WHAT ARE VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS?

I’m telling you, these are such a fun snack – they are basically a peanut butter and rice crispy cereal ball coated in chocolate, and they are so delicious. Not to mention, they are much healthier than the well-known Rice Crispy Treat because they don’t have marshmallows, but stick together with peanut butter and maple syrup instead. They are crispy, light and make for a perfect snack at any time of day!

WHY I LIKE THESE VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS

I am always trying to reinvent traditional desserts and snacks into healthier versions that I feel good about eating, and this recipe does exactly that. That is why these would be an amazing snack for kids as they are refined sugar-free and have protein and healthy fats from the all-natural peanut butter! I chose to use Lily’s brand sugar-free chocolate to keep these completely refined-sugar free, but you can use any chocolate you would like.

THE INGREDIENTS

To make these snacks, you only need a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, including:

• Gluten-free, sugar-free Rice Crispy Cereal
• Natural peanut butter
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

MAKING VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS

The first thing you will need to do is create the rice crispy balls. To do this, you will add peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla in a big bowl and mix to combine. Pour in the Rice Crispy Cereal and use a spatula to incorporate the cereal into the peanut butter mixture. When it’s fully combined, roll small portions of the cereal into small spherical balls. Place them on a parchment lined plate and freeze while making the chocolate coating.

Melt the chocolate over a double boiler and then remove the treats from the freezer and dip into the chocolate until fully coated. Return the chocolate covered treat balls to the parchment lined plate and place in the fridge in order for them to set up.

TIPS

1. I like to use a new jar of peanut butter as it has a runnier consistency when first opened, before begin refrigerated – this really helps to easily mix the treat ingredients without making crumbs out of the Rice Crispy Cereal.
2. To portion the balls, I use a small cookie scoop so that they are all the same size.
3. Use a fork to lift the chocolate-coated treats out of the melted chocolate and tap on the side of your bowl to let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
4. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil to the chocolate chips while melting to get a glossier chocolate coating.

OTHER HEALTHY SNACKS YOU NEED TO TRY

No-Measure Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies (my absolute favourite anytime snack)

Vegan Protein Energy Balls (a great pre-gym snack)

Vegan Ice Cream Bars (the perfect summer treat)

TOOLS I USED TO MAKE THESE VEGAN RICE CRISPY CHOCOLATE TREATS

Click on the images below to see what I use for this recipe.

This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases are made after clicking the links, at no cost to you – thank you!

Vegan Rice Crispy Chocolate Treats

Servings: Makes 15 small treats

Prep time: 15 minutes

Chill time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup smooth natural peanut butter (see tips above)
• 1/4 cup 100% pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups gluten-free Rice Crispies cereal
• 150 grams dark chocolate
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
• flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla until combined. Pour in the cereal and stir with a spatula until fully incorporated into the peanut butter mixture.
2. When the mixture is incorporated, use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture into your hands and roll into spherical shapes – it should make around 15 treat balls. Place them on a parchment lined plate or tray and into the freezer while melting your chocolate.
3. Set up a double boiler: Add about an inch of water to a small pot and place it over medium heat. Pour the chocolate into a heat-proof glass bowl and add the coconut oil, if using. Place the bowl on top of the pot to melt the chocolate, stirring regularly, and once the chocolate has melted, remove the bowl from the pot.
4. Finally, remove the Rice Crispy treats from the freezer and dip into the melted chocolate, coating fully. Place them back on the parchment lined plate and repeat for all of the treats. Sprinkle with a little bit of flaky sea salt, if desired, and then refrigerate for about 20 minutes or until set.

Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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I’m a HUGE choco + peanut butter fan, but I thought I’d switch it up today and choose a slightly healthier nut butter to create a slightly less-healthy dessert. Balance.

These bars have a thick shortbread-type bottom layer, a crunchy and sweet almond butter centre, and a lush dark chocolate top. They are friggin’ delish.

In order to keep these bars gluten-free, I’ve made the crust with a mix of almond flour and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour, and I’ve crushed up my favourite gluten-free cereal to add texture to the middle. Feel free to swap for any gluten-filled flour or cereal you wish!

Let’s make them!

Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Bars

Servings: Makes 16 squares

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Cool time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

For the bottom layer:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour
• pinch of salt
• 3-4 tbsp agave
• 4 tbsp (1/4 cup) cold coconut oil

For the almond butter layer:

• 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup of your favourite gluten-free cereal, made into crumbs (makes a heaping 1/2 cup)
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tbsp vanilla

For the chocolate layer:

• 150 g dark chocolate, chopped

• flaky sea salt, for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. For the bottom layer – Combine the flours and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the coconut oil and three tablespoons of agave and pulse. If the dough does not start coming together, add the fourth tablespoon of agave. Dump into parchment lined pan and use your hands or the bottom of a glass to distribute evenly. Pierce the top a few times with a fork. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until it turns light brown around the edges. Cool completely.
3. For the almond butter layer – Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine. Dollop the mixture onto the cooled bottom layer and use your hands to press down and spread evenly. Set aside.
4. For the chocolate layer – Add the chocolate to a glass or heatproof bowl set over a double boiler. Melt, watching closely and stirring often. Alternatively, melt the chocolate in the microwave in small increments. Pour melted chocolate over the almond butter layer and place in the fridge to set for at least an hour. Cut into squares and serve!

