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Vegan rice krispie treats are light and crispy, sticky-sweet, and gooey! The easy recipe is made with only 5 ingredients including marshmallows, vegan butter, and brown rice crisps cereal. They are no-bake, dairy-free, gluten-free friendly, and made with one pot. These cereal dessert bars are even better than the original Kellogg’s snack!

a stack of three vegan rice krispie treats with a bite taken out of the top one

The best vegan rice krispie treats

These Vegan Rice Krispie Treats are a Kellogg’s copycat recipe, but even better than the classic! They are perfectly light and crispy, yet soft and gooey. They have a rich vanilla flavor and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. Somehow, each bite is better than the last.

Rice krispie treats are such a nostalgic snack for me. Finding that shiny blue wrapper in my school lunch box was always a treasured surprise! If you’ve never made them from scratch before, you’ll be surprised by how ridiculously simple it is. Since everyone enjoys a good rice krispies bar, they make a great option for parties, potlucks, and celebrations.

This easy cereal dessert is made with only 5 ingredients. We’ll melt vegan butter, marshmallows, vanilla, and salt together in one pot on the stovetop. Then, we’ll gently stir in crispy rice cereal and press it into a pan. It’s effortless and takes just 10 minutes. The hardest part, truly, is waiting an hour for them to cool before slicing.

Also, it’s super easy to customize these cereal bars. Feel free to stir in a mix-in, like a handful of chocolate chips or rainbow sprinkles. Alternatively, drizzle melted chocolate or white chocolate over the top. And if you love desserts with cereal, you’ll want to try my Birthday Cake Rice Krispie Treats and Vegan Scotcheroos (Special K Bars) next!

These rice krispie treats are:

  • Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free friendly
  • Crispy, sticky-sweet, and gooey
  • Made with only 5 ingredients
  • An easy no-bake dessert with cereal
  • Made with one pot on the stovetop
  • Better than the original!
vegan rice krispie treats on white parchment paper

What are rice krispie treats made of?

  • Rice Krispies cereal: Use classic Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal or a healthier brand of brown rice crisps cereal. See the FAQ below for more information about gluten-free varieties.
  • Marshmallows: Use soft, pillowy, fresh marshmallows for the best texture. Do not use a stale bag. If you are vegan, make sure they do not contain gelatin. I recommend the Dandies brand.
  • Vegan butter: Since the recipe calls for 1 stick (1/2 cup), it’s easiest to use that kind. I love the Earth Balance brand.
  • Vanilla extract: The rich vanilla flavor comes from a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
  • Salt: Add a pinch of salt to elevate the overall sweetness.
bowls of ingredients for homemade vegan rice krispie treats

How to make vegan rice krispie treats

For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

First, line a 9×9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some of the paper hanging over the edges. Lightly spray with oil.

melted vegan butter in a large pot
In a large pot, melt the vegan butter over medium-low heat.
vegan marshmallows in a large pot
Add marshmallows. Stir together just until the marshmallows are melted through. Do not overcook them.
melted vegan marshmallows and butter in a pot
Remove pot from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
rice krispies cereal in a pot with melted marshmallows and butter
Add rice krispies cereal to the pot.
a silicone spatula mixing rice krispies treats inside a pot
Gently fold together, evenly coating all of the cereal.
vegan rice krispie treats in a square baking dish
Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Using a silicone spatula, press it across the dish in an even layer. Set aside to cool for 1 hour. Slice and enjoy!
a stack of three vegan rice krispie treats

Tips for making the best homemade rice krispies treats

Do not use old marshmallows. Stale marshmallows do not melt down as easily as fresh marshmallows. Try to grab a bag that is super soft and pillowy!

Be patient. It is important to slowly melt the marshmallows on the stovetop. Otherwise, you’ll burn the sugar and the rice krispies will become hard.

Vegan marshmallows do not melt as easily. It is important to remember that vegan marshmallows do not contain gelatin. Therefore, they don’t melt as easily as regular marshmallows. So, again, be patient with it. It’s totally fine if there are still a couple unmelted chunks that won’t combine.

Use parchment paper. Don’t skip this step. Otherwise, the bars will stick to the pan and it will be difficult to remove them.

Enjoy within 2 days. Rice krispies treats are known for their light and crispy, yet soft and gooey texture. Therefore, they are best enjoyed the same day you make them. I recommend enjoying within 48 hours for the tastiest treat.

a vegan rice krispie treat with a bite taken out of it

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Are Rice Krispies gluten-free?

No, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal is not gluten-free. The cereal contains malt flavoring, which is derived from barley. Barley is a grain that contains gluten.

Which brands of Rice Krispies are gluten-free?

Thankfully, there are many gluten-free versions of rice krispies cereal nowadays. You’ll have success looking for organic brown rice crisps cereal, which are typically made with just rice flour. I recommend One Degree Organic Foods Sprouted Brown Rice Crisps. Other options include Nature’s Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal and the 365 by Whole Foods Market brand.

Is puffed rice the same as rice krispies?

No, these are two different things. Puffed rice is unsweetened, soft, and puffy. On the other hand, rice krispies (also known as brown rice crisps) are lighter, crispier, and sweeter. This texture is essential for making homemade rice krispie treats, so don’t swap this key ingredient!

Which marshmallow brands are vegan?

Since marshmallows typically contain gelatin (an animal byproduct), they are not suitable for a strict vegan diet. If you are vegan, I recommend using the Dandies brand or Trader Joe’s brand.

Can I use regular butter and marshmallows?

Yes! If you are not dairy-free or vegan, feel free to use dairy butter and regular marshmallows for this recipe.

Why did rice crispy treats get hard?

If you overcook the melted marshmallows, you will burn the sugar. As a result, the treats will become hard. Make sure you slowly melt the marshmallows to avoid this.

How to store homemade rice krispie treats

Store rice krispie treats inside a sealed container at room temperature. Enjoy within 2-3 days.

a stack of three vegan rice krispie treats with a bite taken out of the top one

More vegan desserts with cereal

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a stack of three vegan rice krispie treats with a bite taken out of the top one

Vegan Rice Krispie Treats

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  • Author: Kaylie Grace
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 16 treats 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop, Mix
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This vegan rice krispie treats recipe is an easy cereal dessert! They’re crispy, sticky, sweet, and gooey all at once. The recipe is no-bake, dairy-free, and gluten-free friendly. These copycat Kellogg’s cereal bars are made with only 5 ingredients including marshmallows, vanilla, and brown rice crisps. Made in 10 minutes with one pot, it’s a nostalgic dessert for kids, parties, potlucks, and more!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Instructions

  1. Line a 9×9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some of the paper hanging over the edges. Lightly spray with oil.
  2. In a large pot, melt the vegan butter over medium-low heat. Add marshmallows. Stir together just until the marshmallows are melted through. It is important to slowly melt them; do not overcook the marshmallows or your rice krispies treats will become hard. Once they are melted, immediately remove the pot from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
  3. Add rice krispies cereal to the pot. Gently fold together, evenly coating all of the cereal.
  4. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Using a silicone spatula, press it across the dish in an even layer.
  5. Set rice krispies aside to cool for one hour. After, slice into 12 or 16 squares. Enjoy!

Notes

  • How to store: Store rice krispie treats inside a sealed container at room temperature. Enjoy within 2-3 days.
  • How to make them gluten-free: Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal contains malt flavoring, which is not gluten-free. Therefore, use gluten-free brown rice crisps cereal instead. I listed several recommendations in the FAQ.
  • If you are not dairy-free or vegan, you can use regular dairy butter and regular marshmallows for this recipe.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 treat
  • Calories: 157
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Fat: 5g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1g

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