Indulge in the ultimate no-bake dessert! These easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats offer a delightful combination of gooey, crispy, crunchy, and intensely chocolatey goodness that will satisfy any sweet craving.
These Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats Were Made For Chocolate Lovers!
As a huge fan of classic rice krispie treats, I always look for fun and delicious twists. While I adore peanut butter rice krispie treats, strawberry, brown butter, and even M&M versions, these Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats have quickly become our newest family favorite. And for good reason!
- Effortless Ease: This incredibly simple no-bake dessert comes together with basic pantry staples and requires less than 30 minutes of active prep time. No oven needed, making it perfect for hot days or when you just want a quick treat. Plus, it can be prepared ahead of time, which is ideal for parties or busy schedules!
- Irresistible Flavors: Chocolate truly shines in this recipe, thanks to a generous combination of rich cocoa powder and decadent chocolate chips. But that’s not all – you’ll also savor delightful undertones of warm vanilla, sweet marshmallow, and buttery richness, creating a complex flavor profile that’s truly “yum!”
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love a good Rice Krispie treat? These chocolatey versions are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike, making them perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, birthday parties, or any gathering.
- Pro Tip for Perfection: The secret to truly soft and gooey chocolate Rice Krispie treats lies in using super fresh marshmallows. Older marshmallows tend to melt poorly, resulting in a hard and chewy texture instead of the delightful gooeyness we’re aiming for.
Happy (no) baking! xo, Emily
Gather Your Ingredients for Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Crafting these irresistible chocolate Rice Krispie treats requires only a handful of simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your pantry. Let’s dive into what you’ll need to create this amazing no-bake dessert:
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Gluten-Free Crisp Rice Cereal: This is a crucial ingredient for those following a gluten-free diet. It’s important to note that many popular brands, such as Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal, are NOT gluten-free because they contain malt syrup, which is derived from barley and contains gluten. To ensure your treats are safe and delicious, always opt for a certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal. We’ve had excellent results with Aldi’s store brand (Millville), One Degree, and Nature’s Path brands. Make sure it’s “crisp” rice cereal and not “puffed” rice cereal, as puffed rice will become soggy. -
Butter: You’ll need either salted or unsalted butter for this recipe. Butter is key for achieving that perfectly soft, gooey, and rich texture that makes these chocolate Rice Krispie treats so addictive. Do not skimp on the butter, as it directly impacts the final consistency. -
Mini Marshmallows: The fresher your marshmallows are, the better! Fresh marshmallows melt into a silky-smooth, sticky base that ensures your treats remain soft and delightfully gooey. If you use stale marshmallows, they won’t melt properly, and your treats might end up hard and chewy. While large marshmallows can work, mini marshmallows melt faster and more evenly, making the process smoother. -
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder is essential for adding that deep, rich chocolate flavor and a beautiful dark color to your treats. I highly recommend using natural cocoa powder, like Hershey’s or Ghirardelli, for the best balance of flavor. While Dutch-processed cocoa powder or dark cocoa powder can be used for a darker color, they can sometimes mute the other flavors, so natural cocoa is preferred here. -
Chocolate Chips: We’re taking the chocolate factor up a notch by adding chocolate chips, making these truly “double chocolate” rice krispie treats! Dark chocolate chips offer a rich, intense flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the marshmallows. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are also an excellent choice. I generally don’t recommend milk chocolate chips for this recipe, as they can make the treats overly sweet. -
Vanilla Extract & Salt: These are my “secret ingredients” that elevate the flavor profile of these treats! A touch of vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic depth, while a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, making every bite truly sensational. -
Optional Mini Chocolate Chips for Garnish: To add an extra touch of visual appeal and chocolatey goodness, I love to sprinkle these gluten-free chocolate Rice Krispie treats with mini chocolate chips. You could also use regular chocolate chips, create an elegant chocolate drizzle, or even apply a thick, decadent layer of melted chocolate on top, similar to how we finish our Scotcheroos!
Crucial Cereal Choice: Ensure Your Treats Are Truly Gluten-Free!
To guarantee the best possible outcome and to ensure these homemade treats are safe for a gluten-free diet, please pay close attention to your cereal choice. It’s a common misconception that all crisp rice cereals are gluten-free, but this is not always the case!
