The 3-Ingredient Dessert Recipe that Made Me Rethink a Childhood Classic

Most of us can agree: Rice Krispies treats are delicious. They’re chewy, buttery, and full of delightful, sticky marshmallow globs that bind everything together—something that always delivers on all fronts.

As a food writer, though, I’m always looking for fun riffs to upgrade my desserts, even classics like Rice Krispies treats. I recently came a variation that stays close to the original recipe but reimagines how to treat the ingredients: butter, marshmallows, and crispy rice cereal. And those small shifts completely changed my perspective.

Instead of simply melting marshmallows, you flambé them. Instead of pouring in melted butter, you brown it first. Instead of just adding crispy cereal into the mix, you toast it. The result? A Rice Krispies treat with deep, caramel-like richness and sweet, smoky undertones.

Even if you’re loyal to the original recipe, I think this version might just win you over.

How to Make Toasted Rice Krispies Treats 

To deepen the flavor of the crispy rice cereal, toast it in the oven for a few minutes. Then spread mini marshmallows evenly on a parchment-lined sheet pan and broil them until the tops are just scorched. Meanwhile, brown the butter, add the toasted marshmallows, and combine everything. Then mix the marshmallow-butter sauce with the toasted crispy rice cereal. Then press the mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set. Afterward, slice into squares and serve. For the best chewy texture, let the bars come to room temperature before eating.

How to Upgrade Toasted Rice Krispies Treats

After trying this toasted method, I want to make them with Cocoa Krispies in the future. The chocolate version of crispy rice cereal would make these bars even more decadent. It also got me dreaming about mixing in Fruity Pebbles for a fun twist, too.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—it only calls for three ingredients!—but that doesn’t mean you have to stop there. Just about anything in your pantry can make this recipe your own: chocolate chips, chopped dried fruit, nuts, etc. Want to layer in some spice? Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth, or go in a more herbaceous direction with cardamom or ginger.

With just a few tweaks, this simple recipe becomes a customizable treat that you can elevate with whatever you have on hand.

Get the recipe: Toasted Rice Krispies Treats