Who doesn’t love a good rice krispie treat? I know they are a fairly serious weakness for me- seriously serious. Because Coco and I wind up taking so many flights during the year for her work, we can be a bit like two kids (which is to say I can be like a kid) cruising through the airport looking for Rice Krispie treats that don’t have dairy in them so we can share a treat on the plane.
And there was one trip last year where we found the holy grail of rice krispie treats (It was enormous) and it was VEGAN!!! I am mad that I can’t remember where we found it, but my best guess is that it was in Orlando, FL. We pulled it out about half way through our flight and politely shred it equally- mine with a hot cup of airplane coffee LOL! I think it’s fair to say that I have been fairly obsessed with recreating a really good vegan version since.
But in going plant-based this year, I really needed to hop to it, and the upcoming superbowl gave me a great opportunity to just do it. Also, I was having major cravings about a week ago when I was up in Canada. We had a very long week of moving and starting production prep and set school before shooting starts for Coco and when I get tired, there is an inevitable craving for sugar that kicks in. I can’t help it- stress equals sugar cravings for me.
So one night, when we got home, I just headed for the store! To my delight, they had vegan marshmallows!!! (The brand we used is Dandies- which also do not use corn syrup and are non-GMO=AMAZING!!!)
I did go ahead and mess up a good plain rice krispie treat as my kids would say- but I have no regrets- these are awesome. I had to explain that you all know about regular rice krispie treats, so I have to show you how we can spice things up a bit! But if you are in their boat, and just want a basic treat, then you know what to do (and at least I will have filled you in on the vegan marshmallows!)
But if you too, love to be EXTRA, then add some cashew butter, a handful of toasted cashews and dried cranberries to your rice kripsie treats. Then perhaps, dunk them liberally in some melted chocolate and add some more nuts. Or if you are making these for the superbowl, you could add sprinkles in your team colors?
Either way, the sweet and salty flavors (and a little bit of tart from the cranberries!) make for an addictive snack/treat that you will love. I should know- I ate the majority of a pan myself and then had to text my sister for an intervention. But I will let you see for yourself!
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup cashew butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 10-ounces vegan marshmallows (I used Dandies)
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal (rice krispies are not marked vegan)
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup roasted and salted cashews
- 6-ounces vegan chocolate
- Coconut oil spray
- Prepare a 9×13 pan with coconut oil.
- In a large pot, melt the coconut oil and cashew butter and stir in the salt and vanilla. Add the marshmallows and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until they are melted- about 5 minutes.
- Add the cranberries and cashews to the crispy rice cereal and stir really well to combine. Let the combination cool slightly.
- Transfer the rice cereal mixture to the prepared pan and pat down tight with a spoon or spatula.
- Let the treats cool completely and set up and then slice.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave and whisk until smooth. Dip the treats partially in chocolate and then place on a sheet of wax paper and sprinkle with the finely chopped cashews. Let set up.
Print Recipe
The website for Dandies has a zip code-store finder … I was delighted to find that they could be found in a store near me!
http://dandiesmarshmallows.com
I am looking forward to trying your version. I have a similar recipe that uses Karo syrup + granulated sugar and peanut butter. But sugar has become an arthritis-trigger and I can only make them for group gatherings, to limit my eating them.
Recipe questions (1) looks like a typo … ingredients are kind-of repeated in instructions #1-10 (2) “Transfer HALF of the rice krispie mixture…” why half?
Yes! Weird typo, all fixed!
I’m still seeing the typos.
CAUTION! Conventional Kellogg’s Rice Krispies are made with malt syrup, derived from barley, which is a gluten-containing grain. They are most definitely not gluten free. Nature’s Path makes gluten-free crispy rice cereal, as does Barbara’s and Erewhon. I prefer “First Street Crisp Rice” (a store brand). I carry an EPI pen for gluten and I can attest that they are safe. https://www.nutritionix.com/i/first-street/cereal-crispy-rice/57739580b2cdb900363d51fe
Thanks Gina! That is why I put in the ingredients “Crispy Rice Cereal”!
When do you add the Rice Krispies? What do you do with the second half? Do you save out some cashews for the topping or do you need more?
Are Kellogg’s Rice Krispies gluten free? I thought because of the malt syrup (from barley) they were not. Would love it if I were wrong about this! If not Kellogg’s which brand do you use?
Hi Alison! I think you are right! I do not believe that they are- Barbara and Erewhon have GF versions!