• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Sungrown Kitchen logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Garden
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Garden
    • About
    • Subscribe
  • social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dessert

    Published: Jun 20, 2022 · Modified: Jun 20, 2022 by Meryl Downing Leave a Comment

    Peanut Butter Protein Rice Krispies Treats

    64 shares
    • Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Peanut Butter Protein Rice Krispies Treats are a delicious twist on a classic treat! Soft and chewy with gooey marshmallows, and packed with extra protein from the peanut butter, oats, sunflower and flax seeds. My kids devour these, and I love the little bit of extra substance, call them dessert OR a snack!

    Rice Krispies treats with M&M's and chocolate chips.

    I love taking a dessert that everybody loves and changing it up with some healthier additions! These Protein Rice Crispy Treats were easy to alter, just a few high protein additions that go completely unnoticed with that delicious peanut buttery flavor.

    My kids are always starving it seems, so why not add healthy extras where you can? Together with a few friends, they absolutely devoured a pan of these!

    If you Love healthier versions of your favorite desserts, give these a try!

    • Black Bean Protein Brownies
    • Zucchini Banana Cookies
    • Peanut Butter Nutella Protein Balls
    • Healthier Berry Rhubarb Crisp
    Labeled ingredients for Protein Rice Krispies Treats.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Rice Krispies Cereal - That familiar snap crackle pop, these Protein Rice Krispies Treats start with the basics and then add some hearty extras!
    • Regular Rolled Oats - Oats add a bit of protein but are hardly noticeable in the finished bars. You can also use quick oats, or leave them out if you don't have them, just substitute more cereal.
    • Sunflower & Flax Seeds - These little additions of protein are all optional and interchangeable. You can use just sunflower seeds and no flax seeds, or try chia seeds or even sliced almonds. If you don't want to use seeds at all, you can simply add the equivalent of more Rice Krispies.
    • Marshmallows - Marshmallows give you that classic chewy consistency and we haven't tried to go healthy here a bit! You can also use the mini marshmallows, just measure 3 cups.
    • Peanut Butter - The star of the show! That peanut buttery goodness gives these Rice Krispie Protein Bars their delicious flavor! For kids who are always hungry, a treat like this acts like an extra filling snack! You could also substitute really any nut butter, or even use sunflower seed butter if you want to keep it allergy friendly. Peanut butter is our favorite, taste-wise, and we love the natural peanut butter that is made from just peanuts and salt. Some peanut butters add oils and sugar so read the ingredient label!
    • Honey - A tiny bit of honey here adds a bit more sweetness and ties together the peanut butter and marshmallow. You could substitute maple syrup or white or brown sugar if you don't have honey.
    • Butter - Butter helps everything melt together and keeps your treats from sticking to the pan. You could also substitute coconut oil if you want these to be dairy free Rice Krispies Treats.
    • Optional Toppings - We love these Rice Krispies Treats with M&M's and white chocolate chips, but you can also add any type of chocolate chips or chopped candy bars, Reeces Pieces, sprinkles, or just leave them plain.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    A close up of high protein rice crispy treats squares.

    Instructions

    Start by adding your dry ingredients, the cereal, oats and seeds to a large bowl. Add your marshmallow, peanut butter, honey and butter to a sauce pan with a lid.

    A bowl of rice krispies and dry ingredients and a pot of marshmallow, peanut butter ready to melt.

    Melt your marshmallow mixture over medium low heat, COVERED, for about 10 minutes without opening the lid or stirring.

    Marshmallow mixture melted and not stirred together.

    Remove from the heat and stir. Work quickly, you want everything to mix while it's hot!

    Peanut butter marshmallow mixture melted together, light brown in color.

    Keep stirring until everything is incorporated, a few marshmallow chunks is ok!

    A large bowl with the peanut butter marshmallow mixing in with the rice krispies and other dry ingredients.

    Pour into your dry ingredients.

    A bowl of rice krispies treats being mixed.

    Mix until well combined.

    Press the mixture into a 9x9 pan with your spatula or your hands. Add toppings and press them into the top, optional but delicious! Allow to set for 30 minutes before slicing!

    A square red pan with the finished protein rice krispy treats with M&M's and white chocolate chips.

    Storage

    Storage - These high protein Rice Crispy Treats will keep on the counter for up to 6 days if tightly covered or the squares transferred to an airtight container. They are perfect to make ahead for a weekend at the cabin, a pool party or any occasion!

    Freezer - Peanut Butter Rice Krispies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool completely first.

    Holiday Variations

    Rice Krispies Treats with M&M's make them perfect to adapt to any holiday!

