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vegan and gluten-free chocolate rice crispy treats

Published: Feb 29, 2020 · Recipe by: Beth Klosterboer · This post may contain affiliate links.

If you love chocolate and are eating a vegan or gluten-free diet you can still enjoy chewy chocolate rice crispy cereal treats. These marshmallow treats are made using vegan and gluten-free cereal and marshmallows and coconut oil. 

vegan and gluten-free chocolate rice crispy treats stacked on top of each other

It’s so nice to know that you don’t have to forgo eating this favorite childhood snack if you have chosen a vegan lifestyle or if you have eliminated gluten from your diet. 

Ingredients:

  • 10 ounces vegan marshmallows (large Dandies Marshmallows)
  • 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil (or refined coconut oil or vegan butter)
  • 4 2/3 cups vegan and gluten-free chocolate crisp rice cereal

vegan and gluten-free marshmallows

Many vegan crispy treat recipes do not include marshmallows but that’s what most people love about a cereal treat and you don’t have to leave them out of your recipe. There are good vegan and gluten-free marshmallows on the market including Dandies All-Natural Marshmallows.

I actually really love these marshmallows. They have a wonderful marshmallow flavor. 

I love eating the fluffy puffs right out of the bag and had to buy extra bags just so I’d have enough to make these treats. 

Nature's Path Chocolate Koala Crisp Cereal and Vegan and gluten-free Dandies Marshmallows

The only downside to gelatin-free marshmallows is that they don’t melt quite like traditional store-bought marshmallows. I suggest using the large marshmallows instead of the minis but cutting them into four smaller pieces so they melt easier. 

Vegan Chocolate Crisp Rice Cereal

There are several vegan and gluten-free options when choosing your chocolate crisp rice cereal. 

I used Nature’s Path Organic Envirokidz Chocolate Koala Crisp Rice Cereal and I really enjoyed the taste and texture.   

Virgin Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil, or Vegan Butter

When testing my original vegan rice krispie treat recipe I made batches using vegan butter, refined coconut oil, and virgin coconut oil.

They all worked but everyone I shared the treats with agreed that those made with the coconut oil tasted the best. If you don’t mind a slight hint of coconut flavor you can use virgin coconut oil, otherwise use refined coconut oil. 

chocolate marshmallow vegan cereal treats

Stovetop method:

  • Cut the large marshmallows into 4 small pieces and place them in a saucepan.*
  • Add the coconut oil or vegan butter and set over low heat. 
  • Heat, stirring often until softened and somewhat melted.
  • Use the back of a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon to smash the marshmallows until they break down. 
  • Stir in the chocolate crisp rice cereal.
  • Then use your hands, cautiously as the marshmallows are hot, to fully combine the cereal and marshmallows together.
  • Gently pat the cereal mixture into an 8-inch or 9-inch pan that has been greased with your coconut oil or vegan butter.
  • Allow the treats to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into rectangles or squares.

blending chocolate rice crispy cereal with coconut oil and vegan marshmallows to make vegan chocolate cereal treats that are gluten-free too

Microwave Method:

  • Cut the large marshmallows into 4 small pieces.
  • Combine the marshmallows and coconut oil or vegan butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
  • Heat on high power for 30-second bursts of power, removing and stirring, until the marshmallows become very soft and look somewhat melted. This took about 90 seconds in my microwave.*
  • Use the back of a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon to smash the marshmallows until they break down. 
  • Add the chocolate crisp rice cereal and stir to begin to coat the cereal.
  • Then use your hands, cautiously as the marshmallows are hot, to fully combine the cereal and marshmallows together. Pulling the mixture apart then gently pressing it together. Repeat this process as needed. 
  • Gently pat into an 8-inch or 9-inch pan that has been greased with your coconut oil or vegan butter.
  • Give the cereal treats time to cool before cutting into squares or rectangles.

