Rice Krispie Treats No Marshmallows No Peanut Butter Recipe (Healthy & Vegan Options)

Thinking of making Rice Krispie Treats No Marshmallows No Peanut Butter Recipe, but do you think it’s a hard task?

Well, It’s not!

It’s actually super easy. 

There are days when either you don’t have Marshmallows at home, or you just don’t want to use Marshmallows or Peanut Butter.

Especially the Peanut Butter because some people are allergic to it. 

However, in this post, I will show you how you can make these chewy, crispy, sweet rice krispie treats without marshmallows or peanut butter.

Plus, I’ll also give you a few healthy rice krispie treat variations using ingredients like honey, coconut oil, or even condensed milk.

Why Make Rice Krispie Treats Without Marshmallows or Peanut Butter?

As of now, I don’t have any problem with Marshmallow or Peanut Butter, but I just was trying different recipes.

However, here are some reasons to skip Marshmallow and Peanut Butter. While still getting the perfect treats.

• Marshmallow-Free Option: If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just avoiding gelatin, which most marshmallows contain, then you’ll appreciate this vegan rice krispie treats without marshmallows recipe.
• Peanut-Free: It’s good for those who are allergic to nuts or kids who go to nut-free schools; this is a safe treat that still tastes good.
• Less Sticky & Lighter: The usual version is super sticky and heavy; this one is just the right amount of chew without sticking to your hands.

One thing that I personally like about this Rice Krispie Treats no marshmallows no peanut butter recipe, is that it tastes kind of nostalgic.

It also looks good, and you can pick them up for school work, road trips, or just keep them in your fridge for snacks. 

So when you want to eat something light and a little sweet, you can eat that.

What You Can Use Instead of Marshmallows

In regular rice krispie treats, Marshmallow acts as a blinder and sweetener.

So, if you’re skipping them, you have to replace both things. Here are the best combos that work perfectly:

1. Honey + Nut/Seed Butter Alternative (like SunButter or WowButter)

This one will give you the same sticky hold and sweetness without peanut butter.

But for nut-free, you can go with sunflower seed butter.

2. Brown Rice Syrup or Maple Syrup + Coconut Oil

Brown rice syrup is thicker, and it also helps bind better. Plus, the coconut oil will add richness.

Maple syrup works, too, but the bars will be a little softer.

3. Sweetened Condensed Milk + Butter

This combo will be creamy and sticky and will hold the rice krispies well — closer to a dessert bar. It’s a popular way to make rice krispie treats with condensed milk if you don’t want marshmallows.

However, it also works best when you want extra sweetness.

4. Marshmallow Fluff or Vegan Fluff

If you’re skipping gelatin-based marshmallows but still want fluffiness — this is an option.

Ingredients You’ll Need (No Marshmallows, No Peanut Butter)

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Here’s a version I love that’s easy, and you need just a few pantry items.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal: Use the classic or any crispy rice cereal
• ⅓ cup honey: It will act as a sweet, sticky binder
• ¼ cup coconut oil or butter: It will add richness and help hold
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: For flavor depth
• Pinch of salt: It’s to balance the sweetness

Optional Add-Ins:

• Mini chocolate chips: Use it if you want chocolate rice krispie treats no marshmallows no peanut butter recipe. This also works great for making a healthier rice krispie bar variation.
• Dried fruits (chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins):  For a chewy twist
• Cinnamon or cocoa powder: it’s for extra flavor
• Shredded coconut or flaxseeds: For texture and fiber

How to Make Rice Krispie Treats Without Marshmallows or Peanut Butter

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This is my quick stovetop method and comes together in less than 10 minutes (plus chill time).

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Firstly, you want to line a baking dish with parchment paper. 

And then, Lightly grease it with oil or spray so the bars don’t stick. 

You can also use foil if none of them is available at your home.

Step 2: Heat Your Sticky Base

Now, you wanna put a saucepan over medium heat and combine the following ingredients:

• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup coconut oil or butter (whichever you’re using)

Now, stir it constantly until it fully melts and fully combines — it’ll start bubbling lightly. 

Once it bubbles for 30 seconds, you should remove it from heat.

Now stir in these ingredients:

• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

This step is really important because it will build the flavor before you mix it with cereal.

