With an ooey, gooey, crisp texture, healthy rice krispie treats taste just like the ones you knew and loved as a kid. Like so many of my other no bake dessert recipes including bliss balls, healthy rice krispy treats need minimal hands-on time before others can get their hands on them. My girls always love when I make these! Like my sugar-free smores bars, these healthy treats are made with sugar-free marshmallows, but they have the added bonus of protein (from the protein packed ingredients) — similar to my peanut butter protein balls, protein muffins, and protein cookies. But, what really sets these healthier rice krispy treats apart is the marshmallows…
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for healthy rice krispy treats, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
ChocZero Sugar-Free Marshmallows – Chewy, puffy, and sweet — just like the real deal! You can use regular marshmallows (or even vegan marshmallows), but they will be higher in carbs and sugar. Or, you could use my homemade sugar-free marshmallows instead. Salted Butter – I prefer grass-fed butter, but any brand will do. Butter-flavored coconut oil would work as well. If you only have unsalted butter, you’ll need to add a pinch of sea salt. Vanilla Extract – Adds a rich flavor. Use a high-quality brand if you can. Protein Cereal – I like using this keto variety for its low carbs, but you could also use a standard crispy rice cereal (or brown rice cereal) if your lifestyle allows. If yours isn’t rice-shaped, chop coarsely for a finer texture (which is what I did, as shown below).
How To Make Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
This section shows how to make sugar free rice krispie treats with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Recipe Variations
This healthy alternative to rice krispie treats works with lots of flavor options! It’s a simple recipe, but keep these tips in mind for better results:
Work quickly. Once the marshmallows are melted, this recipe moves fast. Make sure the butter is softened before melting with the marshmallows and have the cereal pre-chopped and ready to go. Press, don’t pack. Lightly pressing the mixture into the pan retains a little air so the pieces stay light and chewy. Use your favorite method to avoid sticking. You can wet your hands with water, use a rubber spatula coated with cooking spray, or a sheet of parchment paper to press down on the bars without sticking. Avoid the fridge. Rice krispie treats will become too hard if they are refrigerated.
Peanut Butter – Melt 1/4 cup of nut butter in the microwave with marshmallows and mix in. Peanut butter rice krispie treats are my favorite flavor variation, but you could also use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Chocolate – Create a chocolate drizzle with 1/2 cup melted sugar-free dark chocolate chips, or skip the melting and mix full chips in with the cereal. Sprinkles – Colorful sugar-free sprinkles give rice krispie squares a party ready look. Just sprinkle them on top and press into the bars.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep rice krispie treats in a covered container at room temperature up to 1 week. Freeze: Layer each healthy rice krispy treat between sheets of parchment paper. Transfer to a zippered bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.
More Healthy Sugar Free Desserts
Looking for something sweet, without the sugar crash? Try these classic recipes with a healthy twist: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
