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. Sponsored by Sun-Maid Raisins.
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.
Why this recipe is so awesome
One of my camp mothers eagerly told me how much her daughter loved my camp and all the delicious food we made together. Her daughter had already made the fried rice at home twice and was looking forward to cooking more of my recipes.
Sun-Maid Raisins was one of my camp sponsors. Naturally sweet and packed with fiber, raisins are super kid-friendly. My girls made a great back-to-school snack that is similar to those crispy rice bars you can buy in the store.
Except these beauties are sweetened with raisins and honey instead of corn syrup. They are packed with seeds and nuts and a touch of chocolate. They are super easy to whip up, even kids can make them.
Plus, they are no bake bars, so it won’t heat up your kitchen during those hot summer days. These make a great after school snack, breakfast on the go, or can be packed up with the school lunch box.
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
1. In a food processor with a sharp blade, blend raisins and honey together until a ball is formed.
2. 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.
3. Stir in almond slices, pepitas, sesame seeds and salt until combined. Gently stir in rice cereal and chocolate chips.
4. 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.
5. Cut into even pieces and serve.
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No Bake Crispy Rice Bars with Raisins and Nuts
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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz Sun-Maid raisins
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup almond slices
- 2 TBS roasted pepitas
- 2 TBS 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
You can also use walnuts, cashews, dried apricots and green raisins. Instead of peanut butter you can use cashew or almond butter. If using chocolate candies, add them to the very end and stir carefully, so you don’t crack the candy shell.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 255Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 156mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 3gSugar: 13gProtein: 8g
PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback.
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Disclosure: I was paid a stipend to develop a kid-friendly recipe using Sun-Maid Raisins. The opinions I expressed in this post are 100% all mine. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t blog about it.
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) : )