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    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    Caramelized Puffed Rice

    Published: Jul 9, 2022 · Modified: Aug 6, 2022 by Shilpi & Etienne · 1 Comment

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    If you are looking for a crunchy texture for your next dessert, make these perfectly crispy, caramelized puffed rice flakes! They work wonders on ice creams, in cereals or as a dessert topping!

    Growing up, my favourite breakfast was Rice Krispies with cold milk and sugar. I loved the crunchy texture of the little flakes and the funny popping sound they made when milk was poured over.

    So, you can imagine how excited I was, when I discovered how to make these caramelized puffed rice.

    Caramelized Puffed Rice in a bowl

    They are easy to make and can be used to spruce up any dessert! Tossed in sugar syrup and then caramelized in a pot until golden brown in colour, they are ready in less than 20 minutes!!

    Sprinkle over your favourite ice creams, mousse like desserts, fruits or even hot chocolate, there are endless ways of using them! Similar to popcorn, we sometimes even snack on them! No wonder kids love them too!

    The 3 ingredients you need

    That's right, you only need only three ingredients to make this recipe:

    Puffed Rice or better known as rice krispies, is the main ingredient that is easily available in supermarkets.

    Ingredients to make Caramelized Puffed Rice

    Sugar white caster sugar works best. But you could use honey or maple syrup however I haven't tried either yet.

    Water to make the sugar syrup.

    The steps

    FIRST let's make the sugar syrup.

    Measure the water and sugar and combine in a pot.

    Sugar and water in a pot

    Bring to a simmer and reduce the mixture until you see the bubbles forming, getting smaller and smaller. Note, we are not making caramel so if your sugar syrup changes to an amber colour, stop right away because we don't want that!

    Making sugar syrup in a pot

    Wait for the sugar-water mix to turn into a syrup. Swirl the mixture in the pan to check the consistency, it will be thicker than when you started, that's when you know it's ready to use!

    SECOND, add this sugar syrup to the puffed rice.

    Adding sugar syrup to puffed rice

    Have a bowl with the puffed rice ready to go (weighed as per recipe).

    Pour the sugar syrup over the top and mix well with a wooden spoon.

    Mixing sugar syrup with puffed rice in a bowl

    LASTLY, we caramelize the puffed rice. To do that, simply add the puffed rice in a wide pot or pan and place on medium heat.

    Adding puffed rice with sugar syrup to a pan

    Stir with a wooden spoon. You will see the sugar syrup on the rice starts melting and caramelizing in the pot.

    Adding puffed rice with sugar syrup to a pan

    This is the moment you constantly stir the puffed rice until it turns golden brown.

    caramelizing puffed rice in a pan

    Have a cooling wire rack lined with a silpat or baking paper ready. Now, transfer the caramelized puffed rice onto it and within few minutes, it will be ready for snacking.

    Caramelized Puffed Rice on silpat

    If you want to use the puffed rice to sprinkle over a dessert, its best to spread out the mixture when transferring from the pan to the silpat. Make sure you leave some space between the flakes.

    Caramelized Puffed Rice on a silpat

    But if you prefer a more chunky garnish, then you do not need to spread out the flakes too much. Leave them close, so that they stick to each other!

    Caramelized Puffed Rice

    FAQ's

    how do you store puffed rice?

    To keep them crispy, it is important to let them cool completely. Once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You could also try adding a few grains of raw rice or silica packs to keep the moisture out.

    can I make larger quantities?

    You can double the recipe but I wouldn't go further than that. Rather make two batches to get a good result.

    is puffed rice gluten free?

    Unfortunately not. You might think it is but malt is used to make krispies, plus it contains barley.

    can I make gluten free rice puffs?

    Yes you can. There are many options for gluten free puffs. Most health stores keep quinoa, buckwheat or amaranth that work well.

    Other flavours to add

    While making the sugar syrup, you can add any flavour you like, preferably in the form of powder:

    • cinnamon powder
    • cocoa powder
    • matcha powder
    • cardamom powder

    Other creative or rather adventurous options can be chilli, curry or five spice powder.

    What to use them for

    We sprinkled this crunchy garnish over our chocolate bavarian cream dessert (see picture below). Puffed rice is the perfect topping for not only desserts but also savoury dishes.

    Caramelized Puffed Rice

    Here are some of our favourites, that we sprinkle on:

    • chocolate mousse and coffee granita
    • dulce de leche verrine with caramelized banana
    • Ile flottante with vanilla sauce
    • fig salad with balsamic dressing
    • roasted pumpkin with miso

    This puffed rice recipe is sure to be a hit with kids and adults! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

    Caramelized Puffed Rice

    Caramelized Puffed Rice

    Shilpi & Etienne | between2kitchens
    If you are looking for a crunchy texture for your next dessert, make these perfectly crispy, caramelized puffed rice flakes!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Condiment, Snack
    Cuisine Western
    Servings 130 grams (4.6 oz) puffed rice
    Calories 96 kcal

    Equipment

    • mixing bowl
    • small pot
    • wide heavy bottom pot or pan
    • cooling wire rack
    • silpat or baking paper
    • wooden spoon or spatula

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 50 gram puffed rice (rice krispies)
    • 50 gram caster sugar
    • 150 millilitre water

    Instructions
     

    • Place the puffed rice in a bowl and set aside.
    • In a small pot, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce the sugar water until small bubbles form and the liquid has turned into a thick syrup (avoid the sugar syrup turning into caramel).
    • Pour the sugar syrup over the puffed rice and mix well with a wooden spoon.
    • Add the puffed rice into a wide, heavy bottom pan and place on medium heat.
    • The sugar on the rice will start melting and caramelizing in the pot. Keep stirring while the puffed rice slowly takes on a brownish colour.
    • When the puffed rice has caramelized enough, transfer to a cooling wire rack lined with a silpat or baking paper.
    • If you want to use it for sprinkles, spread out the rice leaving space between the flakes. But if you prefer a more chunky garnish, keep them close together so they stick to each other.

    Notes

    Storing Puffed Rice
    To keep them crispy, it is important to let them cool completely. Once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You could also try adding a few grains of raw rice or silica packs.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Caramelized Puffed Rice
    Amount Per Serving (40 g)
    Calories 96 Calories from Fat 3
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 0.3g0%
    Sodium 68mg3%
    Carbohydrates 23g8%
    Fiber 0.1g0%
    Sugar 14g16%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 832IU17%
    Vitamin C 8mg10%
    Calcium 2mg0%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @between2kitchens or hashtag #between2kitchens
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sven

      September 24, 2022 at 6:50 am

      5 stars
      So crunchy delicious and easy to make.

      Reply

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