These Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats merge all of that cookies n' cream flavor you love with homemade rice krispie treats! Gooey marshmallow bars packed with crunchy, chocolatey Oreo cookies! Let's learn how to make them!
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Nothing beats rice krispie treats and this variation is no exception! These Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats come together in under 30 minutes in only 1 bowl. Super quick and easy!
We love rice krispie treats around here. So much that we have several variations. If you're a purest, our traditional Vegan Rice Krispie Treats are for you! We also have Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats for those of you that are a bit more adventurous.
When looking for an easy to make, fast and travel-friendly dessert, Brownies and Bars are the way to go. Add this recipe to your arsenal of tried and true crowd pleasers.
Ingredients
This recipe is made using only 5 ingredients! Here is your grocery list:
- Vegan Butter (½ c): Serves as the fat component in the recipe, providing richness and flavor to the Rice Krispie treats.
- Vegan Mini Marshmallows (10 oz bag): Act as the main binding and sweetening agent in the recipe. When melted, the marshmallows create a sticky, gooey texture that holds the Rice Krispie mixture together.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Enhances the flavor of the Rice Krispie treats with its sweet and aromatic notes.
- Salt (½ tsp): Balances the sweetness of the treats and enhances the other flavors.
- Crispy Rice Cereal (4 c): Forms the base of the Rice Krispie treats, providing crunch and texture.
- Vegan Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (12 cookies, chopped): Vegan chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreo cookies, are chopped and mixed into the Rice Krispie mixture, providing bursts of chocolate flavor and crunchy cookie bits throughout the treats.
How to Make Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full instructions and ingredient measurements.
Begin by melting the vegan butter in a large pot on the stove. Add in the vegan mini marshmallows and continue to heat, stirring constantly until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in the salt and vanilla extract.
Add the crispy rice cereal and chopped chocolate sandwich cookies to the pot. Stir until cereal and cookies are coated in the melty marshmallow mixture.
Press mixture into an 8 inch square pan lined with parchment paper. Allow to set for 20 minutes at room temperature before slicing.
Tips for Making Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
- Prep: Measure out all of the ingredients before starting to make the recipe. It's important to work quickly when making rice krispie treats as they cool and set quickly. Set yourself up for success!
- Use High-Quality Vegan Butter: Choose a high-quality vegan butter that has a rich flavor and creamy texture. This will ensure that your Rice Krispie treats have a delicious buttery taste and smooth consistency.
- Check Marshmallow Ingredients: Make sure to read the ingredients list on the vegan marshmallows to ensure they are truly vegan. Look for marshmallows that are made without gelatin, which is derived from animal products.
- Use Mini Marshmallows: Mini vegan marshmallows tend to melt faster and more evenly than full sized marshmallows. Either will work in a pinch, but mini is best. You don't want to burn the butter.
- Melt Marshmallows Gently: When melting the vegan marshmallows and butter together, do so over low heat and stir constantly to prevent them from burning. Once melted, remove the mixture from the heat immediately to avoid overcooking.
- Cool Before Cutting: Allow the Rice Krispie treats to cool and set at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before cutting into squares. Cooling helps firm up the treats, making them easier to slice and reducing the risk of them falling apart.
Why aren't Marshmallows Vegan?
Traditional marshmallows are not considered vegan because they typically contain an animal-derived ingredient called gelatin. Gelatin is a protein obtained from the collagen found in the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals, usually cows or pigs.
Since gelatin is derived from animal sources, it is not suitable for a vegan diet, which excludes all animal products and by-products. Therefore, marshmallows made with gelatin are not considered vegan-friendly.
However, there are now many brands that produce vegan marshmallows made without gelatin. These vegan marshmallows are typically made from plant-based ingredients like tapioca starch, agar agar (a seaweed-based gelatin substitute), or carrageenan. They offer a cruelty-free alternative for those following a vegan lifestyle or for individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vegan mini marshmallows can typically be found in health food stores, specialty grocery stores, or online retailers. Look for brands that specifically state they are vegan and made without gelatin. Trader Joe's has some good ones!
