This Banana Bread Rice Krispie Treats recipe yields banana bread-flavored rice krispie treats made with real bananas, crunchy banana chips, brown butter, toasted marshmallows and cinnamon. A touch of milk powder and molasses really brings that authentic malty brown sugar banana bread flavor. These flavored rice krispies are a perfect way to use up two ripe bananas!
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I am always on the hunt for new desserts to use up ripe bananas. While I love banana muffins, cookies and quick breads, I wanted something even quicker and no bake. I often play around with flavor variations on a childhood favorite: the rice krispie treat, but it's never turned out THAT good that I felt compelled to share it here. Until now! I sent these banana rice krispie treats to work with Cody and multiple coworkers said it was the best rice krispie treat they ever had.
A few years ago I developed a banana bread cheesecake that includes real banana bread blended into the batter. While I loved the authentic flavor, for something like a rice krispie treat that's supposed to be quick and easy I didn't want to ask folks to do the work of making banana bread before they even got started. I also didn't want to use artificial banana flavoring. So, to get that authentic banana bread flavor I use real fresh bananas (cooked down to drive off excess moisture), banana chips, cinnamon, molasses, brown butter and milk powder. I also added a caramel component to add to the malty notes.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- This is a no-bake recipe to use up ripe bananas!
- All of the little flavor hacks make for an authentic banana bread flavor.
- The banana chips add even more texture than the crispy rice cereal for a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
- Ripe bananas flavor the rice krispie treats.
- Mini marshmallows are the gooey base that holds the cereal together.
- Banana chips bring extra crunch. Try to find banana chips with the least amount of added sugar possible to prevent these from becoming too sweet.
- Rice cereal is the main crunchy component.
- Unsalted butter provides richness and moisture.
- Kosher salt and vanilla extract balance the overall flavor.
- Cinnamon and milk powder bring classic banana bread flavor.
- If you're making the caramel from scratch, you'll also need brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup, heavy whipping cream and more butter.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and variations
Here's how to customize this banana bread rice krispie treats recipe to your liking:
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- No caramel — omit the caramel without issue.
- Dairy-free — swap for dairy-free butter and omit the milk powder. Skip browning the butter and just melt it. Consider using coconut caramel in place of the dairy caramel.
- Chocolate chips — mini or regular semisweet chocolate chips would be a great addition. Let the marshmallow mixture cool before adding them to prevent melting.
- No banana chips — swap for freeze-dried bananas, but note they may become soggy after storing.
- More spices — a touch of nutmeg or cardamom would also be great in these.
This recipe has not been tested with any substitutions or variations. If you try any, please let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
How to make Banana Bread Rice Krispie Treats Step-By-Step
Step 1: Place the bananas in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mash the banana thoroughly and cook down for 5 minutes or until the majority of the moisture has cooked off. Remove the reduced banana paste to a small bowl.
Step 2: Dump the marshmallows onto a sheet tray. Toast them with a kitchen torch, or place in the oven under the broiler, keeping a close eye. Set aside.
Step 3: Add the butter to a large nonstick pot. Place over medium heat. Once melted, add the milk powder and continue cooking until the milk solids are browned. Immediately remove the pot from the heat and add the reduced banana paste.
Step 4: Add the toasted marshmallows to the hot browned butter, stirring to melt. Place the large pot back on low heat, if needed. Once melted completely, remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, kosher salt and molasses. Taste for salt, and adjust as needed. Finally, add the rice cereal and banana chips.
Step 5: Add half of the rice krispie mixture to the pan and pat down with greased hands. Add as much caramel sauce as you want on top of the first layer.
Step 6: Add the remaining rice krispie mixture on top of the caramel and pat down with greased hands or a piece of parchment paper. Garnish with additional banana chips, if desired.
Top tips
- Use a really ripe banana for these! You'll get more flavor and sweetness from the ripest bananas.
- Use parchment paper to pat the rice krispies down to avoid sticky hands.
More recipes you'll love
Lastly, if you make this Banana Bread Rice Krispie Treats recipe be sure to leave a comment or give it a rating. I love to see when people make my recipes, so please tag me @youthsweets on Instagram if you post!
📖 Recipe
Banana Bread Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
Caramel filling (optional)
- 1 ½ cups thick caramel sauce* see notes
Banana bread rice krispie treats
- 2 very ripe medium bananas
- 2 10- ounce bags mini marshmallows (566g)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (170g)
- 3 tablespoon milk powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt half if using table salt
- 1 tablespoon molasses optional
- 9 cups rice cereal (270g)
- 1 cup banana chips chopped coarsely (87g) plus more for topping
Instructions
Do ahead
- Grease a 9x13-inch pan with butter and/or line with parchment paper.
Cook down the banana
- Place the bananas in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mash the banana thoroughly and cook down for 5 minutes or until the majority of the moisture has cooked off. Remove the reduced banana paste to a small bowl.
Toast the marshmallows
- Dump the marshmallows onto a sheet tray. Toast them with a kitchen torch, or place in the oven under the broiler, keeping a close eye. Set aside.
Brown the butter
- Add the butter to a large nonstick pot. Place over medium heat. Once melted, add the milk powder and continue cooking until the milk solids are browned. Immediately remove the pot from the heat and add the reduced banana paste.
Add the mix-ins
- Add the toasted marshmallows to the hot browned butter, stirring to melt. Place the pot back on low heat, if needed.
- Once melted completely, remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, kosher salt and molasses. Taste for salt, and adjust as needed.
- Finally, add the rice cereal and banana chips and stir to combine.
Layer
- Add half of the rice krispie mixture to the pan and pat down with greased hands.
- Add as much caramel sauce as you want on top of the first layer.
- Add the remaining rice krispie mixture on top of the caramel and pat down with greased hands.
- Garnish with additional banana chips, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published 9/17/2026.
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