Rice Krispies Gluten Free Recipe (Chocolate)

Cocoa Rice Krispies Recipe

Today we are making no bake dessert: a Chocolate Rice Krispies Gluten Free Recipe! If you grew up in the early 2000’s like I did, then you’ll remember that classic treats like Rice Krispies (along with Kool-Aid packs, Dunkaroos, Fruit Roll-Ups, Sunny-D and the counterpart for Rice Krispies – the chocolate version) were all the rage. At the time, I couldn’t get enough of all these sugar-laden lunchbox snacks.

You may wonder why regular Rice Krispies are not gluten free. This is because they contain malt syrup, which is derived from barley. Barley itself is not gluten-free, so malt syrup is not gluten-free either.

Athough vegan and gluten-free snacks are more common than they were a decade ago, it’s nice to make your own snacks to save on the extra packaging, the cost and the option to be able to add whatever customizations or ingredients you like.

Why You’ll Love This Cocoa Rice Krispies Gluten Free Recipe

Homemade Childhood Treat: Rice Crispy treats remind me of my younger days, when my mom would pack a ton of delicious snacks in my lunchbox and gave me something to look forward to during snack time. Pop Tarts, Mrs. Fields cookies, Little Debbie Honey Buns, Oatmeal Cream Pies and Cosmic Brownies – you name it.

These marshmallow treats with their crinkly blue wrappers, covered in chocolate covered rainbow sprinkle dots just hit the spot back then. The original recipe also used corn syrup, barley malt extract and other chemical ingredients. Making them at home with a few simple ingredients is just so satisfying!

Great Gift or Road Trip Idea: This is a dessert/snack that’s an easy recipe to decorate and give as a gift. Think sprinkles pressed into the top of the bars before they firm up, which gives them this wonderful rainbow-cocoa color! They also make for a great road trip snack (or something to bring to a potluck or bake sale. No more trying to lug around two dozen cupcakes to a bake sale without smushing the frosting)! They can be put in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap at room temperature.

Substitutions

Semisweet Chocolate: Not all semi-sweet chocolate chocolate chips are vegan. Check the ingredient label on the bag to confirm whether there is dairy in it or not. Dark chocolate can be a substitute, albeit making the dessert less sweet because of the reduced sugar in dark chocolate.

Vegan Butter: Refined coconut oil may work as a substitute here, but I can’t guarantee. As the butter melts, it gives that rice krispy flavor and aroma when it toasts along with the melted marshmallows! I like using Melt brand of salted dairy-free butter sticks.

Rice Krispies: Use Rice Krispies cereal that’s certified gluten free. Another substitute can be puffed brown rice cereal or another gluten-free rice cereal, but it doesn’t give that same crispy rice cereal crunch. If you don’t need them to be 100% gluten-free, you can use regular Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal.

Cacao Powder: Cacao powder is the less processed version of cocoa powder (cocoa powder is the bitter powder using in chocolate baked goods). You can use either cacao or cocoa. I used Organic Traditions cacao powder.

Where to Buy Vegan Marshmallows

Vegan Marshmallows: Regular marshmallows are not vegan (or even vegetarian) because they contain gelatin. Gelatin is an animal-based food ingredient because it is a protein that is extracted by boiling animal parts (normally from cows or pigs) with water. Agar agar is a common vegan substitute that is used in replacement of vegan gelatin.

However, this amazing brand called Dandies makes the BEST vegan marshmallows. Their taste and texture is just like their commonly-used gelatin counterpart. They even melt just like regular marshmallows do on the stovetop in Rice Krispies recipes!

I buy their regular-sized vegan marshmallows, which are available at the grocery stores in my area. You can also buy them online. Alternatively, you can use the equivalent number of cups of the mini marshmallows version that this brand sells.

Gluten Free Cocoa Rice Krispies Recipe Notes

• For more vanilla flavor, add a little bit of pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste into this recipe!
• Use the remaining marshmallows to make s’mores with vegan graham crackers and the leftover chocolate chips!
• To avoid the marshmallow mixture sticking all over your hands as you pat the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan, rub a little bit of vegan butter on your hands before handling it.
• Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon when mixing melted chocolate, butter and marshmallows to avoid the spoon handle heating up while cooking.
• To avoid the mixture sticking to the bottom of the baking pan, use parchment paper / wax paper to line the bottom.
• The rice krispies mixture can burn easily. Stir it constantly and keep it on medium-low heat as stated in the recipe card below.

More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Peppermint Matcha Nanaimo Bars: This is a triple layer bar with a chocolate coconut crust, a mint matcha filling and a thick chocolate topping!

Mango Coconut Energy Bites: No bake energy balls using dried mango and desiccated coconut, for a tropical snack!

Almond Flour Brownie Bites: Reminiscent of Costco’s One Bite Brownies, these gluten-free brownie bites are the perfect snack with a tall glass of oat milk!

Peanut Butter Bites: Roasted peanuts and raisins give these energy bites the perfect combination of sweet and salty flavor!

Orange Creamsicle Bites: These are a no-bake, healthy energy bites remake of orange creamsicle popsicles. The kind that are filled with vanilla ice cream and covered with a sugary orange coating!

If you make these Cocoa Rice Krispies treats, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!