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August 4, 2026 Leave a Comment

The Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats

A caramel rice krispy treat held above more cut rice krispy treats.

 The Ultimate Chewy Caramel Rice Crispy Treats Recipe

The Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats have an extra special chew and taste like a fancy, gourmet cookie shop’s recipe. They are great for any time of the year, but especially in the summer. Since they don’t have chocolate that will melt, they’re perfect for a picnic, the lake, or an outdoor activity at a family reunion. However, if you really love chocolate, these Chewy Caramel Rice Crispy Treats with Chocolate Chips are the ones my Mom would make for our family reunions.

Chewy caramel rice crispy treats cut into squares sitting on brown parchment paper with two squares missing from the right corner.I saw a recipe for Rice Krispies Treats, and thought, “That’s interesting. They sound like the Rice Krispies Treats my mom makes.” So I adapted my mom’s recipe by removing the chocolate chips, adding a little bit of salt, and vanilla extract. Let me tell you: they were a big hit with the family!

Everyone has a way to make Rice Krispies Treats; they are either crunchy or chewy. Over the years, I have perfected the art of making excellent Rice Krispies Treats. Give me a box of Rice Krispies, and I can make something delicious with it. I hope you like these treats as much as my family and I do.

More Treats Perfect for Summertime

  • Caramel Corn Puffs
  • No-Bake Peanut Butter Corn Flake Treats
  • Fruity Pebble Treats
  • Classic No-Bake Cookies
  • No-bake S’more Krispy Treats
  • Snicker Bar Rice Krispies Treats

Step-by-Step Photos for How to Make the Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispies

9-photo picture collage of step-by-step photos of how to make the Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats.

A closeup of two caramel rice crispy treats stacked on top of each other on a dark blue small plate with white polka dots.Tips for Making The Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats

  • Reserve 1/4 of the bag of mini marshmallows to mix in at the end. Makes them pretty and extra chewy.
  • Make sure to melt the caramels and marshmallows on medium-low heat. If you melt the marshmallows at too high a heat, the sugars will cook too far and make the Rice Krispies Treats more crunchy than chewy. The lower the temp, the softer the Rice Krispies Treats. I find that medium-low makes them have the perfect chew and the perfect marshmallow pull.
  • Don’t skip adding 1/4 tsp salt. This might sound crazy, but once you taste the way the salt enhances the overall flavor, you will never be able to go back to Rice Krispies Treats without salt. Promise!
  • I usually use a store-bought package of caramels, but if you want to take it over the top, use homemade caramel. You’ll love it!
  • You’ll be one step closer to chewy goodness using an 11-ounce package of caramel bits instead of the individually wrapped caramels.

Two-photo Pinterest picture of The Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats with the text of the title in the middle, separating the two photos.Chef’s Tools for The Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispies:

  • Parchment Paper
  • Cooking Spray
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Caramels
  • Sweetened and Condensed Milk
  • Vanilla Extract

Pinterest picture for The chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats with the text of the ingredients at the bottom with the text of the title directly above the ingredients list.

If you love the Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats, you'll love these...

A glass 9x13 dish of cut Rice Krispie Treats with one piece held above by a hand.The Best Rice Krispie TreatsCaramel-Rice-CrispiesCrazy Good Caramel Rice CrispiesChewy Caramel Rice Crispy Treats with Chocolate Chips

Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
25 mins
 
With an extra special chew, these Rice Krispies Treats taste like a fancy, gourmet cookie shop's recipe. They're perfect for a summer picnic, taking to the lake, or a family reunion.
Author: Maria, slightly adapted from Chewy Caramel Rice Crispy Treats with Chocolate Chips
Recipe type: Dessert/Rice Crispy Treats/After-School Snack
Serves: 18-20
Ingredients
  • 9 cups rice crispy cereal
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 (11-ounce) package caramels
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (16-ounce) bag of mini marshmallows
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
  1. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Unwrap the caramels and place them in a bowl. Measure out 9 cups of rice crispy cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
  3. In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter and caramels with the sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly until they are completely melted.
  4. Next, add ¾ of the package of marshmallows and stir until combined. (Set aside the remaining marshmallows for later.)
  5. Add the vanilla extract and salt to the marshmallow mixture, stirring constantly until all the marshmallows are melted and smooth.
  6. Remove from the heat and pour in the rice crispies. Mix until well coated.
  7. Next, let the mixture cool for 15 minutes or so, and then add the remaining marshmallows. Mix until distributed.
  8. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, and with buttered hands, evenly spread and press the mixture down to make it as even as possible.
  9. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
  10. Enjoy!
3.5.3251

Rice Krispie Treats You've Gotta Try!

A Rice Krispies Treat being held by two hands beginning to pull it apart. In the background there are a few servings of the treats sitting on small white plates.Amazing Samoa Rice Krispie TreatsCut peanut butter Rice Krispie treats stacked on each other on a round dark blue with white polka dots Polish pottery plate. In the bottom left corner are several mini marshmallows. In the upper right corner is a metal spoon with peanut butter and mini marshmallows surrounding it.Peanut Butter Rice Krispie TreatsA few cut sweet and salty rice Krispy treats stacked in the middle with single squares of sweet and salty rice Krispy treats surrounding the stack.Sweet and Salty Rice Krispies

Pinterest picture of The Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats with the text of the title at the top.

Other Caramel Rice Krispies Treats Recipes
  • Toasted Coconut Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
  • Caramel Rice Crispy Treats
  • Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats

After School Snacks, Desserts, Fourth of July, Gluten Free, Halloween, Holiday, Main Categories, Maria's Favorites, More, New Year's Eve, Quick and Easy, Quick and Easy Desserts, Recipes, Rice Krispy Treats, Seasonal, Summer
The Chewiest Caramel Rice Crispy Treats
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