Vegan rice crispy treats are a crowd pleaser at any gathering. They’re loved by kids and adults alike. They use only 3 ingredients and come together in minutes. Plus, they’re both vegan & gluten-free.
Sweet & sticky rice crispy treats are a childhood dessert staple. They’re so easy a kid can make them. And they never fail to please. They’re a favorite at classroom parties and holidays, as well as a weekday afternoon snack.
They couldn’t be easier to prepare – especially when you make them in the microwave.
Just melt marshmallows with non-dairy butter, stir in rice cereal, and carefully press into a buttered baking dish. So simple! (If you prefer, I give stovetop directions too.)
While most rice crispy treats aren’t vegan, they’re incredibly easy to veganize.
How to insure your treats are totally vegan
Use rice cereal that doesn’t include vitamin D3 (which comes from animal sources like sheep’s wool.) I use Trader Joe’s rice cereal. Nature’s Path is also good. Skip the krispies with the cartoon elf mascots.
Opt for non-dairy butter instead of dairy.
Grab vegan marshmallows. (Most common marshmallows include gelatin, which is made from animal ligaments.)
What kind of marshmallows should I use?
For this recipe, I used Dandies. It’s a popular brand of vegan marshmallows that is found in most natural grocery stores. Trader Joe’s also sells vegan marshmallows as a seasonal item in the summer.
I use full-size marshmallows. But if you’d prefer to use an equal amount of mini ones, that works too.
How to make vegan rice crispy treats
Here’s what you’ll need for vegan rice crispy treats: crisp rice cereal, vegan marshmallows, and non-dairy butter.
You’ll also need a microwave-safe bowl (if microwaving), a square baking dish, and a pot (if doing the stovetop method).
Start by greasing your baking dish with non-dairy butter or oil. A neutral flavored oil like canola works for this, or you can use coconut oil if you like its coconutty flavor.
For easiest & even melting, I like to divide full-sized marshmallows into quarters. You can use kitchen shears or simply pull them apart with your fingers.
To make rice crispy treats in the microwave, put 3 Tablespoons of non-dairy butter into a large glass bowl, along with the quartered marshmallows. Microwave for about 80 seconds, stopping every 30 seconds or so to stir for even melting. You’ll know the marshmallows are ready when they soften, look somewhat wet, and lose most of their shape.
To make rice crispy treats on the stovetop, bring a large pot to a low heat with non-dairy butter. Once the butter melts, add the quartered marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows become warm & softened. Remove from heat.
Stir 4 cups of crispy rice cereal into the bowl or pot. To fully incorporate the cereal, you’ll need to use your hands. Be careful as the marshmallows (and pot, if using) will be quite hot.
If necessary, you can oil your spoon and/or hands, so that the marshmallows don’t stick to them.
Press the marshmallow & cereal mixture into the buttered dish. Allow the treats to cool for easiest cutting. (Although, they’re extra gooey & delicious when they’re still slightly warm.)
Make them your own
You can make these tasty treats your own with these add-ons:
When melting the marshmallows, stir in ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract for an extra bump of flavor.
When stirring in the cereal, incorporate your favorite add-ins like crushed vegan sandwich cookies, nuts, or chocolate chips.
Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (like in my chocolate covered oranges recipe), and finish the bars with a drizzle of chocolate or dunk the sliced squares into it.
How to store leftovers
Store leftovers on the counter in a covered container or resealable freezer bag. They will keep for about 3 days.
Vegan rice crispy treats
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons non-dairy butter plus extra for buttering dish
- 10 ounces vegan marshmallows
- 4 cups crisp rice cereal
Instructions
- Lightly butter an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 square baking dish. Set aside. (If you'd rather, you can oil the dish with canola or coconut oil.)
- For easiest melting, it's best to cut or tear full-sized marshmallows into quarters. You can use kitchen shears or your fingers.
- TO MICROWAVE: In a large glass mixing bowl, put in 3 Tablespoons of non-dairy butter and quartered marshmallows from a 10 ounce bag. Microwave for about 80 seconds, stopping every 30 seconds to stir for even melting. You'll know the marshmallows are ready when they soften, lose a lot of their shape, and look somewhat wet.Stir in 4 cups of crisp rice cereal. To fully incorporate the cereal, you’ll need to use your hands. Be careful as the marshmallows will be quite hot. Press the marshmallow & cereal mixture into the buttered dish. Allow the treats to cool for easiest cutting. (Although, they’re extra gooey & delicious when they’re still slightly warm.) Cut into squares & serve.
