Vegan Rice Krispie Treats

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I love whipping up these vegan rice Krispie treats with brown rice cereal, maple syrup, and cashew butter for a no-bake snack that comes together in about 10 minutes and then chills into sweet bars. The crunchy cereal melts into gooey bites that stay vegan and dairy-free while giving a hint of wholesome sweetness. 

I like using rice cereal in this healthy vegan rice Krispie because it keeps the bars light, crispy, and easy to bind, while brown rice cereal adds B vitamins and is often gluten-free. Brown rice cereal also provides minerals like manganese, magnesium, and iron, making it a more nutrient-rich choice than regular rice cereal. If you like this approach, try making vegan granola bars with rice cereal for another chewy sweet snack.

I created this vegan rice Krispie treat recipe so my kids, their friends, and even adults could enjoy a sweet snack without the sugar crash or dairy and gluten worries. I love making wholesome treats that actually taste indulgent, and I also make other vegan snacks like my baked vegan churros for another fun and healthier option.

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🥘 Ingredients

My vegan rice krispie treat recipe uses the following wholesome and simple ingredients:

Crispy Brown Rice Cereal: I use brown rice cereal because it tastes like regular rice cereal but is less processed and keeps more of the rice plant’s natural nutrients like B vitamins. I like Barbara’s Organic Brown Rice Crisps and make sure to buy a brand labeled vegan and gluten-free if needed.

Maple Syrup: I use pure maple syrup to sweeten these rice krispies without refined sugar.

Coconut Oil: I use coconut oil as a binder for the bars and to add healthy fats. Unrefined coconut oil is less processed but gives a stronger coconut flavor.

Vanilla Extract: I use pure vanilla extract for a natural sweet vanilla flavor. I avoid imitation vanilla since it is not always vegan-friendly.

Cashew Butter: I use cashew butter to bind the cereal instead of vegan marshmallows, adding healthy fats and a nutty flavor.

Substitutions

Cereal: I use any crispy rice cereal with this recipe, or any small-piece vegan cereal. If I cannot find it locally, I order vegan rice cereal online from places like Vitacost, iHerb, Thrive Market, or Amazon.

Sweetener: I usually use maple syrup, but honey or agave also work, keeping in mind that honey is not vegan. Brown rice syrup is another option, though it is more refined.

Cashew Butter: I usually use cashew butter, but natural almond butter or sunflower seed butter are delicious alternatives. Peanut butter also works. If I want to use marshmallows instead of nut butter, I use Dandies vegan marshmallows, since regular marshmallows are not vegan or vegetarian-friendly.

🔪 How To Make

Here are the steps on how I make my vegan rice crispy treat recipe:

Line Baking Dish: I line an 8 by 8 baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside. I place the crispy rice cereal into a large mixing bowl and set it aside until ready to combine.

Melt Remaining Ingredients: I add the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and cashew butter to a small pot over medium heat and bring it to a boil. I stir constantly until everything is melted, watching carefully so it does not burn. I also sometimes use the microwave, melting the ingredients in 30-second increments and stirring in between until fully combined.

Stir Into Rice Cereal: I pour the melted ingredients into the crispy rice cereal and stir well with a spatula or wooden spoon. I stir gently so the cereal does not crush, while scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is fully mixed. If I used marshmallows, I would make sure the gooey mixture is evenly distributed throughout the vegetarian rice krispie treats.

Spread In Baking Dish: I spread the sticky rice krispie cereal mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. I smooth the top, cover it with plastic wrap if I like, and place it in the refrigerator to chill. Chilling makes the bars much easier to cut.

Cut Brown Rice Crispy Treats: Once the non-dairy rice crispy treats are set, I remove them from the pan and use a sharp knife to cut the solid mixture into 16 squares. I use an 8-by-8 baking dish for evenly sized treats, but I adjust the pieces if I want larger or smaller squares.

Store: I keep these vegan rice krispie treats in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.

📖 Variations

I like adding a few simple recipes alongside these rice krispie treats to mix up snack time and keep it fun and wholesome.

Healthy Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats: I add 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips to the maple syrup mixture, and sometimes swap coconut oil for cocoa butter.

Peanut Butter Crunch: I swap the 1/2 cup cashew butter with 1/2 cup natural peanut butter for a classic nutty flavor. The treats stay soft and chewy while adding protein which my kids love.

Almond Butter Delight: I use 1/2 cup creamy almond butter instead of cashew butter. The flavor is slightly milder and perfect for kids or nut lovers like me.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

I like serving these vegan rice crispy treats on their own or pairing them with fresh fruit like berries, pineapple, melon, or apples for a wholesome snack. I also enjoy them with crunchy options such as pretzels, crackers, or veggies and hummus, like my butter bean hummus or hummus without garlic for a unique and flavorful dip. 

I also like serving these rice krispie treats alongside my spinach banana muffins for a soft and naturally sweet option, or with my chocolate almond milk pudding for a creamy, nutrient-rich treat.

🧊 Storage Directions

• Refrigeration: I store my vegan rice krispie treats in a sealed container in the refrigerator. I find this enables them to keep for 6 days, not that they last that long with my kids!
• Room Temperature: You can store these crispy rice treats on the countertop in a sealed container too, but they’d last only a few days before getting stale. I don’t recommend freezing these treats as they don’t defrost well.

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