Easy Vegan Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
These Easy Vegan Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats come together in under 20 minutes and make the perfect simple, dairy-free dessert. Made with wholesome ingredients and topped with chocolate ganache, this healthier twist on the classic treat is just the sweet bite you need for holidays, parties, or cozy nights at home.
I grew up eating homemade rice krispie treats and could never resist going back for another slice. My mom would make them on random afternoons, and I loved helping because the recipe was simple, quick, and never created a mess in the kitchen.
Those sweet moments of baking together inspired me to recreate this nostalgic favorite using dairy-free ingredients and better-for-you swaps. These vegan chocolate rice krispie treats still taste like childhood, only now they fit a healthier lifestyle without losing any of the fun.
And because I love this classic so much, I had to create more flavors too. Be sure to try my White Chocolate Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats and my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Squares next!
Spotlight on These Easy Vegan Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
- They are dairy-free: These vegan chocolate rice krispie treats are made without butter or milk, making them a perfect dessert for anyone avoiding dairy.
- They are easy to make: This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes with simple steps and basic ingredients. It’s the kind of dessert you can whip up last minute.
- They are healthier: Made with better-for-you ingredients and dairy-free chocolate, these vegan rice krispie treats are a lighter twist on the classic version.
- They are kid-friendly: Kids love rice krispie treats, and this chocolate version is no exception. They’re sweet, chewy, and fun to eat, and the recipe is easy enough for little helpers to join in the kitchen.
- They are customizable: Whether you want to add sprinkles, salt, or crushed candy cane to the ganache layer, or leave them as a simple chocolate square, you can easily tailor this recipe to fit any celebration or craving.
The Ingredients
Chocolate brown rice cereal: Look for a high-quality chocolate brown rice cereal made with simple ingredients. Stores like Sprouts, Whole Foods, and natural markets usually carry great options with less sugar and no artificial flavors.
Vegan marshmallows: Not all marshmallows are vegan, so be sure to check the label. Brands from Whole Foods or other health food stores melt beautifully to create that classic chewy texture.
Vegan butter: A plant-based butter works perfectly as the replacement in this recipe. While the flavor is slightly different from dairy butter, it still delivers the creamy richness needed for delicious vegan rice krispie treats.
Vanilla: Real vanilla extract adds warmth and enhances the chocolate flavor. It brings a cozy depth to the base layer of these treats.
For the ganache top layer, you will need the following ingredients.
Vegan chocolate chips: Choose a high-quality vegan chocolate for a smooth and rich ganache. The better the chocolate, the better the flavor of your finished treats.
Canned coconut milk: Use the hard top of your refrigerated coconut milk. The coconut milk gives the ganache a velvety, thick finish.
Vanilla: A splash of vanilla rounds out the ganache and pairs perfectly with the chocolatey base.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can but I recommend keeping it! The ganache is the best part about these rice krispie treats and really helps bring out the chocolate flavor.
I do not recommend freezing them but if you do, individually wrap each square in a piece of parchment paper and place them all in an airtight container. They will keep up to 3 months.
Thanks to the ingredient gelatin, most brands are not vegan. However, I used a vegan brand from Whole Foods. Use regular marshmallows if you have no preference.
They tend to take a bit longer to melt, so just be patient, and before you know it, you’ll have melted vegan marshmallows.
Yes! It is best to place your can of coconut milk in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
The Instructions
Step one: Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and spray with a non-stick cooking spray such as coconut oil spray.
Step two: Melt the vegan butter in a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Stirring often. Then, add the marshmallows and stir until creamy and completely melted. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Step three: Immediately add the chocolate brown rice cereal to the pot and stir until everything is combined and well coated.
Step four: Pour the rice krispie mixture into the prepared square pan. Use a spatula or a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to press it down into an even layer. Place the pan in the fridge while you make the top chocolate ganache layer.
Step five: Add all of the ganache ingredients to a small saucepan. This includes chocolate chips, coconut milk, and vanilla. Heat over medium heat, stirring consistently until it becomes smooth and creamy.
Step six: Pour the melted ganache over the top of the rice krispie treats. Use a spatula to spread it out, and evenly coat the top of the rice krispie treats. If desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, sprinkles, or crushed candy cane. Place the pan in the fridge for about an hour.
Step seven: Remove, cut into 12 even squares, and enjoy.
Storage
Lift the cut squares using the parchment paper and place them into an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to a week.
Tips + Modifications
Make sure your coconut milk has been refrigerated for 24 hours.
Any crispy cereal will work. You can use crispy brown rice crisps, crispy white rice cereal, or traditional rice krispie cereal.
Only use mini marshmallows. Large marshmallows will not melt properly.
Melt the marshmallows slowly. If you heat them too quickly at too high of heat, they will burn!
Use parchment paper to press the rice krispie mixture evenly into the pan instead of your hands for a less messy option.
Turn them into holiday treats by sprinkling holiday sprinkles or crushed candy canes over the melted ganache before placing them in the fridge.
For smaller treats, cut them into smaller squares!
More Vegan Rice Krispie Treats to Try
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
White Chocolate Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
Easy Vegan Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 1 8×8 casserole dish, lined with parchment paper
- 1 large pot *for the rice krispie mixture
- 1 small saucepan *for the ganache top layer
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup vegan butter
- 10 ounces vegan marshmallows *about 1 bag
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4½ cup chocolate brown rice cereal *I found mine at Sprouts/Whole Foods
For the top ganache layer
- 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup canned coconut milk, refrigerated for 24 hours *use the hard top portion
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and spray with a non-stick cooking spray such as coconut oil spray.
- Melt the vegan butter in a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Stirring often. Then, add the marshmallows and stir until creamy and completely melted. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Immediately add the chocolate brown rice cereal to the pot and stir until everything is combined and well coated.
- Pour the rice krispie mixture into the prepared square pan. Use a spatula or a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to press it down into an even layer. Place the pan in the fridge while you make the top chocolate ganache layer.
- Add all of the ganache ingredients to a small saucepan. This includes chocolate chips, coconut milk, and vanilla. Heat over medium heat, stirring consistently until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Pour the melted ganache over the top of the rice krispie treats. Use a spatula to spread it out, and evenly coat the top of the rice krispie treats. If desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, sprinkles, or crushed candy cane. Place the pan in the fridge for about an hour.
- Remove, cut into 12 even squares, and enjoy.
