Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Chewy Rice Krispies Treats with dried apples, caramel drizzle, and sea salt – an easy, kid-friendly no-bake dessert ready in 25 minutes!
Servings: 15 squares
Calories: 145kcal
Ingredients
- 5 cups crispy rice cereal gluten-free or original
- ½ cup butter unsalted
- 10 oz mini marshmallows more if you like to have more marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup dried apples finely chopped
For Topping
- caramel sauce or dulce de leche to taste
- flaky sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Melt the Butter & Marshmallows: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until smooth and fully melted. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Mix in the Cereal & Apples: Add the crispy rice cereal and chopped dried apples to the melted marshmallow mixture. Gently fold everything together until the cereal and apples are evenly coated.
- Press into the Pan: Prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. Transfer the mixture into the pan and press it down gently — don’t press too hard, or the treats will lose their soft, chewy texture.
- Add the Caramel & Salt: Drizzle caramel sauce evenly over the top of the treats. Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty finish.
- Let Set & Serve: Allow the treats to cool for about 30 minutes. Once set, cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t Overheat Marshmallows: Melt over medium heat and stir constantly. High heat can scorch the marshmallows, affecting flavor and texture.
- Gentle Folding: When mixing in Rice Krispies and dried apples, fold gently to avoid crushing the cereal and keep the treats light and airy.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: Press the mixture lightly into the pan. Pressing too hard will make the bars dense instead of soft and chewy.
- Custom Fruit & Mix-Ins: Swap dried apples for dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots for a fun twist.
- Caramel Drizzle Tip: Warm your caramel slightly before drizzling so it flows easily over the treats.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Make It Fun for Kids: Let kids sprinkle a little extra sea salt or colorful sprinkles on top before it sets for a playful, tasty touch.
Nutrition
Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.3mg