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These Brown Rice Crispy Treats w/ Strawberries are super easy, super tasty, and absolutely no marshmallows needed!!
In my head, I always have these elaborate plans for super festive food and desserts for the 4th of July holiday. Everything red, white and blue, cut into star shapes, or designed into the shape of a flag. In reality though, I have neither the time nor the patience for such fare. Please tell me I’m not the only one who dreams of a Pinterest life, but lives a much simpler one.
These Brown Rice Crispy Treats w/ Strawberries are just as easy and delicious as the ones you remember from your childhood, but healthier and more festive.
I just got back from a 5 day vacation in Breckenridge, CO. My closest girlfriends and I are all turning 40 this year and we wanted a fabulous getaway to celebrate. It was everything I had hoped for and more.
I absolutely fell in love with Colorado, specifically Breck. It was so casual, everyone was so friendly, there is so much to do, and I could stare at the scenery for the rest of my life. I truly felt at peace there.
I’ve been trying to keep that zen-like feeling going here at home and that means getting back to easy recipes. Some of my favorite recipes on the blog, and also happen to be reader favorites, are simple, quick, and easy, like my Super Simple Burrito Bowl, Chickpea Salad, and Black Bean Salsa Burgers.
These Brown Rice Crispy Treats are going to fall into that same quick and easy category, and you are going to love them too!
Just like in my Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Bars, I used a combination of brown rice syrup and cashew butter in place of marshmallows in these Brown Rice Crispy Treats. And I added some freeze dried strawberries for extra flavor and sweetness, which also happens to make them quite festive.
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Brown Rice Crispy Treats w/ Strawberries
Ingredients
- 3 cups gluten free crispy brown rice cereal
- 1 cup sliced freeze dried strawberries
- ½ cup cashew butter store bought or homemade
- ½ cup organic brown rice syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper. It helps to spray a little cooking spray on the dish before placing the parchment paper to help it stay in place. Cut the paper long enough to hang over the sides and use these as handles later to easily pick up the whole block and take it out of the pan. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown rice cereal and freeze dried strawberries. Set aside.
- In a small pot on the stove, stir together the cashew butter, brown rice syrup and vanilla extract over low heat, stirring continuously, until pourable. This will only take a few minutes and the mixture will burn easily, so don’t walk away!
- Pour the liquid mixture over the cereal and strawberries, while stirring. Work quickly as it will thicken up as it cools.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Placing another piece of parchment paper on top and pressing on that will help you to spread the mixture evenly.
- Let the Brown Rice Crispy Treats set in the pan for about an hour before taking them out to cut into squares.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Ceara says
Honestly, the perfect snack!! I will have to try these. Love that they are made with cashew butter!
Jenn S. says
I go through far too much cashew butter – such good stuff! Thanks, Ceara!
Nicole Dawson says
Love these Jenn. I make mine with brown rice syrup and dried fruit (usually cranberries) but haven’t added cashew butter. That sounds like a lovely, addition! As for the holiday fare, I’m with you. I have some wonderful Pinterest boards saved full of ideas that I just haven’t gotten around to yet 😉
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Nicole! Dried fruit sounds great too!
Taylor Kiser says
I love that you’ve made these tasty treats without marshmallows! And the addition of the freeze dried strawberries is perfect! Can’t wait to try these!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Taylor! I hope you love them!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
Awesome recipe makeover! So creative and so many wonderful ingredients! Yummy!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Sonali!
Alisa Fleming says
Ooh, I love that you use cashew butter in these! I’ve been addicted to using freeze-dried fruit lately, too, and have some extra strawberries to use up. This recipe is perfect.
Jenn S. says
Oh my gosh me too! They are so sweet and with that crunch. Thanks, Alisa!
Natalie says
I lovvvve that you don’t use marshmallows. SO creative! Pinning for later!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Natalie! Vegan marshmallows scare me. 🙂
Becky Striepe says
These look so good!
Jenn S. says
🙂 Thank you!
Mel | avirtualvegan.com says
I love this recipe. I just want to bite into one and feel that texture. And as much as I love rice crispy treats made with marshmallows, even the vegan marshmallows usually contain loads of junky ingredients which I try to avoid. You r recipe to the rescue. I’m going to make these for my son later! (….and me…..)
Jenn S. says
Not tot mention, vegan marshmallows aren’t cheap. I hope you guys love these! Thanks, Mel!
Bethany via athletic avocado says
I’ve always loved rice krispy treats, but they are so full of sugar that they do nothing for me! I love that these are made a heck of a lot healthier and contain strawberries! YUM!
Jenn S. says
I don’t like how buttery/greasy the traditional ones are. Thanks, Bethany!
Karly says
Browned butter rice krispies are my all time FAVE, but I’ve never thought to add those gorgeous strawberries!! These look amazing!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Karly! I love the red pop of color from the strawberries.
Laura says
YES YES YES!! I made rice crispy treats marshmallow free last week too, and they were so great. Kind of like bringing out your inner kid again! These ones look awesome!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Laura! Totally a recipe to make you feel like a kid again!
Cadry says
Oh, my gosh. I love Breckenridge so much. I could happily go there every summer. It’s such a beautiful place with so much to see and do. That sounds like the perfect place to celebrate with your girlfriends.
What a fun idea to add freeze dried strawberries to your rice crispy treats. I bet they add just the right hit of sweetness.
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Cadry! I am so in love with that town. We are already scheming about how we can get back there ASAP! 🙂
Jennifer Jackson says
What can I use in place of the cashew butter? We have a neighbor boy who comes over alot but is allergic to tree nuts.
Jenn S. says
Hi, Jennifer. You can use sunflower seed butter. It will taste slightly different, but will still be delicious!
Aimee says
In love with these! They’re so pretty, sound delicious and are made with some of my favourite healthy ingredients!
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Aimee!
Strength and Sunshine says
No marshmallows <3 Thank you 😉
I think i'd feel pretty zen eating a tray of these…..no vacation required 😉
Jenn S. says
Sweets do tend to help with the zen!