Decadent Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Rice Krispies: An Allergy-Friendly, No-Bake Delight
For all my fellow caramel enthusiasts out there, prepare to meet your new favorite dessert! This recipe introduces a sensational twist on the classic Rice Krispies treat, transforming it into a gooey, rich, and utterly irresistible salted caramel version. Best of all, it’s a no-bake wonder that requires no candy thermometer, making it incredibly simple to whip up. If you can make traditional Rice Krispies, you’re just a few ingredients away from creating this elevated, decadent dessert that’s improved in every way.
These Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Rice Krispies are designed with everyone in mind, going beyond just dairy and gluten. They are also free of soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, proudly making them a top-8-allergen-free treat. For those following a plant-based diet, these allergy-friendly delights can effortlessly be made vegan too!
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My Lifelong Love Affair with Caramel
Caramel has held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. I have vivid childhood memories of eagerly awaiting my dad’s weekly candy bar run, always requesting my favorite Carmello. Yes, you heard that right – every Saturday, he’d bring us our favorite candy bars. This tradition cemented two things in my life: firstly, my dad is truly amazing; and secondly, it’s no wonder I developed such a pronounced sweet tooth and that sugar became a central part of my “love language.”
I genuinely appreciate caramel in nearly any form. Whether it’s soft and delightfully chewy, generously drizzled over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enrobed in rich chocolate, as long as caramel is present, I’m a happy camper!
The Magic of No-Bake Caramel with a Crunch
My culinary world was rocked when I discovered an incredibly easy, no-bake method for creating a caramel dessert without the need for a fussy candy thermometer. And this wasn’t just any caramel dessert; it was caramel with that satisfying crunch only Rice Krispies can deliver! The moment I introduced a homemade salted caramel sauce into these crispy treats, I honestly questioned if I’d ever crave the original plain version again. This elevated adaptation brings a new level of indulgence and flavor that’s simply addictive.
It’s no secret around our house that we are huge fans of Rice Krispies treats. In fact, if you’ve explored my site before, you’ll know there are already six different variations of these versatile treats featured. So, it felt perfectly natural to add this delightful salted caramel recipe to our growing collection. Be sure to check the end of this post, where I’ll list all our other fun and festive Rice Krispies creations – from reindeer and Christmas trees to Snickerdoodle and Frankenstein-themed delights. They truly are quick, easy, and incredibly adaptable for any occasion!
Just last night, during our weekly live session (did you know we host these regularly?), we delved into the common anxieties many face when dining at someone else’s home for the first time, especially with food allergies. Initially, there’s immense gratitude that a host is willing to take on the challenge of feeding your family. However, this is often followed by a wave of nervousness, wondering if they’ll exercise the same diligent precautions you would. If you missed it, I highly recommend listening to the full discussion. All our live sessions are conveniently posted in the videos section on my Facebook page.
I was particularly grateful when our host asked me to bring dessert, as it provided the perfect excuse to make these salted caramel Rice Krispies again! I had already whipped up a batch earlier in the week and, I confess, gobbled them up far too quickly to photograph. I was thrilled to have an opportunity (and honestly, what else is there to bring to a dinner party that’s so universally loved and allergy-friendly?) to recreate them for sharing.
These treats are notably gooier than your average Rice Krispies squares, which elevates them to an extra indulgent status. I may or may not have been caught eating them with a spoon straight out of the pan! For optimal shape retention and reduced stickiness, I recommend keeping them refrigerated or in a cool environment. Chilling them allows the caramel to set beautifully, ensuring they hold their form while still maintaining that delightful chew.
Frequently Asked Questions: Crafting Allergy-Friendly Caramel Rice Krispies
Making allergy-friendly treats often involves careful ingredient selection. Here are some common questions and essential tips to ensure your Salted Caramel Rice Krispies are safe and delicious for everyone:
- Choosing the Right Cereal: It’s crucial to be aware that most regular and generic brands of Rice Krispies cereal contain barley, meaning they are wheat-free but not gluten-free. For a truly gluten-free option, I highly recommend specific brands like Malt-O-Meal Crispy Rice or Erewhon Crispy Rice Cereal. Always double-check ingredient labels, especially if cross-contamination is a concern for severe allergies.
- Selecting Allergy-Friendly Marshmallows: If you need this recipe to be vegan, selecting appropriate dairy-free marshmallows is key. Dandies Mini Marshmallows are an excellent choice and one I frequently recommend (seriously, Dandies, let’s talk – I’m your biggest fan!). For a comprehensive guide to marshmallow ingredients across major brands, you can refer to my detailed marshmallow ingredient comparison chart here.
