These Chocolate Chip Crispy Treat Squares are an easy and healthy recipe made with only 6 clean, real food ingredients. They're a plant-based no-bake dessert that's a cleaned-up version of the classic treat made without marshmallows, vegan butter or refined sugar!{ Plant-Based | Vegan | Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Soy-Free | Egg-Free | No-Bake | No Refined Sugar }
Prepare an 8 x 8 baking dish lined with parchment paper, then set aside.
Prepare the crispy treat mixture:
Add all ingredients for the crispy treat mixture to a small saucepan and melt on the lowest setting, stirring the entire time until creamy and smooth and taking care to not let it burn.
Remove from heat and cool completely (VERY IMPORTANT because the heated mixture will melt the chocolate chips when mixed together).
After the crispy treat mixture has completely cooled, and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
Add the add-ins:
Add the add-ins to the mixing bowl and stir until everything is well combined and evenly distributed.
Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly and evenly.
Place the baking dish in the freezer for approximately 1-2 hours, or until it hardens.
Store in an air-tight, BPA-free container in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve because the crispy treats will get soft and lose their shape if left out at room temperature.
Notes
Cashew Butter: I used cashew butter because it's a neutral-flavored nut butter, but you could also use your favorite nut butter. For example, peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter would all work well.CoconutOil. If you don't like the taste or flavor of coconut oil, you can use organic refined coconut oil which has zero coconut oil taste or flavor.MapleSyrup. You can substitute with another liquid sweetener such as organic date nectar, organic brown rice syrup or organic coconut nectar.GroundCinnamon. I added this for flavor but it can be omitted if you prefer.ChocolateChips. I recommend using "mini" chocolate chips since they are smaller and won't be overwhelming in the crispy treat squares.BrownRiceCereal. I used Erewhon Organic Brown Rice Cereal to make this recipe. However, feel free to use your favorite gluten-free + vegan brown rice cereal.Storage: One thing to keep in mind when making an all-natural, clean dessert without preservatives is this recipe will not be ideal for transporting, in a heated environment or lunchbox. You will need to keep these in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve because they will become soft and lose their shape if left out at room temperature - due to the coconut oil, which is what holds everything together.ServingSize: This recipe will make approximately (16) squares. Nutritional information is for (1) square which is (1) serving.