This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make irresistible 3-ingredient chocolate Rice Krispies at home. Made with chocolate cereal and naturally sweetened, this moreish, no-bake recipe takes just 5 minutes to combine.
Although I wasn’t allowed to have much cereal growing up, I have more than made up for it by making nostalgic desserts out of it.
Inspired by both peanut butter Rice Krispies and protein Rice Krispies, satisfy your chocolate fix with this chocolate Rice Krispies recipe.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- 3 Ingredients and 5 minutes. Seriously, you could not find a more simple dessert recipe than this.
- Perfect texture and flavor. The texture is crispy (obviously!), chewy, and gooey simultaneously. It’s rich in chocolate flavor and so addictive, I dare you to stop at one!
- It’s healthier than the classic recipe. I have made this recipe without dairy butter, margarine, or the oversweet marshmallows. So, it is dairy-free and vegan-friendly!
What I love about this recipe is that it’s perfect to scale up if you need to bring this to a party, or gathering, or when you have a last-minute need to bring a plate somewhere (true story!).
Ingredients Needed
These chocolate rice krispie treats are so easy to make and use pantry staples. Here is what you’ll need:
- Chocolate rice crispy cereal. The most crucial ingredient for this recipe! Any cocoa rice crisps work, but I recommend choosing a good quality brand, as I’ve found they remain crispy for a long time versus the cheaper brands.
- Almond butter. I love the almond butter flavor, but you can use any nut butter. I tried it with peanut butter but found it a little overpowering.
Nut-free substitute
You can make these treats nut-free using tahini or sunflower seed butter. Opt for the smooth variety for easy mixing.
- Maple syrup. It adds some extra sweetness and also binds the bars together. If you prefer honey, use it instead!
How to make chocolate rice krispies
These nostalgic dessert bars may look fancy, but I promise you, they are so quick to whip up.
- Prep the pan. Line a tin square pan with baking paper and set it aside.
- Melt the liquids. Melt almond butter and maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop until smooth.
- Make the mixture. Measure out the cereal in a large bowl, pour the melted liquid mix over it, and mix until combined.
- Set the chocolate rice krispies. Transfer the mixture to the prepped pan, press it down, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Once it firms up, slice it and serve.
Tips to make the best recipe
Grease the parchment paper. Coat the parchment paper lightly with oil spray to prevent the mixture from sticking.
Get the perfect squares. Dip your knife in warm water or melted butter before slicing into the slab to make the perfect squares.
Make them in advance. Because they stay fresh for a week, you can make them a few days before your party.
Storage instructions
To store. These chocolate Rice Krispies are stored well at room temperature in a sealed container for a week. If you’d like to keep them longer, store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
To freeze. Place the bars in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More no bake treats to try
Frequently asked questions
Yes, of course! Use salted or unsalted melted butter to bind the mixture together. You can also use brown butter for additional caramelized flavor.
Unfortunately, these chocolate rice crispies are not gluten-free. The store-bought rice crispies contain malt, which contains gluten. If you’re allergic to gluten, I suggest you look for certified gluten-free chocolate rice crispies.
Chocolate Rice Krispies
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate rice krispies cereal
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your crispy rice cereal and set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, melt your almond butter and maple syrup together, and then pour the mixture into the crispy rice cereal and mix well.
- Pour mixture into the lined baking tray and press firmly into place. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
I was allowed ALL the sugary cereal. I was the kind of friend everyone was happy to visit for their sugar fix. And I never got the hype because I was never deprived maybe.
My all time favorites were Kellogs Coco Pops because you got to drink cocoa after eating the cereal 😀
Hahahaha I’m jealous! OH yes!!!! They are the best!
My dad gave us free range for pretty much anything, which looking back, was not the best. And maybe contributed to my ginormous sweet tooth. Example: my favorite snack was a croissant stuffed with mint chocolate chip ice cream. Ew? …nope. Still YUM.
Oh WHAT. That actually sounds incredible!
Love Rice Krispy Treats!
They are too good!
Lolol. I was only allowed to have sugary cereals once in a blue moon, and I started out with Lucky Charms, until I realized that the actual cereal outside of the marshmallows is pretty much worthless, which is when I switched over to Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Best. Forever.
I actually really enjoyed the cereal you ate at Meg’s…well the peanut butter one. 🙂
Dear Arman, these sound irresistible! What a great snack option…I haven’t made rice krispy treats in ages. You have inspired me with this simple 3-ingredient batch. Take care my friend, Catherine
Thanks so much, Catherine!
We had the good stuff: Fruity Pebbles, Apple Jacks, COOKIE CRISP. That one was my favorite. These treats sound completely delish.
I think I saw a cereal by Hershey’s the other day….not even kidding.
We did not have good cereal. I never really bought it for my kids either until recently. Don’t judge me, my oldest son is a junk food junkie and I have given up…I buy it for him. Thankfully my other two aren’t even interested in the “good” cereal…they eat much more nutritiously. These look yummy and I know they would happily get eaten here! When my kids were little, we used to make rice krispie castles for their birthday cakes (they don’t like cake either). I know, weird.
Hahaha no that’s awesome- My sister and I used to sneak in a box or two and treat it like contraband!
RICE CRISPY CASTLES? Oh my.
In my household, we did not eat any sugary cereals. My mom always bought the boring cereals, and cooked either oatmeal or Cream of Rice and added raisins.
Oh wow- I only tried oatmeal for the first time in university!
Our mums sound very similar. Mine was conscious of eating mostly organic and nutritious food for a long time of me growing up so you definitely didn’t find sugary cereals in our house regularly. I had that one friend who had both a grandma serving us all the sugary treats + “Käsebrötchen” (look it up on Google!) AND a Playstation. Needless to say I quite enjoyed visiting her ;).
OMG. I need that in my life right now!
I wasn’t allowed all the sugary cereals when I was a kid either. I got my fix at friends’ houses or I just added white sugar to the regular bland cereals. It worked like a charm.
DUDE. Best idea ever adding white sugar to normal cereal!
You mean your mum didn’t keep a box of Frosted Sugar Cinnamon Cocoa Bombs in the house? How dare she? Guess you’ll just have to make up for it by downing these treats instead. Delicious!
I know, right? How dare she!
We were definitely not the fun cereal house. I got to pick a “snack cereal” occasionally and it was usually peanut butter cap’n crunch 🙂
Haha I think your kids are fortunate to have you as a mum with your breakfasts 🙂