If you don’t like marshmallows but still want easy, crispy, sticky rice krispie treats, this recipe delivers. Using just honey, brown sugar, salt and vanilla, these bars require only five ingredients and come together quickly. The flavour and texture are very close to the classic version—possibly even better—and there’s no corn syrup or processed marshmallows involved.
This marshmallow-free method keeps the treat simple and clean. You won’t need any additives like peanut butter; instead the honey and brown sugar create a glossy, chewy syrup that binds the puffed rice into perfect bars.
How to Make Marshmallow-Free Rice Krispie Treats
This recipe is straightforward and takes less than 15 minutes of active time (plus cooling). Here’s how to make them:
Begin by preparing a square baking pan. Lightly grease a 20cm (8in) square dish, then line it with two overlapping pieces of parchment paper so the finished slab lifts out easily for slicing.
In a small saucepan, combine the honey and brown sugar and set the pan over medium heat. Stir with a heatproof spatula until the sugar dissolves, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Let it boil for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt to balance the sweetness and a generous amount of vanilla for depth of flavour. Vanilla paste works wonderfully here because it gives a pronounced vanilla profile and little flecks of vanilla bean, but pure vanilla extract is fine too.
Place the puffed rice cereal in a large bowl, then pour the hot honey syrup over it. Stir quickly and thoroughly until every grain of cereal is evenly coated.
Transfer the coated cereal to the prepared pan and press it down firmly and evenly—use a piece of parchment or the back of a spatula to compact the mixture so the bars hold together when cut.
Let the slab cool completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes depending on your kitchen’s temperature. If you’re in a hurry, refrigerate briefly to set them faster.
Once firm, lift the slab out of the pan using the parchment edges and slice into 16 bars (cut a 4×4 grid). Serve and enjoy—these make a great snack or easy treat for parties, lunchboxes or a sweet bite any time.
Rice Krispie Treats Without Marshmallows
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Ingredients
- 170 g (½ cup) honey
- 75 g (⅓ cup) brown sugar
- 3 g (½ tsp) salt (see notes)
- 1 tbsp vanilla paste or extract or extract
- 150 g (5⅓ cups) puffed rice cereal
Instructions
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Lightly grease a 20cm (8in) square baking dish with butter, vegetable oil or nonstick spray. Line with two overlapping pieces of parchment paper. Set aside.
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Add the honey and brown sugar to a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar, bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and allow it to boil for 2 minutes before removing from the heat.
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Stir salt and vanilla paste into the syrup. Add the cereal to a large bowl and pour the syrup over it, stirring until evenly coated.
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Press the mixture into the prepared dish, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Allow to cool completely at room temperature—about 30 minutes—before removing and slicing into 16 bars.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is automatically generated and provided as guidance only. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
These rice krispie treats are quick to make and don’t require melting a bag of pre-packaged marshmallows.
Want bars without marshmallows or have a question about the method? Leave a comment below and I’ll help.