- CRISPY RICE CEREAL is a Must: First and foremost, always use **CRISPY rice cereal**, not puffed rice cereal. Puffed rice has a much softer texture that will become soggy and unappealing once mixed with the warm, melted marshmallow and chocolate mixture. Crisp rice cereal provides the essential crunch that defines these treats.
- AVOID RICE KRISPIES BRAND for GF Diet! This is the most critical point for gluten-free bakers. Many popular brands, including the well-known Rice Krispies brand, are NOT gluten-free. This is because they often contain malt (specifically barley malt, malt syrup, or malt extract), which is a gluten-containing ingredient. Always read labels carefully and look for cereals explicitly labeled as “gluten-free.” Excellent, safe options include Aldi’s Millville brand, One Degree, or Nature’s Path. Choosing the right cereal ensures your delicious chocolate Rice Krispie treats are accessible to everyone!
How To Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats: A Step-by-Step Guide
For precise ingredient measurements, detailed instructions, and additional tips, please refer to the full recipe card located below.
- Preparation is Key: Begin by lining a metal 8×8 or 9×9 square pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy lifting. Alternatively, you can lightly grease the pan. Set this aside. Next, measure out all your ingredients and arrange them within easy reach. The marshmallow mixture sets quickly, so having everything ready ensures a smooth and efficient process.
- Melt the Gooey Base: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Once the butter is fully melted, add the mini marshmallows and cocoa powder. Stir constantly with a heat-resistant spatula until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and evenly blended. Consistent stirring prevents sticking and burning, ensuring a silky, chocolatey marshmallow base.
- Infuse with Chocolate & Flavor: Remove the pot from the heat. Immediately stir in the chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue stirring gently until the chocolate chips are just melted and fully incorporated, creating a rich, smooth chocolate mixture. The residual heat from the melted marshmallows will be enough to melt the chips without scorching them.
- Combine with Cereal: Pour the gluten-free crisp rice cereal into the chocolate marshmallow mixture. Stir quickly and thoroughly until every piece of cereal is evenly coated. Work efficiently to ensure all the cereal is covered before the mixture begins to set.
- Gently Pat & Garnish: Transfer the warm cereal mixture into your prepared pan. Using gentle, even pressure, lightly pat down the mixture into an even layer. The goal is for the treats to stick together without over-compacting them. Over-compacting will result in dense, hard bars instead of the desirable soft and gooey texture. If using, sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top and gently press them into the cereal layer to secure them.
- Cool & Slice with Patience: Allow the chocolate Rice Krispie treats to cool completely to room temperature. This is a crucial step for clean slicing. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan. Then, slice the cereal bars into your preferred size: 9 large squares, 12 medium rectangles, or 16 smaller squares. A sharp, buttered knife can help prevent sticking.
- Serve & Store for Maximum Freshness: These delicious treats are best enjoyed immediately, while they are at their peak of gooey freshness. If you have any leftovers, store the chocolate Rice Krispie squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. While they are undoubtedly best within 24 hours, they will remain wonderfully good on days two and three.
FAQ + Tricks For The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Creative Decorating Ideas: Beyond a simple sprinkle of mini chocolate chips, there are many ways to enhance your chocolate Rice Krispie treats! For an elegant touch, skip the mini chips and melt an additional 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to create a luscious chocolate drizzle over the cooled bars. Or, take inspiration from our Gluten-Free Scotcheroos recipe by adding a thick, glossy chocolate topping, finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or colorful sprinkles for extra flair. The possibilities are endless!
Can I Use Chocolate Cereal? Absolutely, if you’re looking to boost the chocolate flavor even further! While Cocoa Krispies brand is typically not gluten-free (due to barley malt extract), several other chocolate cereals are safe for a gluten-free diet. Look for brands like Cocoa Pebbles or Mom’s Best Crispy Cocoa Rice cereals. Using chocolate cereal will definitely amp up the sweetness and chocolate intensity, making these an ultimate indulgence for serious chocolate enthusiasts.
Want Extra Marshmallow Gooeyness? For those who can’t get enough marshmallow, you have the option to stir in an additional cup of mini marshmallows along with the crisp rice cereal. These extra marshmallows won’t fully melt, creating delightful pockets of soft, chewy marshmallow throughout the treats, adding an extra dimension of texture and a “cute” visual effect.
