healthy rice krispie treats

Made without any marshmallows or butter, these Healthy Rice Krispie Treats are a great way to enjoy a childhood favourite!

Today’s post will be short and sweet… just like me… except not really. I can probably pull off sweet well enough, but short might prove to be a little more difficult seeing as I’m all of 5’8.5″. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t, though… like when I tower over guys when I wear heels, or when I can’t cross my legs under a table. But I digress. I promised a shorter post and I’m already rambling, so let’s get to the point, shall we? Or the squares…

No matter how old I get or how many fancy desserts I come across, I have to admit that Rice Krispie squares will probably always be one of my favourite sweet treats. Just three simple ingredients that, when combined, create something magical…

And irresistible! Back in the day, I could put away an entire batch of squares without much of a problem. Soft, chewy, crunchy, sweet… they were perfection. Heck, they still are. Except these days I try to get a little more variety in my diet instead of eating squares for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I’ve swapped out the butter and marshmallows for slightly healthier ingredients like almond butter and honey. The result is a sweet and chewy square that may not taste exactly the same as the original (depending on what kind of nut butter you use), but is just as good and just as addicting.

The recipe comes together in a flash and requires only 5 ingredients, two of which are optional. All you really need to make these is the cereal, honey, and almond butter, but the vanilla adds a lovely flavour, and the chocolate is… well… chocolate. Although to be perfectly honest, sometimes I leave it out because I actually prefer my Rice Krispie treats without anything on them — I just love the basic combo that much.

I also love that I can feel good about eating multiple servings of these, and that they can be made nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and/or vegan, depending on what ingredients you use. Everyone needs a go-to recipe when it comes to the classics (chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, apple pie, etc.), and this is mine for healthy rice krispie treats.

I’d love to know if you make this (or any!) recipe! Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!

Healthy Rice Krispie Treats

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★★★★★

4.8 from 10 reviews

• Author: Amanda @ Running with Spoons
• Total Time: 10 mins
• Yield: 12 squares 1x

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Ingredients

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• 1/4 cup (64 g) creamy no-stir almond butter*
• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) coconut oil
• 1/2 cup (160 g) brown rice syrup or honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups (90 g) crispy rice cereal**
• 3 – 4 Tbsp (33–44 g) chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Line an 8×8 (20x20cm) baking pan with a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on the sides to allow for easy removal. Spray foil with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, add the almond butter, coconut oil, syrup, and vanilla, stirring until the almond butter is melted and fully combined with the honey.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cereal, stirring until it becomes well incorporated.
4. Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking pan and use a greased spatula or your hands to distribute the mixture evenly, pressing down firmly to ensure that the mixture is tightly packed.
5. Place the chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and nuke on high in 20 second intervals, mixing between each. When the chocolate is fully melted, drizzle it over the top of the packed cereal mixture using a spoon.
6. Place the pan in the fridge and allow the bars to cool for ~30 minutes before cutting them into squares using a sharp knife.

Notes

* You could also use peanut butter, or use a soy nut butter to make these nut-free. Just be sure to use the no-stir store-bought variety, as the natural oils and different textures could prevent the bars from sticking together properly.
** Make sure to use a certified gluten free cereal if you need these to be gluten free.

• Prep Time: 10 mins

Keywords: crispy rice treats, gluten-free, healthy, healthy rice krispie treats, recipe, Rice Krispie Treats, rice krispies, snack, vegan