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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These chocolate cereal bars are crispy, crunchy and so satisfying. They have currently replaced my after-dinner-before-bedtime snack.

Here is what you will need to make them:

• Your favourite gluten-free cereal (I use a combination of Quaker Corn Squares and Puffed Quinoa)
• Peanut butter (try out my homemade peanut butter, found here)
• Pure vanilla extract
• Pure maple syrup
• Cinnamon
• Dark chocolate
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

These take minutes and are such a yummy treat. Check out the recipe below!

Gluten-Free Cereal Bars

Serving size: Fills an 8 x 8 inch square pan

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 8-10 minutes

Set time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 200 g dark chocolate, divided
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1.5 cups corn square cereal*
• 1 cup puffed quinoa*
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare an 8 x 8 inch square baking pan by lining it with two pieces of parchment paper for easy release.
2. Over a double boiler, or in the microwave, melt 75 g of the chocolate in a medium-sized heat-resistant bowl. Once melted, add the peanut butter, vanilla, cinnamon and maple syrup. Stir to combine.
3. Place the corn squares and puffed quinoa in a separate, large bowl. Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mix over and use your hands to incorporate the ingredients. Press into prepared baking pan.
4. Melt the remainder of the dark chocolate and pour over cereal mixture. Spread evenly. Top with flaky sea salt, if desired. Place in the fridge to set for at least 20 minutes. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

NOTES:

*Feel free to use your favourite gluten-free cereals

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I can’t think of a better duo than chocolate and peanut butter, and I’m sticking close to home with this recipe. No fancy upgrades or add-ins. Just the classic – healthified. Dark chocolate and peanuts are both anti-inflammatory foods and coconut oil is said to enhance brain function. All-in-all, you can never go wrong with knowing exactly what is going into your food.

This simple and quick recipe requires five ingredients that you will likely already have in your pantry:

• Dark chocolate (At least 85%)
• Natural peanut butter (I use my Homemade Peanut Butter)
• Coconut oil
• Vanilla
• Maple syrup

The first step is finding the best peanut butter for the filling. Look at the ingredient list on the peanut butter that you buy. The only ingredient listed should be “dry roasted peanuts.” And maybe “salt.” Otherwise, steer clear. Most peanut butters have a lot of sugar added and stabilizers to prevent oil separation. If you are trying to incorporate more healthy, whole foods into your diet, natural nut butters are best. If you are unimpressed with the price of these at your grocery store, click here to learn how to make your own in less than 10 minutes!

To make the filling, combine the peanut butter with the vanilla and maple syrup. Form into 1-inch balls and flatten on a large plate covered with a piece of parchment paper. Put in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate.

For the chocolate shell, set up a double boiler. Cut up your dark chocolate into small-ish pieces and place in a large, heat-proof bowl with coconut oil, reserving 2 ounces of the chocolate for later. Fill a small pot with about one inch of water and place over burner with the bowl of chocolate on top. Tip: Placing a wooden spoon in the pot before you put the bowl on top allows the steam to escape. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula until chocolate pieces have melted. Remove from heat and gradually add in the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate, stirring after each addition, until melted. This helps to temper the chocolate, giving it more of a glossy look when set and achieving a wanted “snap” when bitten into.

To mold the chocolates, I use this silicone muffin tray, which is beyond amazing. The pb cups come out perfectly. You can also use paper muffin liners if you don’t have a silicone tray.

Pour enough of the melted chocolate into each cup (or liner) to coat the bottom. Remove the peanut butter discs from the freezer and place one in each cup, on top of the melted chocolate. Cover with more melted chocolate until the peanut butter is no longer visible. You may also add some flaky sea salt on top, if that’s your style. Place the pb cups in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set.

This recipe makes 6 large peanut butter cups. Store them in the fridge and remove them a few minutes before you want to chow down.

The perfect guilt-free post-dinner snack.

Healthy 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups

Serving size: Makes 6 large peanut butter cups

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 10 oz dark chocolate, separated and chopped into small pieces
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla until combined. Form into six, 1-inch balls and flatten onto a plate lined with parchment paper. Place in freezer while you prepare the chocolate.
2. Fill a small pot with one inch of water and place over a burner on medium-high heat. Bring water to a simmer. In a heatproof bowl, add 8 oz of the chocolate and the coconut oil. Place a wooden spoon in the pot with simmering water and the bowl on top of the pot. The spoon allows the steam to escape. Use a rubber spatula to constantly stir the chocolate until melted. Remove from heat.
3. To temper the chocolate, slowly add in the remaining 2 oz of chocolate, one small chunk at a time, stirring until melted after each addition. This process takes a bit of time, but helps to set the chocolate properly.
4. To a silicone muffin tray (or into muffin liners), pour in enough melted chocolate to just coat the bottom of six of the cups. Remove the peanut butter discs from the freezer and place one in each of the cups with chocolate. Top them off with the remainder of the melted chocolate, making sure to completely cover the peanut butter. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set.

Store these in the fridge and remove a few minutes before serving.

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