If you're looking for a way to make classic Fourth of July Rice Krispie treats feel a little more special, try these Brown Butter Patriotic M&M Rice Krispie Treats. The browned butter is the secret ingredient. It only takes a few extra minutes, but it adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes these treats taste like they came from a bakery. Combined with gooey marshmallows and festive red, white, and blue M&M's, these patriotic bars are a fun twist on a childhood favorite that both kids and adults will be reaching for all holiday weekend.
💕 Why You'll Love These Patriotic M&M Rice Krispie Treats:
- Extra soft and gooey texture
- Loaded with patriotic M&M's
- Easy enough for kids to help make
- No baking required
- Perfect make-ahead dessert
- Great for BBQs, picnics, and parties
- Stays soft for days
If you love this recipe, you'll also need to try my Summertime Cooler and Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Puppy Chow
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Instructions:
How to Brown the Butter:
- Place the butter in a large, light-colored pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Melt the butter, stirring occasionally.
- Continue cooking for 4–6 minutes, stirring frequently.
- The butter will foam, then you'll notice golden brown specks forming on the bottom of the pan and a rich, nutty aroma.
- As soon as it smells toasted and the milk solids are golden brown (not black), reduce the heat to low.
2. Immediately add about 14 ounces of the mini marshmallows to the browned butter and stir until melted.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla (and sea salt if using).
3. Fold in the Rice Krispies cereal.
4. Let the mixture cool for about 2 minutes before stirring in:
White chocolate chips (optional)
Remaining mini marshmallows
1 cup M&M's
5. Press gently into a prepared 9×13-inch pan.
6. Top with the remaining M&M's and sprinkles.
7. Let cool completely before cutting.
Make Ahead Tips:
These can be made up to 2 days ahead.
Store tightly covered at room temperature.
Storage Instructions:
Counter: 3–4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped squares for up to 6 weeks.
Do not refrigerate! They'll become too firm.
⭐️ Delicious Variations:
🎂 Birthday Party Version
Swap the patriotic M&M's and sprinkles for rainbow-colored candies and rainbow jimmies to make these perfect for birthdays.
🎃 Seasonal Swap
Keep the base recipe the same and simply switch the M&M's and sprinkles for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, or fall colors to enjoy these treats all year long.
🎆 Fireworks Finish
Drizzle the cooled treats with melted white chocolate and top with edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles for a festive "fireworks" look that's perfect for Fourth of July celebrations.
FAQs:
1. Why are there little brown specks in my Rice Krispie treats?
Those brown flecks are the toasted milk solids from the browned butter—and they're the secret to the rich, nutty flavor! Be sure to scrape every bit into the marshmallow mixture because that's where all the delicious flavor is.
2. Why did my chocolate chips melt instead of staying whole?
The marshmallow mixture was still too hot. Let it cool for 2–3 minutes before folding in the chocolate chips and M&M's so they keep their shape and create pockets of chocolate throughout the treats.
4. What's the secret to bakery-style Rice Krispie treats?
The three biggest secrets are using browned butter, reserving some mini marshmallows to stir in at the end, and gently pressing the mixture into the pan instead of packing it down. These simple tricks create soft, gooey treats with incredible flavor.
5. Can I make these into dessert bars for a party?
Yes! Press the mixture into a parchment-lined pan, let it cool completely, then drizzle with melted white chocolate and top with extra M&M's, sprinkles, and a pinch of flaky sea salt. They look beautiful on a dessert table and are easy for guests to grab.
Recent Recipes:
Browned Butter Patriotic M&M Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- Large Dutch Oven or Heavy-Bottomed Pot Ideal for browning the butter and melting the marshmallows evenly.
- Light-colored saucepan (optional) Makes it easier to see when the butter has perfectly browned.
- Silicone Spatula Perfect for gently folding the cereal and candies without crushing them.
- 9×9-inch baking pan Creates thick, bakery-style Rice Krispie treats.
- pastry brush Handy for lightly greasing the pan or spatula to prevent sticking.
Ingredients
For the Browned Butter:
- 6 tablespoon salted butter
For the M&M Rice Krispie Treats
- 1 16 oz bag mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (optional, especially if using unsalted butter)
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal I used the seasonal red, white, and blue
- 1½ cups red, white, and blue M&M's, divided
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
- Patriotic sprinkles
Instructions
How to Brown the Butter:
- Place the butter in a large, light-colored pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Melt the butter, stirring occasionally.
- Continue cooking for 4–6 minutes, stirring frequently.
- The butter will foam, then you'll notice golden brown specks forming on the bottom of the pan and a rich, nutty aroma.
- As soon as it smells toasted and the milk solids are golden brown (not black), reduce the heat to low
For the M&M Rice Krispie Treats:
- Immediately add about 14 ounces of the mini marshmallows to the browned butter and stir until melted.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla (and sea salt if using).
- Fold in the Rice Krispies cereal.
- Let the mixture cool for about 2 minutes before stirring in:Remaining mini marshmallows1 cup M&M'sWhite chocolate chips (optional)
- Press gently into a prepared 9×9-inch pan.
- Top with the remaining M&M's and sprinkles.
- Let cool completely before cutting.
Notes
Pro Tips for the best browned butter:
- Use a light-colored pan if possible so you can easily see when the butter has browned.
- Don't walk away. Browned butter can go from perfect to burnt in less than a minute.
- Keep every browned bit. Those toasted milk solids are packed with flavor. scrape them into the marshmallow mixture.
- Wait a minute or two before adding the M&M's so their candy shells stay colorful.
- If you love a hint of salty-sweet flavor, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the top just before serving.
