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
Ah I make something similar but mine always end up crumbly so I will definitely have to try this version out asap!
Those look amaaaazing! Thank you! The last thing I made was crockpot pulled pork sandwiches…
YUM…that’s all! Seriously, those look delish. I’m making oatmeal raisin cookies later today if time allows…I love the dough 🙂 Happy Monday!
Nicely done, girl! Why didn’t I think to use peanut butter and chocolate to make rice crispy treats before?? Can’t wait to test these out 🙂
Could these be any easier – in the good way! – to make? If crispy brown rice cereal was available – yes, that’s how sad the cereal situation is around here – I’d hesitate no longer but make them right away. Great recipe in anyway!
Last thing that came from my oven about five minutes ago is my first ever Devil’s Food Cake. My mum requested I bake it and I was happy to oblige in a much needed study break. It’s nice to think that I can do my parents a little favour by having a chocolatey treat waiting for when they return from work in the evening.
Honestly, you could probably make these with any kind of cereal 🙂 I’m going to do some experimenting and see if any others turn out well.
AMAZING energy bite recipe!
Drip… drip… drip… 😯
(Closes mouth).
Okay these sound amazing! What a great way to make Rice Krispie treats! I love the traditional ones with peanut butter added in so mostly just using almond or peanut butter sounds wonderful!
Those look delicious. Can I admit I don’t own protein powder? I may be the only blogger without it. I always liked making rice krispy treats using cocoa pebbles. In fact I may need to make some. My son would be thrilled. I haven’t been baking as much as I was but I did make my original chocolate chip cookies last week. I keep them in the freezer and defrost as needed. Which seems to be everyday according to my son.
To be honest, I probably wouldn’t own any either if I didn’t still have this tub left over from back in the day. It’s not something I like to use on a regular basis anymore, so I’m just trying to get rid of it. Oh, and I’m in complete agreement with your son 😉
These look so amazing! I love how few ingredients you used too. Brilliant 🙂
Okay, just being honest here but I don’t think that the chocolate is optional – just sayin’ 😉 These look amazing and I love that we can call them “energy bites” thanks to the protein!
Wow, they look and sound incredible! I love that they are healthy too, I would eat all these up in no time. I’ll be bookmarking these for future consumption, thanks! 🙂
Oh, and the last thing that came out of my kitchen was strawberry pie!
I think I’m going to have to make those with (gasp!) peanut butter. I have to use it up since now all I want is almond butter, thankyoverymuch. I know some people are against putting protein powder in recipes, but honestly, if something has absolutely no protein in it, sometimes it will leave me hungrier after eating than I even was before!
I don’t mind mixing it in with other things that require no baking, but I’m not a fan of using it in things like pancakes and baked goods… it just makes the texture come out all goofy.
Mmmmmm… if I had rice crispy cereal at hand, and had not made Kammies red velvet protein bars today, and hadn’t a trillion other tempting snack bar recipes bookmarked… I would run straight in the kitchen (with a spoon of course) and start making these. The burden of being a food blogger: being constantly bombarded with mouthwatering recipes 🙂
Okay, seriously…these sound awesome!! And can I just say, I love that they do not contain marshmallows, since as a vegetarian I do not eat them. Nice job :).
Those look pretty darn amazing! I baked some Lemon Sugar Cookies with a Lemon glaze on Friday. They were fabulous. Something about lemon and sugar that I go head over heals for.
I think it’s the sweet and sour combo… Contrasting flavors intensify each other, which is why I think I’m kind of addicted to the sweet ‘n salty combo too.
Oh I can always count on you for yummy treats I can stick in my pocket for when hunger strikes at work. I may just have to whip these up to survive some late shifts this week…I actually made your carrot banana muffins this past weekend and loved them! I added raisins as well – totally reminded me of carrot cake!
Hope you have a great Monday!
Mmmm!!! Those sound amazing!!! I used to LOVE Love Love making rice krispy treats for my friends, but I love that you don’t use marshmallows! nom nom!!
I haven’t made too many sweet treats lately but last night I sauteed chicken chunks with blackened seasoning and coconut oil. I tossed in some sliced portobello mushrooms towards the end. SO good and so simple. I’m all about simple, delicious dinners this time of year.
Yeah I’m going to need to make these this weekend… they look and sound delicious! The last thing that came out of my kitchen? Uh, that I made? Ummmm… yeah it’s been a while lol. Oatmeal? :p
A use for my random tub of protein powder. Thank you. These do look really good though and I think they are simple enough I would try and make them. 🙂
Rice krispie treats always remind me of elementary school when I would bring them for my birthday for the whole class. I recently made smores last week and oh my goodness, I ate SO much.
