Gluten-Free Rice Krispies Treats

Ultra gooey gluten-free rice krispies treats are the best recipe for all to enjoy! Learn safe gluten-free rice krispies brands, expert tips, and dairy-free and vegan variations!

Not only is this recipe for gluten-free rice krispies treats safe for all to enjoy, but with an ultra gooey texture, browned butter flavor, and touch of salty finish, these are the best rice crispy treats you’ll ever have!

ARE RICE KRISPIES GLUTEN-FREE? 

You may be wondering if all brands or rice krispies are gluten-free. In short, no. While the cereal’s main ingredients -rice, sugar, corn syrup, and salt, are all naturally gluten-free, it is the additives you have to watch out for.

Some brands, such as Kellogg’s Rice Krispies add ‘MALT FLAVOR,’ which is a derivative of barley and a gluten-containing grain. While Kellogg’s used to make a gluten-free rice krispies cereal, they have stopped production of it.

Rice crispy treats or peanut butter rice krispie treats are still easy to make gluten-free with a little extra attention paid to the brand and ingredients label. Below are safe brands of crisp rice cereal to use.

If you come across another brand that is not listed, look for MALT FLAVOR OR BARLEY on the ingredients label and avoid for gluten-free!

• Aldi (my preferred brand)
• Wegman’s (recommended)
• Malt-o-Meal (recommended)
• Nature’s Path
• Back To Nature
• Erewhon
• Barbara’s Brown Rice Cereal
• One Degree Sprouted Brown Rice Crisp Cereal

Are marshmallows gluten-free?

Yes, marshmallows are gluten-free as long as they are made with cornstarch, not wheat starch or a wheat derivative. The most popular brands in the U.S. – Kraft, Campfire, Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and Dandies – are all safe to us.

How To Make gluten-free rice krispies treats

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

1. Assemble the ingredients – Since the recipe comes together so quickly, you’ll want to measure out the gluten-free crispy rice cereal first, set aside 2 cups of the mini marshmallows, and gather the remaining ingredients. For easy removing and cutting, line a 9 X 13-inch pan with two large pieces of foil, criss-crossed. Press the foil up the sides and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Brown the butter – First melt 12 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted watch carefully and stir occasionally so butter doesn’t burn. First the butter will foam, then the milk solids will start to settle at the bottom. Watch for the milk solids from white to turn brown. Once that happens, immediately remove from heat.
3. Add the marshmallows – Off the heat, add the remaining marshmallows (with the 2 cups removed), vanilla extract, and salt. Place the pot back over medium-low heat and stir continuously until the marshmallows are melted and smooth. Remove from the heat.
4. Add the cereal – Stir in the cereal and the reserved 2 cups of mini marshmallows until evenly mixed. It is okay if the added marshmallows start to melt. That is what makes these rice crispy treats so gooey!
5. Spread – Use the spatula to spoon into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly, but do not press so hard they are compacted, making them hard to eat.
6. Cool and slice – Let the bars cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. If you are ready to serve, lift the foil out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to cut into squares. If you plan on serving later, leave the bars in the pan and cover securely with foil until ready to serve.

making brown butter tips

Although making browned butter can sound intimidating, it’s actually just as simple as melting butter on the stovetop! Using browned butter for rice krispies treats, as well as almond financiers or smashed potatoes, adds a caramel, nutty taste.

The trickiest part of making browned butter is knowing when it is done. First the milk solids will separate and sink to the bottom of the pan. They will slowly turn from white to brown. Once they are brown, immediately remove the melting butter from the heat.

If you accidentally leave it on too long and solids are black, it can still be saved! Simply pour the butter through a fine mesh strainer to remove the burnt sediment and continue with the recipe.

vegan or dairy-free rice krispies treats

Turn this recipe into dairy-free rice krispies treats or vegan with these easy adjustments!

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Rice Krispies Treats – Instead of butter, use plant-based butter sticks, such as Earth Balance butter sticks. Since dairy-free butter does not contain milk solids, skip the browning step and instead just melt the butter.

Vegan Rice Krispies Treats – Use vegan butter sticks, as in dairy-free rice krispies treats. For the marshmallows, use a vegan marshmallows, such as Dandies, which does not contain gelatin.

rice krispies treats add-ins and variations

1. Different gluten-free cereals – Substitute other GF cereals, such as chocolate krispies (Cocoa Pebbles) or Fruity Pebbles. If you like to use rice or corn Chex cereal, see the best scotcheroos recipe.
2. Salted rice krispies treats – Sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt on top before they cool completely.
3. Candy bar rice crispy bars – Chop 1 cup gluten-free candy bars, such as Milky Way or Snickers. Stir in 1/2 cup with the cereal and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup on top before they cool.
4. Gluten-Free Oreos rice krispies treats – Stir in about 20 crushed gluten-free oreos with the cereal.

How to store and freeze

Storing – For best results, leave the bars uncut until ready to serve. Store at room temperature, wrapped securely in foil or in an airtight container, up to two days.

Freezing – Rice crispy treats may be frozen as well. Either wrap the entire uncut batch securely in plastic wrap or individual slices. To freeze uncut bars, wrap again in layers of foil. For bars, transfer to a ziplock freezer bag. Freeze up to two months.

expert tips and tricks

• Make sure your marshmallows are not hard or sticky before using. They should not be clumped together and be soft to the touch.
• Save the butter wrapper for spreading out the bars in the pan. It helps evenly distribute the mixture without sticking. If you threw the wrapper away, a piece of wax paper greased with nonstick cooking spray also works.
• If you accidentally melt the butter too long, and solids are black, it can still be saved! Simply pour the butter through a fine mesh strainer to remove the burnt sediment and continue with the recipe.
• Press the mixture evenly, but do not press so hard they are compacted, making them hard to eat.
• Make a foil sling to easily lift the bars out of the pan to cut. Place two large pieces, criss-crossed, with overhang to lift out.
• Replace the mini marshmallows with two 7-ounce jars of marshmallow fluff.

frequently asked questions

Click here to see the step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

More gluten-free dessert Recipes 

• Almond Flour Brownies
• Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
• Oat Flour Cookies
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

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