Vegan rice Krispie treats are a classic dessert that is quick and easy to make on the stovetop or even in the microwave. They come together in minutes and are always a hit!
Decorate them with festive sprinkles for any occasion or toss in some peanut butter and/or mini chocolate chips for variety. There are endless ways to make this a fun dessert.
Are rice krispie treats vegan?
Even though it seems like traditional rice krispie treats would be vegan, there are many hidden animal ingredients in them. First of all, marshmallows contain gelatin derived from the bones of animals, so you must use vegan marshmallows instead.
Also, name-brand rice cereals add vitamin D3 to it which is also derived from animals. However, with just a few simple swaps and you can easily make delicious homemade vegan rice krispie treats!
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❤️ This recipe is
- naturally gluten-free.
- fun and easy to make.
- a great no-bake dessert for summer.
🧾 Ingredients and substitutions
- Puffed Rice Cereal - Surprisingly, Kellog's Rice Krispies, has added vitamin D3 that is derived from animals, and therefore, is not vegan. Use Nature's Path or other natural puffed rice cereal that does not have added D3.
- Vegan Marshmallows - traditional marshmallows contain gelatin which is made from animals and therefore not vegan. Be sure to use vegan marshmallows, like Dandies or Trader Joe's brands that don't have gelatin. I have a recipe for vegan marshmallows on my blog, however, these are too moist and make the cereal soggy.
- Vegan Butter - you can use any vegan margarine that you would like or my homemade vegan butter (use the stick version of my butter). You want to use high-quality margarine that does not have high water content or refined coconut oil.
- Vanilla Extract - this gives it a little added flavor.
- Vegan Sprinkles - or mini chocolate chips for some decoration. (optional) Be sure to use vegan sprinkles that don't contain confectioner's glaze.
🔪 Helpful tools
- Sauce Pan - to make them on the stovetop. You can also use a large glass bowl for making them in a microwave.
- A Baking Dish - 8 X 8-inch or 9 X 9-inch baking dish works best, but you can even use a pie dish if that is all you have.
- A Wooden Spoon - or any sturdy spoon for stirring.
- Parchment Paper - or a little extra butter or oil to line the pan.
🥄 How to make vegan rice Krispie treats
Step 1 - Prepare an 8 X 8-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper or simply rubbing some oil on the bottom of it. (You want to have the pan ready as soon as all of the ingredients are mixed together since it will set quickly.)
Step 2 - Melt 1/3 cup of vegan butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a 10 oz. bag of vegan marshmallows and stir well. (Mini marshmallows will melt faster and easier.)
Step 3 - Continue to heat the butter and marshmallows, stirring frequently until they are melted. (They will take longer than traditional marshmallows to melt.)
Step 4 - Once they are melted they will be a big sticky blob. At this time stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until you can no longer see the vanilla, then stir in 4 1/2 cups of puffed rice cereal.
Step 5 - Work quickly to mix it evenly, then pour it into your prepared dish.
Step 6 - Put a little cooking oil on your hands and press it down evenly in the pan. (At this time you can add some sprinkles to make them more festive if you wish.)
Step 7 - Allow cooling for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
🔲 Microwave method
- Prepare an 8 X 8-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper or simply rubbing some oil on the bottom of it. (You want to have the pan ready as soon as all of the ingredients are mixed together since it will set quickly.)
- Add the margarine and vegan marshmallow to a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Stir the marshmallows well getting them coated in the melted marshmallow then put it back in the microwave for 30 more seconds.
- Keep stirring and reheating the marshmallows in 30-second intervals until the marshmallows have lost their shape and are very soft. This usually takes about 3 minutes total in the microwave.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and then add 4 1/2 cups of puffed rice cereal.
- Mix well and then pour into your prepared dish.
- Allow cooling for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
👩🏻🍳 Pro Tips
- The melted marshmallows are very hot and sticky! Don't touch the melted marshmallows and watch the children if they are helping you.
- If you are used to making these with regular marshmallows, the vegan marshmallows take a little longer to melt.
- You can place a lid on the pot between stirring to help trap in the heat and help melt them faster.
- A wooden spoon works best for stirring the cereal since it gets thick.
- Add sprinkles while they are still warm and sticky if desired.
