Vegan Rice Krispie Treats (chewy, gooey & easy!)
by Olivia Biermann
on September 8, 2025
These are the ultimate chewy, gooey, dairy-free Rice Krispie treats made with vegan marshmallows. All it takes is three simple ingredients, and a little patience while they set, before you can bite into this classic, nostalgic snack at home.
This is, in my humble opinion, the best way to make vegan rice krispie treats! I walk you through the process to guarantee that you get the chewy, gooey, marshmallow-y and buttery treats you crave.
This nostalgic fav is fool-proof!
I make these whenever I need a quick and guaranteed crowd-friendly dessert! There’s just something about Rice Krispie treats that takes me right back to childhood. That chewy-yet-crunchy bite is pure comfort and reminds me of bake sales, school lunches, and sneaking a square from the pan before it had fully cooled. I knew I had to make a vegan version, because why should anyone miss out on this nostalgic treat? With a few simple swaps (and plenty of gooey vegan marshmallows, of course), these vegan Rice Krispie treats taste just as magical as the ones you remember!
It’s no secret that Greg and I are the type of food bloggers who go back to our roots when we want to test a new recipe. Whether it’s recreating old childhood favourites like chewy chocolate chip cookies or foods we thought we would have to give up (steak with garlic butter, anyone?) we live for the nostalgia!
When the vegan marshmallows won’t melt right
Vegan marshmallows melt differently than regular ones. Some brands clump, burn, or become crystallized with sugar, leaving big chunks instead of a smooth-ish mixture that loosely resembles cottage cheese (see picture 3 below). I like to use the Dandies brand of marshmallows and I’ve found that instead of using the microwave to melt them like I used to when I made regular rice crispy treats, melting them on the stove with vegan butter and a dash of non-dairy milk as needed, works best.
If your treats are too hard or get soggy
If you overheat the marshmallows or pack the mixture too tightly, your treats can turn hard instead of chewy. Press firmly, but not too much.
On the other hand, if you mix too slowly, the cereal can lose its crunch. Work quickly, stir until just combined, and then press into the pan for the best results!
Not all crispy rice cereal is vegan
Not all “Rice Krispies” style cereals are technically vegan (Kellogg’s Rice Krispies in some countries contain vitamin D3 sourced from lanolin). You can search for certified vegan crispy rice cereal if you prefer.
Vegan Rice Krispie Treats (chewy, gooey & easy!)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes + 1 hour refrigeration
- Yield: 16 squares
- Category: sweets
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These are the ultimate ooey, gooey, dairy-free Rice Krispie treats made with vegan marshmallows. All it takes is three simple ingredients, and a little patience while they set, before you can bite into this classic, nostalgic snack at home.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegan butter or margarine
- 1 bag (283g) vegan marshmallows (I use Dandies mini marshmallows)
- 1 tbsp non-dairy milk like soy or oat
- 4 cups Rice Krispie cereal
Instructions
- Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium pot over medium-low heat, melt the vegan butter, then add the marshmallows, stirring frequently until melted and gooey. Add the nondairy milk and stir well. I find the mixture loosely resembles cottage cheese (it’s never going to be perfectly smooth with vegan marshmallows). It is better to go low and slow to avoid heating the marshmallows too quickly and causing them to seize.
- Remove from heat and quickly add the rice cereal and mix to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pressing it into an even layer (a lightly oiled spatula or fingers works best).
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
I find vegan Rice Krispie treats keep best stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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