Nutty Bars

These Nutty Bars are a cross between Rice Krispy Treats and those Little Debbie Nutty Buddy bars. I loved both of these as a kid, but as an adult I like to keep my treats on the healthy side. Enter my healthy vegan Nutty Bars, made with only five ingredients (sprinkles optional!).

Nutty Bars are simple to make and a great recipe to get the kids to help. You just need a few simple ingredients, many of which you may already have on hand.

Recipe rundown…

Here are the ingredients you will need for the recipe:

For the peanut butter, you want to use one that has minimal ingredients. Just roasted peanuts and salt, for this recipe and in general. No added sugar, oils, etc. No need for all that!

I like Sant Cruz organic. Just be sure to get the one without palm oil added, they make a few. If you avoid peanuts, try subbing almond or cashew butter.

My recommendation for the rice crisp cereal is Nature’s Path Organic koala crisp. It has only a handful of ingredients and tastes great in desserts!

My first love with chocolate is Theo 70% dark. Both for recipes like this and for enjoying a square (or two!) after dinner.

All of these ingredients are available at Whole Foods and most other grocery stores.

Next, it’s just two simple steps and you have Nutty Bars ready for snacking!

I like cocoa rice crisps for this recipe

Here’s how you make them… 

First you melt the peanut butter, maple and coconut oil with a pinch of salt. I do this in a medium sized saucepan over medium low heat.

The goal is for the ingredients being just combined and melted, not simmering or heated for very long.

Once blended, remove from heat and stir in the rice crisp cereal.

Next, press the melted peanut butter & rice crisp mixture and press into a parchment paper lined loaf pan. Then, use another piece of parchment on top to flatten.

TIP: line your pan with parchment or wax paper for easy removal, and use another sheet to flatten the top down evenly

Gently melt the peanut butter, maple and coconut oil

Next step is to melt the chocolate. You can either melt in 30-second increments in the microwave or in a double boiler (microwave takes about 60-90 seconds total).

What is a double boiler? Basically, it’s a heat-proof bowl of some sort placed over a pan of simmering water. You whisk the chocolate until melted.

Last step! Add the sprinkles or flake salt on top, then freeze until the chocolate sets, about 20-25 minutes.

Once the chocolate firms up, cut into 8 – 12 bars and enjoy! Easy, peasy, so delicious!

Add sprinkles for extra fun

Store Nutty Bars in an airtight container at room temp for a few days. That is, if they don’t disappear right away. They’re that good!

If you make these bars comment below or tag me on Instagram. And follow me there for more recipes and cooking tips.

Want more chocolate recipes?

Frozen Banana Pops (vegan, GF)

Everything Chocolate Cups (vegan, GF)

Print Recipe

Nutty Bars

Cacao rice crisps with peanut butter, maple, and dark chocolate

Course

Dessert, Snack

Cuisine

American

Keyword

dairy free, fall/autumn, gluten free, healthy, holidays, kosher, low sugar, party food, spring, summer, vegan, vegetarian, winter

Servings

servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter see blog post for brand recs
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp unrefined coconut oil
• 1 pinch pink salt
• 1 1/2 cups cocoa rice crisps (puffed rice) I use cocoa, you can use regular if preferred
• 1 3-oz bar dark chocolate chopped
• 2-3 tsp sprinkles optional

Course Dessert, Snack Cuisine American Keyword dairy free, fall/autumn, gluten free, healthy, holidays, kosher, low sugar, party food, spring, summer, vegan, vegetarian, winter Servings servings Ingredients 1/2 cup natural peanut butter see blog post for brand recs 1 tbsp pure maple syrup 2 tsp unrefined coconut oil 1 pinch pink salt 1 1/2 cups cocoa rice crisps (puffed rice) I use cocoa, you can use regular if preferred 1 3-oz bar dark chocolate chopped 2-3 tsp sprinkles optional

Instructions

1. line a loaf pan with parchment paper
2. in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, melt peanut butter, maple, coconut oil and a pinch of salt until combined; remove from heat
3. add rice crisps cereal into melted peanut butter mixture and stir well to blend
4. spread rice crisp mixture into prepared pan and evenly flatten (you can use a piece of parchment and a glass to flatten top evenly)
5. melt chocolate gently in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments (about 60-90 seconds total), allow to cool a few minutes
6. spread melted chocolate over rice crisp mixture, add sprinkles then freeze about 20 minutes to set chocolate
7. to serve, slice into 8 - 12 bars; store bars in an airtight container at room temp a few days

Recipe Notes

Recipe makes 8 - 12 bars

Original recipe created by Jerran Boyer
www.healthnutchefs.com