Yes, you can use regular Rice Krispies cereal in this recipe. Just be sure to check the ingredients list to ensure it doesn't contain any non-vegan additives. Most varieties of Rice Krispies cereal are vegan-friendly.
It's up to personal preference! Some people prefer to crush the Oreo cookies into finer pieces for a more uniform texture, while others like to leave larger chunks for added crunch. Feel free to crush the cookies to your desired consistency.
Yes! Purchase gluten-free Oreos and double check the ingredients in your crispy rice cereal and in your marshmallows.
Yes, you can make vegan Oreo Rice Krispie treats ahead of time. They can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container until ready to serve. This makes them a convenient option for parties, potlucks, or snacks on the go.
Censored Baker Approved Recipe Variations
If you're looking to jazz up this recipe, we have compiled a list of tested ideas:
- Peanut Butter Oreo Rice Krispie Treats: Melt ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter in the pot with the vegan butter before adding in the marshmallows. This will give you an incredible sweet, salty treat.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dairy-free chocolate chips and drizzle them over the top of the finished treats for an extra indulgent touch. You can also mix some melted chocolate into the Rice Krispie mixture for a chocolatey twist.
- Mint Chocolate Oreo Rice Krispie Treats: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the Rice Krispie mixture for a refreshing mint flavor. You can also mix in dairy-free chocolate chips for a classic mint chocolate combination.
- Double Stuffed Oreo Rice Krispie Treats: Use double-stuffed Oreos for an extra creamy filling in the treats. The extra creaminess adds a rich and decadent flavor to the treats.
- Nutty Oreo Rice Krispie Treats: Mix chopped nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or peanuts, into the Rice Krispie mixture for added crunch and protein. You can also sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the treats for extra texture.
- Salted Caramel Oreo Rice Krispie Treats: Drizzle dairy-free caramel sauce over the top of the finished treats and sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor combination. You can also mix chopped caramel candies into the Rice Krispie mixture for a gooey caramel filling. Check ingredients to make sure candy is vegan!
Storage
Prepared and set Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
This is not a freezer friendly recipe.
If you make this recipe please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram and leave a review below!
PrintVegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
Everything you love about cookies n' cream flavor wrapped up in a homemade rice krispie treat! Gooey marshmallows and crunchy Oreo flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Set Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 9 3-inch Bars 1x
- Category: Brownies and Bars
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
½ c vegan butter
10 oz bag vegan mini marshmallows
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
4 c crispy rice cereal
12 vegan chocolate sandwich cookies, chopped*
Instructions
- Prep: Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Melt: Place the vegan butter into a large pot on the stove. Heat over medium-low until the butter is completely melted. Add the marshmallows to the pot and continue to heat, stirring constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Stir: Quickly add the crispy rice cereal and chopped cookies to the pot. Stir until all of the cereal and cookies are coated in the marshmallow mixture. Transfer the contents of the pot to the prepared 8x8 pan and press down firmly using your hands.
- Set: Allow the treats to set in the pan at room temperature for 20 minutes before removing from pan and slicing.
Notes
*Oreo rice krispie treats will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. This is not a freezer friendly recipe.
*Lot’s of “chocolate sandwich cookies” are accidentally vegan. You just need to read the ingredients. You can purchase regular Oreos, Joe Joes from Trader Joe’s or you can buy cookies from a health food store.
*This recipe requires you to work very quickly as the marshmallow mixture cools and sets quickly. Make sure you have all of your ingredients handy and measured out before you start.
*Prior to pressing the rice krispie treats down into the pan, lightly coat your hands with cooking spray. This will keep the ingredients from sticking to your hands.
*To make this recipe gluten free, simply use gluten-free Oreos!
More Vegan Brownie and Dessert Bars
- Vegan Oreo Brownies
- Vegan Rocky Road Bars
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
- Vegan Lemon Drop Bars
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