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    Home » Recipes » All recipes

    The Best Vegan Rice Krispie Treats Recipe (Easy & Gooey)

    Published: Dec 2, 2021 · Modified: Oct 10, 2023 by Maria · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These vegan rice krispie treats are easy to make and with only have four ingredients and 10 minutes of your time. No-bake easy vegan dessert recipe that's gooey and delicious.  I'll show you some easy ways to take these to the next level with additional flavors and toppings.

    Vegan rice crispy treats stacked on each other

    This vegan version of rice crispy treats tastes exactly the same. You would never know they're vegan!

    If you would like more easy vegan treats make sure to check out these Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Vegan Black Bean Brownies, Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies, or these Caramelized Air Fryer Bananas next!

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • vegan and can be made gluten free
    • quick and easy
    • gooey marshmallow flavor and nostalgic
    • a childhood favorite
    • kid friendly
    • rich and buttery

    Ingredients & substitutions

    Ingredients for vegan rice crispy treats

    These rice crispy treats are made with simple ingredients. So easy!

    Vegan marshmallows

    The two most popular brands of vegan marshmallows are the Trader Joe's brand and Dandies vegan marshmallows. I used Trader Joe's peppermint flavored marshmallows because that was all I could find. They turned out great! You can also order some vegan marshmallows online.

    Dairy free butter

    I used Earth Balance but feel free to use whatever brand of vegan butter you can find. You can also use vegan margarine. Most margarines are vegan. You can also use coconut oil.

    Rice crispy cereal

    I used the Trader Joe's brand, which is a vegan cereal because it's not fortified with vitamin D3 (which is often animal derived). If you're not that picky, use whatever vegan crispy rice cereal or puffed rice cereal brand you can find the easiest. Brown rice crisps also taste good in this recipe.

    Vanilla extract

    If the vegan marshmallows that you use aren't vanilla flavored, then add this in.

    Recipe tips

    Use a sheet of parchment paper to help it not stick to your baking dish.

    Want these more gooey? Use 4 cups of crispy rice cereal.

    Want them more firm? Use 5 cups of cereal.  

    Mini marshmallows melt quicker, but use whatever you can find at your local grocery store. 

    A wooden spoon or rubber spatula works well to stir these rice krispy treats.

    How to make the best vegan rice krispies

    Vegan butter melting in a pan.

    Step one: In a large pot on the stove, put the vegan butter into the pan on medium-low heat. Stir and let the butter melt.

    Vegan marshmallows melting in a pan with butter.

    Step two: Add in the marshmallows. Keep the heat on low and constantly stir, until the marshmallows melt. 

    Vegan rice krispie treats in a pan on the stove

    Step three: Add in the rice crispy cereal, a pinch of salt and vanilla extract. Mix well.

    Vegan rice krispie treats in a baking dish

    Step four: Grease a 9x9" pan or use parchment paper. Press the rice crispy mixture into the baking pan and let them cool. Use a sharp knife to cut them into a similar size.

    Toppings and variations

    You can keep these vegan rice crispy treats as they are, or you can add some fun toppings.

    Sprinkles: I like to add some sprinkles on top of the crispy squares because it makes them look pretty and fun!

    Melted chocolate topping: You can also add some marshmallows and melted chocolate on top as well. Just melt ½ cup of vegan chocolate chips and a teaspoon of vegan butter on low, on the stove or in a microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir well. Then drizzle over the top.

    Almond extract: this will give the rice krispy treats a slight birthday cake flavor!

    Peppermint marshmallows - I made peppermint and chocolate rice krispies because I could only find that flavor at Trader Joe's at the time (around the holidays).  I melted chocolate chips on top and it was absolutely amazing!

    Peanut butter - add in some runny natural peanut butter or almond butter to make peanut butter rice crispy treats!

    Storing tips

    You can keep them on the counter in a sealed container or in your fridge, in an airtight container. These vegan rice crispy treats will last about a week (unless you eat them all)!

