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    You are at:Home»Dairy-Free Recipes»Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes»Coconut Crispy Treat Nests (5-Minute, No Cook, Marshmallow-Free!)

    Coconut Crispy Treat Nests (5-Minute, No Cook, Marshmallow-Free!)

    36
    By Alisa Fleming on March 29, 2015 Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes, Dairy Free Desserts, Dairy-Free Recipes

    In honor of upcoming Easter and spring festivities, I’ve got a new and improved recipe for my coconut crispy treat nests. I formulated this fun little whole food recipe three years ago for Attune Foods, but have revamped it for super-fast, 5 minute preparation!

    5-Minute Coconut Crispy Treat Nests - No Cook, Naturally Vegan, Marshmallow-Free!

    I was motivated to recreate this old favorite upon receiving a surprise gift of Surf Sweets and TruJoy candy. I confess that I have always had a weakness for candy – something about those little sugar hits is just so pure and intense compared to a larger, prepared dessert. And while there’s no denying their sugary load, I like Surf Sweets for their exclusive use of organic cane sugar and fruit juices for coloring (no artificial anything!). They are also reportedly top “allergen-safe” and make both little jelly beans and gummies that are gelatin-free and vegan.

    Surf Sweets Candy - Organic, Colored with Fruit Juice, Allergy-Friendly and Vegan Options

    My original recipe called for making your own coconut butter from shredded coconut, which many viewers found a little too tricky. It does require a bit of patience. So to simplify, I’ve tested the recipe with premade coconut butter, which is becoming more readily available and affordable in stores and online. By using premade coconut butter, I chose Artisana (which is raw and organic), these coconut crispy treat nests come together in just 5 minutes! Okay, maybe 10 if it is your first time making them, but once you get the hang of it, they’re super quick, tasty, and a fun goodie to whip up and decorate with kids.

    5-Minute Coconut Crispy Treat Nests - No Cook, Naturally Vegan, Marshmallow-Free!

    Special Diet Notes: Coconut Crispy Treat Nests

    By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, optionally vegan / plant-based, vegetarian, and optionally top food allergy-friendly.

    Just be wise when selecting the cereal for your coconut crispy treat nests, as not all crispy rice cereal is gluten-free, allergen-safe, and/or vegan. Also, if dealing with a severe nut allergy, be aware that some brands of coconut butter may be produced on the same line or in the same facility with nut butters. And finally, for dairy-free, allergen-safe chocolate chips, I recommend using Enjoy Life brand.

    5.0 from 2 reviews
    Coconut Crispy Treat Nests (5-Minute, No Cook, Marshmallow-Free)
     
    Print
    Prep time
    5 mins
    Total time
    5 mins
     
    There is a little patience required as the nests chill and set-up, but they truly are quick and easy to prepare. I highly recommend using silicone muffin cups for this recipe, for ease and best results.
    Author: Alisa Fleming
    Serves: 10 to 12 nests
    Ingredients
    • ½ cup coconut butter (I used Artisana Organic)*
    • 6 tablespoons (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons) honey or agave nectar (for vegan)
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Generous pinch salt
    • 2 cups crispy brown rice cereal (certified gluten-free, if needed)
    • ⅓ cup dairy-free semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
    • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, for decorating
    • Small jelly beans (I used Surf Sweets Spring Mix)
    Instructions
    1. Place the coconut butter, sweetener, vanilla, and salt in a medium to large bowl, and stir to thoroughly combine. Gently stir in the cereal until well-coated.
    2. Divide the crispy mixture between 10 to 12 silicone muffin cups (grease the cups if using tin), and press the mixture in using a piece of plastic wrap to prevent sticking You want to firmly press each into the bottom, but create a well in the middle (pushing the mixture slightly up the sides) to make the "nests".
    3. Melt the chocolate chips (60 to 90 seconds in the microwave - do not overcook!), and drizzle a little into the well of each coconut crispy treat nest - spreading it around a little, if desired.
    4. Sprinkle with the coconut (about 1 teaspoon per "nest") and place in the refrigerator to set-up, about 1 hour. To keep them firm, keep chilled until ready to serve (they can also be frozen), particularly if your home is a little toasty!
    5. Pop the coconut crispy treat nests out of their molds, and fill each with a few jelly beans to serve.
    Notes
    *Homemade Coconut Butter - Place 1½ cups of unsweetened shredded coconut in a food processor or spice grinder (I use the grinding blade of my cheapo personal blender), and whiz until it begins to clump and turn into a paste. Be patient and stir as needed. You should see some oil separating and the little coconut bits should all turn into paste.
    3.5.3229
    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    36 Comments

