Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats

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Would you believe that I didn’t like the packaged Rice Crispy Treats as a kid? Even back then, the taste was way too sweet for me.

But I remember the first time I saw homemade rice crispy treats made right in front of me. It felt almost magical how quickly they came together.

This Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats recipe is that same simple concept, just elevated.

The brown butter transforms them into something much more flavorful without making the process any more complicated.

Sprinkle of Science

Ingredient Notes

Brown Butter: This is where the magic happens. Browning the butter creates a nutty aroma and amber milk solids that deepen the flavor dramatically. Use a stainless steel pan so you can clearly see the color change.

Mini Marshmallows: Freshness matters. Stale marshmallows will produce hard bars. The marshmallows provide both sweetness and structure.

Vanilla Extract: Don’t skip this! It enhances the marshmallow flavor and complements the nuttiness of the butter. To elevate, try using vanilla bean paste (same amount).

Crispy Rice Cereal: Any brand works, but make sure it’s fresh. Stale cereal leads to stale-tasting treats.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade Rice Crispy Treats

Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats are an upgraded version of the classic no-bake dessert made with crispy rice cereal and marshmallows. Instead of plain melted butter, this version uses browned butter to add a nutty, caramelized depth of flavor.

The result? Thicker, gooier, chewier bars that taste far less artificial than the packaged kind:

How to Make Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats (Step by Step)

1. Prepare the Pan

Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or grease with butter. Doesn’t matter if it’s glass, ceramic, or metal, though metal will give you straighter edges.

2. Brown the Butter

In a large stainless steel pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
It will become foamy and begin to crack and pop.

Once the crackling stops, continue swirling the pan. Brown bits will form at the bottom and the butter will smell nutty.

When the bits are amber in color — about 2 to 3 minutes after the popping stops — it’s ready.

3. Melt the Marshmallows

Immediately add the marshmallows, vanilla, and salt. Reduce the heat to low. Stir constantly until fully melted and smooth.

Use gentle heat here — too much heat can make the final bars hard instead of chewy.

4. Add the Cereal

Remove from heat and add the rice cereal. Stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until evenly coated.

5. Press Into Pan

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press gently into an even layer using your spatula or damp fingers.

Do not aggressively pack it down. Press firmly enough to bind, but gently enough to keep the texture chewy.

6. Cool

Allow to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour before cutting into 12 squares.

Baking Success Tips:

• Use a stainless steel pan so you can see the butter browning properly. Avoid nonstick.
• Don’t stir the butter constantly you want brown bits to form. Be sure to scrape those into the mixture for optimal flavor.
• Use fresh marshmallows and fresh cereal for best texture.
• Melt marshmallows over low heat to prevent scorching or hard bars.
• Press the mixture gently into the pan — packing too tightly leads to dense treats.

Storage & Make Ahead

These Rice Crispy Treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Do not refrigerate. Refrigeration makes the marshmallows firm and the bars hard.

Freezing is not recommended, as the texture becomes very hard. If needed, freeze airtight with wax paper between layers and thaw overnight at room temperature — but these are best fresh.

How to Make

Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats

4.99 from 154 votes

Yield: 12 large bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cooling time: 1 hour hr

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Review Print

These Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats are crispy, gooey, and deeply flavorful. An easy upgrade that everyone will love!

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Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter
• ▢ 2 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows*
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 9 cups (225 grams) crispy rice cereal**

Instructions 

• Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or grease with a stick of butter.
• Melt butter in a large stainless steel pan over medium-low heat. Continue to cook the butter, swirling the pan occasionally. It should become foamy and crack and pop audibly. When the crackling stops, continue to swirl the pan until the butter develops a nutty aroma and brown bits start to form at the bottom. Once the bits are amber in color, 2 to 3 minutes after the popping stops, add the marshmallows, vanilla, and salt to the pan. Reducing the heat to low, stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat.
• Add the rice cereal and stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until the cereal is evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan, pressing the mixture gently with your spatula, wooden spoon, or damp fingers into an even layer. Don’t be too aggressive pressing the mixture into the pan. You want to be firm enough to bind the mixture together, but not so firm that you compress it super solidly. The more tightly you pack it in, the more solid the end result will be once set. Be a little gentle so they stay chewy once set.
• Allow to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cut into 12 squares before serving. Squares can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Show us!If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a picture and share it on Instagram with #handletheheat so we can all see!

Recipe Notes

* Make sure your marshmallows are fresh. Stale, hard marshmallows won’t result in nice, chewy bars.

** Any brand is fine, but be sure the cereal you use is fresh. Stale cereal will make for stale-tasting Rice Crispy Treats. 

To make a half-batch of Rice Crispy Treats, simply divide all ingredients in half and use an 8×8-inch baking pan. 

Adapted from the Flour cookbook.

More Sweet Treats You’ll Love:

• Milano Cookies
• Oatmeal Cream Pies
• Homemade Fudge Rounds
• Homemade Oreo Cookies
• Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts
• Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

This post was originally published in 2012 and updated in 2022 with new photos. Photos by Joanie Simon.