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!
Print
Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 12 squares 1x
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the cereal, stirring until it becomes well incorporated.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
very nice post, i actually love this website, keep on it
Made these with peanut butter, coconut butter, honey and rice krispies…..easy and yummy.
I’ve made this 3 times in one month already. So good, so quick, so easy. Thanks for this healthier alternative.
Hi, I just made these and when cutting them they fell apart. The taste was great so I am trying again for my daughters 3rd birthday. I used honey and peanut butter. Any suggestions?
What can I substitute for the coconut oil? I am allergic. These sound so good. I never heard of rice syrup. I stopped making things that called for white syrup because of the high fructose corn syrup. I am going to look for the rice syrup! Thanks for publishing this recipe as I want to try it if I can find something to replace the coconut oil. Oh, I am 5’6″ and love my height. My favorite treat as a child was my mom’s homemade chocolate pie with whip cream!
You should be okay just leaving it out, Luella! And if you don’t have brown rice syrup, honey would also make a good substitution 🙂
I know what you mean about the crossing legs under the table-I am 5′ 7.5″ and I don’t know how many times I’ve embarrassed myself by making a loud noise as my knee hits the underside of the table!
Thanks for the recipe, this is just what I was looking for!
I tried making these twice, and I cannot for the life of me get them to stick together. They fall apart. The first time, I followed the recipe to a t. The second, I added a bit more almond butter hoping that would help. It didn’t. Any advice?
Ok I did make this. Work just as described and are very sweet with a nice nutty flavour. I think these are easier to make than the marshmallow variety. Quick and easy, not much clean up, perfect recipe for us men who trying to eat a little healthier. Thanks again 🙂
I’m glad that you liked them, Nevin! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know 🙂
These do sound really good, in fact I am about to make a batch. I just finished making almond butter specifically for this purpose. I can see using almond butter often now, delicious in it’s own right. Thank you for posting your recipe, I will be back to rate it after I am done. Cheers from a fellow Canadian.
Where can I find nutritional information on this recipe? How much protein, calories, etc? Thanks!
I don’t calculate the nutritional info for my recipes, LJ, but if you need to know it then you can plug the ingredients into a calculator like this one to figure them out — http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
Where can I find nutritional information for this recipe? How much protein, calories, etc? Thanks!
Amanda ~ I just recently found your site and am really enjoying it. A few days ago, I made the “Healthy Rice Krispie Treats” — Delicious!! I followed your recipe exactly and the treats disappeared almost instantly. Today, I made another batch, but this time I added honey toasted sliced almonds from Trader Joe’s and some dried cranberries. Double Yummy!! Thanks for a great recipe. I’m going to be trying some of your other recipes soon!
Thanks 4 your reply.
Unfortunatly I am allergic to soya and dairy has started giving me migraines. I’ll have a look in shop see can i find something.
Morning, i just googled Rice Krispie squares and your recipe came up. Unfortunately lately I was told I cant eat nuts so what could you use instead of almond butter 🙁
You need something with the same consistency to help the bars stick together, so something like a soy nut butter would be a great nut-free alternative!
I just made these with peanut butter (what I had on hand.) Very easy and tasty, thanks for a healthier alternative. The kids and I both loved it, so glad I finally caved into my craving!
Hi, thanks for your recipe, I would double the butter/honey portion because we tried it with 3 cups of rice krispies and it was sticking enough together. Overall it tastes great!
Merci!
*It was not sticking
Mmm… have to try these – they look like JUST what I was looking for, for a healthy toddler snack.
And you are short. I’m 5`11.75″. In heels I tower over everything. LOL. But I like it 😀 It’s handy to be able to reach the top cupboards without a stool. 😉
OMG, thank you for this recipe! I am trying to avoid processed foods and refined sugar and sometimes it straight up feels like I am punishing myself but this recipe makes giving up marshmallows a bit less painful :P.
I am 5’4.5″. I feel short when I wear flats and tall when I wear heels. You’re lucky to be tall, I bet you can eat a ton and still look slamming! My shorter friends are always astonished by how much I can eat while still being slim-ish although I do need to be more disciplined to reach my fitness goals.
5’10″yes to everything you mention 🙂
Made a version using what I had on hand and unexpectedly they came out testing like Butterfingers!
Melted creamy natural peanut butter, molasses, honey, vanilla and coconut oil in saucepan and mixed with the crisp rice/ flax mixture. It even had the same crumbly crispness as the candy bar! Can’t rate your recipe because mine ended up so different but I bet yours was delish!