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Vegan Rice Krispie Treats (gluten-free too!)

Published: Feb 10, 2020 · Recipe by: Beth Klosterboer · This post may contain affiliate links.

If you are eating a vegan diet you can still enjoy chewy and crispy cereal treats. These Vegan Rice Krispie Treats are made using vegan cereal, vegan marshmallows and coconut oil or vegan butter. As an added bonus they are gluten-free too.

Vegan Rice Krispie Treats made with vegan marshmallows and coconut oil.

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. 

Vegan and Gluten-Free Marshmallows

Many vegan cereal treat recipes do not include marshmallows but that’s really what makes a rice crispy treat gooey and there are brands of vegan marshmallows on the market that are not made with gelatin. 

I used Dandies All-Natural Marshmallows and have to say that they have a better flavor than most store-bought marshmallows. They are vegan, gluten-free, and corn-syrup free too.

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. 

ingredients needed to make vegan rice crispy treats including vegan crispy rice cereal, vegan marshmallows, and coconut oil or vegan butter

The marshmallows pictured above are the minis, but you’ll notice in the recipe video that I used the larger marshmallows and cut them into quarters. I found that the larger marshmallows melted a bit better than the minis.

Neither melted like traditional marshmallows but they did get soft enough to blend with the cereal. 

Vegan Crispy Rice Cereal

Speaking of cereal, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal that we use to make our traditional cereal treats is not vegan. The puffed rice cereal contains vitamin D3 derived from animals, so be sure to find a vegan alternative. 

closeup image of a vegan rice krispie treat loaded with marshmallows

I used Nature’s Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal. The pieces of cereal are smaller and not quite as puffed as other brands but they tasted very nice and worked well in this recipe.  

There are other brands like Barbara’s Brown Rice Crisps and One Degree Organic Foods Brown Rice Crisps that are also vegan and gluten-free. Barbara’s cereal may be closer in texture to a traditional rice crispy cereal. 

Just be sure you buy cereal that has “crispy” in the name. Puffed rice cereal is not the same. 

Virgin Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil, or Vegan Butter

When testing this recipe I made batches using vegan butter, refined coconut oil, and virgin coconut oil.

They all worked to make cereal treats but my favorite flavor came by using virgin coconut oil which has a delicious tropical coconut flavor. But I love coconut so I put these recipes to the test.

I shared all three versions of the recipe with friends and family and the blend of vegan cereal, Dandies Marshmallows, and virgin coconut oil was the hands-down winner even with those who said they do not like coconut. 

pulling apart a gooey vegan rice krispie treats

Most tasters could not detect the actual coconut flavor, they just felt the vegan treats had a more intense flavor than a traditional Rice Krispie Treat.

How to make Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

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 Crispy Rice Cereal

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 crispy 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.

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 crispy 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. 

cut vegan marshmallows into quarters then melt with coconut oil and stir in rice crispy cereal then press into a square pan

I did find these marshmallow cereal bars to be a bit more firm than traditional rice crispy treats mostly because the cereal itself is a bit more firm.

If you can find a vegan crispy rice cereal that is puffed a bit more then your treats will be closer in texture to the original. 

But, as I mentioned before, the flavor is amazing. I’m sure you are going to really enjoy this recipe no matter which cereal you use. 

 

vegan cereal treats recipe image

Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

Beth Klosterboer
Cereal treats made with vegan ingredients including vegan crispy rice cereal, vegan marshmallows, and virgin coconut oil (or refined coconut oil or vegan butter).
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 2 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 122 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 virgin coconut oil or refined coconut oil or vegan butter
  • 4 2/3 cups vegan crispy rice cereal

Instructions
 

  • Grease an 8-inch or 9-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 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 crispy rice cereal.
  • Then use your hands, cautiously as the marshmallows are hot, to fully combine the cereal and marshmallows together.
  • 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 rectangles or squares.

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 rice crispy 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.
  • Gently press the cereal mixture into an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan.
  • Give the cereal treats time to cool before cutting into squares or rectangles.

Notes

Store your gluten-free vegan cereal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. 
Keyword cereal treats, Dandies Marshmallows, vegan, vegan recipes, virgin coconut oil

You can use this gluten-free, vegan, recipe to make other treats too. Just swap out the ingredients for the recipes below with vegan and gluten-free ingredients. 

gooey peanut butter rice krispie treats stacked on top of each other on a wooden cutting board set next to a bowl of creamy peanut butter

Use natural peanut butter along with vegan butter, marshmallows, and cereal
to make Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats.

chocolate rice krispie treats image stacked with milk

Use vegan and gluten-free chocolate chips along with coconut oil or vegan butter
to make Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats.

