Delicious Allergy-Friendly Inside Out Scotcheroos: Vegan, Gluten-Free & Top 8 Allergen-Free!
A kid-approved after-school snack that’s sweet, crispy, and delightfully chewy. This recipe features a fantastic kick of protein from SunButter, offering a safe and delicious alternative to traditional peanut butter – making it perfect for individuals with food allergies. With only four ingredients and no marshmallows required, these treats are naturally free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut, and tree nuts. They are also proudly top 8 allergen-free and completely vegan!
FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a SunButter affiliate.
For many of us, the mention of “Scotcheroos” instantly brings back a wave of childhood nostalgia. These delightful no-bake bars, a quintessential treat often found at bake sales and family gatherings, were a simple yet irresistible combination of crispy rice cereal, a gooey peanut butter mixture, and a decadent chocolate-butterscotch topping. Growing up, they felt like the ultimate 90’s dessert – a perfect marriage of rice krispies, peanut butter, and chocolate that was utterly delicious and deeply missed once dietary restrictions entered the picture. That yearning for this classic treat is what inspired me to create an allergy-friendly version that not only lives up to the original’s legacy but also simplifies the process significantly.
The “Inside Out” Revolution: Simplicity Meets Allergy-Friendly Perfection
One of the main frustrations with the traditional Scotcheroo recipe, despite its delicious outcome, was the two-step process: first, creating the cereal bar base, and then separately preparing the chocolate and butterscotch topping. Let’s be honest, sometimes you simply don’t have the extra time, the patience, or even the clean bowls for that extra step! For those of us who adore baking but perhaps lack a dishwasher (yes, #TheStruggleIsReal, I truly despise doing dishes!), finding ways to minimize cleanup is a game-changer. That’s why I’ve reimagined this classic by combining the chocolate and the “peanut butter” elements directly into the bar itself, making it an “Inside Out” Scotcheroo. This innovative approach allows for a single-bowl preparation and a one-step mixing process, drastically cutting down on both prep time and dreaded dish duty.
Why SunButter is Your Allergy-Friendly Hero
The cornerstone of making these Scotcheroos accessible to almost everyone is the brilliant substitution of SunButter for traditional peanut butter. SunButter, a delicious spread made from sunflower seeds, provides the same creamy texture and nutty flavor profile as peanut butter, but without any of the top 8 allergens. This means those with peanut and tree nut allergies can safely enjoy this classic treat without worry. SunButter is not just a substitute; it’s a nutritional powerhouse, offering a good source of protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. Its robust flavor pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the syrup and sugar, creating a rich and satisfying base for our “Inside Out” bars. This thoughtful swap transforms a beloved but often restricted dessert into an inclusive delight for school parties, family gatherings, or just an everyday after-school snack.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Just Four Simple Items
Beyond the allergy-friendly aspect, what truly makes this recipe shine is its incredible simplicity. You only need FOUR ingredients to bring these amazing Scotcheroos to life! And here’s another clever trick: you won’t need to hunt for special dairy-free chocolate chips or melt down separate chocolate. Instead, this recipe ingeniously calls for chocolate rice crispy cereal. This combines two ingredients into one convenient item – the crispiness of the cereal and the delicious flavor of chocolate. I’ve found that most brands of chocolate rice crispy cereal are naturally free from common allergens, typically containing just rice, cocoa, and a few basic preservatives, making your grocery run easier and eliminating the need for a specialty food store trip. This smart ingredient choice also serves a dual purpose in my household: using up the chocolate rice crispy cereal means my kids don’t have it for breakfast. Call me backwards, but I feel much better about them enjoying a sugary treat mid-afternoon rather than first thing in the morning!
The combination of crispy cereal and the chewy, sweet SunButter mixture creates a truly addictive texture and flavor profile. It’s the kind of snack you can easily find yourself munching on all day, making it hard to leave any for the intended recipients! But fear not, I am (usually) a nice mom and always ensure my son gets his share. These bars strike the perfect balance between a satisfying crunch and a delightful chewiness that makes every bite a joy. It’s a mouth-watering experience that will leave you wanting just one more piece. If you’re looking for even more allergen-friendly cereal options for your pantry, don’t forget to check out my comprehensive list of 90+ Gluten-Free cereal options.
A Treat for Everyone: Vegan and Marshmallow-Free
Adding to their widespread appeal, these Inside Out Scotcheroos are also completely vegan. This is largely thanks to the smart decision to omit marshmallows, which often contain gelatin, an animal-derived product. By focusing on simple, plant-based ingredients like Karo syrup, sugar, SunButter, and chocolate rice crisp cereal, we ensure that these bars are accessible to individuals following a vegan lifestyle, as well as those managing egg and dairy allergies. The absence of marshmallows doesn’t detract from the chewy texture; instead, the SunButter and syrup mixture provides a wonderfully rich and satisfying chewiness that holds everything together perfectly. This means practically everyone, regardless of their dietary needs or preferences, can indulge in these utterly delicious and allergy-friendly Scotcheroos. Now, I won’t feel so left out when everyone else is enjoying a treat!
I genuinely hope you enjoy these Inside Out, allergy-friendly, and truly delicious Scotcheroos as much as we do!
Inside Out Scotcheroos (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top 8 free; vegan)
8×8 pan
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
A kid approved after-school snack that’s sweet, crispy and chewy. A nice kick of protein from SunButter instead of the traditional peanut butter–making this great for those with food allergies. Only four ingredients and requires no marshmallows! Free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nuts. It’s also top 8 free and vegan too!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dark Karo syrup (light also works)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup SunButter (creamy)
- 3 cups chocolate rice crispy cereal
Instructions
- Grease a square 8×8 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place a heavy saucepan on the stove top and warm to medium. Add the karo syrup and sugar. Heat and continuously stir until the sugar has melted. Allow to come to a boil and allow to boil for 30 seconds.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the SunButter until it’s fully incorporated. Add the cereal and quickly mix it until everything is coated. Press the mixture into the greased pan. I usually wet my hands that way they don’t stick and then flatten and shape the mixture to the pan.
- Allow the bars to cool. Cut into 9 squares and inhale.
Adapted from: The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook by Cybele Pascal