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Dairy Free Rice Krispie Treats (gluten free too!)

What kid (or adult) doesn't love a good Dairy Free Rice Krispie Treat!?! Well, now anybody, even those with gluten and dairy allergies or intolerances can enjoy a nice ooey, gooey, sticky treat.

Making allergen friendly rice krispie treats is the perfect way to make sure everyone can enjoy something sweet.

Plus, these treats are easy and quick to make!  

Close up looking at a tower of dairy free gluten free rice krispie treats.
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Why Make These Treats

  • They're a classic yet made with ingredients that can be enjoyed by those following a gluten free diet or a dairy free diet (and more special diets)
  • You only need 3 ingredients to make a batch of ooey, gooey delicious treats
  • It only takes 20 minutes from start to finish
  • They're just as good, if not better than the storebought treats
  • These gluten free rice krispies are a no bake treat that everyone will love

Ingredient Notes

Get the info on the brands of the simple ingredients we used here. You'll find more info on the actual quantities, with the instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. 

  • Marshmallows- we use Dandies Marshmallows since they're a brand that has gluten free and vegan (dairy free) on the packaging. We know other brands like Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows are gluten free but they don't say it on the label guaranteeing it. We have friends over at Good For You Gluten Free that tested those marshmallows for gluten using their Nima sensor and it showed that there was no hidden gluten, but some people prefer only using brands that are labeled as gluten free (and dairy free too) and we 100% understand that! You can use any dairy free or vegan marshmallows that you enjoy. We will say that mini marshmallows are the easiest to melt!
  • Coconut Oil- use your favorite brand. 
  • Rice Krispie Cereal- we like using the Nature's Path Organic Crispy Rice cereal. We've also heard good things about the Walmart version (Crispie Rice), the Aldi's version and the Harris Teeter's gluten free crispy rice cereals. Any gluten free and vegan rice krispies (dairy free cereal) will work.

How to Make Dairy Free Rice Krispie Treats

  1. Line a 9x9 square pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large pan, combine coconut oil and ooey gooey marshmallows over medium heat. Heat until the mixture is almost completely melted. This should take 8-10 minutes. Stir constantly as the bottom can quickly burn.
  3. Add in 4-5 cups of rice krispie cereal, depending on how gooey you enjoy your treats. Stir in cereal until evenly coated.
  4. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and let cool.
  5. Cut into squares and serve.
  6. optional: drizzle with ¼ c melted dairy free dark chocolate drizzle

Storage

These delicious rice krispies treats (gluten-free version) should be stored in an airtight sealed container and can be refrigerated or left at room temperature for up to a few days. 

A few gluten free and dairy free rice krispie treats.

FAQ

Can you freeze rice krispie treats?

Yes, you can freeze rice krispie treats. To do so, wrap each treat individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. 

When ready to eat this classic treat, let the treats defrost at room temperature before consuming.

Why did my marshmallow mixture crystalize? 

​If you heat this oil and marshmallow mixture on too high heat, it will cause the sugar to start to crystalize. 

Why are my dairy free rice krispie treats stiff? 

Oftentimes this can happen because you heated the coconut oil and marshmallows on too high of heat and the sugar started to crystalize and won't be smooth.

Make sure to use the proper heat when melting the marshmallows so you can make the best vegan rice krispie treats. 

Are Kellogg's Rice Krispies dairy free?

Unfortunately, Kellogg's Rice Krispie Treats contain milk, making them NOT dairy free. So, that's another great reason to maek our dairy free treats using today's recipe. 

Are Rice Krispie Treats Gluten Free?

The Kellogg's Rice Krispie Treats that you buy at the grocery store are NOT gluten free. That's another reason to make these homemade DIY gluten (and dairy free) Rice Krispie treats!
A super easy recipe and they take no time at all.

What can I use instead of marshmallows in rice crispy treats?

If you're looking for a dairy free marshmallow replacement, you could try using vegan marshmallows. You can also use dates as a marshmallow replacement by mashing the dates up and adding them directly to the mixture.

This will definitely change the taste, but if you need a different option this may be it so you don't have to make a trip to the grocery store.

But make sure to heat the mixture on low-medium heat to avoid crystalizing the sugar again.

A plate full of allergen friendly peanut free, gluten free and dairy free homemade rice krispie treats.

​Variations

  • ​Swap the dairy free butter alternative. We used coconut oil, but if you can't use that, you can use any other vegan butter alternative. Other options we like to use are Earth's Balance Buttery sticks are our favorite. Bonus points that the gold/yellow box is soy free too. Additionally, you can use Country Crocks Plant Based butter, sun butter or any other butter alternative that you have on hand and enjoy baking with.
  • Add some melted chocolate. You can use chocolate drizzle or make your own melted chocolate using allergen friendly chocolate chips like Nestle Toll House Allergen Free Baking Chips or EnjoyLife Chocolate Chunk Morsels. You can add any flavor of chocolate that you enjoy fr this easy dessert. 
  • Add vanilla. Try adding some pure vanilla extract to the marshmallow and coconut oil to sweeten these up a bit more.
  • ​Add some buttercream frosting. Use our dairy free vanilla buttercream or the chocolate buttercream version. Both of these recipes are gluten free too and super simple to make.
  • ​Add more toppings. Try a dollop of peanut butter on each of these gluten-free rice krispie treats. You can also drizzle maple syrup or even honey for some of our favorite ways to sweeten these up without having to hit the grocery store. 

Recipe Tips 

  • Don't hesitate to use a certified gluten-free crispy cereal. There's so many brands that may look gluten free but can risk cross contamination. 
  • We like using a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula when smoothing the mixture into the prepared pan. It helps keep your hands cleaner while spreading the extra ooey gooey mixture. 
  • If storing your treats in an airtight container, you may want to use wax paper in between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
A stack of a couple dairy free homemade rice crispy treats.

More gluten and dairy free recipes desserts:

If you like dairy free rice krispie treats, try any of these other delicious treats. 

A smaller stack of homemade dairy free rice krispie treats.

Gluten and Dairy Free Rice Krispie Treats

Enjoy these classic treats anywhere. They make great school and birthday party treats.
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Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 236kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces Marshmallows 1 10 ounce bag
  • ¼ cup Coconut Oil
  • 5 cups Rice Krispie Cereal need anywhere from 4-5 cups

Instructions

  • Line a 9x9 square pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  • In a large stove top pan, combine coconut oil and marshmallows over medium heat. Heat until the mixture is almost completely melted. This should take 8-10 minutes. Stir constantly as the bottom can quickly burn.
  • Add in 4-5 cups of rice krispie cereal, depending on how gooey you enjoy your treats. Stir in cereal until evenly coated.
  • Pour into the prepared pan and let cool.
  • Cut into squares and serve.
  • optional: drizzle with ¼ c melted dairy free chocolate

Notes

  • These will last several days in an air tight container.
  • Sometimes the nutritional calculators don't include gluten and dairy free brands, so they use "traditional" products. Remember that these nutritional facts are just estimates. You will need to use your own calculator with info from your brands of choice to get more accurate results.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 1164IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

These Nutritional Facts are ESTIMATED. Your actual nutritional info with this recipe may vary depending on the brands you choose. “Eating Gluten and Dairy Free” is not a registered dietician or nutritionist. The provided nutritional info above is based on a generic calculator, if you want more accurate info, use your nutritional calculator of choice where you can choose brands and get more info that way.

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