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Rice Krispie treats are reminiscent of childhood snacking. But they werent as wholesome as they tasted. Sure, they were cereal based, but they were smothered in sugary marshmallows and butter, so they were more of a sugar rush than anything else. Even so, its hard not to crave Rice Krispie treats, even as an adult. Luckily, with a few tweaks, these yummytreats can take a deliciously healthy turn, so you can indulge in a childhood favorite (but with the metabolism of an adult).

These vegan Rice Krispie treats feature quinoa, nut butter, seeds, and coconut, and get lightly sweetened with brown rice syrup.

Original Rice Krispie treats call for the Kelloggs cereal. Naturally, the cereals main ingredient is rice. However, its the second ingredient on the list that makes a seemingly harmless cereal lose its charm: sugar. And for those with gluten sensitivities, take notice: Kelloggs Rice Krispies cereal contains malt.

To avoid packing in sugar and gluten when you can easily avoid it, purchase a gluten-free puffed brown rice. I used Arrowhead Mills version for this recipe.

Meanwhile, these treats are sweetened with brown rice syrup. Like most high-calorie sweeteners, brown rice syrup must be used in moderation and cannot be considered fully healthy just because its derived from brown rice. However, brown rice syrup contains no fructose or sucrose, and can thus be considered safer than high fructose corn syrup or ordinary sugar. Feel free to use another liquid sweetener in its place, such as honey, maple syrup, agave, or coconut nectar.

I love the popped quinoa, because it adds crunchy texture (and some fiber and protein) to each bite. When it comes to the add-ins, dont feel restricted to the ingredients listed. Once you master this recipe, start to get experimental! Try tossing in carob chips, dried fruit, different nuts and seeds, or even swap the cashew butter for a different kind of nut butter.

Vegan Rice Krispie Treats Recipe with Cashew Butter and Quinoa

Enjoy a childhood classic without all the sugar and animal-based fat with this vegan rice krispie treats recipe with cashew butter and quinoa.

Ingredients

Instructions

Calories per serving: 212

Fat per serving: 13.1g

Saturated fat per serving: 6.1g

Carbs per serving: 20.9g

Protein per serving: 4.7g

Fiber per serving: 2.3g

Sugar per serving: 9.2g

Sodium per serving: 55mg

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Aylin is founder of GlowKitchen, a food blog with an emphasis on vegan and gluten-free fare. Aylin has been living in Istanbul, where she is founder and CEO of a cold-pressed juice and healthy foods company JS (www.jusistanbul.com).

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Vegan Rice Krispie Treats are a Drool... - Organic Authority