- Be sure to use fresh cereal, and stale rice Krispies will give you stale rice krispie treats.
📖 Variations
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats - add 1/3 cup of creamy peanut butter to the margarine and marshmallow mixture and stir well before adding the rice Krispies.
Chocolate Chip - After you add the cereal, allow the mixture to cool down for about 5 minutes and then stir in 3/4 cup of vegan chocolate chips.
Mint Chocolate Chip - use 1 teaspoon of mint extract instead of vanilla (plus 2 -3 drops of green vegan food coloring - optional). After you add the cereal, allow the mixture to cool down for about 5 minutes, and then stir in 3/4 cup of vegan chocolate chips. This makes it so the chocolate chips don't melt too much. Sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top. (You can also use 1 small drop of food-grade peppermint essential oils in place of the mint extract, but be sure to only use 1 drop since it's very strong.)
Cereal Bars - swap out the rice cereal with any other type of vegan cereal that you wish. You can also add nuts, raisins, or dried fruit if you wish.
🥡 Storage
Store your vegan rice Krispie treats in a sealed container on the countertop for up to 5 days or freeze them in an air-tight bag for up to 3 months.
🌟 More no-bake vegan deserts
- No-Bake Vegan Cheesecake
- Vegan Smores Pie
- Vegan Pudding
- No-Bake Vegan Oreo Cheesecake
- Vegan Jello
- Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake
📌 Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!
📋 Vegan rice krispie treats recipe
Vegan Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 1 (10 oz. bag) vegan marshmallows
- 1/3 cup vegan butter or refined coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanailla extract
- 4 1/2 cups puffed rice cereal
Instructions
- Prepare an 8 X 8-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper or simply rubbing some oil on the bottom of it. (You want to have the pan ready as soon as all of the ingredients are mixed together since it will set quickly.)
- Melt 1/3 cup of vegan butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a 10 oz. bag of vegan marshmallows and stir well. (Mini marshmallows will melt faster and easier.)
- Continue to heat the butter and marshmallows, stirring frequently until they are melted. (They will take longer than traditional marshmallows to melt.)
- Once they are melted they will be a big sticky blob. At this time stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until you can no longer see the vanilla, then stir in 4 1/2 cups of puffed rice cereal.
- Work quickly to mix it evenly, then pour it into your prepared dish.
- Put a little cooking oil on your hands and press it down evenly in the pan. (At this time you can add some sprinkles to make them more festive if you wish.)
- Allow cooling for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
Notes
- The melted marshmallows are very hot and sticky! Don't touch the melted marshmallows and watch children if they are helping you.
- If you are used to making these with regular marshmallows, the vegan marshmallows take a little longer to melt.
- You can place a lid on the pot in between stirring to help trap in the heat and help melt them faster.
- A wooden spoon works best for stirring in the cereal since it gets very thick.
- Add sprinkles while they are still warm and sticky if desired.
- Be sure to use fresh cereal, stale rice krispies will give you stale rice krispie treats.
Microwave method
- Prepare an 8 X 8-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper or simply rubbing some oil on the bottom of it. (You want to have the pan ready as soon as all of the ingredients are mixed together since it will set quickly.)
- Add the margarine and vegan marshmallow to a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Stir the marshmallows well getting them coated in the melted marshmallow then put it back in the microwave for 30 more seconds.
- Keep stirring and reheating the marshmallows in 30-second intervals until the marshmallows have lost their shape and are very soft. This usually takes about 3 minutes total in the microwave.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and then add 4 1/2 cups of puffed rice cereal.
- Mix well and then pour into your prepared dish.
- Allow cooling for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
Nutrition
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Click the stars above or leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you!
Do you think these would work without the butter or oil ? we can not use any refined oil? Maybe peanut butter or PB2 maybe work also. Just curious, I hate to waste ingredients,,,,,,
What a coincidence! I made this 2 days ago following the recipe on the back of a package of vegan marshmallows I saw at Walmart. Unfortunately, mine never set up. If you don't have ac in your home and you have 100% humidity (rain every day) wait until a dry time to make these. They are still good but hard to hold by hand because they droop.
Humidity does change the final result of these. I like to make them with a fresh box of cereal, so they are nice and crispy! 🙂