These colorful M&M Rice Krispie treats are one of our all-time favorite treats. The brown butter and perfect amount of salt takes them to the next level. The best part is that they require only a few simple ingredients and take less than 15 minutes to make.
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Why You’ll Love These Cereal Treats
- They are an easy no-bake dessert that comes together in less than 15 minutes
- They are an elevated version of the classic rice krispie treats with the brown butter.
- They are gooey and packed with extra marshmallows.
- It's a fun dessert to take to a party and share with friends.
- You can customize them to whatever season you're in by using seasonal M&M's.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted butter - if you use salted butter, you will want to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to ¼ tsp. Our favorite butter is Kerrygold.
- Mini marshmallows - Mini marshmallows melt a lot easier than standard sized marshmallows.
- Kosher salt
- Rice Krispies Cereal
- M&M’s - you can use any candy-coated chocolates like the classic M&M candies or Unreal Chocolate Gems or Trader Joe's Chocolate Candies for a dye-free option.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large pot
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- 9x13 baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step by Step Directions
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Step 1: Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper or grease with butter to prevent sticking.
Add the butter to a large pot over medium-low heat.
Step 2: Let the butter melt and begin to brown. This will be a slow process; continue to stir the butter as it browns. The butter will bubble, become foamy, and then, shortly after, turn golden brown. Stir continuously as this process occurs. Once the butter is golden brown, remove the pan from the heat.
Step 3: Immediately add the salt and all but 1 ½ cups of marshmallows. Stir continuously until the marshmallows are melted and you have a smooth mixture. If the marshmallows aren’t fully melting, you can put the pot back on the stove over low heat.
Step 4: Once the marshmallows are fully melted, quickly add the Rice Krispies to the melted marshmallow mixture. Mix well until the Rice Krispies are fully incorporated into the marshmallow mixture. Next, add the M&M candies and the remaining 1 ½ cups of marshmallows and mix until just combined.
Step 5: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Use your hands to gently spread the Rice Krispie mixture into an even layer throughout the pan.
Step 6: Let the Rice Krispies set and cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can place the pan in the fridge to speed up the cooling time. Sprinkle lightly with flakey sea salt before serving, if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Don't overcook the marshmallow mixture or you will end up with hard rice krispie treats. Remove the pot from the stove once the butter is melted and let the hot butter slowly melt the marshmallows. Be sure to scrape any marshmallow off the bottom of the pot to prevent burning.
- Be patient when you're browning the butter. The butter is ready when you see brown bits at the bottom of the pan and it has a nutty smell.
- You can make a different version of M&M rice Krispie treats depending on the Holiday season. Pick up a bag of seasonal M&M's and easily make a fun treat for the holidays! You can also use a few sprinkles on top if desired.
- If you like your rice krispie treat mixture with less marshmallow, feel free to leave out the extra 1 ½ cups of mini marshmallows.
- Feel free to use mini M&M's as well. If you don't have M&M's, you can always leave them out or drizzle melted chocolate on the top of the rice krispie squares.
FAQ
Store any leftover rice krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also wrap them individually in plastic wrap.
Yes, these rice krispies are gluten-free. As always, ensure each individual ingredient you use meets your dietary needs.
If you like this rice Krispie treat recipe, check out a few of our other easy treats:
If you make these chewy m&m rice krispies treats, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished product—it makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!
Brown Butter M&M Rice Krispies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter*
- 20 oz mini marshmallows (about 11 cups) (reserve 1 ½ cups)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt* plus more for sprinkling on top
- 8 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
- 1 cup M&M Chocolate Candies
Instructions
- To prevent sticking, line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper or grease with butter.
- Add the butter to a large pot over medium heat. Let the butter melt and begin to brown. This will be a slow process; continue to stir the butter as it browns. The butter will bubble, become foamy, and then, shortly after, turn golden brown. Stir continuously as this process occurs. Once the butter is golden brown, remove the pan from the heat.
- Immediately add the salt and all but 1 ½ cups of marshmallows. Stir continuously until the marshmallows are melted and you have a smooth mixture.
- Quickly add the Rice Krispies. Mix well until the Rice Krispies are fully incorporated into the marshmallow mixture.
- Next, add the M&M’s and the remaining 1 ½ cups of marshmallows and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into the lined or greased 9x13 pan. Use your hands to gently spread the Rice Krispie mixture until it is evenly spread throughout the pan.
- Let the Rice Krispies set and cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can place the pan in the fridge to speed up the cooling time. Sprinkle lightly with flakey sea salt before serving, if desired. Store leftovers in an air-tight container at room temperature.
Notes
NUTRITION
The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB M&M Rice Krispie Treats."
The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
Emily B
These are a must try! The browned butter with m&m's is so so good!