When you’re looking for an easy healthy snack that doubles as a treat, these Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats need to happen! No marshmallows in this recipe, just peanut butter goodness, honey and topped with chocolate.
Healthy Treat meets Pre-Workout Snack!
These peanut butter rice crispy bars are the perfect snack and great for everyone. I mean, who doesn’t love peanut butter + chocolate? You get the nostalgic crunch of traditional rice crispy treats, but with all of the honey and peanut butter flavor. Note: If you need an allergy-friendly alternative, keep reading more below!
These bars are perfect for all kinds of occasions:
- A pre-workout snack for a little energy boost, thanks to some carbs and protein.
- A mid-morning bite that holds you over till lunch.
- Kid-approved lunchbox treat!
- A post-dinner dessert for a little something sweet.
Ingredients You Need:
- all-natural peanut butter – Use a peanut butter where the ingredients listed are just peanuts. Costco Kirkland brand makes a good one. Thrive Market, Target and other major retailers carry all-natural peanut butter now. Justin’s and Ground Up are other good options, too.
- honey or brown rice syrup – I would stick to a sticky sweetener if possible.
- vanilla extract – a hint of flavor goes a long way here.
- chia seeds – you certainly don’t need them to make the recipe but why not add some more fiber and healthy fats?
- superfood powder additions – 1 tablespoon of reishi powder (adaptogen mushroom powder, like Four Sigmatic) or maca powder (adaptogen root, like Nativa’s Organics). You could also add 1/3 cup collagen peptides powder, which will dissolve into the peanut butter.
- brown rice crisps cereal – use brown rice crisp cereal for a “healthier” option. Nature’s Path, One Degree Organics and Whole Foods makes brown rice cereal. But feel free to use traditional Rice Krispies if that’s what you can find.
Step-by-Step Process
First things first, line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and set aside. Or use a silicone pan!
Next, in a large pot over low-medium heat, you’ll warm peanut butter and honey or brown rice syrup and stir until thoroughly combined. Stir in vanilla then add in brown rice cereal and chia seeds (along with superfood add-ins if using).
Then transfer the cereal mixture to pan and press evenly into all four corners. Use hands if necessary to get nice and flat. You can transfer the bars to the fridge or leave at room temperature while you prepare the chocolate, if using.
Chocolate Topping: If adding the chocolate topping, use a small microwave safe bowl to melt chocolate chips on ½ power in microwave, in about 20 second increments. Stir in coconut oil to smooth chocolate. Drizzle chocolate over bars in zigzag fashion – or double the amount of chocolate to cover the entire top with a smooth layer of chocolate.
Don’t forget to sprinkle on sea salt before the chocolate sets!
Lastly, allow the chocolate to set at room temp – about 30-45 minutes – or pop in fridge for 15 – before cutting into squares.
Recipe Notes
NUT BUTTER – You can use cashew or almond butter here when dealing with a peanut allergy. You can also use sunbutter for nut allergies, or a mixed nut/seed butter. Just make sure you use the drippier kind of nut butters, not conventional JIF or Skippy brand.
SUPERFOODS – If you’re making these as an adult snack, I like to add reishi or maca powder in. Reishi is an adaptogenic mushroom and the flavor will blend in more. Maca is an adaptogen root powder, and the nutty flavor will come through just a touch. More maca and reishi recipes here.
CEREAL – I like to use brown rice crisp cereal to keep this a whole grain snack but if all you can find is the regular rice crisps cereal, that’s fine too. I haven’t tested these with a cereal like Cheerio’s but I imagine it would work – you may just need to alter ratios a bit.
PROTEIN – As mentioned above, feel free to add in collagen peptides powder. You can also stir in a few tablespoons of whey protein or beef isolate protein powder.
If you make this recipe, be sure to scroll below the card to leave a comment and review! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox.
Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
Ingredients
Bars
- ¾ cup all-natural peanut butter, no oils added
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup, or honey, if not vegan
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups crispy brown rice cereal
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Optional superfood add-ins
- 1 tablespoon maca powder or reishi powder
- 1/3 cup collagen peptides
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
Chocolate Topping
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips, dairy-free / vegan as needed
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil, helps with smoothing out melted chocolate
- Flaked sea salt for garnishing, optional but delicious
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large pot over low-medium heat, warm peanut butter and honey (or brown rice syrup) and stir until thoroughly combined. Stir in vanilla then add in brown rice cereal and chia seeds (along with superfood add-ins if using).
- Transfer mixture to pan and press evenly into pan. Use hands if necessary to get nice and flat.
- In a small microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips on ½ power in microwave, in about 20 second increments. Stir in coconut oil to smooth chocolate. Drizzle chocolate over bars in zigzag fashion. You can also double the amount of melted chocolate to cover the entire top of the pan. Sprinkle on flaked sea salt as desired.
- Allow pan to cool and chocolate set at room temp – about 45 minutes – before cutting into squares. Enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information
Recipe FAQs
How long do homemade healthy peanut butter rice crispy treats last when stored in the refrigerator or freezer?
These bars will be good for about 2 weeks in the fridge. If storing in the freezer, make sure they are in an airtight container and label for use within 3 months.
Can you make healthy peanut butter rice crispy treats without chia seeds or other superfood add-ins?
Yes! You can omit the chia seeds and superfood add-ins.
Can I use a different type of protein powder instead of collagen peptides?
Yes, you could add in up to 3 tablespoons of beef isolate protein powder or whey protein powder. I do not recommend plant protein powder, as it absorbs extra liquid.
photography by: Roberta Dall’Alba
12 responses
-
I used this recipe but adapted it. Didn’t use the collagen but added hemp, sunflower, pepitas, cranberries, dried blueberries to the mix. Turned out great. May add some nuts the next time.
-
Delicious and easy when a chocolate peanut butter craving hits! -
You have know idea how happy this recipe makes me! I can’t have sugar cane so can’t ever eat marshmallows:( but I always craved rice crispy treats! Well you made it happen and so love the way they turned out! Thank you,! -
This is one of my all time favs! It’s super duper easy and quick. This is usually my go to dessert to bring to work and there is never any left! I usually don’t put chia seeds in them because I never have them and it turns out well! -
Just made these and they are so good! Not too sweet. Just the right amount of chocolate. Made with half PB and half almond butter and added in Maca powder. Next time I’m thinking some cinnamon…. The only brand of brown rice cereal I could get my hands on here in NZ was more puffy and less crispy… but still delicious.-
So glad you enjoyed them!! Thanks so much for leaving a comment and review too 🙂
-
-
Awesome recipe! I just made them and I’m having a hard time not eating all of them at once. I might increase the amount of peanut butter next time so I can sneak in some flaxseed meal (to make them even healthier). But they’re pretty great as is.-
Love it! Thanks so much for your feedback, Heather!
-
-
Just made these using maple syrup and they turned out amazing! I love the healthier remakes of childhood classics 🙂
-
Perfect! Thanks so much for sharing your results with the maple syrup sub – super helpful! And yes to childhood classics! So glad you liked these 🙂
-
-
These turned out SO delicious! But…mine were very crumbly and wouldn’t hold into squares…any tips for next time? Should they set in the fridge?
-
I appreciate your feedback Emilie – setting in fridge could help. I will re-test recipe to make sure but thank you for letting me know!
-
Leave a Reply