This spin on the classic rice crispy treat is a welcome addition to parties, Santa’s cookie plate, Christmas day snacks, or simply a rewarding little dessert after a long day of holiday shopping (this seems to be how ours are quickly disappearing!). Although, these Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Crispy Treats would be a hit all year round for just about any occasion!
Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Crispy Treats with Tons of Options
These Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Crispy Treats have a lot going on, but every ingredients works so well together. The result is a decadent, crunchy, and minty chocolate treat.
Since I’ve made these crispy treats numerous times, I was able to provide several variations and substitutes. They include Marshmallow Creme or Ricemellow Creme (for vegan), subbing in dark chocolate, and using coconut oil in place of the buttery spread. The main ingredient that can vary from batch to batch is the amount of crispy rice cereal.
Crispy Rice Cereal Notes
recommend starting with 4 cups and adding more as needed (up to 6 cups), until the mixture is not too gooey but not too loaded with add-ins either. To much cereal will turn these into crumbly treats. On average, I use 5 cups, but no matter how much cereal you add, these minty, chocolate treats are delicious!
Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Notes
I love the Peppermint (Candy Cane) Joe Joe’s from Trader Joes, but Oreo also has a minty counterpart (and these are available all year round!). Alternatively, you can stick with regular chocolate sandwich cookies, and if you still like that minty taste, add some extract! I haven’t trialed the extract as of yet, but have included a general amount as a suggestion in the recipe.
For gluten-free needs, be sure to choose a certified gluten-free cereal, and purchase gluten-free sandwich cookies. Kinnikinnick, Mi-Del, and Glutino all offer gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies.
Keep in mind that Oreos and some other chocolate sandwich cookie brands may be made on shared equipment with products containing milk. Always contact the company to ensure that products are safe for your needs. I’ve also provided another options below.
Soy-Free is Tricky, but Doable
Most brands of vegan marshmallows are made with soy. But it isn’t too hard to find regular dairy-free, soy-free marshmallows if you are okay with gelatin. However, sandwich cookies are a little trickier. If you can’t find a suitable brand in store, try my easy trick for Homemade Top Allergen-Free Sandwich Cookies.
Chocolate Option
The chocolate gives these a different texture than your traditional rice crispy treat. I like it this way, but if you want that gooey crispy treat texture with a chocolaty taste, skip the chocolate chips, but add in 2 to 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder (to taste) and/or use dairy-free cocoa crispy rice cereal. Adjust cereal amount up if needed.
Special Diet Notes: Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Crispy Treats
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, optionally vegan, and optionally vegetarian.
- 14 to 15 peppermint-chocolate sandwich cookies (Candy Cane Joe Joe’s, Mint Oreos, etc.) or chocolate sandwich cookies + 1 to 1-1/2 Teaspoons Peppermint Extract (to taste)
- 10 ounces dairy-free chocolate chips (can use semi-sweet or dark)
- ⅓ cup dairy-free buttery spread or ¼ cup coconut oil
- 10 ounces marshmallows or vegan marshmallows or a 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme or vegan mellow creme
- 4 to 6 cups crispy rice cereal
- Put the cookies in a large ziptop baggie, seal, and crush them into small pieces.
- Melt the chocolate.
- Put the buttery spread or oil in a large saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Once melted, add the marshmallows or creme and stir until melted and smooth. This takes about 5 minutes. Stir in the chocolate until smooth.
- Add the crispy rice cereal and crushed cookies add quickly stir until combined. I start with 4 cups of crispy cereal and add more as needed (see the notes in the post above).
- Firmly press the mixture into a greased baking dish. An 8 x 8-inch dish will make taller, full-sized crispy treats, while a 9 x 13-inch will make thinner, bite-sized crispy treats.
- Let the crispy treats cool completely before cutting them into squares. You can briefly freeze them to help them set up more quickly.
More Dairy-Free Rice Crispy Treat Recipes
S’mores Rice Crispy Treats
Marshmallow-Free Coconut Crispy Treats
Basic Dairy-Free Crispy Treats
