Gooiest Brown Butter Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats

These homemade rice krispie treats are gluten-free, made with brown butter for a deep, slightly salty gourmet flavor, and use one easy trick to avoid that rock-hard, compressed texture no one wants to disappointed by. Just pure gooey softness in a quick no-bake gluten-free bar.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 7

Total Time 12

Servings

Author Melissa Erdelac

Ingredients

8 ½ cups gluten-free crispy rice cereal (see recipe notes for brands)
12 tablespoons unsalted butter
Two-10 ounce bags mini marshmallows divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Measure out the cereal, set aside 2 cups of the mini marshmallows, and gather the remaining ingredients. Reserve the butter wrapper for later use.
8 ½ cups gluten-free crispy rice cereal
For easy removing and cutting, line a 9 X 13-inch pan with two large pieces of foil, criss-crossed. Press the foil up the sides and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Brown the butter by melting it in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted watch carefully and stir occasionally so butter doesn't burn. First the butter will foam, then the milk solids will start to settle at the bottom. Watch for the milk solids from white to turn brown. Once that happens, immediately remove from heat.
12 tablespoons unsalted butter
Add the remaining marshmallows (with the 2 cups set aside), vanilla extract, and salt. Place the pot back over low heat and stir continuously until the marshmallows are melted and smooth. Remove from the heat.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
Stir in the cereal and the reserved 2 cups of mini marshmallows until evenly mixed. It is okay if the added marshmallows start to melt. That is what makes these rice crispy treats so gooey!
Use the spatula to spoon into the prepared pan. Use the butter wrapper to press the mixture evenly, but do not press so hard they are compacted, making them hard to eat.
Let the bars cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. If you are ready to serve, lift the foil out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to cut into squares. If you plan on serving later, leave the bars in the pan and cover securely with foil until ready to serve.

Notes

Gluten-free Rice Krispies brands

Important note: If you come across another brand that is not listed, look for MALT FLAVOR OR BARLEY on the ingredients label and avoid for gluten-free! My preferred brand is Aldi, but Wegman's store brand, and Malt-O-Meal are also GF. Nature's Path, Back To Nature, Erewhon, Barbara's Brown Rice Cereal and One Degree Sprouted Brown Rice Crisp Cereal are also safe to use.

Dairy-free rice modification

Instead of butter, use plant-based butter sticks, such as Earth Balance butter sticks. Since dairy-free butter does not contain milk solids, skip the browning step and instead just melt the butter.

Recipe adapted from Once Upon a Chef

Nutrition