Vegan Rice Krispie Treats
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These vegan rice krispie treats are made with only five ingredients. The layer of chocolate on top makes them the perfect treat!
I have a little treat to share with you – gluten-free and vegan rice krispie treats!
Yup, you read that right… we’re making tasty rice krispie treats without marshmallows!
I basically grew up on these bars!
They were such a fun treat to have on hand and I remember making multiple batches to try to get the consistency just right – sometimes I heated the syrup mixture too long and the bars were rock hard and other times I didn’t heat enough and the bars basically fell apart!
Back when I was testing these as a kiddo I was using marshmallows and Karo Syrup, but this is an upgraded version with low glycemic brown rice syrup!
Don’t let the “healthified” ingredients scare you away. These treats are still SO delicious. I may or may not have eaten the entire pan by myself…
Vegan Rice Krispie Treat Ingredients
- brown rice crisp cereal – a gluten-free crispy cereal made from whole grain brown rice. You can find this in the cereal aisle at health foods store.
- almond butter – peanut butter or cashew butter works great too. Look for a brand with just two ingredients – nuts and salt. You don’t need the extra oil or sugar.
- brown rice syrup – a natural sweetener with a relatively low glycemic index. You can find brown rice syrup at most grocery stores now, but if you’re having trouble, check your local health food store.
- chocolate chips – I used Lily’s chocolate chips which are dairy-free and sugar-free, but still so delicious!
- coconut oil
How to Make Healthier Rice Krispie Treats
Prepare pan: Line a 8×8 or 9×9 square baking dish with parchment paper or coat well with oil. These bars are sticky!
Measure: Measure rice cereal and place in a large bowl. Set aside.
Heat: Place brown rice syrup and almond butter in a saucepan over low heat. Heat while stirring until mixture is combined and creamy, about 3 minutes. Don’t overheat or the mixture will start to harden.
Mix: Remove the syrup mixture from the heat and pour over the rice cereal and stir until all cereal pieces are well coated. Transfer the rice cereal mixture to the prepared baking dish and press down firmly with your hands.
Melt chocolate: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave using 30 second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips are melted. It should only take 1-2 minutes. Once melted, add chocolate on top of rice krispie treats and spread so it creates an even layer.
Let cool: Let cool in the fridge for 1 hour before cutting into squares and serving.
How to Store Leftover Rice Krispie Treats
Store any leftover treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you need to store for longer, these should freeze well for up to a month.
More Vegan Treat Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
- Chocolate Avocado Pudding
- Healthier Butterfingers
- Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies
- Homemade Samoas Cookies
- Vegan Chocolate Pie
- Homemade Tagalongs
Be sure to check out all of my dessert recipes here at EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Vegan Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 4 cups brown rice crisp cereal
- 1 cup natural almond butter, or peanut butter
- 1 cup brown rice syrup
Chocolate Layer
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, I used Lily’s
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a 9×9 or 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper or grease with cooking spray.
- Measure rice cereal and place in a large bowl.
- Place brown rice syrup and almond butter in a saucepan over low heat. Heat while stirring until mixture is combined and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and pour brown rice syrup mixture over the rice cereal and stir until all cereal pieces are well coated.
- Transfer rice cereal mixture to the prepared baking dish and press down firmly with your hands.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave using 30 second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until chips are melted. It should only take 1-2 minutes. Once melted, add chocolate on top of rice krispie treats and spread so it creates an even layer.
- Let cool in the fridge for 1 hour before cutting into squares and serving.
- Store leftover treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- The chocolate layer is optional, but totally delicious.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Trying to pick a brand of crisp cereal on Amazon. Appreciate any recommendations!
Hi Patty – Some of my favorite brands are: Barbara’s, One Degree and Nature’s Path.
Hope you enjoy this recipe!
I have a lot of allergies and unfortunately cant eat a lot of healthy foods. So i have been trying to find substitutes for the things i cannot eat. Do you have any substitute suggestions for coconut oil??
Hi, Jamey. Depending on your usage, I’d recommend another neutral oil like grapeseed oil or sunflower oil. I found this great resource, I hope it helps!
excellent post thank you for sharing
Does maple syrup work instead of brown rice syrup?
The brown rice syrup is nice and sticky which keeps the rice krispie treats to stay together. Maple syrup likely won’t hold together as well, so I wouldn’t recommend swapping it.
Date syrup?
Are you wondering if you can use date syrup instead of the brown rice syrup? I haven’t tried it, so I’m not 100% sure, but it is thicker than maple syrup so I bet it would work. Your rice krispie treats will likely just be darker in color since date syrup is darker. Let me know if you end up trying it and how they turn out!
Where do you buy brown rice cereal? I have never seen it
You should be able to find in the organic/natural section of most grocer stores. Some brands to look for: Barbara’s, One Degree and Nature’s Path.
Hi Brittany, I have made two batches of these Krispie treats. One was with the regular sprouted rice, and one was with the cocoa flavored sprouted rice. My friends LOVED the flavor with the cocoa. It was a hit! I have made so many of your recipes…all delicious!
Ohh!! This makes me so happy to hear. If you’re looking for something else to make with the cocoa sprouted rice, try these chocolate almond crispy bites. They’re soo good!
These look amazing, Britt!
Thanks Lee! <3
Hi!
Just want to mention that it’s SUPER helpful when you list nutrition information (including carbs, protein, and fat) for recipes like you did here!
I’m looking for a recipe to bring in to work and share, but I also want to be able to indulge without derailing my own gym/diet efforts. So THANK YOU and I hope you continue to do this when you post recipes 🙂
Hi Jessie! Thank you for the feedback. I’ve been adding nutritional info for all my recipes for past year or so. Some of the old recipes don’t have nutritional info, but I’m working on adding it for all my recipes because I know it’s helpful! If you ever come across a recipe here on EBF that doesn’t have the nutritional info, just ask and I’ll calculate it for you!! Have a lovely weekend!
Oh man, these are so good! I have made something similar and used CHOCOLATE rice crisp cereal!
is it possible to substitute maple syrup for brown rice syrup? that’s the only ingredient i’m missing in my kitchen right now 🙁
Hi Anna! You can definitely try using maple syrup, but they may not hold together as well because brown rice syrup is definitely thicker and stickier than maple syrup. Let me know if you try it. 🙂
I love rice krispy treats, and these seem like a delicious, “healthified” version! Thanks 🙂
For some reason, those look so good right now! It’s exactly what I have been craving, I just couldnt figure it out!
AND THEY WERE SO GOOD. Best birthday ever!
I was really trying to make them last, but I ate my last one on Friday. 🙂 I think I need to make another batch. And you’re right — I’ll never be upset with you for healthifying. 😉
Loooove you!
It is so nice to see rice crispy treats without marshmallows in them. Thanks for sharing!
Sure this is yummy, but doesn’t this has too much carbohydrates in it?
Droooooling! Would love to try making these!!
I love that you used “healthifying” because it’s the best “word” ever! Ha!
Who doesn’t love a rice crispy treat?! And especially when they’re all good for me! 🙂 Pinned!
I HAVE to make these. My husband is a rice krispy treat fiend, but I never make them because they’re so unhealthy. He’s going to be so happy!
Yum! These sound wonderful – I’ve been majorly craving Rice Krispy Treats lately. Will definitely have to give these a try 🙂
These look great, Brittany! I usually use maple syrup in my baking too, but I love the idea of the brown rice syrup. Thanks for sharing and happy belated birthday to Alyssa!
How healthy is brown rice syrup in comparison to maple syrup for example? I’ve never heard of it before! 🙂