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!

Stack of four rice krispie treats with a layer of chocolate on top.

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!

Two rice krispie treats topped with a layer of chocolate.

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
Close up photo of rice krispie treats topped with chocolate.

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.

Bowl of rice krispie mixture.

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.

Square dish with rice krispie treat mixture in it.

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.

9 squares of rice krispie treats topped with chocolate.

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.

Chocolate topped rice krispie treats on a white table top.

More Vegan Treat Recipes to Try

Be sure to check out all of my dessert recipes here at EBF!

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4.93 from 14 votes

Vegan Rice Krispie Treats

These healthy vegan rice krispie treats are made with only five ingredients. The layer of chocolate on top makes them the perfect treat!
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12

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

Serving: 1crispy treat | Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 73mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vegan rice crispy treat
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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29 Comments

  1. How healthy is brown rice syrup in comparison to maple syrup for example? I’ve never heard of it before! 🙂

  2. 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!

  3. Yum! These sound wonderful – I’ve been majorly craving Rice Krispy Treats lately. Will definitely have to give these a try 🙂

  4. 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!

  5. 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!

  6. 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!

  7. For some reason, those look so good right now! It’s exactly what I have been craving, I just couldnt figure it out!

  8. is it possible to substitute maple syrup for brown rice syrup? that’s the only ingredient i’m missing in my kitchen right now 🙁

    1. 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. 🙂

  9. 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 🙂

    1. 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!

  10. 5 stars
    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!

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

  11. 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??

    1. Hi Patty – Some of my favorite brands are: Barbara’s, One Degree and Nature’s Path.

      Hope you enjoy this recipe!