Step 3: Mix with Cereal

In a large bowl, add the following ingredients:

• 4 cups Rice Krispies

Then, pour the warm honey-oil mixture on top.

Now, you can use a spatula to fold everything together until all the cereal is coated properly. 

Tip: You wanna do that quickly, as the mixture will start to set fast.

If you’re adding things like chocolate chips or dried fruits, fold them in now. 

But if the mixture is too hot, wait a bit before adding chocolate chips so they don’t melt completely.

Step 4: Press into Pan

Now, you can transfer this sticky mixture into your prepared pan. 

Use a spatula, greased spoon, or your hand (covered in wax paper) to press it down properly.

But make sure to press it tightly, especially around edges and corners; it will help the bars stick and not fall apart later.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Finally, it’s almost done; now you’ve to place the pan in the fridge for about 1 hour or in the freezer for 20–30 minutes if you want to speed things up.

Once set, remove from the pan and cut into squares or bars.

Tips to Make Sure Your Bars Stick Together

If you want perfect chewy bars that don’t fall apart or turn too hard? You should keep these things in mind and also follow them:

• Don’t use too much liquid sweetener: Stick to the recipe I shared. Using too much honey or syrup makes your bars soggy.
• Pack them firmly in the pan: Don’t forget to press them down.
• Chill fully before cutting: If you cut too early, they’ll fall apart.
• Store them in the fridge: They hold better and last longer in the cold.

Flavor Variations You Can Try

One good thing about this Rice Krispie Treats No Marshmallows No Peanut Butter Recipe is that you can customize it and make its different version; here are some options I recommend to you:

• Chocolate Drizzle: You can melt dark or milk chocolate and drizzle it over the top before chilling. If you love chocolatey twists, you may also enjoy my Chocolate Lava Cakes in Muffin Tins Recipe.
• Coconut Almond: Add shredded coconut and a little almond extract.
• Spiced Chai Bars: You can add ¼ tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp ground ginger, and a pinch of nutmeg.
• Tropical Style: Add diced dried pineapple, coconut, and mango.
• Cocoa Crunch: You can stir in 1 tbsp cocoa powder with the cereal for a deep, chocolatey taste. It is similar to the rich flavor in my Chocolate Cornflake Clusters with Cocoa Powder Recipe.

What To Serve With Rice Krispie Treats (No Marshmallows, No Peanut Butter)

These bars are already light and sweet, but you can pair them with the right treat. Here are a few ideas:

• You can serve it warm with Hot Chocolate with Cocoa Powder and Almond Milk,ig you want a comforting combo.
• Pair with Crumbl Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Cookies if you’re looking for a cookie & bar platter for parties.
• Enjoy them alongside 3-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Without Eggs for a quick no-bake dessert spread.

Pack with Easy Banana Bars Without Frosting when you want a lunchbox combo that’s chewy + fruity + chocolatey.

Storage Instructions

You can store these rice krispie treats without marshmallows or peanut butter; the process is super easy — here’s how:

• In the fridge: You want to take an airtight container and store your bars in the fridge; they’ll be safe for up to 7 days. But you want to keep them in parchment between layers.
• At room temp: If it’s not too hot in your kitchen, you can also keep them out for 2 to 3 days.
• In the freezer: You want to wrap it tightly in foil or plastic and store it in a ziplock bag for up to 1 month. But next time, before eating, you have to keep them at room temperature for some time.

Conclusion

This was my Rice Krispie Treats without marshmallows and peanut butter recipe. 

You don’t need marshmallows or peanut butter to make a chewy, crunchy, perfectly sweet bar. 

You can make it with a few other ingredients that are commonly available in our home, like honey, coconut oil, vanilla, etc. 

Using these ingredients, your treats will be light, allergy-friendly, and super customizable.

You can also make a big batch, slice them up, and keep them in the fridge for quick bites, or pack them in your kids’ school lunchboxes or a healthier treat after dinner. 

And yep — they hold up beautifully without falling apart. 

So, if you ever thought Rice Krispie treats can’t be made without marshmallows or peanut butter — well, now you know the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some questions and their answers about Rice Krispie Treats No Marshmallows No Peanut Butter

How do I make Rice Krispie treats without marshmallows or peanut butter?

It is very easy to make Rice Krispie Bars without peanut butter or marshmallows.

First, you just have to use binders like honey, brown rice syrup, or even condensed milk. 