Oreo Rice Krispie Treat Recipe image

Stir in gluten-free and vegan cookies to make Cookie Filled Rice Krispie Treats. 

 

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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Previous Post: « 15 Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cynthia

    February 20, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    5 stars
    I was so excited to find a vegan and gluten-free recipe that didn’t include peanut butter. My son is allergic. I was able to find all the same ingredients you used at my health food store and the treats turned out great. My son liked them so much that he asked me to make them for his birthday party next month. Thanks!

    Reply
    • HowToMakeCerealTreats

      February 28, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      Wish you son a happy birthday! I’m so happy he enjoyed these treats.

      Reply
  2. Brianne

    February 22, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for a recipe that includes marshmallows not peanut butter. These were great.

    Reply
    • HowToMakeCerealTreats

      February 28, 2020 at 9:05 pm

      You are very welcome!

      Reply
  3. Jill G.

    February 24, 2020 at 1:00 am

    5 stars
    It was so helpful to see the video for this recipe. I was frustrated because I couldn’t get the vegan marshmallows to melt like regular marshmallows. Then I watched the video and saw what you did with them. It was great to see. The treats really tasted amazing. I do love the Dandies Marshmallows. They make delicious tasting vegan and gluten free cereal treats.

    Reply
    • HowToMakeCerealTreats

      February 28, 2020 at 9:01 pm

      I’m so glad you found the video helpful and that you enjoyed this recipe. The Dandies marshmallows are so good but they definitely don’t melt like gelatin marshmallows.

      Reply
  4. Valentina Reinke

    March 5, 2020 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I used the exact ingredients that you used and these treats tasted wonderful. I loved the Dandies marshmallows. They have such a nice flavor.

    Reply
  5. Donnie F.

    April 9, 2020 at 8:49 am

    5 stars
    Just made these are they are great. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Joanna

    September 27, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this recipe!
    Highlighting the importance of using a “crispy” rice cereal helped so much!
    Delicious treat- thank you!!

    Reply
  7. Nan H.

    November 18, 2020 at 8:06 pm

    5 stars
    I loved this recipe. I tried the Dandies Marshmallows for the first time and was so impressed with the flavor. They definitely don’t melt like regular marshmallows but the flavor is so good that I didn’t mind the extra bit of effort to mix these treats. I shared the treats with some coworkers and they couldn’t believe they were Vegan and gluten-free.

    Reply
    • Beth Klosterboer

      November 19, 2020 at 8:18 am

      That is wonderful! I’m so happy you liked the marshmallows and the recipe.

      Reply
  8. Megan

    December 10, 2020 at 1:06 am

    Hi guys! Thanks for the recipe!
    My comment is regarding kelloggs rice krispies cereal. I have the holiday box right here and I am looking everywhere for vitamin D3 and it is not on the label. Am I missing something? Did they change it , not in the holiday variety, or…?
    Thanks for your help!

    Reply
  9. L

    August 17, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    These were a HUGE hit with me (a vegan) and a party full of non-vegan grown-ups for whom I made them. One friend said they were WAY better than “regular” rice krispie treats, in fact the best ones he’d ever tasted. I have to agree. The ratio of rice krispies to marshmallows in your recipe is great. I recommend not pushing down hard when shaping them in the pan, so that they stay super fluffy. I did cut large Dandies into fours and microwaved them with the oil, and it worked really well. Thank you for a new fave!

    Reply
    • Beth Klosterboer

      August 18, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      I’m so glad you and your friends enjoyed these vegan treats! The Dandies Marshmallows do help to make these taste really great and I definitely agree that you want to press them gently into the pan. It sure makes a big difference.

      Reply
  10. Beth Dowden

    September 3, 2021 at 7:49 am

    I was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease and have really been struggling to find gluten-free recipes for desserts that taste good. This recipe was great. Thank you so much for suggesting the Dandies marshmallows. Wow, are they delicious! I am so happy I can eat rice krispie treats again.

    Reply
  11. Kristine

    December 12, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    Wondering if these can be frozen as well?

    Reply
    • Beth Klosterboer

      December 13, 2021 at 9:02 am

      Yes, you can freeze these vegan Rice Krispie treats. Just be sure to wrap them well then place them in a zip-top bag or airtight container before freezing.

      Reply

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