The Best Gluten-free Rice Krispie Treats

These are simply the best gooey and crunchy Gluten-free Rice Krispie Treats. These tried and tested no-bake Rice Krispies are easy to make at home with only a few ingredients- rice puffs, marshmallows, butter, and vanilla.

I do not think there is a more iconic and classic treat quite like a rice krispie treat. Who has not enjoyed one of these delightful little squares more than a few times in their lifetime? These crunchy, chewy little squares can make any day better.

Like our gluten-free oatmeal cream pies and gluten-free Oreos, these rice krispies will be a favorite for the whole family.

Jump to:

• Are Rice Krispie Treats Gluten-Free?
• Ingredients for Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats
• Which Brands Sell Gluten-Free Rice Krispies Cereal?
• Are Marshmallows Gluten-Free?
• What Marshmallows Make the Best Rice Krispie Treats?
• How to make gluten-free rice krispie treats?
• Tips for Making the Best Rice Krispie Treats
• Gluten-Free Dairy-free Rice Krispie Treats
• Can You Make Rice Krispies with Homemade Marshmallows?
• What can you add to rice krispie treats?
• How to Store Rice Krispie Treats?
• Can you Freeze Rice Krispie Treats?
• More Gluten-Free Desserts You'll Love
• 📖 Recipe

Are Rice Krispie Treats Gluten-Free?

You might be surprised that most rice krispies are not actually gluten-free. How is that possible? The classic Kellogg's Rice Krispie cereal and store-bought Rice Krispies contain malt or malt syrup, which, if you're gluten-free, you know is not gluten-free.

Don't worry, though, because I will give the ins and outs on making the best gluten-free Rice Krispie treats you've ever had, and then you can keep enjoying these delicious little squares whenever you want.

Ingredients for Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats

• Gluten-free Rice Cereal: See details for brand options below.
• Mini Marshmallows: I suggest using mini marshmallows as they melt more easily. But regular marshmallows will work too. See below for conversion details.
• Unsalted Butter or Dairy-free Alternatives such as Earth Balance
• Salt: Helps to balance the flavors.
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth and flavor to the treats.

Which Brands Sell Gluten-Free Rice Krispies Cereal?

As I said, Rice Krispies (Kellogg's brand) are NOT gluten-free because they have malt, which is derived from barley. Don't worry; tons of other brands do not contain malt and are gluten-free.

Some of the ones that I know of are:

• Malt O Meal - This is sold by Walmart and is the closest to the traditional Kellogg's brand.
• Wegmans
• Aldi
• Nature's Path Organic
• Back to Nature

Like with anything else, be sure to read the labels on the boxes you find. If there is no malt listed, it's usually a pretty good sign it's gluten-free, but just make sure there are no other hidden ingredients.

If you have a favorite gluten-free rice cereal not listed above, let me know in the comments. I would love to check out more options.

Are Marshmallows Gluten-Free?

Most brands of marshmallows are gluten-free. I tend to use Dandies brand marshmallows, but I have also used Kraft Jet-puff marshmallows and Trader Joe's marshmallows without a problem. It is essential to read the label and make sure the brand you pick is gluten-free.

What Marshmallows Make the Best Rice Krispie Treats?

Because we are melting the marshmallows to make gluten-free rice krispie treats, I find that the mini marshmallows melt the fastest and yield the best results. The best marshmallows for Rice Krispie treats are ones that do not stick together in the bag. The fresher the marshmallows are, the better.

If you can't find the mini marshmallows, you can still use the larger ones. Just measure them a little differently to ensure you get the right amounts.

1 cup mini marshmallows = about 9 regular-sized marshmallows = 2 ½ of the jumbo-sized marshmallows

How to make gluten-free rice krispie treats?

• Lightly grease, line a baking dish with parchment paper, and set it aside.
• Melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium-low heat.
• Stir in the mini marshmallows until they are melted. They will first puff up, then soften and melt.
• Add the salt and vanilla.

• Stir in the gluten-free rice cereal. You can also add some mini marshmallows here, so they are there intact in the final Krispies.

• Transfer the gluten-free rice krispie treats to the parchment-lined baking dish.
• Gently press the mixture into the dish. You can wet your hands and gently press the mixture in the pan. Don't press too hard, otherwise the treats will become dense.

• Let it cool for the marshmallows to solidify again for about an hour. Leave the baking dish uncovered while it is cooling.
• Cut into desired shapes and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Rice Krispie Treats

• Melt the butter completely before adding the marshmallows.
• Don't overcook the marshmallows - You do not want to overcook the marshmallows, making the final gluten-free rice krispies hard.
• Reserve some marshmallows to add with the cereal.
• Use a wooden spoon - It can be a little hard to stir this together with the cereal, so you need something to mix it all together.
• Press gently - I know the urge to press down hard and compact your rice krispie treats into the pan, but the harder you press, the harder they will be once they set.
• Vary the pan - I like my Rice Krispie treats thick, so  I tend to push them into a smaller pan. If you want them thinner, put them into a bigger pan.

Gluten-Free Dairy-free Rice Krispie Treats

Yes, you can make dairy-free rice krispie treats. Substitute the butter for a dairy-free alternative, and make sure your marshmallows are dairy-free. I have found that something like a spectrum stick works pretty well in this recipe. You want a dairy-free butter that is relatively solid at room temperature for the best results.

These rice krispies are also vegan once you replace the butter with a dairy-free alternative.

Can You Make Rice Krispies with Homemade Marshmallows?

When I feel like being that extra mom, I will make these gluten-free rice krispie treats with my Homemade Marshmallows, which are even more delicious. I just add the gluten-free rice cereal before the marshmallows cool entirely.

Note: My Homemade Marshmallow recipe does make a lot, so either half the recipe, double the gluten-free rice krispie cereal, or separate and make some rice krispie treats and some marshmallows. No matter how you do it, I don't think anyone will complain.

What can you add to rice krispie treats?

• You can color the marshmallows with some food color before adding the rice cereal for a fun holiday treat.
• Adding in sprinkles, melted chocolate, or even peanut butter (or another nut butter) can make for a fun little flavor twist.
• You can cut the rice krispies into fun shapes and decorate the top.
• Dip in chocolate: Melt chocolate in the microwave and dip the rice krispies in it for chocolate-covered krispies.
• Make a Christmas variation with chocolate and peppermint. You can also add Christmas-colored sprinkles when mixing.

The possibilities are endless!

How to Store Rice Krispie Treats?

I have found that these gluten-free rice krispie treats will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about two to three days before they start to get stale.

You can choose to store rice krispies in the fridge for up to a week; just let them come back to room temperature before enjoying them.

Can you Freeze Rice Krispie Treats?

Yes, you can freeze these rice krispie treats for up to two months. I will wrap each individual rice krispie in some plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag for storage. When I want to eat one of the frozen rice krispie treats, I let them defrost in the fridge for a few hours until they soft again.

More Gluten-Free Desserts You'll Love

📖 Recipe