- Oil Substitutions: While coconut oil is a fantastic choice for its setting properties and affordability, it’s not always an option for everyone. If you cannot use coconut, you can substitute it entirely with your preferred brand of vegan butter. The coconut oil helps the Rice Krispies set up more firmly when chilled and is often significantly cheaper than vegan butter, which helps keep the overall cost down.
- Can I Replace Coconut Milk? I haven’t personally experimented with alternative milks, as coconut is suitable for our household. However, I would generally advise against direct substitutions for the full-fat coconut milk (the kind found in a can, not the thinner carton varieties in the dairy section). Canned full-fat coconut milk is significantly thicker, creamier, and boasts a higher fat content than most other non-dairy milks, which is crucial for the caramel’s texture and consistency. If you do decide to try a different milk, you’ll likely need to adjust the amount of cereal, potentially adding more to absorb any excess moisture. **Please, if you successfully try a different milk, do share your results in the comments below to help out future readers!**
I understand that finding affordable dairy-free caramel substitutes can be challenging, and missing out on that delightful caramel flavor is a real struggle for many. My hope is that this recipe offers a wonderful solution, allowing all my fellow caramel lovers to enjoy a truly sweet treat without worry. Please share this recipe with any other dairy-free, caramel-loving friends you know – because sharing delicious, safe food is truly caring!
Dairy & Gluten-free Salted Caramel Rice Krispies (Top 8 free too!)
15 squares
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
This is a no-bake, thermometer-free, super simple treat to make. If you can make regular rice krispies, just add a few ingredients to transform them into a gooey, decadent and all around improved version. These Dairy & Gluten-free Salted Caramel Rice Krispies are also free of: soy, peanuts and tree nuts, making them top-8-free. These allergy-friendly treats can easily be made vegan too!
Ingredients
- 6-7 cups Rice Krispies (see above for gluten-free options)
- 1/2 stick vegan butter (4 Tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk, or coconut cream (cannot be lite, or the stuff from the carton see above)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows (see above for details)
- sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions for Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Rice Krispies
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking pan and set it aside. This will prevent your delicious treats from sticking.
Step 2: Create the Caramel Base
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine your vegan butter, coconut oil, brown sugar, full-fat coconut milk, and salt. Place the pot over medium heat and allow the ingredients to melt together. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t scorch or stick to the bottom. Continue to boil the mixture for precisely 7 minutes. During this time, the caramel will thicken and become deliciously sticky, forming the perfect base for your treats.
Step 3: Incorporate Vanilla and Marshmallows
Once the caramel mixture has boiled for 7 minutes, remove the pot from the heat. Immediately stir in the vanilla extract and your mini marshmallows. Continue stirring until the marshmallows have completely melted and are smoothly incorporated into the caramel, creating a luxurious, gooey sauce.
Step 4: Add the Cereal
Without delay, add your chosen Rice Krispies cereal to the pot. I typically use between 6-7 cups; some prefer their treats extra gooey (like me!), while others might opt for more cereal to make them a bit firmer or extend the batch. Stir thoroughly until all the cereal is evenly coated with the rich caramel and marshmallow mixture.
Step 5: Press into Pan
Pour the coated cereal mixture into your prepared 13×9 inch pan. Using hands that are either lightly greased or dampened with water, press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the pan. This helps create uniform squares.
Step 6: Finish with Sea Salt
Sprinkle a light dusting of sea salt over the top of the pressed treats. This touch of salt beautifully enhances the sweet caramel flavor, creating that irresistible salted caramel profile.
Step 7: Chill and Set
Place the pan in the refrigerator to cool and allow the treats to set up properly. Keep them covered in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Chilling ensures they hold their shape and provides a delightful chewiness.
(Updated Tip: I’ve recently discovered that using 3/4 cup of butter-flavored shortening Crisco sticks as a substitute for both the coconut oil and vegan butter works wonderfully too! This can be a great alternative if you have trouble finding specific vegan butters or prefer shortening.)
Notes
This delightful recipe was inspired by the incredibly talented duo at: Our Best Bites.
DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS RECIPE, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! Be sure to explore my other allergy-friendly Pinterest boards for more delicious and safe recipe ideas.
More Allergy-Friendly Rice Krispies Treats You’ll Love
As you can tell, we truly adore allergy-friendly Rice Krispies treats! They’re endlessly customizable and perfect for any occasion or craving. Here are some other fun variations from our collection that you might enjoy:
Classic Allergy-friendly Rice Krispies Treats (Top 8 Free)
Allergy-friendly Snickerdoodle Rice Krispies
Allergy-friendly Rice Krispie Christmas Trees
Allergy-friendly Reindeer Rice Krispies
Allergy-friendly Frankenstein Rice Krispies
Christmas Rice Krispie Roll