You have to combine them with coconut oil or peanut butter to make an easy marshmallow-free Krispie Bars.

Are these healthy Rice Krispie treats without marshmallows better than traditional ones?

Yes, they are better than the original because they are much healthier. 

And you will have to use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. And you won’t be using marshmallows, high sugar peanut butter, etc. 

So if you’re health-conscious, then yes, this Rice Krispies treat is better than a traditional one.

Can you make Rice Krispie treats without butter?

Yes! You can make rice krispie bars without butter, but you’ll have to use something else, such as coconut oil, ghee, or nut-free spreads as a substitute. 

Especially, if you use coconut oil, it will keep your treats lighter and give them a subtle flavor, while using ghee makes them rich. 

However, it’s perfect if you’re looking for a dairy-free or vegan Rice Krispie treat recipe.

What can I use instead of marshmallows in Rice Krispie treats?

Marshmallow isn’t the only thing you can use to make a vegan krispie recipe, instead, you can go with honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or condensed milk. 

They are all sticky binders that will hold the Rice Krispie bars together without marshmallows.

Plus, they will also give a unique taste.

How do you make healthy Rice Krispie treats?

To make healthy Rice Krispie treats, replace marshmallows with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. 

Plus, you should use coconut oil instead of butter.

Besides this, you can also mix in flaxseeds, chia seeds, or protein powder for extra nutrition.

Can I make Rice Krispie treats vegan?

Yes! To make vegan Rice Krispie treats without marshmallows, you’ll have to use vegan butter or coconut oil, and for binding, use maple syrup or brown rice syrup. 

Also, make sure the puffed rice cereal you use is vegan.

Can I make Rice Krispie treats with condensed milk?

Rice Krispie treats with condensed milk are a popular marshmallow-free version.

The condensed milk is a good sticky binder to make bars chewy and rich. 

Besides this, you can also mix it with coconut oil or butter for a better texture.

Why are my Rice Krispie treats not sticking without marshmallows?

If your rice krispie treats without marshmallows fall apart, it might be because you haven’t used a binder enough or you didn’t heat enough to thicken it.

Make sure to simmer the honey or syrup properly, mix it too with the cereal, and press the mixture firmly into the pan before chilling.

Rice Krispie Treats No Marshmallows No Peanut Butter Recipe

These Rice Krispie Treats without marshmallows or peanut butter are chewy, crispy, sweet bars made with just pantry staples like honey and coconut oil. It is perfect for a light, allergy-friendly snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

(including chilling) 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Lunchbox Treats, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Bars

Calories 94 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup coconut oil or butter
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Optional Add-Ins

• Mini chocolate chips
• Dried fruits chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins
• Cinnamon or cocoa powder
• Shredded coconut or flaxseeds

Instructions

 

Prepare Your Pan

• Line a baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it with oil or spray. You can also use foil if needed.

Heat Your Sticky Base

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine:
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup coconut oil or butter
• Stir constantly until melted and bubbling (about 30 seconds). Remove from heat and stir in:
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Mix with Cereal

• In a large bowl, add:
• 4 cups Rice Krispies
• Pour in the warm mixture and fold everything together quickly until fully coated. Add chocolate chips or dried fruit now, but wait a bit if mixture is too hot.

Press into Pan

• Transfer to prepared pan. Press mixture down firmly using a greased spatula or wax paper. Make sure corners are tight-packed.

Chill and Set

• Refrigerate for about 1 hour, or freeze for 20–30 minutes. Once set, remove and slice into bars.

Notes

Don’t forget to press tightly into the pan and chill completely—this will help your bars hold their shape and avoid crumbling.

Keyword easy rice krispie bars without marshmallow, marshmallow free krispie treats, nut free rice krispie bars, rice krispie treats no marshmallows, rice krispie treats without peanut butter

Abraham Doe

I’m a self-taught home cook who turns everyday ingredients into comforting, café-style recipes. I test everything in my own kitchen (sometimes more than once), tweak flavors how I like them, and share only what I actually enjoy. 

Most of my recipes are chocolate-based or have a creative twist, and I keep them preservative-free, beginner-friendly, and fun to make. 

If you love cozy drinks, healthier desserts, or bold flavor combos — you’re in the right place. [Read full story]