Happy Monday, friends! 😀
What do you say we start this week off on a sweet note?
Any objections?
No? Excellent! So remember that box of crispy rice cereal I told you about in my last post? Well, you’ll be happy to know that I put that sucker to good use this weekend and whipped up a batch of rice krispie treats.
These aren’t your average RKTs though. First, there are no marshmallows (I know, I know). Instead, I used a combination of almond butter and honey to hold things together.
You guys know how obsessed I am with this combo right now, but I have to admit that even I was kind of skeptical when it came to using it in one of my most beloved treats – there’s just no messing with the classics. Turns out I had nothing to worry about though… While these guys aren’t exactly like the original, they’re still pretty darn amazing – like ¾ of the batch is already gone amazing. You could use peanut butter instead of almond butter, but you guys know how I feel about the pesky peanuts…
Second, I decided to throw in some protein powder, both to improve the nutritional profile and because I really need to work my way through the big tub that’s sitting in my pantry. It was a good decision. The powder adds a nice subtle vanilla flavor and… well… some protein. So what you’re left with is a delicious balance of all three macros. In other words, it’s basically the perfect snack – especially when you take things one step further and drizzle some chocolate on top…
The fact that these take all of 10 minutes to throw together, require no messy baking, and give me a ridiculous amount of energy is jut icing on the cake – I’ve already deemed them staple-worthy material. Buuuut I’m pretty sure that you’re tired of listening to me talk and just wanna see the recipe already. Here she be!
I’d love to know if you make this (or any!) recipe! Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
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rice krispie energy bites
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups crispy rice cereal (I used Erewhon)
- 1/2 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup protein powder
- Optional: chocolate for melting
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×9 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 heat, add almond butter and honey, stirring until the almond butter is melted and fully combined with the honey.
- Remove from heat and pour into the cereal mixture. Stir until everything is fully combined.
- Pour into prepared baking dish. Using the spatula or your hands, spread the mixture evenly in the pan, pressing down firmly.
- Optional: 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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
I love the ingredients and taste of this recipe! The issue I had was with the measurements and consistency. This came out way too dry. I had to add a lot more peanut butter and honey than the recipe called for. The ratio of dry to wet ingredients was off. Otherwise this was delicious!
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I don’t do protein powder. What can I swap it with?
You could probably get away with leaving it out completely and maybe just adding some more cereal if the mixture is too liquidy.
I was looking for the nutritional value of these. Could you please let me know, just in case I missed them? Thank you. Kristen
Hi Kristen, sorry but I don’t calculate the nutritional value for my recipes — I just focus on using quality ingredients.
I really like these rice krispie bar.
Looks Delicious!
Hi,
These are super tasty! However, they fall apart the minute I bite into one. Any suggestions?
Hi Lyndsay,
If they’re too dry, try adding either another spoonful of honey or almond butter to moisten them up — that should prevent them from falling apart.
I’ve just wiped up a batch of these using cornflakes instead of rice krispies as I didn’t have any and didn’t use protein powder either (i’ve never bought the stuff). Can’t wait to see how they turn out!
Delicious!! I quatered the recipe as it was my first time with almond butter but I’ll be making the full one this weekend for sure!
Love these!! I tried to do something like this once with puffed kamut…yeah, didn’t really work out…ended up with lumps of soggy cereal! Oops? haha! I’m not a HUGE fan of the original RKT, but I may have to give these a go! 🙂
i love bars like this especially to bring to work.
yum yum I never thought of adding protein powder in them, can not wait to try these. then eat the entire batch.
I love you used almond butter and honey to make these. I will, of course, replace it with peanut butter but this genius and I can’t wait to try them. Sketch-free rice krispy treats…Amen to that.
I love you. I will be making these this weekend. xoxo
Love this recipe! So simple and comforting. Rice krispie treats were THE go-to dessert in our house because we were allergic to everything else. Hah.
I love that you took the marshmallows out, too. While I have nothing against them, that just ups the nutrition. Great!
HECK YESS these babies look freaking amazing. And I love the addition of protein powder in there. It would definitely give them a different twist! I see many variations happening in my near future
Mmmm, these look fab!! Hmm, I can’t even remember the last thing that came out of my kitchen. Thats how long its been since I last cooked/baked and I think its about time I fix it! I have a 3 day weekend coming up and I think that may just be the perfect time hehe 🙂
I am SO excited about this recipe..I don’t eat marshmallows so I never eat rice crispys, but I will EAT all of these ingredients!! HOLY YUM!! Last thing I made were energy bites cause they soooo damn easy.
DYING. Seriously. Holy moly…
Making these as soon as possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you…
Yum! I need to make these asap 🙂
my heart just melted. send those my way. there is something about the classic rice krispie treats that still melts my heart
Amanda if I’m ever on the other side of the world I’m coming over to yours first 😉
“What do you say we start this week off on a sweet note?” — umm, the answer to this is always-and i do mean always- a big YES PLEASE 🙂 those look delicious! what a great take on a classic- i love the protein powder addition!
I definitely need to try these out!! 🙂
Okay I know I said I wasn’t a big rice krispies square fan, but these look really good! It was the chocolate drizzle on top that won me over haha. 😉
The last thing to come out of my kitchen was a batch of granola I baked this afternoon. I used to make granola at least every 3-4 weeks, but it’s been ages since I last made it and I’ve been craving it!
So say I don’t have any protein powder yet still want to make these, do you think they would hold together w/out it? Or should I sub in something else perhaps?
I’m pretty sure they should still hold together – if you find that they’re too “wet” from the AB and honey, just add an extra handful of cereal until you get a good consistency.
yum, I love rice krispy treats and I also love adding protein powder to my treats. These look so freaking good!
OMG! My 5 year old just walked by and said you need to make these…like now. I agree 🙂
I like this idea! I actually make something similar but with oats instead of rice krispies – perfect pre-gym snack for me. I should try this!
I was wondering how oats would work, but I’m kind of addicted to the crispiness.
This post/recipe took me back in time! I used to love Rice Krispies Treats as a kid! Definitely bookmarking this slighty more adult recipe. 🙂
Uh, yeah girl, when I saw these on Instagram I was totally jealous. Add reading about them here + seeing the ingredient list + more pictures, well, I’m an unhappy girl who wants some!! 🙂 So creative, though, and totally inspired! Good idea and they look great!!
Wow those look delicious! I’m feeling drained from this weekend and could use some energy bites in my life 🙂
What?! Healthy to boot? Those things look amazing! I need some now. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad the recipe worked out so well! I usually stick with my beloved peanut butter, but I suuuuuuppose I could stray for this one 😉 I love how you threw in protein powder as well!
Although, I have to disagree with the part where you say that the chocolate is optional 😉
The last thing I baked would have been the butterscotch cookies I gifted my dad for Father’s Day…although I’ll be making that ice cream pie this week! (so excited for that)
Uhm. So I’m definitely coming over for that… just leave any PB out 😉
Those look delicious! They also look like a perfect kid treat. Thanks!
These look amazing! I’m not a fan of almond butter, but I know many people who are, and would love it if i made these! 🙂
quite jealous of the barney butter. Care to deliver? 😉
I would if I could! I’m just trying to get rid of mine – it’s not my favorite 😕