Two updates:
1) Today I tried making
Guatemalan cobanero chili rice krispie treats. I made a half batch (so 1.5 T butter, 2 c mini marshmallows, 3 c rice krispies). I mixed in a scant teaspoon of the chili in with the melted butter-marshmallow mix before adding the cereal. The result was almost undetectable chili at the bite but a rewarding smokey aftertaste. My remedy was to sprinkle more cobanero over the finished treats (maybe .5-.75 teaspoon), and they were perfect.
As I've discovered using cobanero in cakes, you've really got to come in contact with it directly if you want to experience it as more than just residual smokiness (however lovely). I like the cobanero treats much better than the original curry. I don't know how easy it is to find cobanero around Chicago--my stash is from Guatemala--but if you can find it, get some and make rice krispie treats. I think I like the chili even better with rice krispies than I do in the flourless chocolate cakes I've been making.
2) May I introduce
Rice Krispie Treats Santander:

Santander wrote:I'd say go full-Adria on this and do a patatas bravas version with saffron, garlic powder, and paprika. They'd be beautiful, as well. Add crushed potato chips for additional texture and saltiness if you like.
I was really excited about this suggestion, though I thought it was one of those stupendous ideas with a relatively high chance of failure (at least in my kitchen). When I read it, I immediately thought, "Will I have to switch out my beloved marshmallows?" I also was sure I'd wimp out and avoid the garlic powder altogether (since I wasn't going to give up the marshmallows).
I stuck with it though, and I don't know what it is with this luck I've been having with savory rice krispie treats, but I basically got it on the first try. The recipe that follows reflects the slight improvements I would make for next time. First, I'd definitely add the saffron right after the butter melts. Tonight, I added the saffron after the butter
and marshmallows, and I feel like it got too suspended in the thick mixture. I moved it around, and it was fine, but I think it'd be better if it sat with the butter for 30 seconds before the addition of marshmallows. Another change I'd make (again, reflected in the recipe below) is that I'd not be so afraid of the garlic powder. I used it very sparingly tonight, and I wish I could taste more of it in the end product. Finally, I would use real Spanish paprika for sprinkling. All I had was some generic Whole Foods stuff. I think paprika with more personality would just nudge these treats up another level. A final brief note about the crushed potato chips...absolutely brilliant. Brill-i-ant.
These are the
best rice krispie treats I have ever had. The Violet Hour should serve them. Thank you, thank you, Matt.
Rice Krispie Treats Santander1.5 T butter
Pinch crumbled saffron threads
2 cups mini marshmallows
.75 t garlic powder
3 c rice krispies
1-1.25 c broken potato chips
a few pinches Spanish paprika
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the saffron and stir for 30 seconds. Add the marshmallows and melt completely. Remove the saucepan from heat. Add the garlic powder and mix well. Add the rice krispies and potato chips and mix until evenly coated. Press into an 8" square baking pan with a buttered spatula. Sprinkle treats with paprika and cool completely (if you can wait).