Our Gluten-Free Rice Krispy Treats are the best rice Krispy treat recipe around. Packed with marshmallows and crispy rice, these can be individually wrapped for lunchboxes or bake sales. Make this no-bake dessert with only 4 ingredients in just 15 minutes!
Rice Krispy treats were one of the hardest treats to give up after going gluten-free. They are such comfort food. I was thrilled this version is just as good as the original version – or even better with all the extra marshmallows!

Table of Contents
Are Rice Krispy treats gluten-free?
We quickly learned that not every brand of Rice Krispy treats or crispy rice is gluten-free. Even one of the most iconic brands for cereal, Kellogg’s, states right on its website that their Rice Krispies® cereal is no longer gluten-free. Made with malt, a derivative of barley, this cereal may contain gluten.
If you are wondering about other foods being gluten-free, check out our Is This Gluten-Free? resource to guide you through the most common questions we see regarding gluten-free foods.
For more gluten-free treats that are kid-approved, our Mini Flourless Chocolate Cake, Gluten-Free Apple Cake, Bundt Cake (Gluten-Free), Gluten-Free Pecan Pie and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars are all kid favorites!
Ingredients
- 20 ounces mini marshmallows, divided ✅
- 6 cups Gluten-free Crispy Rice Cereal
- 1 stick butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract ✅
*This recipe was successfully tested with Natures Path Organic crispy rice cereal
How To Make
Spray the baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or line the baking pan with parchment paper. Then, place crispy rice and 1 cup of marshmallows into a large bowl.
Melt the butter and marshmallows
In a large stockpot melt the butter. Add the remaining marshmallows and stir frequently over medium heat until melted.
Next, stir in the vanilla extract then pour the mixture onto the cereal and marshmallow blend. Stir well.
Place into the baking pan
Scoop the crispy rice marshmallow blend into the pan using a greased spatula or spoon. Using parchment paper folded, gently push the cereal down until firm. This is an excellent trick for everyone to prevent the marshmallow blend from sticking to your hands and making a mess.
Let the rice Krispie treats cool for 1 hour. Serve sliced immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for later.
Rice Krispy Treat Topping Ideas
Topping rice Krispy treats is not necessary but always fun for kids. Especially when making for a special occasion, holiday, birthday party or to pack as a treat for family and friends! Check out our favorite toppings that can be sprinkled right on top or stirred into the mixing bowl:
- crushed peppermints
- sprinkles
- dark chocolate drizzle
- chopped nuts
- peanut butter
- mini chocolate chips or m&ms
- crumbled gluten free Oreos
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Prep Your Pan:
Ensure easy removal by generously spraying the baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. This step prevents the bars from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Use Quality Ingredients:
Choose high-quality gluten-free crispy rice cereal for the best texture and flavor. Quality ingredients contribute to the overall deliciousness of your bars.
Infuse Flavor with Vanilla:
Stir in the vanilla extract after melting the marshmallows. Vanilla adds a subtle yet essential flavor that enhances the overall taste of the bars.
Efficient Mixing Technique:
Pour the melted marshmallow mixture onto the crispy rice and marshmallow blend. Stir thoroughly to coat the cereal evenly. A well-mixed blend ensures that each piece is cohesive and delicious.
Pressing into the Pan:
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use folded parchment paper to gently press the cereal down until it’s compact and firm. This step ensures even bars with a consistent texture.
Cooling Time:
Allow the bars to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. This patience allows the marshmallow to set, resulting in bars with the perfect balance of chewiness and crunch.
Individual Wrapping:
For convenience and freshness, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap. This not only preserves the texture but also makes them easy to grab and enjoy on the go.
Customize with Add-Ins:
Get creative by adding extras like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the mix. Customize the bars to suit your taste preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically yes, you will find the majority of marshmallows gluten-free. However, always double-check the label of your favorite brand to verify.
You can still successfully make this recipe regardless of the size of the marshmallows. Simply swap the 20 ounces of mini marshmallows for 20 ounces of large or jumbo. When adding 1 cup of mini marshmallows to the bowl, replace with 8 large or 3 jumbo marshmallows.
Rice Krispy treats will keep fresh for 3 days in an air-tight container at room temperature. If looking to wrap individual treats to pack throughout the week, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can store Rice Krispy treats in the freezer and thaw prior to eating if desired; however, we think fresh is best for this no-bake dessert.
While we have not tried, we suggest replacing the butter with a vegan alternative or butter substitute for a dairy-free recipe.
Storage Instructions
To ensure the longevity of your gluten-free crispy rice marshmallow bars, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing a sheet of parchment paper between layers can prevent the bars from sticking together. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or extreme temperature fluctuations, as this can affect their texture. If you’re storing the bars for an extended period, consider refrigerating them, though be mindful that refrigeration can alter the texture slightly. Remember to keep the container tightly sealed after each use to preserve the freshness and delightful crunch of your homemade treats.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Melt the butter and marshmallows, stirring frequently, until every marshmallow is melted. There should not be any chunks in the pot.
- Pressing the marshmallow blend into a pan with parchment paper prevents it from sticking to your fingers. You can also spray your fingers with nonstick cooking spray if parchment paper isn’t available.
- Top rice Krispy treats with crushed peppermints, dark chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, peanut butter or gluten-free Oreos for a special treat.
- Slice rice Krispy treats into squares or use cookie cutters to press shapes. Spray the cookie cutters with nonstick cooking spray prior.
More Gluten-Free Recipes
With our entire collection of gluten-free recipes, you are set for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert! Keep following along as we create all your favorites with a gluten-free twist.
- How To Make Gluten-Free Tortillas
- Gluten Free Spices
- Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie
- Gluten-Free Shepards Pie
- Homemade Low-Sodium Ramen Noodles
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Gluten Free Rice Krispy Treats Recipe
Equipment
- 8'' x 8 '' baking pan
- large mixing bowl
- non-stick cooking spray (check for gluten-free)
Ingredients
- 20 ounces mini marshmallows, divided ✅
- 6 cups Gluten-free Crispy Rice Cereal We used Natures Path Organic
- 1 stick butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract ✅
Instructions
- Prep the pan and get the crispy rice prepared. Spray the baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place crispy rice and 1 cup marshmallows into a large bowl.6 cups Gluten-free Crispy Rice Cereal, 20 ounces mini marshmallows, divided
- ⭐️Melt the butter and marshmallows. In a large stockpot melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and stir frequently over medium heat until melted. Stir in the vanilla. Pour onto the cereal and marshmallow blend. Stir well.20 ounces mini marshmallows, divided, 1 stick butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Place into the baking pan. Place the crispy rice marshmallow blend into the pan. Using parchment paper folded, gently push the cereal down until firm. Let cool for 1 hour before slicing. Wrap individually in plastic wrap.
Notes
- You can swap 20 ounces of mini marshmallows for 20 ounces of large or jumbo. When adding 1 cup of mini marshmallows to the bowl, replace with 8 large or 3 jumbo marshmallows.
- Store at room temperature in an air-tight container for 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days. You can even store it in the freezer then thaw prior to consuming.
- Mix in or top rice Krispy treats with crushed peppermints, dark chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, peanut butter, gluten-free Oreos and so much more!
- Search for a celiac safe brand of crispy rice as all cereal is not created gluten-free.
Nutrition
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