What type of protein powder do you use. I recently bought Vega French Vanilla… after so many good reviews I was bummed out not to love it as much as I thought I would.
I wasn’t a big fan of the Vega powders either, but I find most plant based powders to be a miss. I use Proteins+ from GenuineHealth http://www.genuinehealth.com/proteins.html
Droooool! These look so unbelievably good! Especially your photo of the melty almond butter & honey mix, I think I’d just wanna stick my head straight in the bowl haha! No wonder 3/4 of the batch are gone already..bet they taste AMAZING!
So, you’re basically an absolute baking genius for coming up with these, you know that, right? I have everything but the cereal on hand (actually, I might need to restock the almond butter), so I’m definitely trying these soon. I love when desserts/snacks taste like heaven but are still uber good for you. Basically a win-win. (Although, there’s nothing wrong with good ol ice cream and a brownie.)
Can I still be a baking genius if no baking is involved? 😉 And I actually go into panic mode when I start to get low on AB. Not a good situation…
These are just too freaking good. You’re my food hero. <3.
Amazing! My mouth is watering and I could really go for a couple of these right now! 😉
On Saturday, I made a Pineapple Upside Down Cake for a family picnic and today I’m making Avocado Chocolate Chip cookies (my hubby’s request!).
Hot dayyyy-um..these look SO good! I am not a fan of protein baked goods but I think these will be an exception, especially given an all-star ingredient list like that! I’ve only ever said RKT with marshmallows but I love the sound of replacing them with nut butter. Like you, I have a whole lot of protein powder begging to be used…especially since my intake of protein shakes is zilch as of the past few months!
As for my kitchen….the last thing that came out from there was a quinoa & chickpea stir fry with pesto :)!
I haven’t baked in so long- I really want to give it a shot on the boat but it’s kind of a pain to buy all the ingredients and attempt to do more than break and bake cookies. Maybe I’ll get really gourmet one of these days and make something for real. Who knows… I haven’t had RKT in years but I would miss the marshmallow I think.
Hehe yeah… The way you describe boat living, I’d imagine that doing any kind of fancier cooking/baking would be kind of a pain. And I thought I’d miss the mallows too, but the nut butter and honey combination works so well that I don’t even notice.
I made a yummy strawberry buttercream cake this weekend – yum!!
Oh wow these sound amazing!
These sound fantastic! My grandfather loooooves RKTs, so sometimes I make him a package and send them. I’ll have to make these for a little twist. 🙂
What a great recipe! Actually, I think these would be better than regular ‘ol RK squares on so many levels!! Definitely on my “things to make” list. 😉
Well, I’d be happy to share them with you – but with YOU!! I’ll be over, say in…..18 hours?? Do you manage to keep the last 1/4 for us to share? 🙂 Oh my, what would I give to just do that now. I think we need to talk about another package exchange soon 🙂
Lol no promises at to whether or not they’d last that long, but I’d be more than willing to whip up another batch 😉 And YES! More Swiss chocolate!! 😀 <3
I might have to cut the recipe in half… I have no control when it comes to rice krispie treats! My friend made some cake batter ones and I ate at least 7. Worth it!
Lol I’m the same way. I’d make them on a pretty regular basis back in the day, and an entire recipe would last me -maybe- 2 days. Ridiculous.
The last things I baked were a cheesecake, and banana cream pie, although the latter did not require any actual baking. These look and sound delicious!
I’m not quite sure I’d be able to control myself from not eating the whole pan in one sitting… maybe I should challenge myself huh? 🙂
Yum….I have a very similar recipe on the blog and you’re right, they are VERY addicting! I’m a nutbutter freak and I actually like them better than the original. Have a great Monday!
That sounds like a great combination; even better than the original! 😮
OMG, last time I made almond butter rice krispie squares I ate the whole pan in one sitting. Hahahhaa! They’re SO GOOD.
Well, don’t these just look amazing!
Especially that you used almond butter and honey.
I definitely need to try these out!!
I actually have only had a rice crispy square once in my entire life…now, that’s just embarrassing 😉
😯 I’m not sure that we can go on being friends. Well… okay… we can. But only because of our mutual obsession with all things coffee and makeup related 😉
I don’t understand, these portion of ingredients must be wrong. I made this three times and the almond butter and honey doesn’t melt, it burns. Second there’s way more Rice than almond/honey mix. It just doughs up
Same thing happened to me. Ended up just being loose crispy rice with chunks of almond butter and chocolate. Disappointed :/