Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a boil.

Once boiling, let it cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes until it turns a light amber color.

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pecans.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice cereal with the pecan mixture. Stir until the cereal is evenly coated.

Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even baking.

Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.