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Home » Recipes » Extra's

M&M Rice Krispie Treats

February 4, 2022 by brooke 7 Comments

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These M&M rice krispie treats are sweet, chewy and so easy to make. Loaded with some extra's like chocolate M&M's, brown butter, pretzels and salt takes them to a whole new level!

M&M rice krispie treats cut and scattered

These M&M rice krispie treats are a perfect quick and easy to make treat that everybody can enjoy! Once you try one you'll never be able to stop making them.

If you're looking for more desserts loaded with candy, try my candy bar cookies, peanut butter snickers cheesecake or my chocolate rolo cookies.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THESE

Quick & Easy- These can be made in about 15 minutes or less, and they're easy enough to have kids help out with!

Sweet & Salty- Adding the flaked salt and pretzels helps balance out the sweetness from the marshmallows and chocolate.

Crunchy & Chewy- By adding the pretzels and M&M's you get some nice crunch alongside the chewy marshmallows.

M&M's and pretzels surround the rice krispie treats

INGREDIENT NOTES

  • Butter- Browning the butter gives these an upgraded flavor without much more work since you're ready melting the butter in a saucepan.
  • Salt- While this isn't required if you don't love things salty, the little bit helps balance the sweetness.
  • Marshmallows- I prefer to use mini marshmallows because they melt quicker and easier.
  • Pretzels- Adding these gives these treats an extra crunch.
  • M&M's- Plain works best because of the size, and the candy coating helps them not to melt when mixed into the warm rice krispies.
Ingredients needed to make M&M rice krispie treats

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Here is how to make these quick and easy treats!

STEP 1: Brown the butter. You'll take 6 tbsp. of butter and melt in a medium saucepan, and then continue to cook past the point of boiling. You will do this over low-medium heat, past the point of the butter foaming, until it turns a nice golden brown, and has a nutty smell.

STEP 2: Melt marshmallows. Turn off heat and add marshmallows, vanilla and salt to pan and stir until marshmallows are completely melted.

browned butter in saucepan
marshmallows added
marshmallows melted

STEP 3: Rice Krispies and Pretzels. Remove from heat and add rice krispies and pretzels and and stir until completely coated. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes to cool down just a bit.

adding rice krispies
adding pretzels
all combined

STEP 4: Add M&M's. Add M&M's and stir until combined throughout.

STEP 5: Placing in pan to set. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Press down firmly to create and even layer and compact rice krispie treats. Top with a bit more M&M's, pretzel bits and flaked salt.

STEP 6: Cool. Set aside to allow to set up and cool completely before serving.

adding M&M's
pressing down with wax paper
adding more toppings
all set

EXPERT BAKING TIPS

Using mini marshmallows is best as it allows the marshmallows to melt quicker and more evenly.

I like to use wax paper when pressing on the top of the rice krispie treats, so that they do not stick to my hands or spatula. A firm press will allow the treats to be more compact.

Plain M&M's work best for these as they are small and have a nice crunch outer shell. When using larger filled M&M's it makes them harder to cut and eat.

M&M rice krispie treats stacked on top of each other

FAQ

Why did my rice krispie treats turn out hard?

It is important to use fresh, soft marshmallows. When you use ones that are too hard and stale this will affect the texture of your treats.

How long should rice krispie treats cool before cutting?

You should allow your rice krispie treats to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. They will not only have a better texture, but will also taste better.

How do I keep my M&M's from melting?

Allowing your rice krispie treats to cool for about 5 minutes before adding the M&M's will keep them from cracking and melting. You can also store your M&M's in the fridge before using.

cut up M&M rice krispie treats with pretzels and m&m's around them

STORING AND FREEZING

M&M rice krispie treats will remain fresh for 3-4 days if stored at room temperature in an air tight container.

Freezing in an air tight container will allow them to remain fresh for 3 months. Allow to come to room temperature before eating.

OTHER RECIPES TO TRY WITH BROWN BUTTER

Brown Butter Coffee Toffee Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Peach Crisp

Make sure to leave a star review below!

For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment below if you make them and love them as much as I do.

M&M rice Krispie treats cut into squares.

M&M Rice Krispie Treats

brooke
These M&M rice krispie treats are sweet, chewy and so easy to make. Loaded with some extra's like chocolate M&M's, brown butter, pretzels and salt takes them to a whole new level!
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 256 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 tablespoon butter
  • 10 oz mini marshmallows
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon flaked sea salt
  • 4 cups rice krispie cereal
  • 2 cups pretzels broken up
  • ½ cup M&M's plain

Instructions
 

  • Spray an 8x8, or slightly smaller, pan with cooking spray and set aside. Can also line with parchment paper.
  • Start by browning the butter. You'll take 6 tbsp. of butter and melt in a medium saucepan, and then continue to cook past the point of boiling. You will do this over low-medium heat, past the point of the butter foaming, until it turns a nice golden brown, and has a nutty smell. Make sure you are stirring and watching it, because it will turn from perfectly brown to burnt fairly quickly.
  • Turn off heat and add marshmallows, vanilla and salt to pan and stir until marshmallows are completely melted.
  • Remove from heat and add rice krispies and pretzels and and stir until completely coated. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes to cool down just a bit.
  • Add M&M's and stir until combined throughout.
  • Pour mixture into prepared pan. Press down firmly to create and even layer and compact rice krispie treats. Top with a bit more M&M's, pretzel bits and flaked salt.
  • Allow to cool/set completely before serving.

Notes

I use a 6x8 pyrex container with a lid when I make these. The slightly smaller container allows for a taller rice krispie treat. But use whatever size you have on hand! 
You can skip the pretzels and add another 1 ½ cups of rice krispie cereal if preferred.
I've tried these using chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and butterscotch chips also and they are great. I just prefer the crunchy coating of the M&M's. 
These will remain fresh for 3-4 days if kept in an airtight container.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 293mgPotassium: 33mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 815IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 4mg
Keyword brown butter, m&m's, pretzels, rice krispie treats, rice krispies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gretchen

    February 05, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    5 stars
    The brown butter and flakes salt is a GAMECHANGER!! WOW! These are fantastic and my new go-to party treats. (Or Saturday night on the couch by myself.) Thanks for the awesome recipe!!

    Reply
    • brooke

      February 05, 2022 at 5:22 pm

      Yay!! I agree on the brown butter, and the bit of salt makes such a difference!! Thanks for trying them and leaving a review!

      Reply
  2. Kim

    February 05, 2022 at 6:03 pm

    5 stars
    These are delicious!!!! Perfect mix of sweet and salty! We all loved them!

    Reply
    • brooke

      February 05, 2022 at 8:42 pm

      Love that you agree! Thanks Kim!

      Reply
  3. Jody

    July 17, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    5 stars
    My new go-to for Friday nights with teenagers! They loved them. The pretzels and M&Ms are the perfect marriage to the buttery marshmallow mixture.
    Thanks for the tutorial on browning butter.

    Reply
    • brooke

      July 17, 2022 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you so much Jody! And so happy the butter tutorial helped as well!

      Reply
  4. Angela

    October 31, 2022 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    I don't why there are only a few reviews for this recipe! It is easy and DELICIOUS! This is my go-to treat for class parties and gatherings. Thank you for posting!

    Reply

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Welcome to the SALTED sweets! I am a self-taught baker, dessert lover, and mom of three. My hope is to share my love language of sweet and simple baked goods with you.

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