    • Christmas - Add red and green M&M's along with white chocolate chips.
    • Halloween - Try orange, yellow and brown M&M's with a drizzle of melted chocolate. You can also chop up some of those Halloween candy bars to press into the top!
    • Valentine's Day - Go for the red, pink and white M&M's or even top them with candy hearts and sprinkles.
    • Fourth of July - Red, white and blue M&M's or some white chocolate chips make a festive, easy dessert!
    Rice krispie protein bars cut into squares with M&M's.

    Top Tip

    You can cut these bars into 9 squares or cut those squares into 18 triangles for smaller portions. You can also double the recipe to feed more people!

    Can I Make this Protein Rice Crispy Bar Recipe Gluten Free?

    Yes! Regular Rice Krispies cereal are not guaranteed to be gluten free, but they do make a gluten free version of the cereal. There are also other gluten free brands of similar rice cereal. Most brands of marshmallows are gluten free so just check the label. All other ingredients in this recipe are gluten free!

    Can I Make Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats with different kinds of cereal?

    Yes! If you really want to switch things up, these Rice Krispie peanut butter squares can be made by substituting Cheerios, Chex, Reeses Puffs, Kix, Cocoa Puffs, Cocoa Krispies, or even combinations! Really any cereal out there will work, but since peanut butter is your main flavor, avoid colored fruit flavored cereals like Fruity Pebbles.

    More Kid-Favorite Recipes!

    • Peanut Butter Nutella Protein Balls
    • Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
    • Pumpkin Protein Waffles
    • Black Bean Protein Brownies

    Love this Recipe?

    Leave a 5 Star Rating in the comment section below! And follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, and FACEBOOK for loads of garden recipes!

    Subscribe Here to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox!

    A peanut butter rice krispie treat bar topped with m&m's and white chocolate chips.

    Peanut Butter Protein Rice Krispies Treats

    Meryl Downing
    Peanut Butter Protein Rice Krispies Treats are a delicious twist on a classic treat! Soft and chewy with gooey marshmallows, and packed with extra protein from the peanut butter, oats, sunflower and flax seeds. A kid-favorite with a bit of extra substance, call them dessert OR a snack-treat!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
    • ½ cup regular rolled oats
    • ¼ cup sunflower seeds
    • 1 Tablespoon flax seeds
    • 3 cups marshmallow about 25 large marshmallows
    • ½ cup peanut butter
    • 3 Tablespoons honey
    • 3 Tablespoons butter

    Instructions
     

    • Add cereal, oats, and seeds to a large bowl and mix.
    • Add marshmallows, peanut butter, honey and butter to a sauce pan, COVER, and melt over medium low heat for about 10 minutes. Don't open the lid or stir, the cover helps steam and melt the marshmallows.
    • Mix heated ingredients together with a spatula or whisk until they are well combined. A few chunks of marshmallow is ok if it doesn't totally incorporate.
    • Pour warm ingredients into dry ingredients and mix immediately with a spatula until well combined. Work quickly, it's easier to mix when it's hot! Transfer to a 9x9 pan and press into the pan with the spatula or your hands.
    • Optional, top with mini M&M's and white chocolate chips. Press them in lightly so they stick. Allow to set for 30 minutes, cut into 9 squares (cut each square diagonally into 2 triangles if you want 18 smaller portions) and enjoy!

    Notes

    Store homemade protein Rice Crispy Treats on the counter for up to 6 days, tightly covered, or cut into squares and transferred to an airtight container.  They can also be frozen.  
    Keyword Protein Rice Crispy Treats, Protein Rice Krispy Treats
    « Bruschetta with Cherry Tomatoes
    Grandpa's Spaghetti & Meatballs »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Profile Picture

    Welcome to Sungrown Kitchen!

    Hey guys!  I'm Meryl, chef, gardener, and mother of two little Minnesotans.  The Sungrown Kitchen combines two of my favorite things that naturally go hand in hand...cooking and gardening (read more)

    Subscribe

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Spring Asparagus Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
    • Garden Fresh Asparagus Soup
    • Creamy Asparagus Ravioli with Sausage and Peas
    • Chopped Dinner Salad with Roasted Potatoes

    Weeknight Dinners

    • Garden BLT's with Pesto Aioli
    • Grilled Split Italian Sausages with Giardiniera
    • Creamy Farfalle Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas
    • Chicken Apple Potstickers

    Garden Recipes

    • Cherry Tomato Pico de Gallo for the Freezer
    • Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
    • Healthier Berry Rhubarb Crisp - Gluten Free
    • Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest




    Copyright © 2022 SunGrownKitchen.com