Healthy Rice Krispie Treats {Without Marshmallows}

Name: Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: ½ cup creamy almond butter (runny consistency is best); ⅓ cup honey; ¼ cup coconut oil (solid, plus more for the pan); 4 cups brown rice cereal; pinch salt

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If you’re looking for a quick and easy snack, these Healthy Rice Krispie treats are just what you need! Unlike the traditional version, full of sugar and preservatives, these Rice Krispie treats are made with natural ingredients – almond butter, honey, and even brown puffed rice and are just as delicious. You can whip up a batch for a snack, dessert, or breakfast.

3 rice Krispie treats stacked on top of each other with a small square of parchment paper between each square.

Why you’ll love these easy rice Krispie treats with honey
Ingredients for making healthy rice krispie treats
How to make the best brown rice krispie treats
Tips For making rice krispie treats without marshmallows
Popular substitutions & additions
How to store almond butter rice krispie treats
Frequently asked questions
More no bake dessert recipes:
Healthy Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

This version of rice Krispie treats skips the marshmallow and combines crisp and crunchy rice cereal with nut butter for an irresistible snack. It’s so good; you may want to double the recipe so you can enjoy it all week long. Plus, this recipe is perfect for making with kids since you’re not using any heated ingredients, so get them involved in the kitchen and enjoy making and eating these healthy rice krispie treats together.

Why you’ll love these easy rice Krispie treats with honey

Cereal on-the-go. These rice krispie treats are made with just 5 ingredients – including brown rice cereal, almond butter, honey, oil, and salt – and are healthy enough to eat for breakfast, making them perfect for those on-the-go mornings!
Healthier than the classic. By skipping the marshmallows and using almond butter and honey as the base, these treats aren’t as heavy and sugar-loaded as the alternative. Not only that, the brown rice cereal has only one ingredient, rice!
The best texture. These treats still have the classic Rice Krispie treat texture that’s crunchy and satisfying, without the added stickiness from the marshmallows.

Ingredients for making healthy rice krispie treats

Almond butter: A great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber with a deliciously nutty flavor.
Honey: Honey adds just enough sweetness and is a healthier option than refined sugar.
Coconut oil: This adds a light flavor and is combined with the nut butter for a smooth consistency.
Brown rice cereal: Brown rice cereal provides more fiber and nutrients than traditional cereal but still has that same crave-worthy crunch.
Salt: Balances the sweetness of the honey.

Ingredients for recipe in individual bowls: coconut oil, almond butter, brown rice cereal, honey, and salt.

How to make the best brown rice krispie treats

Add almond butter, honey, and coconut oil to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
Whip until the mixture is combined and the coconut oil has melted and started to foam slightly.
Remove the bowl from the mixer and add the rice cereal to the almond butter mixture. Use your hands to fold the cereal in until it’s evenly coated.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan with the parchment paper overhanging for easier removal.
Very gently press into an even layer.
Let set in the fridge until firm, and then lift the cereal bar out of the pan before cutting into even squares.

6 image collage making recipe: 1-Almond butter, honey and oil in a bowl of a stand mixer before combined, 2- after mixed showing slightly foamy mixture, 3- Hands gently folding the rice cereal into the almond mixture, 4- adding mixture to prepared pan, 5- Pressing mixture down into pan, 6- remove from pan and set.

Tips For making rice krispie treats without marshmallows

Use creamy almond butter. Smooth nut butter works best for this recipe, as it helps bind the ingredients together and form a solid bar when whipped with the coconut oil.
Stir in the cereal gently. Your hands are your best tool for combining the rice cereal with the almond butter mixture to avoid crushing it. If you prefer, use a rubber spatula instead.
Press the mixture into the pan. Use a piece of wax paper or a spatula to add light pressure to the bar mixture to make sure it sticks together well.
Don’t skip the fridge. Letting the treats set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cutting will help them firm up, hold their shape, and give you cleaner cut squares.

Popular substitutions & additions

Use classic rice krispies. I opt for puffed brown rice cereal, but it works perfectly with the classic cereal as well.
Add chocolate. These snack bars are wonderful, with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top! Cut them into squares first, then pop in the fridge for a few minutes to let the chocolate set up.
Vegan rice krispies. Simply replace the honey with another natural vegan-friendly sweetener like maple syrup.

Use a different nut butter. If you don’t have almond butter on hand, you can substitute it with another. like peanut butter or cashew butter.
Add nuts and seeds. Chopped nuts like almonds or pecans, toasted pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds can add some extra texture to these crispy rice treats.
Spice it up. Try adding some cinnamon or nutmeg to the cereal mixture for some warm and cozy flavors.

Whole rice krispy treats out of the pan but still on parchment paper cut into 16 even squares with some pulled away.

How to store almond butter rice krispie treats

To store these puffed rice treats without marshmallows, you can simply keep them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 5 days. Or you can keep them in the refrigerator. This will help them stay fresh and maintain their texture.

How long will rice krispies last in the fridge?

When stored properly, you can store these crispy puffed rice bars for up to 7 days in the fridge.

Can i freeze these healthy rice krispie treats?

If you want to keep them for even longer, you can also store them in the freezer. Simply wrap them individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, and then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to eat them, just take them out of the fridge or freezer and let them come to room temperature for a few minutes. This will allow them to soften slightly and become easier to bite into. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions

How do you keep homemade rice krispie treats from getting hard?

Because this recipe is made without marshmallows, they shouldn’t get hard.

What type of cereal did you use to make these?

I used Nature Path’s Organic Puffed Rice cereal to make these. I like that they are just one ingredient and made from brown rice. You can use any cereal you like though.

What else can I add to these treats?

Yes! Add chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, spices, shredded coconut, or a chocolate drizzle. You could even add whole mini marshmallows if you’re not worried about keeping these healthy.

Hand holding a rice crispy treat close up with a bite taken out to highlight texture.

These healthy Rice Krispie treats without marshmallows are a delicious and easy snack to make that can be enjoyed by everyone. With their light and crispy texture and a creamy and nutty almond butter base, they’re perfect for a quick and satisfying snack or dessert. Plus, they can easily be customized to fit your tastes. Give this recipe a try and see how easy and delicious healthy snacking can be!

More no bake dessert recipes:

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