Vegan Rice Crispy Treats (Super Yummy!)

This Vegan Rice Krispy Treats recipe is the ultimate sweet snack for back-to-school lunches or a grab-and-go indulgence. It requires only a few ingredients and less than 15 minutes of preparation!

If you’re wondering, “Are rice krispie treats vegan?” rest assured this easy dairy-free recipe is a twist on a classic favorite using 100{8466e38f199acc0b56b221a7b99587ba7df7b1c007902bc779bf0ba15c186af7} plant-based ingredients! Made with vegan marshmallows, plant-based butter, and brown rice crisps, they satisfy your sweet tooth without dairy or the extra junk in most store-bought treats. The flavor is rich and buttery, with a sweet and slightly caramel-like undertone. Each bite provides a satisfying crunch which contrasts perfectly with the soft and gooey marshmallow coating.

The result is a harmonious blend of crispiness and chewiness, making these treats irresistibly delicious. This vegan rice krispie treat recipe is also incredibly easy to make with less than fifteen minutes of hands-on preparation! Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a party treat, or a portable dessert, this delicious dish will delight your taste buds and be a crowd favorite.   

For more vegan treat recipes, try my Citrus Chocolate Truffles, Biscoff Crumble Chocolate Bark, or No-Bake Fig Walnut Bars. 

Ingredients

Vegan Butter: Use a high-quality vegan butter like Earth Balance or Country Crock Plant Butter. It provides the right amount of fat to bind the ingredients together and a rich flavor that resembles the classic recipe. 

Vegan Marshmallows: Choose a good brand of vegan marshmallows, such as Dandies, which melt smoothly and are free from gelatin. Find them at health food stores or an online retailer like Amazon. 

Brown Rice Crisp Cereal: Select a brown rice crisp cereal for a healthier, whole-grain alternative to traditional rice crisps. Look for brands like Nature’s Path in the cereal aisle of health food stores or online.

Non-Diary Milk: Helps to soften the melted vegan marshmallows, and create an irresistible gooey texture in the finished treats. Use any kind of vegan milk, or use water.

Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds depth to this kid classic.

Almond Extract: Almond extract balances the sweetness of these rice crispy treats. Feel free to skip this ingredient if you are making these for a nut-free gathering or school snack.

Vegan Sprinkles: My daughter loves marshmallows, and she loves sprinkles. They are so pretty, but don’t contribute anything to the taste. Look for vegan sprinkles at your local health food store, Whole Foods, or online. What makes most sprinkles not vegan? Some sprinkles are made with shellac (which is derived from insects), and many contain gelatin.

How to Make Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

• Prepare the Baking Dish. Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. 
• Melt Butter. Melt the vegan butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

• Add Marshmallows. Add the vegan marshmallows to the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring periodically, or until the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is smooth and stirrable. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Add Non-Dairy Milk. Add the non-dairy milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the melted marshmallows, and stir well.

• Combine with Cereal. Stir in the rice crispies and sprinkles until evenly coated with the melted butter and marshmallow mixture.

• Transfer to Baking Dish. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover your palm with a small piece of parchment paper and firmly press the crispies into an even layer in the pan. Top with a layer of sprinkles, and use the parchment to gently press the sprinkles into the surface of the treats.

• Cool & Slice. Cool the rice crispies at room temperature for about 1 hour or until firm before slicing and enjoying.

Recipe Pro-Tips

• Use high-quality ingredients. Choose quality brands of vegan butter, marshmallows, and cereal for the best taste. Ensure all ingredients are fresh for the best texture. I like using Earth Balance and Country Crock vegan butter (the sticks). Dandies is the brand of vegan marshmallows I use. They sell mini and full sized vegan marshmallows. Either will work in this recipe.
• Don’t overcook. To prevent hard or tough treats, melt the vegan butter and marshmallow mixture just until melted and smooth. Overcooking can cause the marshmallows to burn, and the treats to become too hard once they have cooled. 
• Press the mixture firmly. When transferring the vegan rice crispies to the prepared baking dish, press it firmly for compact, well-formed treats. 
• Allow to cool. For the optimal chewy-crispy texture, let the vegan rice krispie treats recipe cool for at least one hour at room temperature before slicing. If you’re in a rush, place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before slicing to speed up the cooling process without compromising too much on texture. 
• Cut with a sharp knife. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the vegetarian rice krispie treats for clean edges and evenly sized pieces.
• Use less cereal. For extra gooey rice crispy treats, use 3 1/2 cups of puffed rice instead of 4 1/2. 

Recipe Variations

Below are optional variations to switch up your vegan rice krispies as you please:

• Classic Rice Krispies. Instead of brown rice crisp, use regular vegan rice crisps or substitute for other puffed cereal like puffed quinoa, millet, kamut, amaranth, or corn. 
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt ¼ cup of dairy-free chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled rice crispy treats, then allow them to cool before slicing. 
• Nut Butter: Melt ½ cup of homemade almond butter, peanut butter, or your favorite nut butter with the vegan marshmallows in the pot, then proceed with the vegan rice crispy treats recipe as outlined. Nut butter adds a rich, nutty flavor and extra creaminess. 
• Matcha: Add 1-2 teaspoons of culinary-grade matcha powder to the melted marshmallows mixture before stirring in the rice crisps. The matcha adds a subtle earthly flavor and vibrant green color. 
• Funfetti. Mix in ¼ cup of vegan rainbow sprinkles with the rice crips for a fun and colorful variation perfect for perfect parties or festive occasions. 
• Seeds. Add 2-3 tablespoons of chia, flax, or hemp seeds for a nutritional boost that adds fiber, plant-based protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. 
• Coconut. Stir in ½ cup of shredded unsweetened coconut into the marshmallow mixture along with the rice crisps. This adds a tasty coconut flavor and extra texture. 
• Nuts. Add ½-1 cup of chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, or pecans. Toast the nuts beforehand to enhance the flavor and crunch. 
• Dried Fruit. Mix in ½-1 cups of raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, or dried apricots when you add the rice crisps for a fruity addition. 
• Candy. Include ½ cup of your favorite candy when you add the cereal – from vegan chocolate chips, vegan candy-coated chocolates, and vegan caramel bits, to mini vegan marshmallows, or even vegan gummy bears for a nostalgic twist.  

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these dairy-free rice krispie treats as a delightful midday snack, include them as treats in lunchboxes, or make a batch for your next festive get-together. Or, dress them up for a decadent dessert with some of our favorite recipes below: 

Storage Directions

• Storage: Treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days. 
• Refrigerating: For a slightly firmer texture and longer shelf life, store this rice crispy treats vegan recipe in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to one week in the refrigerator. 
• Freezing: Wrap each rice krispies vegan treat individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before eating.

Frequently Asked Questions

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