Quick Answer
The quick answer is that original Kellogg’s Rice Krispies treats are not dairy free, as they contain butter or margarine. However, Kellogg’s does make dairy free Rice Krispies treats that use rice syrup and vegetable oils instead of dairy ingredients. So with the dairy free version, those with dairy allergies or on a vegan diet can enjoy Rice Krispies treats.
Ingredients in Original Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats
Kellogg’s original Rice Krispies treats, which come in the classic rectangular bars, contain a few simple ingredients:
- Rice Krispies cereal
- Marshmallows
- Margarine or butter
- Vanillin (an artificial vanilla flavor)
The main ingredients that make Rice Krispies treats hold together and get their distinctive chewy texture are the marshmallows and margarine or butter.
Standard marshmallows contain gelatin, which is derived from collagen typically sourced from cows and pigs. Gelatin is what gives marshmallows their soft, squishy texture.
Margarine and butter also contain dairy ingredients like milk fat and/or whey. So both the marshmallows and margarine/butter contribute dairy components to original Rice Krispies treats.
Are Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Vegan?
Rice Krispies cereal itself is vegan and dairy free. The original Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal contains just three plant-based ingredients:
- Rice
- Sugar
- Salt
So plain Rice Krispies cereal, without any add-ins like marshmallows, is vegan and dairy free friendly. But when turned into Rice Krispies treats, the dairy ingredients get added in.
Special Kellogg’s Vegan Rice Krispies Treats
While the original kind contains dairy, Kellogg’s has created special recipe variations that are vegan and dairy free. Here are some dairy free Rice Krispies treats made by Kellogg’s:
- Kellogg’s Plant-Based Rice Krispies Treats – These contain a vegan marshmallow fluff made from syrups and vegetable oils instead of gelatin.
- Kellogg’s Vegan Rice Krispies Treats – Another variety that substitutes the dairy ingredients for plant-based alternatives like vegetable oils and rice syrup.
- Kellogg’s Nut Bars – These bars are made with Rice Krispies and nut butter without dairy ingredients.
So Kellogg’s has created innovative recipes to make plant-based, dairy free versions of the classic treat. The dairy free varieties use substitutions like:
- Syrups like brown rice syrup or tapioca syrup instead of marshmallows with gelatin
- Vegetable oils instead of butter/margarine
- Nut butters like almond or cashew butter for binding instead of dairy butter
These alternate ingredients allow for the treats to mimic the chewy, crispy texture without using any animal products.
Do Homemade Rice Krispies Treats Contain Dairy?
Many homemade Rice Krispies treats recipes do contain dairy ingredients like butter or marshmallows. But there are ways to modify recipes to make them dairy free at home:
- Use dairy free margarine like Earth Balance instead of butter
- Use dairy free mini marshmallows instead of regular (some brands like Dandies are vegan)
- Omit marshmallows and use sticky binders like maple syrup or nut butter instead
- Substitute caramel candies for marshmallows for a more chewy texture
- Use dairy free chocolate chips or nuts to add crunch
With simple ingredient swaps like plant-based butter, marshmallows and nut butters, homemade Rice Krispie treats can easily be made dairy free. The treats may not have exactly the same texture, but will still be delicious.
Are Other Brands of Rice Krispies Treats Dairy Free?
Besides the Kellogg’s brand, some other companies also make dairy free Rice Krispies style treats:
- Enjoy Life Foods Chewy Bars – Their chewy bars are made dairy free with sunflower seed butter and brown rice syrup
- MadeGood Granola Minis – These crunchy snack bars contain crisped rice and cocoa butter instead of dairy
- Annie’s Organic Crispy Rice Treats – Annie’s makes a vegan variety using rice syrup and expeller pressed oils
So there are quite a few options for dairy free treats with the classic crisped rice cereal texture. Always check the ingredients labels since some brands add milk or butter.
Are Rice Krispies Treats Egg Free?
Yes, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies treats are egg free. None of the ingredients in the original recipes contain any egg.
