These Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bars are delicious and come together quickly with ingredients you most likely have on hand. They’re crunchy and sweet with an optional allergy-free chocolate drizzle for the chocolate lover in your pod.
Easy, step-by-step instructions make this recipe a go-to for any busy family this holiday season. Many kids can make this recipe all on their own, making this a huge win for many parents.
Ingredients:
- Crispy Brown Rice Cereal: I used Sprouts Organic Brown Rice Cereal but Barbaras also makes a nice organic crispy brown rice cereal that works just as well.
- Creamy Peanut Butter (unsweetened): I used Costco’s Organic Creamy Peanut Butter but there are several brands on the market that do not include added sugar or xylitol.
- Maple Syrup: I like both Costco and Trader Joe’s for organic maple syrup.
- Brown Rice Syrup: I love the subtle sweetness of brown rice syrup. It cuts the sweetness of real maple syrup and provides a stickiness similar to honey. I purchased mine from Amazon.
- Organic vanilla extract: Again, use what you have but at $12.00 for 4 ounces, I do like Thrive Market’s Pure Vanilla Extract.
- Himalayan Salt: I enjoy using this type of salt but please use any sea salt you have on hand. Just a pinch will do. Also, feel free to omit if using a salted peanut butter.
- Additional Chocolate Layer: This consists of about 4 ounces of melted, Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips. Feel free to use any chocolate bar of your choice. I prefer Enjoy Life brand because of our own family’s allergies.
Instructions
- Start with an 8 x 8 inch pan.
- Lightly spray the inside of the pan with a cooking spray. This allows the parchment paper to stick to the pan and prevents if from sliding around.
- Line the inside of the parchment paper.
- Warm peanut butter, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, vanilla and sea salt and mix until well combined.
- Pour warmed peanut butter mixture over the crispy brown rice and stir with a silicone spatula until combined.
- Scoop the crispy brown rice mixture into your prepared pan and flatten with the back of a spatula or large spoon.
- Add additional warmed chocolate layer.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to an hour. Slice and serve.
Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bars
By Published:
These Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bars are delicious and come together quickly with ingredients you most likely have on hand. They're crunchy and sweet with an optional allergy-free chocolate drizzle for the chocolate lover in your pod.
Ingredients
- 3 cups organic crispy brown rice cereal
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup organic brown rice syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt Only if your peanut butter is unsalted
- 4 ounces chocolate chips melted over a double boiler or microwave. Caution should be taken if using a microwave as the dish can get very hot and burn small hands.
Instructions
- Start with an 8 x 8 inch pan and cut a piece of parchment paper to line the inside. I used one sheet leaving a slight overhang as "handles" for ease of removal before slicing.
- Lightly spray your pan with cooking spray which will allow the parchment paper to stick and prevent it from slipping around.
- To a large bowl, add crispy brown rice cereal.
- Using a small saucepan, warm peanut butter, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, vanilla and sea salt (if using). Make sure it's runny and well combined which only takes a minute or two. Keep stirring until you see it all come together.
- Pour warmed mixture over the crispy brown rice and stir with a silicone spatula until well combined.
- Scoop sticky brown rice mixture into the prepared 8 x 8 inch pan and press firmly with a flat spatula or large spoon. If you decide not to add a chocolate layer, now would be the time to refrigerate the bars for about 30 minutes to an hour before slicing.
- If you're incorporating the top layer of chocolate, simply add 4 ounces of chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl and heat until soft. Using a pot holder or kitchen mitts, carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave and stir the warmed chocolate with a spatula until smooth and all lumps are gone. Carefully pour the melted chocolate over top of your flattened rice crispy mixture in the pan. Smooth out with an offset spatula or spoon. Note: Using a double boiler works just as well for melting chocolate.