This post contains affiliate links.
Gourmet salted chocolate rice krispie treats feel fancy but are so easy to make! Crispy rice cereal and gooey marshmallows combine beautifully with decadent dark chocolate and sea salt. It's a glorious mixture of sweet and salty. Next time you crave a decadent treat but don't want to put in the effort, give them a try!
Jump to:
Ingredients
For this gourmet dessert recipe, you'll start with the essential ingredients of a rice krispie treat:
- Crispy Rice Cereal
- Marshmallows
- Butter
Then you add in the fancy ingredients:
- Chocolate (preferably semi-sweet)
- Sea Salt
A Note on Salt
Sea Salt typically comes in two different varieties: "fine" and "course." The difference between the two is how large the salt grains are. Fine is smaller and course is larger. Both work for this recipe, and the type you use depends on your taste preference. The course sea salt packs a saltier punch, and you may want to use a little bit less.
Sea Salt flakes are also an option. They add a bit of crunch to the gourmet rice krispies and have a more delicate flavor. They are my personal favorite.
Here's some links if you're having trouble finding them.
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Jacobsen Salt Co. Pure Flake Sea Salt
Buy Now →As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you. Thanks for supporting The Incredible Bulks.
Step By Step Guide
- Lightly spray a 9x9 or 9x13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Using a 9x9 pan will result in thicker but fewer Rice Krispie squares. A 9x13 pan will result in more squares, but they will be thinner.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the cereal, chocolate chips, and sea salt.
- In a pot on the stove, melt butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the entire bag of marshmallows. Stir occasionally until the marshmallows are completely melted, too.
- Pour melted marshmallow butter over the cereal combination. Stir until just combined. (The more stirring, the more the chocolate will melt. You want to preserve as much of the whole chocolate chips as possible.
- Pour rice krispies into the prepared pan. Use a piece of parchment paper to press the mixture into the pan. Lightly sprinkle the top of the Krispies with additional sea salt.
- Allow to cool in pan for 1 hour before slicing into squares or bars. (If you can wait that long! Cooling allows the Krispies to solidify into bars, but they are delicious warm and gooey if you can't wait).
Tips and Tricks for Perfecting Gourmet Rice Krispie Treats
The perfect texture in Rice Krispie treat squares can elevate them from ordinary to extraordinary. Here are some tips to get that ideal balance between chewy and crispy:
- Use Fresh Marshmallows: Old or stale marshmallows don't melt as smoothly and can make the crispy treats dry or overly dense.
- Low and Slow Melting: Melt the marshmallows over low heat to prevent them from caramelizing or hardening. Rushing this step with high heat can make the marshmallow mixture too stiff.
- The ratio of Marshmallows to Cereal: If you prefer softer, gooier treats, increase the amount of marshmallows relative to the cereal. For a firmer texture, stick closer to the traditional recipe proportions.
- Gently press the Mixture: When transferring the mixture to the pan, gently press it down with a buttered spatula or wax paper. Don't press too hard; the treats may become too compact and dense.
Serving Presentation
The flavor of these rice krispie treats is gourmet. Here are some ideas for how to present them in a fancy way.
Uniform Squares or Rectangles
- How: Cut the treats into even squares or rectangles with a sharp knife. To make clean cuts, spray your knife with non-stick cooking spray or rub it with a bit of butter between slices.
- Presentation: Stack them neatly on a platter or arrange them in a grid pattern for a classic, polished look.
Cookie Cutter Shapes
- How: Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes like hearts, stars, or circles. Press the cookie cutter firmly and twist slightly to release the shape.
- Tip: Dip the cookie cutter in a bit of oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Presentation: Arrange the shapes on a tray lined with parchment paper or stand them upright in a decorative tin for a festive display.
Rice Krispie Treat Pops
- How: Insert lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks into individual treat squares or shapes. You can then dip or drizzle them with colorful icing.
- Presentation: Stand the treat pops in a tall jar or arrange them on a foam board wrapped in decorative paper for a playful, kid-friendly setup.
Mini Rice Krispie Treat Bites
- How: Press the mixture into mini muffin tins to create bite-sized treats. Let them set, and then pop them out for easy, grab-and-go servings.
