Nutella rice krispie treats are quick to prepare and impossible to resist. No bake crunchy rice cereal bars, with chocolate and Nutella? Your favorite childhood snack bars just got WAY better!
Why you’ll love these Nutella rice krispie treats
Just 6 ingredients. You may already have the ingredients in your kitchen pantry.
Easy to make at home. Simply combine everything in a bowl, spread into a pan, and press down firmly. There’s no oven required.
No marshmallows. Unlike many other Nutella krispie treat recipes, this one is made without marshmallows or marshmallow fluff. The recipe can also be gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.
Crowd friendly & fun to eat. I recently made the recipe for a neighborhood summer block party, and they received rave reviews from guests of all ages. Take a tray of these chocolatey Nutella squares to your next party or event, and watch how fast the entire plate is gone!
You may also like Homemade Bounty Bars
Step by step recipe video
Key ingredients
Nutella – Use any store bought or homemade chocolate hazelnut spread. I like to whip up my own vegan Nutella, because it’s easy to make and less expensive than the jarred kind, with fewer ingredients and less sugar.
Rice krispies cereal – This can be a crisped rice cereal or another small shape cereal, including classic Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Nature’s Path organic gluten free Crispy Rice Cereal, or your favorite keto cereal.
Cocoa powder – The recipe calls for a fourth cup of unsweetened cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder for a high protein version.
Sweetener – A sticky sweetener holds the bars together. Try honey, agave, pure maple syrup, or a sugar free alternative.
Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract compliments the chocolate and hazelnut flavors.
Salt – The salt is not needed for texture or structure, but it makes a big difference in taste. I highly recommend not leaving it out.
Chocolate chips (optional) – If you are a chocoholic who believes there’s no such thing as too much chocolate, dip each bar in melted chocolate chips. You won’t regret it.
How to make Nutella krispie treats
- Line the bottom of an eight inch square baking pan with wax or parchment paper. Or use a smaller pan for thicker krispie squares. Set this pan aside.
- Stir the crisp rice cereal, cocoa powder or protein powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Then stir in the chocolate hazelnut spread, agave or honey (or other liquid sweetener), and pure vanilla extract until well mixed. Make sure to coat all the krispies.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan, and use a second sheet of parchment paper to press down very firmly. (See the recipe video for a visual.) Really press it down!
- Refrigerate or freeze until chilled.
- Meanwhile, make the optional chocolate topping by melting the chocolate chips either in the microwave or using the double boiler method on the stove top. Stir a teaspoon of coconut oil into the melted chocolate sauce if you want a smoother consistency.
- Pour the chocolate over the Nutella bars and spread out evenly with a spatula or spoon. (If you prefer, you can also slice and then dip the bottom of each chocolate hazelnut bar individually into melted chocolate.)
- Refrigerate the pan just until sauce is no longer wet. Slice into bars or squares and serve.
- Store any leftovers covered in a cool, dry place on the counter for up to two days. Or refrigerate in a covered container for up to a month. Or freeze in an airtight container for up to three months. They are really good straight from the freezer!
Katie’s favorite variations of the recipe
- Use chocolate peanut butter instead of Nutella.
- Stir a handful of freeze dried strawberries in with the krispies.
- Add mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or chocolate sprinkles on top of the melted chocolate before it sets.
- Stir half a cup of finely chopped caramels or pitted dates into the batter.
- Sprinkle crushed Oreo cookies, pretzels, or flaky sea salt over everything.
- Turn them into healthy Nutella protein krispie treats by substituting the cocoa powder for an equal amount of chocolate protein powder.
Nutella Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 3 cups crisp rice cereal (85g) (or any low carb or gluten free small shape cereal)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (10g)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup Nutella or Homemade Nutella (160g)
- 1/2 cup honey or agave (120g)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (20g) or chocolate protein powder
- 3 oz chocolate chips (optional for topping)
Instructions
- 1. Stir rice krispie cereal, cocoa or protein powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Then mix in the Nutella, sweetener, and vanilla until well mixed.
- 2. Transfer to an 8 inch square pan lined with parchment paper. (Or use a smaller pan for thicker bars.) Use a second sheet of parchment to press down very firmly.
- 3. Refrigerate or freeze the Nutella rice krispie treats until chilled.
- 4. Make the optional chocolate coating by carefully melting the chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove top. Stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil if you want a smoother sauce.
- 5. Pour chocolate over the bars and use a spatula or spoon to spread it out evenly. Refrigerate about ten minutes to set the chocolate, then slice into bars or squares.
- 6. Store leftovers covered on the counter for two days, or in the refrigerator or freezer for longer term storage.
