These no bake crispy rice bars are sweetened with raisins and honey, packed with protein and fiber, and so much tastier than those store-bought varieties.
Poof! Just like that, summer vacation came and went. It always goes by fast for me, even during those dull days when we stay home with nothing on the agenda except that Mommy has to get some work done.
It was only a few weeks ago I was teaching my daughter and her friends how to cook during my one week cooking camp. I have share with you some of the recipes they made, new and old.
These no bake crispy rice bars were a huge hit with them!
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Laura says :
Why this recipe works
- Sugar free snack: As a parent, we are hypersensitive when it comes to giving sugar laden foods to our kids. I use raisins to sweeten these bars. Dates are high in natural sugars, but they also are full of plenty of other nutrients too.
- Packed with protein: These bars are also packed with protein from the peanut butter and nuts that are added to them.
- Snack to go: You can wrap these bars in parchment paper and pack them in the school lunch box. These crispy rice bars also make an excellent after school snack or afternoon pick-me-up.
Ingredients you need
- Raisins: You can use black or green raisins.
- Honey: You can also use agave nectar.
- Natural peanut butter: I prefer using unsweetened all natural peanut butter so I can control the sweetness. You can also use regular peanut butter. If your peanut butter is sweetened, you might want to reduce the honey.
- Almond slices: You can also use chopped peanuts, cashews or walnuts.
- Seeds: I used roasted pumpkin and sesame seeds.
- Salt: If your nuts and seeds are salted, do not add more salt. Even if they are unsalted, you have the option to add salt to the mix. I personally like the sweet and salty combination.
- Crispy rice cereal: You can use the cheap generic crispy rice cereal for these bars.
- Chocolate candies: One way to hide something that is good for you is to mix in M&Ms or chocolate chips. You can also use Reese’s Pieces.
Step-by-step directions
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- Blend the raisins. In a food processor with a sharp blade, blend raisins and honey together until a ball is formed.
- Mix in peanut butter. Transfer raisin ball into a bowl and mash it down with a fork. Mix in peanut butter. Place bowl in a microwave and heat on high for 20-30 seconds to soften.
- Mix in other ingredients. Stir in almond slices, pepitas, sesame seeds and salt until combined. Gently stir in rice cereal and chocolate chips.
- Form into bars. Coat a loaf pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper. Press raisin mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into even pieces and serve.
Expert tips and recipe FAQs
And if you want more recipes sweetened naturally, you should try this No Bake Date Nut Bars with Oatmeal. And my Apple Smoothie is another kid favorite as it is sweetened with raisins and tastes like apple pie.
Storing/Freezing Instructions
TO STORE: Store your bars in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
TO FREEZE: You can also freeze bars. Wrap them individually in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.
Sure! Add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder (vanilla or chocolate works great) to boost the protein content.
A food processor makes it easier to break down the raisins and mix everything together evenly, but you can also chop the dates finely by hand and mix with a sturdy spatula or clean hands.
Almost! As written, the recipe includes honey, but you can easily make them vegan by substituting maple syrup or agave nectar.
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No Bake Crispy Rice Bars with Raisins and Nuts
Ingredients
- 8 oz Sun-Maid raisins
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup almond slices
- 2 tablespoon roasted pepitas
- 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional
- 1 ½ cup crispy rice cereal
- ¼ cup chocolate chips or chocolate candies
Instructions
- In a food processor with a sharp blade, blend raisins and honey together until a ball is formed.
- Transfer raisin ball into a bowl and mash it down with a fork. Mix in peanut butter. Place bowl in a microwave and heat on high for 20-30 seconds to soften.
- Stir in almond slices, pepitas, sesame seeds and salt until combined.
- Gently stir in rice cereal and chocolate chips.
- Coat a loaf pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper. Press raisin mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into even pieces and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Written by Laura Bashar
Hi, I’m Laura, a certified professional cook and cookbook author living in San Diego. I have been sharing my family’s favorite recipes inspired from all over the world since 2008. Let’s cook up something fun!
I may have to go back to school just so I can have these afterwards. 🙂 Fun recipe — thanks.
These look so good! I am sure my kids will love them! (and I like the no corn syrup part too) : )