These Rice Krispies Treats Granola Bars are a grown-up version of the childhood snack, but packed with feel-good ingredients and energy!
These little squares of home-baked goodness are going to fill you up and keep you going through the day! Packed with feel-good ingredients like oats, coconut oil, peanut butter, dried fruits, and seeds, these small but mighty snack bars are all you need between meals in the hustle and bustle of life.
Based on the childhood treat we all wish we could still eat on the daily, these granola bars have puffed rice stirred through them to mimic that beautiful, soft crunch you get when you bite into a fresh Rice Krispies Treat bar.
Glam these up with a streak of melted dark chocolate on top, or dress them down if you don’t want to include the mini marshmallows. Either way, you’re going to love these!
Are Rice Krispies Treats Granola Bars Healthy?
I am pretty sure your childhood involved a Rice Krispie Treats bar, and these are a total callback! I snuck a whole bunch of good-for-you ingredients like dried fruits and seeds in here, too, so you can hand these out to your friends or family knowing they’re going to feel good as well as taste good.
Rolled old-fashioned oatmeal provides fiber, complex carbohydrates, and some protein, which all work together to keep you feeling full for longer. Combine that with the fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants in sesame seeds, the protein and healthy fats in peanut butter, and the fiber and antioxidants in the dried fruits, you’ve got a recipe for feeling full and energized!
However, it’s important to note that these granola bars also contain mini marshmallows, which are a highly processed food. If you’re avoiding these types of foods, or sugar altogether, I would swap them for natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, or your favorite sugar-free sweetener syrup.
Pressing Down the Mixture
It’s vital that you give these bars a good squish to get them to hold together. You’ll want to use something sturdy to press down the mixture, like a rolling pin or a flat-bottomed glass (with some parchment paper in between to stop it from sticking). I’ve found that a spatula isn’t as effective. Even a second pan the same size as your first pan will work well! Just weigh it down with something heavy like a mortar and pestle, and come back in half an hour when it has compressed the mixture.
How To Make Ahead and Store
These granola bars only get better overnight, as the marshmallow will continue to firm up and create that classic Rice Krispies Treats texture. You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you put them in the refrigerator, they should last up to 2 weeks, and if you freeze them, they should be good for 2 months. If you’re worried about them drying out, just wrap them in plastic wrap before putting them in the container.
Serving Suggestions
When I’ve got the time and want to make these granola bars into a hearty breakfast, I love to chop them up and sprinkle them over Chia Seeds in Yogurt, or over my morning Smoothie Bowl.
I can never get enough healthy snacks to enjoy throughout the day! Similar to these granola bars, these Trail Mix Energy Bites keep me feeling full between meals and taste so good! For more granola recipes, try these Keto-Friendly Sugar-Free Granola Bars, or these Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled old-fashioned oatmeal
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 10-oz bag of mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 2 1/2 cups puffed brown rice or Rice Krispies
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried apricots chopped
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F and spray an 8×8-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Roast the oatmeal and the sesame seeds on separate pans for 5 mins. They will be just very lightly browned.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the coconut oil, mini marshmallows, and peanut butter. I microwaved mine on half power for 1 minute, stirred, and then did another 30 seconds. You don’t want to burn the marshmallows, so make sure to use only half power.
- In a separate large bowl, mix together the puffed brown rice, peanuts, raisins, cranberries, apricots, sunflower seeds, and toasted oatmeal.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the marshmallow mix and stir until everything is well combined.
- Sprinkle half of the toasted sesame seeds evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Then, pour in the Rice Krispie mixture and press down HARD, until it forms a compressed, even layer. Sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds and gently press to adhere to the bars.
- Let mixture set for 15 to 20 minutes in the refrigerator before slicing it into bars and serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
I have been coveting a good energy bar for some time now. This recipe is EVERYTHING I dreamed of and more. The only sugar comes through marshmallows. The majority of ingredients are ones I tend to keep in the house. I cut mine into cubes and wrapped each one in waxed paper for an easy grab-and-go snack. My whole family loves them, and I will be making them again soon. Thank you so much!!
So glad your family loves these granola bars! Thanks for reading.