• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Plant-Based Cooking
  • Start Here
    • Introduction
    • What is a Plant-Based Diet?
    • Freebies
    • 12 Tips for Starting
    • Got Questions?
    • Meal Planning Myths
    • Nutrition Needs
    • Plant-Based Myths
    • Stock Your Pantry
    • Tools, Tips and Freebies
    • Uncommon Ingredients
    • What to Expect
    • Why Eat Plants?
  • Recipes
    • 12 Most Popular
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Gluten-Free
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Plantricious
    • Recipe Roundups
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces & Condiments
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Stews
  • Articles
    • All Articles
    • Cooking Tips
    • Food Facts
    • Getting Started
    • Interviews
    • Meal Planning
    • Nutrition
    • Reader Questions
    • Staying Motivated
    • Success Stories
  • Freebies
    • Subscribe
    • Resource List
    • Freebie Articles
    • Freebie Login
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Cookbooks/Recipes
    • Kitchen Essentials
    • Pantry Essentials
  • About
    • About PB Cooking
    • About Diane
    • Diane’s Health Journey
    • Contact
  • Cookbook
Home » Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars

Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars

May 20, 2020 By Diane Smith 6 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
PinterestFacebook
Jump to Recipe

I can remember it like it was yesterday. When I was a kid, my favorite food to bring to any function was Rice Krispie Treats! All that gooey goodness of marshmallows, butter, and Rice Krispies. What kid, or adult for that matter, doesn’t love butter and sugar? Well, it’s been quite a while since I’ve had those treats, but today I’m sharing these plant-based chocolate rice crispy bars, a much healthier version that might just be as satisfying. 

These Rice Crispy Bars are made with plant-based ingredients. Think nut butter, instead of butter, maple it date syrup for sweetness instead of marshmallows, and a touch of chocolate and walnuts to make them even yummier and healthy. Oh yeah!

And, the cool thing about this rice crispy recipe is that you can switch out ingredients for variety. Use any kind of nut butter. I find that cashew butter is the mildest, but if you like peanut butter and chocolate this is the combo for you. You can leave out the chocolate chips if you want or add chopped peanuts, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseeds, or even dried fruit. Instead of maple syrup, I’ve also tried date syrup.

Now I know we want to eat as little sugar as we can on a whole food plant-based diet but a pretty decent plant-based treat once in a while is OK in my book. However, if you’re one to go crazy on certain foods, remind yourself to try something else and just pass by this recipe. 

I also have Plantritious Certified and Friendly recipes if you are looking for very low salt, high fiber, and low sugars (including no maple or date syrup).

chocolate rice crispy bars pin from plantbasedcooking.com.

How to Make Healthier Rice Crispie Bars

These are quite easy to make. First, you’ll but the wet ingredients plus the cocoa powder into a small bowl and microwave for a few seconds to melt everything together. Then, you’ll add this to a bowl full of brown rice crispies and old-fashioned oats, and walnuts and mix with a little elbow grease. You might even need to get your hands in there to make sure everything is covered in the ooey-gooey mixture. 

Then, place it in a baking dish and firmly push it into all corners, smoothing the top. Did I say firmly?

Bake for just 8-10 minutes and let cool all the way, a very important step, because these can be a little crumbly otherwise. 

Now dive in! These Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars are a little bit like granola bars. They’re chewy, crunchy, with a bit of sweetness and would be great in your kid’s lunchbox, too.

If you’re craving other healthy snacks you might like one of these:

  • Carrot Chocolate Chip Cookies: made with a secret ingredient
  • Mint Chocolate Smoothie: taste like ice cream
  • Pumpkin Chia Pudding: very quick to make
  • Avocado Brownies: these are amazing
  • Chocolate Mousse: great for company

I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below for this Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars Recipe! If you have a photo, post it on Instagram, tag me using the hashtag #plantbasedcooking in your caption, and I won’t miss it!

Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars
Print Recipe
4.60 from 5 votes
Save Saved!

Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars

A delicious chocolate treat for snack or dessert that’s sure to please your sweet tooth while being true to your plant-based diet. Add peanut butter instead of almond butter or other nuts or seeds for variety.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Servings: 9 servings

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
  • Spatula Set
  • 8x8 Square Glass Baking Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups puffed brown rice cereal
  • 1/3 cup unsalted chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup almond butter (cashew or peanut butter)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder (or cacao)
  • 1/4 cup mini vegan chocolate chips (for topping - optional)
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Preheat over to 350°F. Add oats, rice cereal, and walnuts to a large bowl.
  • In a separate microwavable bowl, add almond butter, vanilla, maple syrup, and cocoa and heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds to loosen the mixture. Stir with a spatula to fully combine.
  • Scoop the nut butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Working quickly, stir and press with a spatula until well combined. It will be very thick.
  • These tend to crumble so very firmly press into all edges of an 8 x 8" baking dish, then press a few chocolate chips into the top, if using, and bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

  • These are thinner like granola bars, but if you'd like a taller bar, double the recipe and use the same size baking dish
  • Leave out the cocoa powder if you'd like them without it.
  • Add dried fruit for a changeup
  • Add nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for variety.
Nutrition label does not have chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars
Amount per Serving
Calories
141
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
2.7
g
4
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.5
g
3
%
Cholesterol
 
0
mg
0
%
Sodium
 
4
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
157
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
26.6
g
9
%
Fiber
 
2.4
g
10
%
Sugar
 
7.6
g
8
%
Protein
 
3.3
g
7
%
Calcium
 
20
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1.6
mg
9
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
The nutrition information is a rough estimate. Values will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it’s recommended that you calculate your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
Tried this recipe?Tag @PlantBasedCooking on Intagram!