*I found that the Dandies Marshmallows did not fully melt like most marshmallows but they do blend with the cereal once they are softened. Heating them past the point where they were really soft did not help, so just heat them until they are easily smashable. 

Also, note that the larger marshmallows melted better than the mini marshmallows but to allow them to melt more quickly and evenly I cut them into 4 smaller pieces. 

 
chocolate marshmallow vegan cereal treats

Vegan and gluten-free chocolate rice crispy treats.

Beth Klosterboer
Crispy and chewy cereal treat bars made with all vegan and gluten-free ingredients including chocolate crisp rice cereal, marshmallows, and coconut oil.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 mins
Cook Time 2 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 132 kcal

Equipment

  • 8-inch or 9-inch square pan (greased with coconut oil or vegan butter)

Ingredients
  

  • 10 ounces vegan marshmallows large Dandies Marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil or vegan butter
  • 4 2/3 cups vegan chocolate crisp rice cereal

Instructions
 

  • Grease an 8-inch square pan with coconut oil or vegan butter.

Stovetop method:

  • Cut the large marshmallows into 4 small pieces and place them in a saucepan.
  • Add the coconut oil or vegan butter and set the pan over low heat.
  • Stir often until the marshmallows begin to melt.
  • Smash the marshmallows until they break down.
  • Stir in the chocolate crisp rice cereal.
  • Then use your hands to fully combine the cereal and marshmallows together. Be careful it's hot!
  • Gently press the cereal mixture into an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan.
  • Allow the treats to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles.

Microwave Method:

  • Cut the large marshmallows into 4 pieces.
  • Combine the marshmallows and coconut oil or vegan butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
  • Heat on high power for 30-second bursts of power, removing and stirring, until the marshmallows become very soft and look somewhat melted.
  • Add the chocolate crispy cereal and stir to begin to coat the cereal.
  • Continue using the directions listed in the stovetop method.

Notes

Store your gluten-free vegan cereal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Keyword cereal treats, gluten-free, no-bake desserts, vegan, vegan recipes

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rate the recipe Did you make this recipe and think it was great or do have any questions? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe using stars (5 stars is the best!)   
We love creating easy Rice Krispie Treats recipes to share with you and hope you find our tips and instructions helpful. ___ - Beth and Meaghan

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Zella G.

    March 20, 2020 at 11:44 pm

    5 stars
    My kids and I made a batch of these today and everyone really loved them. I had to stop my kids from eating all the Dandies Marshmallows. You are right, they are great and they add a really wonderful flavor to these vegan treats.

    Reply
    • HowToMakeCerealTreats

      March 26, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      It’s great to hear you and your kids enjoyed these vegan cereal treats so much.

      Reply
  2. Mary Lou B.

    February 14, 2021 at 8:17 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this recipe and tips. I’ve just started to eat a gluten-free diet and was craving rice krispie treats. The Dandies marshmallows are really delicious and made these treats very tasty.

    Reply
    • Beth Klosterboer

      February 18, 2021 at 8:25 am

      I’m so happy you enjoyed this gluten-free recipe.

      Reply
  3. Beth Crank

    May 16, 2021 at 12:06 am

    5 stars
    These treats were so tasty. Thank you so much for introducing me to Dandies Marshmallows. OMG, they are so good! I’m also glad you told me that the marshmallows wouldn’t melt normally. That was a great tip.

    Reply
    • Beth Klosterboer

      May 16, 2021 at 10:24 am

      You are so welcome! I’m happy to know you enjoyed this recipe.

      Reply
  4. Natalia

    June 19, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for the great tips. My treats turned out perfectly. I used the Dandies Marshmallows and the treats turned out great. You are right, they are really delicious marshmallows.

    Reply
  5. Darcy Peters

    July 31, 2021 at 4:58 am

    These treats were really delicious!

    Reply
  6. Katherine S.

    December 3, 2021 at 8:16 am

    5 stars
    I am so happy I found this recipe. I had never tried Dandies marshmallows. They make great tasting gluten-free treats.

    Reply

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