    1. Pingback: Easter Rice Crispy Treats: Edible Nests and Chocolate-Dipped Eggs

    2. Pingback: 25 Gluten Free Recipes for Easter and Passover

    3. Webby on March 27, 2016 3:54 pm

      You clever thing you! Adorable… and gave me an idea. To make the nests a bit more realistic (like you care when eating.. LOL) I’d toast the coconut shavings and add a touch of organic dairy-free chocolate to the crispy mixture. Can’t go wrong with chocolate-coconut, am i right?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 28, 2016 4:04 pm

        Thanks Webby! I definitely love the idea of toasting the coconut … next time 🙂

        Reply
    4. Sharon on March 23, 2016 8:18 am

      Alisa, I think bird’s nests are so cute and I love your combo of coconut and surf sweets is awesome!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 23, 2016 9:31 pm

        Thank you Sharon!

        Reply
    5. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables on March 23, 2016 5:02 am

      Oh my goodness these are SO cute! I love this idea! Such a festive little treat 🙂

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 23, 2016 9:31 pm

        Thank you Liz! They’re pretty fun and yummy.

        Reply
    6. Elizabeth DiBurro on March 22, 2016 4:29 pm

      These are so cute and I love that there’s no marshmallow in it!

      Reply
    7. rachel on April 1, 2015 2:31 pm

      Yummy! These are so cute and look like the best thing to do with the kiddos! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    8. Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa on March 31, 2015 6:01 pm

      Okay not only are these the cutest treats EVER, but I’m loving how simple the ingredient list is. Crazy to think they put so much junk in the ones you buy at the store when you could easily make these!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 31, 2015 7:50 pm

        Seriously, they taste SO good too Alyssa.

        Reply
    9. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine on March 31, 2015 8:35 am

      Seriously so fun!!!! I want to make these! And of course I love the coconut!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 31, 2015 8:45 am

        Thanks Rebecca – you would love these!

        Reply
    10. Heather @ FITaspire on March 31, 2015 8:34 am

      These are super cute – they would be great for entertaining!

      Reply
    11. Ashley (QLCC) on March 30, 2015 9:54 pm

      These are too cute! Perfect for Easter 🙂

      Reply
    12. mira on March 30, 2015 9:27 pm

      These are very cute! Pinned and shared!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 9:34 pm

        Thanks Mira!

        Reply
    13. Laura @MotherWouldKnow on March 30, 2015 7:53 pm

      I think the best part of this recipe is the hint about how to make homemade coconut butter. Not that I don’t want to make crispy treat nests – it’s just that I don’t have any kids around to appreciate these kinds of treats and I’m afraid that before I could find an appropriate recipient, I’d have eaten them myself:)

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 9:35 pm

        Well, I admittedly eat them myself – so tasty!

        Reply
    14. Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts on March 30, 2015 11:00 am

      Adorable! Can’t wait to share. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 4:37 pm

        Thanks Shirley!

        Reply
    15. Heather / girlichef on March 30, 2015 10:23 am

      These are adorable, my kids would love to see them at the Easter table. They sound delicious, too.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 4:37 pm

        They are – I’m addicted 🙂 Thanks Heather!

        Reply
    16. Marye on March 30, 2015 8:01 am

      These look really delicious and I love the ingredients! So cute for Easter!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 8:54 am

        Thank you Marye!

        Reply
    17. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) on March 30, 2015 7:52 am

      These are the cutest little treats ever! I love how they don’t have marshmallow…coconut butter and honey is definitely so much more nutritious! These would be such a fun project with my niece for this week.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 8:55 am

        Indeed, perfect for kids!

        Reply
    18. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom on March 30, 2015 4:56 am

      I am so happy to find these little treats made without Marshmallows! Can’t wait to try!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 8:54 am

        You won’t miss them – hope you do get the chance to try it Kristen!

        Reply
    19. Arman @ thebigmansworld on March 30, 2015 12:44 am

      Ooo this looks so good- I LOVE that you used Artisana coconut butter- That spread is so addictive!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 8:54 am

        Thank you and it really is Arman!

        Reply
    20. Kristina on March 29, 2015 10:07 pm

      I LOVE Surf Sweets! these nests are so fun, they may end up as my hospital staff treats this week! 🙂

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 30, 2015 8:56 am

        Oooh, I hope you do make them!

        Reply
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