5.0 from 15 votes
Protein Rice Crispy Treats
These Protein Rice Crispy Treats taste like a crunchy peanut butter cup and have a sneaky serving of protein in each bite! You can stir them together in just minutes.
Prep Time
9 mins
Cook Time
9 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 188 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Protein Rice Crispy Treats
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal (see notes for gluten-free)
- ½ cup unsweetened protein powder
- ½ cup honey
- ⅔ cup All-Natural Peanut Butter
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Optional Chocolate Topping
- 4 ounces dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Prepare an 8-inch square pan by spraying it with oil, then press a piece of parchment paper into the bottom of the pan. In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal and protein powder, then set it aside. Measure out the peanut butter and coconut oil so it's ready to go for the next step.
- Add the honey to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. As soon as it starts to bubble significantly around the edges of the pan, set a timer for 1 minute.
- When the timer goes off, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir well until the mixture looks smooth.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the bowl of cereal and stir well. Once the cereal looks well coated, transfer it to the prepared pan and press it firmly into a flat layer. Place the pan in the fridge to cool.
- If you'd like to add a chocolate topping, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together, stirring until smooth. (Use a microwave in 30-second increments or a double boiler; the latter is my preference.)
- Remove the bars from the fridge and spread the chocolate evenly over the top. Then return the bars to the fridge and let them chill for 1 hour, or until they are firm in the center. Slice the bars into 16 slices and serve chilled. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Nutrition information is for 1 of 16 bars with the chocolate topping. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
- Rice Cereal Note: If you need to make a gluten-free recipe, be sure to look for a rice cereal that says "gluten-free" on the front of the package. (Whole Foods 365, Nature's Path, and Aldi's all make a gluten-free option.) Rice Krispies® brand cereal is not gluten-free because it contains malt flavor.
- Coconut Oil Note: Use expeller pressed or refined coconut oil if you prefer to have zero coconut flavor added to your dessert. You can also swap this for vegan butter or real butter if you prefer.
Nutrition Information
Calories
188kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.002g
Cholesterol
0.2mg
(0%)
Sodium
118mg
(5%)
Potassium
124mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
3IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0.1mg
(0%)
Calcium
17mg
(2%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 188
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 188kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.002g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 118mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 124mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 3IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.