy, buttery texture is just really enjoyable. 

Notes from Recipe Developer

• You don’t want to boil the caramel mixture excessively, otherwise you’ll end up with firm caramel instead of soft caramel once the bars cool. I’d recommend just keeping the caramel over low heat and heating it just enough to get it incorporated and slightly thickened.

• Personally I don’t like to store these at room temperature for more than a few hours because of the cream in the caramel sauce. You can let them hang out on the counter for a bit before you serve, but then I usually pop the leftovers into the fridge for some cold, crunchy magic.