The basic ingredients – Rice Krispies cereal, marshmallows, and margarine/butter – do not contain egg. So Rice Krispies treats are safely egg free.
Those with egg allergies can enjoy both homemade and store-bought Rice Krispies treats, as long as no egg has been added to a homemade recipe. Always check labels of store-bought varieties just to be safe.
But generally, Rice Krispies treats are a nice egg-free option for a quick and easy snack. The egg free treats are handy for school lunches, parties, or anytime you crave that crispy, puffy texture.
Do Rice Krispies Contain Wheat?
No, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal does not contain wheat. The original Rice Krispies are gluten free.
Here are the ingredients in Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal:
- Rice
- Sugar
- Salt
- Malt flavoring
So the only grains used are rice. There is no wheat flour or any gluten containing grains used.
The malt flavoring used in Rice Krispies is gluten free, often derived from corn. Any gluten containing malts are not used.
Therefore, both the Rice Krispies cereal and the Rice Krispies treats made with the cereal are gluten free foods, and do not contain any wheat.
Those with celiac disease or a wheat allergy can safely consume Rice Krispies and Rice Krispies treats from contamination risks.
Nutrition Info for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats
Here is the nutrition information for a standard Kellogg’s Rice Krispies treat (1 bar – 29g):
| Calories | 140 |
| Fat | 4.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 85mg |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 11g |
| Protein | 1g |
A standard Rice Krispies treat contains 140 calories, with 24g of carbohydrates and 11g of sugar per bar.
The treats provide 4.5g of fat, the majority of which comes from the butter or margarine used in the recipe. There is 1g of saturated fat per bar.
Rice Krispies treats are low in protein, with just 1g per serving. They do not offer any fiber.
Overall, a Rice Krispies treat makes for a quick sweet snack, but provides mostly empty calories with little nutrition. The treats are fine in moderation as part of a balanced diet, but should not be a dietary staple.
Do Rice Krispies Treats Have Dyes?
Regular Rice Krispies treats do not contain any food dyes. Kellogg’s uses natural colors for their ingredients.
The original Rice Krispies cereal contains molasses which gives the crisped rice its light brown hue. No artificial food coloring is added.
The mini marshmallows also get their white color from natural coloring, not dyes. And the margarine or butter used does not contain any added coloring either.
So the classic Rice Krispies treat recipe sticks to naturally-derived colors from the simple whole food ingredients. There are no artificial food dyes used at all.
However, some of the special flavored Rice Krispies treats may contain food coloring, like shades of blue or pink. Check the specific variety, but the original is dye-free.
Do Rice Krispies Treats Contain Preservatives?
The original Kellogg’s Rice Krispies treats do not contain any chemical preservatives. The ingredients are all-natural whole foods that preserve the freshness.
The rice cereal and marshmallows have low moisture levels which keeps them shelf stable. And the fats in the margarine/butter help maintain freshness.
Kellogg’s is able to produce Rice Krispies treats without any artificial preservatives like BHT, BHA, calcium propionate or sorbic acid.
However, some of the flavored varieties may contain preservatives to help maintain quality. Check labels for any chemical preservatives if avoiding them.
Conclusion
While original Kellogg’s Rice Krispies treats are not dairy or egg free due to containing butter/margarine and marshmallows, Kellogg’s does produce vegan and dairy free versions. By using vegetable oils, rice syrups and nut butters instead of dairy ingredients, Kellogg’s created allergy-friendly recipes. Brands like Enjoy Life Foods also offer similar dairy free crispy rice treats.
At home, homemade Rice Krispies treats can also be made dairy free with simple ingredient swaps like dairy free butter, marshmallows, and binders like nut butter. So with some modifications, those with dairy allergies or vegan diets can still enjoy the nostalgic treat. Just confirm the ingredients on any packaged products, since some flavored varieties may contain allergens.
Overall, Rice Krispies treats can be a tasty snack for most diet needs when made properly. The classic crispy and chewy texture can be recreated without dairy or eggs. So people don’t have to feel left out when Rice Krispies treats get passed around.