Dairy-Free and Vegan Options: Making these treats dairy-free is incredibly easy with a few simple substitutions! Simply use your favorite vegan butter (such as Earth Balance or Miyoko’s Kitchen) in place of regular butter, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips (brands like Guittard, Enjoy Life, or Pascha are excellent). All other ingredients are typically naturally dairy-free. If you’re looking to make them fully vegan, ensure you use fresh vegan marshmallows, with Dandie’s being a popular and reliable choice.
The Shelf Life of Freshness: While these treats are best devoured within 24 hours of making them, they will maintain their deliciousness and soft texture for up to 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can individually wrap them in plastic wrap and then store them in an airtight container for up to a week. Freezing is also an option for up to 1-2 months; just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Troubleshooting Tips for Perfect Treats:
- **Hard Treats?** This usually means your marshmallows were either not fresh enough, or the mixture was overcooked. Remember to use fresh marshmallows and melt them over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until just smooth. Over-compacting the mixture into the pan can also make them hard; pat gently!
- **Sticky Mess?** If your treats are too sticky, ensure you’ve allowed them to cool completely before slicing. A lightly buttered knife or hands can also help when pressing or cutting.
- **Uneven Coating?** Stir quickly and thoroughly once you add the cereal. The mixture cools and thickens fast, so speed is key to getting every piece coated.
With these tips and tricks, you’re well on your way to making the best gluten-free chocolate Rice Krispie treats everyone will rave about!
More Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treat Recipes To Try
Gluten-Free Scotcheroos
Gluten-Free Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Easy Homemade Lemon Curd
Recipe Card
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Tell me all about it! Leave a star rating below when you try our Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats recipe. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Rated 5 out of 5 stars from 1 vote.
Emily Dixon, Sweets & Thank You
Gooey, crispy, crunchy AND chocolatey? YES PLEASE. These easy gluten-free Chocolate Rice Krispie treats have it all!
20 minutes
8 minutes
28 minutes
Print Recipe
12 Servings
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons Butter (or vegan butter!)
- 1 (10 oz) Package Mini Marshmallows (Make sure they’re super fresh!)
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (30 grams) – Regular Cocoa, Not Dutch-Processed!
- ½ cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt (or a pinch of fine salt)
- 5 cups Gluten-Free Crisp Rice Cereal (NOT Rice Krispies Brand–See Notes!)*
- 2 Tablespoons Mini Chocolate Chips (Optional, for decoration)
Instructions
Prep. Line a metal 8×8 or 9×9 square pan with parchment paper or lightly grease and set aside. Measure and gather all your ingredients and have them close by, since you’ll need to work quickly once you get started.
Melt. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add mini marshmallows and cocoa powder to the melted butter, and stir constantly until the marshmallows are melted and the melted marshmallow mixture is evenly blended.
Combine. Add chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt, and stir over low heat until the chocolate chips are just melted and the chocolate mixture is smooth.
Add Crisp Rice Cereal and stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
Gently Pat & Garnish. Transfer the cereal mixture to your prepared pan and use gentle pressure to lightly pat down the cereal into an even layer. You want it to stick together, but don’t want to overly compact the cereal or the bars won’t have that soft, gooey texture we’re looking for. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips, if using and gently pat down on them to lightly press them into the cereal layer.
Cool & Slice. Let the chocolate rice krispie treats cool to room temperature before slicing cereal bars into 9 large squares, 12 medium rectangles, or 16 small squares.
Serve & Store. Enjoy right away or store chocolate rice krispie squares in an airtight container up to 2-3 days at room temperature. (These treats are best enjoyed within 24 hours, but will still be good on day 2 & 3!)
Notes
- Crisp Rice Cereal. Rice Krispies brand is NOT gluten-free, since it contains malt syrup, which is derived from barley and has gluten. Instead, use certified gluten-free options like Aldi’s Millville brand, One Degree, or Nature’s Path.
- Cocoa Powder. We recommend natural cocoa powder (like Hershey’s or Ghirardelli), NOT dutch-processed cocoa for these treats, but you can use dutch-processed if you want a darker flavor.
- Option: Add More Marshmallows! Another option you have is to stir in an additional cup of mini marshmallows along with the crisp rice cereal. It adds a cute effect!
Video
A video for Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats can be found at the original article link.
Dessert
American
Gluten Free
cereal treats, chocolate, no-bake, rice krispie treats
Find the recipe:
sweetsandthankyou.com/chocolate-rice-krispie-treats/