The bright red and green color of this no-bake Christmas Rice Krispie Roll makes for a festive and easy holiday dessert. The fun swirl adds a little Christmas magic and helps the regular rice krispies look extra decorated. Plus, this recipe is free of: gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. These are top-8-free and have a vegan option too–so you can freely share this treat with those with food allergies.
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Are you sensing a theme from my last few posts? Quick, no-bake holiday desserts?! Can you tell it’s my first Christmas being a mom of three? Haha.
But seriously though, I don’t have my shopping all of the way done, I frequently have dishes in the sink and I’m almost always one of the last moms in the pick up lane at school–this momma needs some easy holiday treats to hand out to neighbors!
And, this treat is great because the kids can get involved and there really is a fun wow factor when you cut into the log and reveal these slices with the pretty swirl in the middle. They’re fun to lay out on goodie plates and present to neighbors.
I was one of those moms that told my boys that they couldn’t get a treat when we got home if they didn’t sing when we delivered the treats. I didn’t make them sing a long or hard song, just “We wish you a Merry Christmas” but it was still a struggle. We won’t be trying out for “The Voice” as a family band any time soon!
Making and taking treats to neighbors is one of my favorite holiday traditions. Between actual neighbors, family friends and church members the list seems to get longer every year, so I’m so glad to come up with easy and inexpensive treats to pass out at Christmas time.
Details on the allergy-friendly ingredients:
For cereal: Regular and generic brands of rice krispies use barley in all the brands I’ve ran across. (So they are wheat free, but not gluten-free). I’ve found Malt-0-Meal & Erewhon are great gluten-free substitutions.
For food dye: I’ve been asked by many what food coloring I use. So, confession: I used Wilton’s food coloring gels long before I was smart enough to check their label. I don’t know why I didn’t think food coloring might have something in it! I have called Wilton before, and the person I talked to said they’ve added a may contain label if there is something in the same facility. So, we’ve used it and never had an issue–BUT–only do what you’re comfortable with for your own food allergies and go with what your allergist tells you. I’ve heard (but not personally tried) that AmeriColor has allergy-friendly food gels. Just note, that you’ll need to use a good amount of red to get it to look red and not pink.
For marshmallows: If you’re needing this to be vegan, be sure to use appropriate marshmallows like Dandies. (Does anyone know them–I seriously should work with them since I’m always touting their product!)
For oil: If you can’t do coconut, shortening should do. We can do regular soy/vegetable shortening, but I’ve also used palm oil.
I hope this easy, no-bake Christmas recipe also helps you and your kids make a fun holiday treat together–as well as make some memories. Happy holiday season friends!
Christmas Rice Krispie Roll (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top-8-free; vegan option)
The bright red and green color of this no-bake Christmas Rice Krispie Roll makes for a festive and easy holiday dessert. The fun swirl adds a little Christmas magic and helps the regular rice krispies look extra decorated. Plus, this recipe is free of: gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. These are top-8-free and have a vegan option too--so you can freely share this treat with those with food allergies.
Ingredients
- RED RICE KRISPIES LAYER:
- 3 Tablespoons url href="https://amzn.to/2nKZLhq" target="_blank"]coconut oil[/url (or shortening
- 6 cups of gluten-free crispy cereal (see post for details)
- 1 package of marshmallows (use vegan marshmallows
- Red food dye to liking (see post for details)
- GREEN RICE KRISPIES LAYER:
- 3 Tablespoons url href="https://amzn.to/2nKZLhq" target="_blank"]coconut oil[/url (or shortening
- 6 cups of gluten-free crispy cereal (see post for details)
- 1 package of marshmallows (use vegan marshmallows
- Green food dye to liking (see post for details)
- Wax paper
Instructions
- In a pot over medium low heat, add your coconut oil and melt. Next, stir in your marshmallows until they're melted. Add the red food dye until you reach your desired color (be sure to use gels and not liquid, to not throw off the recipe since you'll need a good amount to make it red and not pink.)
