Put a grown-up twist on a classic childhood favourite with these Protein Rice Krispie Treats! Made without butter or marshmallows, these healthy bars are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and make a great balanced snack!
Honey, I’m home!
Aaaand re-writing this intro for what is probably the tenth time. Oi. I’ve actually been trying to get this post up for a couple of weeks now, but between scatterbrained-ness and travelling, it just didn’t end up happening. I was really hoping for yesterday, but then my flight home [on Sunday night] had to go get itself delayed 1.5 hours and I didn’t walk through my front door until around 3 AM… meaning I was all sorts of useless on Monday and didn’t even want to think about blogging. Much less do it.
But I guess I shouldn’t complain because I’ve been pretty lucky with travelling thus far… with this really being the first time I’ve had to deal with any sort of major delays. No cancelled flights. No lost luggage. Excuse me while I go knock on wood like a crazy person. And maybe grab a snack because — hello — always hungry.
Can we talk about rice krispie treats for a second? Because they’re seriously one of my favourite snacks/desserts/things of all time. If there’s a plate of them at a party, pot luck, or bake sale, you’d better believe I’ll be making a beeline for it without even giving a second thought to any of the cookies, cupcakes, or other treats there. Me and RKTs have been tight for life.
No seriously. Back in the day, I used to be able to put away at least 3/4 of a batch of the original recipe without even batting an eyelash. God bless a growing teenager’s metabolism. And sugar tolerance. Eesh. I’m pretty sure I’d put myself in a coma if I tried that today, but that doesn’t mean I’m not tempted. There’s just something ridiculously good about those suckers. Sweet, gooey, crispy, simple — what more could you ask for?
Well, besides chocolate. You should always ask for [more] chocolate.
Unless, of course, you don’t like chocolate, in which case… well… I really don’t know what to tell you. But I’d have to recommend a possible reevaluation of your life choices. Just kidding. Sort of.
So now that we’ve got all that out of the way, let’s talk about all the ways that today’s recipe differs from the classic Rice Krispie Treats that we all grew up loving. We did all grow up loving them, right? It wasn’t just me? Okay, good.
First, there’s no butter or marshmallows. Instead, I used coconut oil, almond butter, and brown rice syrup to hold them together and add sweetness and gooey-ness. You could easily use honey and your favourite nut (or soy nut/seed) butter instead, but I wanted to see how these would turn out if they were vegan. And the answer is that they turn out very, very well…
Second, I tossed in some protein powder to amp up the nutritional value and make a snack that was a good balance of carbs, proteins, and fats. Protein powder isn’t a huge part of my daily diet, but I don’t have any qualms with baking/no-baking with it either…. especially since it can enhance the flavour of whatever it is that I happen to be making. I used a vanilla flavoured rice protein in this batch, but I totally encourage you to try it out with whatever flavour you’re currently loving.
Other than that, these are just as ooey, gooey, sweet, crispy, and delicious as the originals… just a little more grown up and good for you.
I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!
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Protein Rice Krispie Treats
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 12 – 16 squares 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups crispy rice cereal*
- 1/2 cup protein powder (~40g)
- 1/4 cup creamy nut butter**
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 1/2 cup brown rice syrup***
- Optional: 2-3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare a 8×8 baking pan by spraying it with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cereal and protein powder. Set aside.
- In a small pan over medium-high heat, add almond butter, coconut oil, and brown rice syrup. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to avoid burning, before removing from heat and allowing to cool slightly.
- Pour nut and syrup mixture into the cereal mix. Stir until everything is fully combined and all the cereal is well coated.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish. Using the spatula or your hands, spread the mixture evenly in the pan, pressing down firmly.
- Place chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and nuke on high in 20 second intervals, mixing between each. When chocolate is fully melted, drizzle over the top of the packed cereal mixture using a spoon.
- Place pan into fridge and allow to cool for ~30 minutes before cutting into squares.
Notes
* use a brand that’s certified gluten-free if you need these to be GF. ** feel free to use your favourite nut butter. I used almond, but you could easily use peanut butter; or even a soy nut butter to make these nut-free. *** you can sub this with honey if not strictly vegan.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
Looking for more healthy snack bar recipes? Try one of these!
Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
Blueberry Almond Oat Bars
No-Bake Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Bars
No-Bake Vegan Oatmeal Fudge Bars
No Bake Trail Mix Granola Bars
I did love rice krispie treats growing up. In fact, I still do, although I can’t remember the last time I made them. I do manage to find one or two at a cook out though every summer. Winning.
I dig the chocolate swirl.
We should make some in a few months. Just saying 😉
My middle school had THE BEST rice crispy treats. They were so huge and only $0.50. Rice crispy treats are so good and these protein ones look amazing. Thanks for sharing another fabulous recipe, Amanda!
I have to say I am not a protein powder fan – although been using hemp powder recently which has been good in small amounts but get to find one within all the junk in – hopefully more will arrive in the UK soon.
Plus these look yum and remind me of my school pack lunches – which has similar treats just way more full of junk…!
Thank you SO MUCH for the calculator link!!! 🙂
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try!!
Do you know the nutritional stats on this?
Sorry, Purgs, I don’t. But you could always plug the ingredients into a calculator like this one to figure it out — http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
UM! The only thing these need is frosting. I just bought Vega protein powder and so I’ve begun to use it a bit. It’s not an everyday thing, but you’re right, it does give a vanilla cupcake to whatever I put it in. I really like adding it to mashed over ripe bananas. Top it with some nut butter and breakfast is served!
I’m just drooling over this whole post. I still haven’t finished the last batch of crispy treats (another recipe) that I made like a month ago; is it bad that I want to make these tomorrow? I could always send some in to work with my husband.
I like the way you think 😉
Nothing says coming home like a rice crispy treat. 🙂 Looks delicious and love that they are low sugar.
This recipe. Yes. That’s all I have to say.
I’ve never laid eyes on a more beauteous rice krispie treat. I assume because they have protein they’re totally except post-workout…how fun!!
these look perfect and yummy! I am a big smoothie fan so I always have protein on hand- I am going to try these this weekend!
I hope you like them, Mary Beth!
So I’ve never been a big rice krispie treat person. I mean, I don’t dislike them, but they always seemed so….plain? At bake sales I always got distracted by the cookies and the brownies. Although, you went ahead and added chocolate so that fixed the ‘plain’ aspect of it 😉
As for protein powder – I try not to over-rely on it, but I definitely use about half a scoop almost every day.
This is why we’re friends — because we don’t have to fight over dessert. Well… that among other things <3
Love that you used nut butter in these gems and of course, chocolate never hurts either!
Oooh, these look so good! I loved rice krispy treats as a child. I haven’t had one in years, though, so I may have to make them now with a chocolate drizzle, of course.
i’m glad your brain is less scattered now but i totally get it. and this recipe is totally worth the wait. PINNED! p.s missed you love you and all of the above
Right back at ya, lady <3 xox
Sending you a plank of wood…minus the plank of wood part.
I could live off rice krispie treats. Always with the protein boost.
You should do THAT as your next diet experiment 😛
These look great. I loved rice krispie treats and then when they came out w the prepackaged ones I thought it would be amazing except that they tasted awful and artificial. Homemade is always the way to go and these sound like they would be even better!
I use protein powders every day in my smoothies. I’m definitely addicted. I’m trying to figure out a good protein pancake recipe! And the worst travel experience I ever had was coming back from Sweden… 47 hours and lost luggage later I made it back home. Don’t worry my luggage got delivered 2 weeks later … haha
I’m sorry but my mind stopped registering things after 47 hours. Oh.my.GOSH 😯
I used protein powder as a “creamer” in my morning coffee, but I rid myself of it because of tummy woes. The tummy woes got better but they aren’t gone completely. I have an inclining it’s from not chewing as much as I should with veggies and fruits. I tend to inhale my food. When I went to Puerto Rico, our flight was delayed because the wings FROZE. It was the worst. We were already on board, so it was a long time on my rump.
Aww yeah. I’ve had that too where the have to use those spraying machines on the wings to get them to unfreeze. And I’m the same way with my fruits and veggies… Really need to remember to chew more 😡
This is genius because 1. Normal rice crispy treats definitely are loaded with sugar- but they also taste excessively sweet too! and 2. These have chocolate. Enough said.