Video
Notes
More ways to use Nutella
I used to be like OBSESSED with Nutella. But since clean eating I’ve cut it out, I’ve eaten it a few times for treats but I don’t crave it anymore because of all the sugar! I can’t believe I haven’t made your healthy Nutella yet… So disappointed in myself.
LOVE nutella. Any excuse to eat a big crunchy bar of it is a good one 🙂
I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!!! I was a chocoholic before the name was even invented. This was back in 1942, see what I mean? There is nothing else on the planet but my ever lovin’ CHOCOLATE.
Love your blog, Katie! Ever since I found your blog, not even a single day goes by without me checking your blog (except probably for those few days after my daughter was born 🙂 )
These rice krispy treats look great! Can you believe I have never tasted rice krispies? I guess I need to get some and make this treat asap 🙂
Oh and nobody in my family likes chocolate, except me 🙁
So I whip up chocolate desserts whenever I get to meet my chocolate loving friends 🙂
It is confession time. I am a chocoholic. I am the daughter of a chocoholic and the granddaughter of a chocoholic as well. I looooove all things chocolate. My 4 year-old loves chocolate, too. But, somewhat shockingly, my almost 3 year-old daughter doesn’t like chocolate. I don’t really understand it and I keep giving her things with chocolate just to see if she has changed her mind. It is so confusing! How could I give birth to someone who doesn’t like chocolate?!
Those look amazing, by the way. Can’t wait to try them!
Wow. I came on the right day to stop by. I think I better make these as soon as I can. 🙂 Thanks Katie always such good stuff!!
Who hates chocolate!?!?!? That’s crazy. Just crazy. My older brother doesn’t like sweets, but he still likes things with chocolate, like Peanut M&Ms.
I was a BIG fan of nutella growing up. Well, for a short while until I got sick from it. Yah, that about ruined nutella for me, but these I think could make a way better replacement:)
One of my good friends doesn’t like chocolate…I told her she should get that looked at!
when do you dip in chocolate and how?
Thanks!!
Kimmy
After freezing: it’s listed in the recipe instructions. Just hold the tops and dip into a shallow dish of melted chocolate :).
My own brother hates chocolate! And mint and ice cream. I will never ever understand him.
Guilty as accused..I DO feel “weird” for not craving “real-deal” chocolate…I tend to favor all things with good quality Swiss or Valhrona WHITE chocolate…or toffee..caramel things going on…but not the super-dark p.c. 70% and above chocolate that everyone raves about….I understand the peanut M&M fellow fanatics…and vanilla ice cream chocolate chip mint fans…but when the whole “deal” is about dark chocolate…I simply “can’t”…Could it be a “bitterness” aversion that one gets over in time?!..I WANT to like the darker varietal…as I know it is less glycemic and better for you…perhaps time will tell!….Love this riff on rice krispie treats..and since my daughter is an avowed nutella fan and Rice Krispy Treats fan…this should please on both fronts!…Love you and your consistently excellent blog Katie…you always come up with the best questions (and comments/responses) from your loyal followers!
Thanks, Donna. Sometimes I struggle with trying to think up interesting questions, but I always try to include something because I really love reading the responses!
Good thing you don’t live in Germany…
Thieves in Germany steal 5 tons of Nutella
http://news.msn.com/world/video?videoid=aa909390-c2d4-05f1-7ef0-3c886e1092a3&ap=true&from=en-us_msnhp&form=msnrll
My brother hates chocolate, which means no chocolate anything for me…. I mean HIM…on his birthday 🙁 I can’t imagine the sad life he’ll have to live with no chocolate. He does like white chocolate, but really, I don’t count that as the real stuff.
chocolate=happiness forever. ok, that was totally my PMS speaking.
Maybe men don’t like chocolate as much since they don’t have any PMS to deal with?
I don’t think you can play the gender card here. As I stated above, I’m not a huge fan of chocolate (and am female), and my husband and youngest son are both huge chocoholics. If we get chocolate bars to hand out at Halloween, I literally have to hide it from my husband so that he doesn’t eat it all before the big night. He’s gets major chocolate cravings at certain times and NEEDS it–he claims that it’s his male PMS.
male PMS!!! I just died laughing!
So simple yet so tasty! I make something similar at least once a week…
http://www.bitesforbabies.com/healthy-coconut-carob-puffed-rice-bars/
I used to love chocolate, but then I developed (or recognized) a severe caffeine sensitivity, so I can’t eat it anymore. But I don’t think that counts as not liking chocolate.
Not liking chocolate? I just can’t comprehend! You’re right, more for us 😀