Gooey, crispy, crunchy AND chocolatey? YES PLEASE. These easy gluten-free Chocolate Rice Krispie treats have it all!
These Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats Were Made For Chocolate Lovers!
I love a fun twist on classic rice krispie treats — whether peanut butter, strawberry, brown butter, or M&M versions — and these gluten-free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats are our latest favorite for good reason:
🥣 EASE: This no-bake dessert is simple to make with pantry ingredients, takes under 30 minutes of active time, and doesn’t require an oven. It also keeps well for a couple of days.
🍫 FLAVOR: Cocoa powder and chocolate chips put chocolate front and center, while vanilla, butter, and marshmallow add depth and a soft, gooey texture.
😍 KID-FRIENDLY: Rice krispie treats are a hit with kids — and adults too.
☁️ TOP TIP: Use very fresh marshmallows so the bars stay soft and gooey rather than turning chewy.
Happy (no) baking! xo, Emily
Gather Your Ingredients
This recipe uses only a few pantry-friendly items. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Gluten-Free Crisp Rice Cereal. Use a certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal (not Rice Krispies brand, which contains malt derived from barley). Good options include Aldi’s Millville, One Degree, or Nature’s Path.
- Butter. Salted or unsalted works; it helps keep the treats soft and gooey — don’t reduce the amount.
- Mini Marshmallows. Fresh minis melt quickly and give the best texture. Large marshmallows can be used but take longer to melt.
- Cocoa Powder. Unsweetened natural cocoa powder (e.g., Hershey’s) adds richness and color. I recommend natural cocoa rather than Dutch-processed for this recipe.
- Chocolate Chips. Dark or semi-sweet chips work well to boost the chocolate flavor. I avoid milk chocolate here because it can be overly sweet.
- Vanilla & Salt. A touch of vanilla and a pinch of salt brighten the flavor.
- Optional: Mini Chocolate Chips. For decorating the tops of the bars.
Use The Right Cereal!
Two important cereal notes to ensure the best texture and that the recipe remains gluten-free:
- CRISP rice cereal. Use crisp rice cereal rather than puffed rice. Puffed rice can become soggy when mixed with melted marshmallow and chocolate.
- NOT Rice Krispies brand. Rice Krispies and many other mainstream brands contain malt (from barley) and are not gluten-free. Choose a certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal instead.
How To Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, Step By Step
The full recipe with measurements and tips is available in the recipe card below.
- Prep. Line an 8×8 or 9×9 metal square pan with parchment or lightly grease it. Measure and arrange ingredients so you can work quickly once the marshmallows melt.
- Melt. In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add mini marshmallows and cocoa powder, stirring constantly until the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Combine. Stir in chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt over low heat until the chips are just melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add cereal. Fold in the gluten-free crisp rice cereal until it’s evenly coated with the chocolate-marshmallow mixture.
- Gently pat & garnish. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press lightly to create an even layer without compacting it too much — you want the bars to remain soft and gooey. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top if desired and press them in gently.
- Cool & slice. Let the bars cool to room temperature, then slice into 9 large squares, 12 medium rectangles, or 16 small squares.
- Serve & store. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days. They’re best within 24 hours but are still good on days two and three.
FAQ + Tricks For The Best Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
More decorating ideas: Skip the mini chips and drizzle melted chocolate on top, add a chocolate layer like in Scotcheroos, or finish with flaky sea salt or sprinkles for extra flair.
Can I use chocolate cereal? Yes — some cocoa cereals are gluten-free (check labels). Cocoa Pebbles or other certified gluten-free chocolate crisp cereals will work but will make the bars sweeter.
Add more marshmallows? Stirring in an extra cup of mini marshmallows with the cereal gives a slightly different, chewier texture and a fun look.
Dairy-free option: Use vegan butter (e.g., Earth Balance), dairy-free chocolate chips (e.g., Enjoy Life), and vegan marshmallows (e.g., Dandies) to make this recipe dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
More Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats 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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Gluten-Free Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons Butter (or vegan butter)
- 1 (10 oz) 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
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Prep. Line an 8×8 or 9×9 square pan with parchment or lightly grease. Measure ingredients and have them ready.
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Melt. In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add mini marshmallows and cocoa powder, stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth.
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Combine. Add chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt; stir over low heat until the chips are just melted and the mixture is smooth.
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Add crisp rice cereal. Stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
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Gently pat & garnish. Transfer to the prepared pan and press lightly to form an even layer without compacting it too much. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top, if using, and press them in gently.
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Cool & slice. Allow to cool to room temperature before slicing into desired portions.
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Serve & store. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days; best within 24 hours.
Notes
- Crisp Rice Cereal: Rice Krispies brand contains malt syrup (from barley) and is not gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal such as Aldi’s Millville, One Degree, or Nature’s Path.
- Cocoa Powder: Natural cocoa powder is recommended for this recipe. Dutch-processed will give a darker, different flavor if you prefer that.
- Optional: Stir in an extra cup of mini marshmallows with the cereal for a slightly different texture and look.
Video
Find the recipe:
sweetsandthankyou.com/chocolate-rice-krispie-treats/