Vegan rice crispy treats are so quick to make at home with healthier ingredients, no dyes, or preservatives to make them last. Those melted gooey marshmallow treats we all love so much, only vegan and gluten-free, with just 5 ingredients!
You can also use vegan marshmallows (no gelatin in them) for chocolate marshmallow treats, ghostly marshmallow treats, and these popcorn marshmallow treats.
Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 5 to 7 minutes on the stove
- ⏳ Total Time: 15 minutes, plus cooling
- 🍽️ Yield: 12 squares
- ⚡ Calories: 139kcal per square, per the recipe card
- 🥣 Ingredients: vegan butter, vegan marshmallows, vanilla, salt and vegan gluten-free crispy rice cereal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Gooey, buttery and sweet with a crisp bite
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, no bake
Quick Answer
Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with oiled parchment paper. In a large pan melt 4 tablespoons vegan butter and 10 ounces vegan marshmallows on low heat, stirring and smashing them with a spatula for 5 to 7 minutes, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt. Mix in 6 cups vegan gluten-free crispy rice cereal, press flat into the pan with a spatula, cool completely and slice into 12 squares.
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These vegan rice crispy treats are all natural and go fast! We pack them in little zip bags and the kids love them for school.
Why These Treats Stay Soft and Gooey
Click to see why it works
- Low heat melts without scorching. Vegan marshmallows do melt differently than regular ones, so stir and smash them with the spatula.
- Covering the pan can help the marshmallows melt.
- Work quickly when pressing, because the mixture firms as it cools.
- Parchment in an oiled pan lifts the whole batch out cleanly.
- Cool completely before slicing into 12 squares.
Why You'll Love These Rice Crispy Treats
- Only 5 ingredients.
- Vegan and gluten-free, when you pick the right cereal and marshmallows.
- No dyes or preservatives.
- Grab-n-go snacks. Store in individual bags for school lunches.
- Great for holiday treat trays and bake sales.
Key Ingredients
- Vegan crispy rice cereal (not rice puffs cereal) - sadly Kellogg's Rice Krispies brand is not vegan or gluten-free as it contains Vitamin D3 from animals and barley malt. Top brands to use are Nature's Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal, Market Pantry Toasted Rice Crispy Cereal, Great Value Rice Crisps, and Thrive Market Brown Rice Crisps.
- Large vegan marshmallows - you can make vegan marshmallows at home or purchase a bag of gelatin-free Dandies Vegan Marshmallows or Goodland Farms Marshmallows. Most marshmallows contain gelatin, which is derived from animals.
- Plant-based vegan butter - you can also substitute coconut oil, but we prefer the buttery taste! Also great for this brownie recipe with coconut oil.
- Vanilla extract - just a dash to brighten up the flavor.
- Salt - brings out the sweetness and flavors of butter, marshmallow, and vanilla.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Rice Krispies Extra Gooey
Use a 10 ounce bag of marshmallows for a vegan rice crispy recipe that is not too sticky on the hands. It is easier for picking up and for healthy snacks for kids to take to school.
BUT, and that's a big BUT, if you want these rice crispy treats extra gooey with stretches of marshmallow coming out as you pull pieces apart then use 12 ounces of marshmallow or cut the rice crispy cereal down to five cups. See this oz to cups conversions chart if needed.
This image is using 12 ounces of marshmallow and the recipe is still slightly warm :-).
How to Make Vegan Rice Crispy Treats
1Prep the pan. Prep an 8 x 8 inch baking pan by spraying it with cooking oil. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit and line the bottom of the pan. The oil helps the paper to stay in place.
2Melt the marshmallow and butter. In a large pan, heat on low heat the butter and marshmallows (may need to cover it throughout the melting process). Using a spatula, stir frequently until melted, about 5-7 minutes, then mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Make sure to melt the marshmallows as much as possible, even smashing and breaking the marshmallows up with the spatula to melt easier.
3Add the cereal. Add the crispy rice cereal and mix to coat with the melted marshmallow.
4Transfer. Transfer the rice crispy mixture to the prepared pan.
5Press. Using a spatula, press the mixture down until flat, working quickly as it cools. Press in the sides too for a tight compact treat.
6Cool and slice. Let it cool completely before slicing into 12 squares.
As always, be sure to check out the full recipe details in the recipe card below.
Expert Tips
- Storing marshmallow treats. Wait until they are cooled in the pan completely, then slice them into 12 squares. Store them in individual zip bags to take for snacks or in an airtight container on the counter.
- Read the cereal label. Most rice crispy cereals contain barley malt, which is not gluten-free.
- Read the marshmallow label. Use marshmallows labeled vegan, since traditional ones contain gelatin.
- Vegan marshmallows melt differently than regular ones, so give them time on low heat.
- Work fast once the cereal is in. The mix firms up as it cools.
More Easy Bar Recipes
Love no-bake treats? Try my No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars, Chocolate Marshmallow Treats, Popcorn Marshmallow Treats and Ghostly Marshmallow Treats.
For the lunch box and the holiday cookie tray: Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies, No-Bake Breakfast Bars and Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies.
Rice Crispy Treat FAQs
One would think they are but they are not vegan. They contain gelatin and sometimes added milk flavoring which is from animals.
Peanut butter or almond butter creates a binding sticky texture for vegan rice crispy squares. It's perfect for no-bake bars and cereal bars.
Most rice crispy cereals contain barley malt which is not gluten-free. Look for a crispy rice cereal that is specifically vegan and gluten-free.
Marshmallows are gluten-free but traditional ones are not vegan because they contain gelatin. Use marshmallows that are specifically labeled vegan.
Use 12 ounces of marshmallow or cut the cereal down to five cups.
Cool them completely, slice them, and store in individual zip bags or an airtight container on the counter.
More Bars and Treats
Try No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars or Coconut Oil Brownies next. If you make these vegan rice crispy treats I would love to see your creations and share it! Follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for a feature and more recipe inspiration! And don't forget to leave a comment below!
Vegan Rice Crispy Treats
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Equipment
- 8 x 8 inch square baking pan
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter (plant-based butter)
- 10 ounces vegan marshmallows large, or use 12 ounces for extra gooey treats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- salt pinch of salt - we use pink himalayan salt which has healthy trace minerals
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal make sure it is vegan and gluten-free
Instructions
- Prepare an 8 x 8 inch baking pan by spraying it with cooking oil. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit and line the bottom of the pan. The oil helps the paper to stay in place.
- In a large pan, heat on low heat the butter and marshmallows (may need to cover it to help it melt). Using a spatula, stir frequently until melted, about 5-7 minutes, then mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Make sure to melt the marshmallows as much as possible, even smashing them and breaking them apart with the spatula to melt easier.
- Add the crispy rice cereal and mix to coat with the melted marshmallow.
- Transfer the rice crispy mixture to the prepared pan. Using a spatula, press the mixture down until flat, working quickly as it cools. Let it cool completely before slicing into 12 squares. Store in individual bags for a grab-n-go snack or in a sealed airtight container on the counter.
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