Nut-Free Rocky Road Bars

Name: Nut-Free Rocky Road Bars
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips; 1/2 c. bittersweet chocolate chips; 1/2 c. light corn syrup; 1/2 c. sunflower seed butter; 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 2 oz. crispy rice cereal (21/2 c.); 1 c. mini pretzels, chopped (1.5 oz.); 6 oz. miniature marshmallows (3 c.); Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Did we mention they're no-bake?!

By Susan ChoungPublished: Nov 9, 2025

Be the first to review!

Jump to recipe

nut free rocky road bars. sweets and confections. sweets\, pastries\, and treats.

mike garten

Yields:

Total Time:

20 mins

Want an easy holiday treat that doesn’t require mixing dough or turning on the oven? These no-bake bars are made for texture lovers. Gooey marshmallows, crispy cereal, and crunchy pretzels get folded into a chocolate base, then chilled into chewy, salty-sweet squares. The sun butter keeps them totally nut-free—without sacrificing that classic rocky road flavor. Recipe editor Susan Choung wraps each bar in parchment to tuck into her holiday cookie tins every year, and they’re always the first thing people ask about. Make a batch, stash them in the fridge, and prepare to be the hero of your next cookie swap.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sunflower seed butter
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 oz. crispy rice cereal (21/2 c.)
1 cup mini pretzels, chopped (1.5 oz.)
6 oz. miniature marshmallows (3 c.)
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Directions

1. Step 1Line 9- by 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on 2 opposite sides. Spray with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Step 2In large (at least 4-quart) saucepan with heavy bottom, warm chocolate chips with corn syrup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in sunflower seed butter and vanilla. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3Working quickly, stir in cereal and pretzels, then marshmallows. Transfer to prepared pan, cover surface with plastic wrap, and press down evenly. (You can use another square baking pan to do this.) Sprinkle top with flaky sea salt. Wrap entire pan tightly with plastic and refrigerate until firm and cold, at least 1 hour, up to 1 week.
4. Step 4Using parchment overhangs, transfer to cutting board; peel parchment paper from sides. Wiping knife with damp cloth between cuts, trim edges and cut into bars or squares as desired.