    Rice krispie treats also freeze well! Freeze them with wax paper separating each square in an airtight container. They will last up to three months. Make sure to thaw completely before eating. 

    Recipe FAQs

    Where can I buy vegan marshmallows?

    You can usually find vegan marshmallows at Whole Foods year round or at a health food grocery store. They can be found in the baking section or the chocolate, desserts and snacks section. 
    You can also find them at Trader Joe's, but they are seasonal. They have the regular marshmallows around Summer time and then the peppermint marshmallows in the winter around the Holidays.
    You can also order vegan marshmallows online if you can't find any at your local grocery store. 

    Why aren't regular marshmallows vegan?

    We don't use traditional marshmallows in this recipe because they contain gelatin. Gelatin is derived from boiling the leftover animal parts after slaughter (hooves, ligaments, snouts) and using the film that comes to the top.

    Can I make vegan rice krispie treats in the microwave?

    Absolutely. Just mix together the butter and marshmallows in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir, then microwave for another minute or two, until the marshmallows are melted.
    Take out of the microwave and then stir in the rice crispy cereal.

    What can you substitute for rice krispies in rice krispie treats?

    Popcorn would work really well as well as rice chex or corn chex cereal. 

    What is a substitute for marshmallows in Rice Krispies

    You can substitute maple syrup and peanut butter or almond butter. They act as a sugary binding agent just like marshmallows. 

    Vegan rice crispy treats squares on a table

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    If you loved this recipe, leave a 5 ⭐️ rating on the recipe card and comment below!

    📖 Recipe

    Close up of vegan rice crispy treats

    Vegan Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

    These vegan rice crispy treats are easy to make and only have three ingredients. No-bake easy vegan dessert recipe.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 182kcal
    Author: Maria
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    Ingredients

    US Customary or Metric
    • ¼ cup vegan butter
    • 10 ounces vegan marshmallows
    • 4½ cups rice crispy cereal
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (if your marshmallows aren't vanilla flavored)
    • pinch of salt

    For topping (optional)

    • ½ cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon vegan butter (optional)

    Instructions

    • In a large pot on the stove, put the vegan butter into the pan on low heat. Stir and let the butter melt.
      ¼ cup vegan butter
    • Add in the marshmallows. Keep the heat on low and constantly stir, until the marshmallows melt. This may take 5-10 minutes. Don't let it burn! Keep the heat on low.
      10 ounces vegan marshmallows
    • Add in the rice crispy cereal, , a pinch of salt and vanilla extract. Mix well. Grease a 9x9" pan. Press the rice crispy treats into the baking pan.
      4½ cups rice crispy cereal, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt
    • If you'd like to add a chocolate topping, melt the chocolate chips and vegan butter on the stove on low or in a microwave. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the rice crispy treats.
      1 teaspoon vegan butter, ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
    • Set in the fridge for 20 minutes to let it set. Cut it up into squares and enjoy!

    Notes

    Can I use coconut oil instead?
    Absolutely! just use ¼ cup of coconut oil in place of the vegan butter. It tastes delicious.
    To make these peppermint flavored
    Use the peppermint mini marshmallows from Trader Joe's! 
    Use a sheet of parchment paper to help it not stick to your baking dish.
    Want these more gooey? Use 4 cups of crispy rice cereal.
    Want them more firm? Use 5 cups of cereal.  
    Mini marshmallows melt quicker, but use whatever you can find at your local grocery store. 
    A wooden spoon or rubber spatula works well to stir these rice krispy treats.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 892IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @DamnTastyVegan or tag #DamnTastyVegan!

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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    About Maria

    Maria is the creator of the blog and YouTube channel Damn Tasty Vegan. She has been a vegetarian since 2005 and vegan since 2015. She loves showing new vegans how easy and delicious living a vegan lifestyle can be. She is passionate about animal welfare and strives to help change the way animals are viewed and treated, by helping people transition to a vegan lifestyle.

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