Gluten Free Rice Krispies Treats are just as delicious as the original.

This is a four ingredient recipe that comes together in less than half an hour (not including cooling time). Make these treats for birthday parties, holidays, snacks, or for use in cake decorating. You can add sprinkles to the top to dress them up.

I use organic, gluten-free rice cereal and vegan marshmallows to make this recipe (they're corn syrup free!). Feel free to swap out the marshmallows for your regular brand if corn syrup isn't an issue for you.

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Are Rice Krispies Gluten Free?

No, Kellogg's Rice Krispies are infamously NOT gluten-free. It's kind of a running joke that it isn't. As the cereal is made out of rice, one would presume they were safe to eat. However, they contain "malt flavor" which is derived from the grain barley, making them contain a form of gluten.

The irony is it can be pretty difficult to find a brand of rice cereal that is gluten-free. I used organic, gluten-free rice cereal from the brand One Degree Organic Foods. I buy them on Thrive Market (Get 40% off your first order + sometimes a gift).

One Degree's Brown Rice Crisps turn out really good in Gluten Free Rice Krispies Treats. The only differences I found are that they are a little bit crunchier, so there is a less chewy texture in the finished product. Their color is also on the whiter side, whereas Rice Krispies are a golden yellow, so these turn out paler. All in all, they 98% satisfied my Rice Krispies craving.

Can I Make These Not Gluten Free?

Yes, you can easily transform this recipe back to the classic by swapping out the gluten free rice cereal for Kellogg's Rice Krispies.

What Do I Need To Make Gluten Free Rice Krispies Treats?

You will only need four ingredients:

Gluten-free rice cereal. (See above for a brand recommendation)
Your favorite marshmallows; mini or regular sized.
Pure Vanilla Extract.
Melted butter. Tip: To make this recipe fully vegan, use plant-based butter.

Do I Have To Use Vegan Marshmallows?

No, you can swap out the marshmallows for any brand that you like! The only reason I chose to go with vegan mallows is because they are corn syrup free. I can't have any corn products that aren't organic, as I find I experience similar symptoms to eating gluten afterwards. You can read more about my beliefs on the About page.

I used Dandies Vanilla Vegan Marshmallows from Thrive Market (Get 40% off your first order + sometimes a free gift). Honestly, neither my husband and I noticed a difference in flavor. They were delicious, and melted beautifully!

How To Make Gluten Free Rice Krispies Treats:

Line your preferred baking dish with parchment paper, then weigh it down with a glass or jar for it to stay in place. Tip: Use an 8x8 baking dish for fewer, but colossal squares (like I did), or use a 9x13 for smaller, more classic squares.
If using regular-sized marshmallows, cut them in half or quarters to encourage faster melting. Tip: Use a pair of kitchen scissors or just pull them apart with your hands. I prefer to reduce the size of my marshmallows that way I don't have to worry about the butter burning from the marshmallows taking too long to melt.

Melt butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Once the butter has melted, add all but one cup of the marshmallows. Tip: I save one cup of marshmallows for the end so that there are some of the pieces left to bite into. If you don't want pieces of marshmallow, add all of them in at this stage.

Reduce the heat to low and continuously stir the marshmallow mixture until completely melted. This should take around 5 minutes.

Remove the melted marshmallow mixture from the heat and add in the vanilla. Stir until well-distributed. Add in the rice cereal and the remaining cup of marshmallows. Stir until combined, being careful to not compact the mixture.

Pour the rice cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a silicone spatula or your fingers to gently press the treats into the pan. Do not overpack or else they will be harder to eat/less airy.

Allow to completely cool and set for one hour.
Cut into squares, and serve.

Storage Instructions: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Do not leave out uncovered, or else the air will cause the cereal to become stale.