I used to get this special kind from trader joes but they stopped selling it… Now I can officially make my own muahahahaha ;).
I am not the biggest fan of protein powders, but I use them on occasion for baking! I LOVE RKT though, so these will be made ASAP 🙂
LOVE this protein treat 😉 I miss eating those blue foiled wrapped rice krispies from childhood 😉 Good times 😉
Actually, rice krispie treats didn’t make an appearance at all throughout my childhood. Thinking about it I’ve never had an actual rice krispie treat to this day. Shocking?? Well, not so much considering I’m from Germany, I guess. However, I did have your crispy rice bars multiple times before so I figure I made up for the loss :). They’re easily the one recipe from your blog I’ve made most often. These new bars look fabulous, too.
Oh and regarding bad traveling experiences all I’m saying is: Deutsche Bahn. Fellow Germans know the pain.
Ahh yeah I can imagine that RCTs wouldn’t be as big in Europe as they are here. I should ask my cousins if they’ve ever had any… Have you ever roasted marshmallows?
Yum – I love my Krispies and Krispy treats! I have my own recipe for GF confetti Crispie treats, but these look awesome because they pack an extra protein punch 🙂
When I was in high school, was the team manager for the boys lacrosse amand made them rice crspe fruity o cocoa pebbles at least once a week. They definitely didn’t have the benefits these have, though!
I didn’t used to use protein powder but now, as you know, I am hooked on Skoop! Love it.
These look so good, will have to give them a go thanks for the recipe!:)
http://www.libertylifeandselfhelp.com
Thanks Liberty! Hope you like them if you end up trying them 🙂
Um yes, definitely knock on wood like a crazy person! Lol. I have been through all of those scenarios and it sucks! But I still feel your pain for having a delayed flight and getting home at 3am. That’s rough! But I’m glad you got around around to posting these beauties. They look even better than the original. I want to reach through my screen and grab one for breakfast!
I’ve been craving rice krispie treats forever, and now I have an excuse to make and eat some. 🙂
these sound delicious!!
i ate so many rice crispy treat this past weekend, i am excited to see this protein version.
As you know, I have a zillion kids so I’m no stranger to Rice Krispie squares! I’ve always used up the last bits of different types of cereal to mix in the marshmallow and if they weren’t for school, I’d add peanut butter. It’s a great way to keep from wasting the cereal left in the bottom of the box! I need to find some protein powder that I like. Right now I’m using the Vega greens protein powder and while it’s alright, I think it would be weird in a Rice Krispie square! Ha ha! Can you imagine?!
Lol. Yeah that would be a little unique 😛 I usually just try to go for a basic vanilla rice protein… both for taste and so the green colour doesn’t scare people off 😆
Ooh baby! These look so delicious. I liked Rice Krispie treats when I was younger, but they were never my favorite. I was definitely a cupcake person. Wait no, those cake cookies with the super sugary, basically solid frosting? THOSE were my jam.
I gotta go get some rice cereal to make these though!!
At first I thought you were talking about this cookies that had the marshmallow fluff surrounded by a thin layer of chocolate. Omigosh I could put those away like nobody’s business…
I’ve been craving some Rice Krispie treats like a mad woman lately. I think I would feel a little better diving into one of these than the usual ones!
Welcome back! These rice krispie treats immediately take me back to my childhood–they were a favorite snack and these homemade ones are most likely (definitely) way better!
Of course we like chocolate! Looks like a perfect option for my kids, they always want to make rice crispy treats 🙂
Oh my gosh, yum! I haven’t had a rice krispy treat in forever.
I’m usually pretty lucky with travel plans, too. I hope you had a blast in Vegas!
I always think of Rice Krispies as an age old fsvorite. I would have these as a kid in my lunch. I never would have thought to add protein powder into them. Honestly I would have thought they might melt or not cook correctly.
I love this recipe! My mom actually made her rice krispies with peanut butter (along with marshmallow fluff and who knows what else) but I lived the nut butter in them and would not eat other mom’s rice Krispy treats. So, I’m loving the nut butter. But, I am one of those weird people who don’t like chocolate. My parents think I’m adopted!
You’re actually not the first person I’ve come across that doesn’t like chocolate! I prefer gummy candy myself, but I won’t say no to chocolate either 🙂