- Topping Ideas: Add a dollop of frosting, a drizzle of caramel, or a piece of fruit on top of each mini bite for an elegant finish.
- Presentation: Serve in mini cupcake liners or arrange in a tiered dessert stand for a stunning display.
Decorative Touches
- How: Use edible gold leaf, colorful drizzles, and themed sprinkles to add some fun finishing touches to the presentation of your gourmet rice krispie treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can absolutely use margarine instead of butter in Rice Krispie treats! The substitution works well and provides the right texture to bind the cereal and marshmallows together.
Margarine is often used as a dairy-free alternative and can give the treats a slightly different flavor, but it will still result in delicious, chewy squares.
Yes, you can use whatever type of chocolate you prefer in these chocolate Rice Krispy treats. However, dark (or semi-sweet) chocolate pairs so well with sea salt, and that is what I recommend.
There are several reasons your gourmet rice krispy treats could be hard:
Stale marshmallows: Old or stale marshmallows don't melt as smoothly and can make the treats dry or overly dense.
High Heat: Melt the marshmallows over low heat to prevent them from caramelizing or hardening. Rushing this step with high heat can make the marshmallow mixture too stiff.
The ratio of Marshmallows to Cereal: If you prefer softer, gooier treats, increase the amount of marshmallows relative to the cereal.
Pressing the mixture too hard: Gently press it down with a buttered spatula or wax paper when transferring it to the pan. Don't press too hard; the treats may become too compact and dense.
1. Use a sharp knife. To make clean cuts, spray your knife with non-stick cooking spray or rub it with a bit of butter between slices.
2. You will also get a cleaner cut if you wait until the Rice Krispies have cooled down to slice them
Yes, rice krispies can be left out for up to 3 days in an airtight container. See the section in this post about storage for more information about refrigerator and freezer options.
Storage
Proper storage is essential to keep your gourmet chocolate rice krispie treats fresh and maintain their perfect chewy texture. Here's how to store them effectively:
Room Temperature Storage
- Airtight Container: Place the treats in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. You can layer them in the container, placing wax paper or parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking.
- How Long They Last: Rice Krispie treats will stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored at room temperature.
Refrigerator Storage
- Airtight Container: If you prefer to keep them in the fridge, store the treats in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing any odors or moisture from other foods.
- Softening Tip: Rice Krispie treats may harden slightly in the refrigerator. To soften them, let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving.
- How Long They Last: In the fridge, Rice Krispie treats can last up to 1 week, but they may lose some of their chewy texture.
Freezer Storage
- Wrap and Freeze: To freeze Rice Krispie treats, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Thawing: When ready to enjoy, remove the treats from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They should be just as chewy and delicious as when you first made them.
- How Long They Last: Rice Krispie treats can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
I hope you love these rice krispie treats as much as I do! I love how easy they are to make, but it tastes like some real effort went into them. Make them for your next party or gathering because, trust me, it's dangerous to have a whole pan of these lying around in your kitchen.
✌️ Ems
Recipe
Salted Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 10 oz bag of mini marshmallows
- 6 cups rice krispie cereal
- 1½ cups chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Lightly spray either a 9x9 or 9x13 inch pan* with non stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cereal, chocolate chips and sea salt.
- In a pot on the stove, melt butter over medium high heat. Once melted, add the entire bag of marshmallows. Stir occasionally until marshmallows are completely melted too.
- Pour melted marshmallow butter over the cereal combination. Stir until just combined. (The more stirring, the more the chocolate will melt. You want to preserve as much of the whole chocolate chips as possible.
- Pour rice krispies into prepared pan. Use a piece of parchment paper to press the mixture into the pan. The more pressing the better! Lightly sprinkle the top of the krispies with additional sea salt. Allow to cool in pan for 1 hour before slicing into squares. (if you can wait that long! cooling allows the krispies to solidify into bars, but they are delicious warm and gooey if you can't wait).
Emily
This recipe looks incredible! I love to make chocolate rice crisps but never made them gourmet like this before!
Emily xx
http://www.underthescottishrain.com
Tamara
These looks delicious!
Elizabeth Newman
Wow, these look amazing.
Chenée
OMG I can't wait to try these! I love Rice Krispies treats but the chocolate just bumps them up another level!