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5.0 from 15 votes

Peanut Butter Pecan Crunch Bars

Your favorite chocolate crunch candy, but with peanut butter, pecans, and a sweet peanut butter drizzle on top!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 9 bars
Calories: 181 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Crunch Bars
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter 2.5 oz
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup puffed rice cereal
  • 1/4 cup pecans
Peanut Butter Drizzle
  • 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon confectioner's sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Add puffed rice cereal and chopped pecans to a medium-sized bowl, mix well and set aside.
  3. In a small saucepan, add coconut oil, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, maple syrup, and cocoa powder and heat over medium. Whisk continuously to incorporate all of the cocoa powder and melt peanut butter, approximately 2 minutes.
  4. Pour the chocolate mixture over the rice cereal and pecans and gently mix to coat all of the cereal.
  5. Pour coated cereal into the loaf pan and spread to an even layer.
  6. Add loaf pan to freezer to set for 30 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, create the peanut butter drizzle by adding the peanut butter, oil, and confectioner's sugar to a small bowl and whisking until creamy.
  8. After at least 30 minutes, remove the loaf pan from the freezer and pull out parchment paper, and place set crunch bars on a cutting board. Use a knife to cut into 9 bars.
  9. With a spoon, drizzle the peanut butter mixture over the top of the crunch bars.
  10. Store in the fridge and enjoy!

Notes

  • The nutritional value is approximately per bar. 
  • Storage
  • Storage
  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 
  • Freezer: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. 
  • Substitutions
  • Substitutions
  • Coconut Oil: Unrefined vs. refined? For this recipe, that's up to you and your taste, either will work. Unrefined has a stronger coconut flavor while refined has a much more neutral flavor.
  • Butter is another great option.
  • Puffed Rice Cereal:  To make these gluten-free, use a gluten-free rice cereal, but Rice Krispies is what we usually use. 
  • Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder is what we use. Cacao can also be used, but I wouldn't use all cacao since it is slightly more bitter in flavor, a mix of both is fine.   
  • Maple Syrup:  Use your favorite natural sweetener like honey or agave. 
  • Pecans: These can be totally optional if they're not your thing.  You can also use hazelnuts or walnuts.

Nutrition Information

Calories 181kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Sodium 48mg (2%) Potassium 137mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 2IU (0%) Vitamin C 0.03mg (0%) Calcium 23mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 181

% Daily Value*

Calories 181kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Sodium 48mg 2%
Potassium 137mg 3%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 2IU 0%
Vitamin C 0.03mg 0%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.