- TO MAKE ON STOVETOP: Bring a large pot to a low heat with non-dairy butter. Once the butter melts, add the quartered marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows become warm and softened. Remove from heat. Stir 4 cups of crisp rice cereal into the pot. To fully incorporate the cereal, you’ll need to use your hands. Be careful as the marshmallows and pot will be quite hot. Press the marshmallow & cereal mixture into the buttered dish. Allow the treats to cool for easiest cutting. (Although, they’re extra gooey & delicious when they’re still slightly warm.) Cut into squares & serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Content, recipe, and photos updated April 14, 2021. Originally posted October 23, 2012.
ameyfm
I’ve never ever heard of may day baskets! what a fun idea. Also, I love rice krispie treats so much, it’s crazy!
Cadry
I love rice crispy treats too much, I’ve discovered! I hadn’t made them in a million years, and I had to send David off to work with them today! They were somewhat oddly shaped because of their former basket selves, but still tasty!
Maggie Muggins
I’m not familiar with May Day baskets, it sounds like fun! I would love to receive a little basket of goodies on my doorstep. I can’t remember the last time I had rice krispie treats, they look so yummy!
Cadry
It had been such a long time since I’d made them too. In fact, I think the last time I made them I wasn’t even vegetarian yet!
GiGi
What a cute story. I’ve never celebrated May Day, but I think we should celebrate marshmallow basket day.
Cadry
Absolutely! The world needs more marshmallow basket holidays! 😉
Bobbie {the vegan crew}
I think the world would be a nicer place if more people celebrated May Day 🙂 Rice krispy treats used to be one of my favorite treats, and the baskets are adorable!
Cadry
I think you’re right! Unlike so many overly commercialized holidays, May Day just involves some construction paper, a few candies, or a handful of flowers. For the most part, it’s just about giving someone else a nice, unexpected surprise!
Caitlin
what a lovely story! i never knew what may day was until just now. i love these baskets and the fact that they can carry little goodies. i’m now scheming for ways to utilize these little cuties.
Cadry
When I was looking into it, May Day is celebrated in a variety of ways. Some of them are more political, similar to Labor Day, and it honors the people who worked to make 8 hour days standard. For other people, celebrating May Day is more lighthearted with May baskets and dances around the May pole. (When I was in kindergarten, the end of the school year was celebrated with a big May pole dance.) Good luck with your basket schemes! I’m sure whatever you choose will be delicious! 🙂
cookeasyvegan
Flowers in paper baskets are nice — even avocados in baskets are nice. But crispy rice baskets are the best yet. That’s the kind of basket I want!
Cadry
I’ll keep that in mind for May! 🙂
Richa
i want some of these cute rice baskets! my mom used to make rice balls and other shapes with puffed rice and jaggery syrup for our sweet tooth.
Cadry
Oh, that sounds good too!
Kristy
I have never heard of that May Day tradition! That’s so interesting.
These baskets looks so cute and yummy. I’ve been wanting to try Sweet & Sara’s marshmallows for awhile- I think I need to order them and some soy curls and try a bunch of new things at once!
Cadry
David had never heard of May Day baskets either until he met me. It seems like it’s not a terribly widespread holiday.
This was my first time trying Sweet & Sara marshmallows too. In the past I’ve always gotten Dandies, but they don’t sell those locally. The Sweet & Sara ones are a good size and have a nice vanilla flavor to them. I saw that they also sell strawberry ones, which would be cool to sample. Absolutely try out Soy Curls! I’m kind of particular about the ways that I enjoy them. I don’t like it if they’re just rehydrated in a soup and kind of spongey, but when they have all of their liquid squeezed out and they’re somewhat crisp, I really enjoy them. I recommend starting with the Smoky Soy Curls from Vegan Diner & the courico tacos from Vegan Brunch.
Kristy
Just ordered both! 🙂
Cadry
Yay! I look forward to hearing about what you make! This must be the day for making MoFo-fueled purchases… Today I ordered sumac and amchur powder from the Spice Station (and my favorite smoked salt while I was placing an order anyway)!
Somer
I still haven’t bought vegan marshmallows, I really ought to, I’m sure my kids would love them. I’ve been making chocolate rice crispy treats instead which use almond butter to hold them together. It’s time to go traditional!
Cadry
Yes, I saw that on your blog! Those sound mighty tasty too!
David
These were sooooo good, it was difficult not to just keep eating them until they were gone!
Cadry
I know the feeling. So glad you enjoyed them!