PinterestFacebook

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrea Wright

    May 24, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    This looks good! Do you have to grease the baking dish so they don’t stick ?

    Reply
    • Diane Smith

      May 24, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      They did not stick in my glass dish. You could spray a little non-stick cooking spray or use parchment paper if you’re worried. My brown rice cereal (Barbara’s brand) had a little sugar in them so if you use rice cereal without sugar, taste the batter to see if it’s sweet enough for you. Everyone’s taste for sugar varies although we’re trying to cut down, right?

      Reply
  2. Angela Hill

    January 8, 2021 at 10:31 am

    After the rice crispy bars cooled and cut they crumbled. I followed the directions exactly and waited to cut and remove from the glass pan until they cooled but they crumbled. Would adding a flax egg to the mixture help keep the bars from crumbling?

    Reply
    • Diane Smith

      January 8, 2021 at 11:24 am

      These can tend to crumble. It’s important that you press them hard into the pan before cooking. I like your suggestion for a flax egg. I’ll have to try that next time I make them or let me know if you try it.

      Reply
  3. Angela Hill

    January 14, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    The addition of a flax egg made it easier to mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and spread it in the pan. The texture after baking was more like a brownie than a rice crispy treat. They didn’t crumble when cooled and cut. I prefer the crunchy and will make them again without the flax egg and press the mixture down hard in the pan before baking. If you prefer a brownie like bar add a flax egg. Either way they are a delicious treat.

    Reply
    • Diane Smith

      January 20, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks, Angela, that’s good to know! So glad you’re enjoying them.

      Reply
4.60 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Get Social

Plant Based Cooking on Facebook   Plant Based Cooking on Instagram   Plant Based Cooking on Pinterest   Plant Based Cooking on Twitter   Plant Based Cooking on YouTube

Meet Diane

WELCOME TO PLANT-BASED COOKING

Hi! I'm Diane, and I'd love to help you live a plant-based lifestyle with steps, tools and actions for disease reversal, weight loss and renewed vitality. I hope to make your journey easier. Click here to read more.

Top 50 Vegan Blogs of 2025

Graduate Badge

Sign Up Intro

Join my list and get your free checklist, “8 Plant-Based Meal Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them” plus a helpful bonus meal planning worksheet.

Leadpages signup button

 

Join me on Facebook

Plant-Based Cooking on Facebook Like Sign Up Plant-Based CoOoking on Facebook

Christmas

See More →

New Year’s Day

See More →

Game Day

Positive Thought

How to Create Plant-Based Affirmations That Work

Dried Herbs

How to Store and Refresh Herbs

A Quick Guide to Making Veggie Bowls

20 Vegan Plant-Based Casserole Recipes

Plant-Based Casserole Roundup

Photo of Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts

The Power of Green Foods in Your Diet

Plant-Based Meat words surrounded by fake meats

The Pros and Cons of Fake Vegan Meat

Spiralized Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes, and Beets

How to Make Veggie Noodles

Hands cooking stir fry with wooden spoon.

How to Make a Recipe Plant-Based

Roasted Potatoes

Roasting Vegetables without Oil

Valentine’s Day

See More →

St. Patrick’s Day

See More →

Easter

Positive Thought

How to Create Plant-Based Affirmations That Work

Dried Herbs

How to Store and Refresh Herbs

A Quick Guide to Making Veggie Bowls

20 Vegan Plant-Based Casserole Recipes

Plant-Based Casserole Roundup

Photo of Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts

The Power of Green Foods in Your Diet

Plant-Based Meat words surrounded by fake meats

The Pros and Cons of Fake Vegan Meat

Spiralized Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes, and Beets

How to Make Veggie Noodles

Hands cooking stir fry with wooden spoon.

How to Make a Recipe Plant-Based

Roasted Potatoes

Roasting Vegetables without Oil

Cinco de Mayo

See More →

Mother’s Day

See More →

Memorial Day

See More →

Father’s Day

See More →

Fourth of July

See More →

Labor Day

See More →

Halloween

See More →

Thanksgiving

Hanukkah

See More →

Footer

Instagram

Pinterest

            Plant Based Cooking on YouTube

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

Recent Articles

Positive Thought

How to Create Plant-Based Affirmations That Work

Dried Herbs

How to Store and Refresh Herbs

A Quick Guide to Making Veggie Bowls

Contact: diane@plantbasedcooking.com

Copyright © 2021 Plant Based Cooking

chocolate rice crispy bars pin from plantbasedcooking.com.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.