Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats are gluten-free and dairy-free with crispy brown rice cereal, peanut butter and pure pumpkin. They’re made without marshmallows, and sweetened with just honey, maple syrup and dark chocolate. It’s a healthier Halloween treat that the entire family will enjoy!

Guys, it might be a bit early to share a Halloween treat, but I couldn’t hold out bringing this one to you. I made these rice krispie treats on a whim last week when I had leftover pumpkin purée and crispy rice cereal to use up. The result were these irresistible peanut buttery squares with a hint of sweetness, autumn spices and a super chewy texture. Oh, and there’s chocolate!

These treats are so irresistible that my picky husband loved them, and I didn’t even have to hide the fact that there was pumpkin in them and no marshmallows!

Ingredients for pumpkin rice krispie treats

These treats require a few more ingredients than your typical rice krispie squares recipe, but they’re totally worth it!

Natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
Honey
Maple syrup
Pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
Coconut oil
Pumpkin spice
Salt
Crispy brown rice cereal (gluten-free)
Dark chocolate chips (dairy-free)
Toppings of choice such as pumpkin seeds or peanuts

How to make rice crispy treats without marshmallows

Step 1: In a large pot, add your peanut butter, honey and maple syrup, along with your pumpkin purée, coconut oil, pumpkin spice and salt.

Step 2: Stir together and heat on a low temperature until the peanut butter is melted and the mixture thickens. You’ll want to stir constantly to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Step 3: Add the crispy cereal and stir until it’s well coated.

Step 4: Press the cereal mixture firmly into a 9-inch square pan lined with parchment paper, and place in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate topping.

Step 5: Add your chocolate and peanut butter to a microwave safe bowl and heat on two 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval. If the peanut butter isn’t fully melted, microwave for another 10-15 seconds and stir again.

Step 6: Pour the chocolate over the crispy treats and spread out into a thin layer. Add your desired toppings and place back in the freezer to set up. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Ideas for topping these rice krispie squares

Pumpkin seeds (raw or roasted with salt)
Peanuts (raw or roasted with salt)
Other seeds and/or nuts
Reese’s pieces baking candy (this option will not be dairy-free)
Shredded coconut or sliced coconut chips
Flaky sea salt
Dried cranberries
Halloween or fall themed sprinkles

How to cut rice krispie squares neatly

I usually struggle cutting bars neatly (because I’m always in a rush), but here are a few things I’ve learned to help cut these rice krispie treats:

Firmly press the rice krispie mixture into the pan before they set up. If the crispy cereal is packed in tightly, this ensures the squares have cleaner edges when cut.

Use parchment paper to line your pan so you can lift the bars out easily and cut them on a cutting board instead of in the pan.

Make sure the rice krispie treats have had time to firm up before cutting them. I like to keep mine in the freezer for at least an hour.

Determine how many squares you want to get from your batch and then measure it out before you start cutting.

Cut your treats into squares by using a large sharp knife with a smooth edge (as opposed to a small knife with a serrated edge). You may also want to run your knife under warm water before cutting into the squares.

Frequently asked questions

What can you use instead of marshmallows in rice krispie treats? In this recipe, the peanut butter, honey and maple syrup are melted together to create a thick mixture to hold the crispy cereal together. It’s not quite as sticky as melted marshmallows but it does the trick.

How do you store pumpkin spice rice krispie treats? Can you freeze them? These treats should be arranged in a single layer or in between layers of wax paper and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. I think they’re best enjoyed frozen or slightly defrosted as they have a firm and chewy texture. I don’t recommend storing them at room temperature as both the crispy bottom and chocolate topping will get too soft.

Can you make these crispy treats vegan? I haven’t tried making this recipe vegan by using all maple syrup. I like using honey as it is stickier. But, on it’s own, it has an overpowering taste. So using equal parts maple syrup adds sweetness while taking the edge off the honey. If you use all maple syrup, it might not be sticky enough to hold the crispy treats together.

Additional recipe tips and substitutions

It’s a good idea to have your crispy cereal measured out and ready to pour into the pot when the peanut butter mixture is ready.

To keep this recipe gluten-free, make sure you use gluten-free crispy cereal, spices and toppings.

For dairy-free treats, keep your dark chocolate and additional toppings dairy-free too.

I’ve made these treats with both chunky and smooth peanut butter (both natural) and had similar results. While my husband couldn’t tell the difference, I preferred the texture that the chunky peanut butter added to the recipe.

You can make this recipe using salted or unsalted peanut butter. If using salted, you may wish to reduce the amount of salt you add to the treats.

If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, you can replace it with another nut butter. Or for a nut-free version, try using a seed butter. Just keep in mind that this will change the taste of the rice krispie treats.

To get thicker squares, make this recipe in an 8-inch square pan instead of a 9-inch.

Other recipes that use pumpkin purée

Since this recipe only calls for a quarter cup of pure pumpkin, here are a few ideas to help you use up the rest of your can of pumpkin purée:

Baked Pumpkin Donuts are made with pure pumpkin, warming spices, chopped pecans and dark chocolate, and they require just 10 minutes prep time.

Healthy Pumpkin Bread is filled with wholesome ingredients and studded with dark chocolate chunks. It makes a perfect afternoon snack with a cup of tea.

Cranberry Pumpkin French Toast Bake is a decadent brunch bake with layers of bread dipped in a pumpkin-egg mixture, and topped with fresh cranberries, pumpkin seeds and white chocolate.

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins are dairy-free and easily made vegan. They’re soft and fluffy with whole wheat flour, peanut butter and dark chocolate chips.

If you make these no marshmallow pumpkin rice krispies, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below!

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