- Add in your cereal and stir until it's completely incorporated.
- Pour onto wax paper in a baking sheet and press flat with greased or wet hands (so it doesn't stick) to make a rectangle. (Note: it will stain your hands a bit!)
- Allow it to cool.
- Make the second batch of krispies the same way you did before, only adding in green food coloring this time.
- Spread the green krispies directly over the red rice krispies and shape it to match the same size.
- Once it is cool enough, take the krispies out of the pan (that was just to help you shape it evenly.) Place another piece of wax paper on the top and with a rolling pin, roll the two rice krispies until they're a bit flatter. (You don't have to do this, but I found doing so helped it roll if it wasn't so thick.)
- Starting at one end, roll the krispies together into a log. Allow to cool so the shape can harden a bit. Cut off swirls and serve.
- Keep covered room temperature (otherwise the coconut oil will harden and make the krispies tough.)
Notes
Cereal tips: Regular and generic brands of rice krispies use barley in all the brands I've ran across. (So they are wheat free, but not gluten-free). I've found Malt-0-Meal & Erewhon are great gluten-free cereal substitutions.
Marshmallow tip: If you need this to be vegan, be sure to use vegan appropriate marshmallows, like Dandies
DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! BE SURE TO ALSO CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY PINTEREST BOARDS.
Looking for other allergy-friendly Christmas treats? Check out these other favorites:
Allergy-friendly Reindeer Rice Krispies
Dairy-free & Vegan Homemade Hot Cocoa
Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies (GF, Vegan, Peanut/Tree nut Free)
Dairy-free Crock Pot Hot Cocoa
Hi! I’m Megan, a mom to four kids, two with multiple food allergies & one with EOE. I’m a published cookbook author that constantly tweaks recipes to make them allergy friendly–it’s an addiction. I share every recipe & tip with you, to help you eat like you did before food allergies & dietary restrictions. You can still be awesome, even with food allergies!
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Jereann Zann
I was wondering how you made them look so awesome! Great idea and love that it’s a recipe kids can help with. We’ll have to try it over the school break.
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I hope you have a great school break!
Audrey
My kids would love this! So fun and festive too.
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Thanks–hope your kids like ’em
Nicole Dawson
These are adorable Megan.
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Thanks! They were really fun to make!
Michelle
This is soooo much fun, and so festive! I love it! And I just love that you make the kids sing when they deliver the treats, they probably hate it now but I’m betting they’ll love those memories when they’re older and pass the tradition on!
I have to admit I’m also guilty of not checking the label of food colouring, I should probably start doing that!
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Thanks–I hope my kids will agree with you in a few years–but glad another adult doesn’t see it as abuse 🙂
Kristina
this is the coolest idea I have seen this holiday season! I have seen these crispy rolls before, but not the vibrant holiday colors! 🙂
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Well thank you for that nice compliment! That makes me feel so good!
Amanda
I am soooo making these. I can’t get over how much fun these would be to make and eat!
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Thanks–yes they really are fun! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
Sunny Hamner
Was so excited to see this recipe, then dismayed you used Dandies, which have soy ?
Leslie
My jaw dropped when I saw these. My kind of treat…visually stunning, easy, and safe for those with allergies!
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Well thank you very much! Yes, pretty and easy treats are my jam!
Kristen Wood
How very festive & creative!!
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Thank you so much!
Kortney
You can never go wring with a good rice crispy treat. This will definitely add some colour to the lineup of white and brown cookies 😀
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Yes, sometimes you need a little pop of color! 🙂
Alisa Fleming
You are the rice crispy queen! I thought your reindeer crispies were just so darn cute, but this really takes the cake 🙂
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Haha–thanks. I do love rice krispies, what can I say? I actually have one more holiday krispie recipe coming up, if I can squeeze it in!
Jen
Coming from another mom of 3, I appreciate any and all no bake, quick and easy desserts. This looks festive and fantastic!
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High five to another mom of three 🙂