Description
These Healthy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are a delicious and wholesome snack perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without turning on the oven. Combining natural peanut butter, crispy rice cereal, and rich dark chocolate, these bars offer a perfect balance of crunch and creaminess with just a hint of sea salt for extra flavor. Easy to prepare in just 10 minutes plus chilling time, they are ideal for busy days and make a great gluten-free, vegetarian treat loved by all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Peanut Butter Mixture
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cereal
- 2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal (gluten-free if needed)
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (for melting chocolate)
- Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set aside for easy removal of bars later.
- Melt Peanut Butter Mixture: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), and 1/4 cup coconut oil. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and fully melted, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Flavorings: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. This enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Combine with Cereal: Gently fold in the crispy rice cereal, ensuring every bit is evenly coated with the peanut butter mixture, giving the bars their signature crunch.
- Set the Base Layer: Press the coated cereal mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula or your hands for a compact base.
- Melt Chocolate: In a small microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate chips together with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil until smooth and glossy.
- Chocolate Layer: Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and spread it evenly with a spatula for a smooth finish.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the chocolate layer if desired to add a subtle salty contrast.
- Chill and Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 to 2 hours until the bars are firm and easy to cut.
- Serve and Store: Once set, lift the bars out of the pan, cut into 16 squares, and store them in the refrigerator. For longer shelf life, keep them in the freezer.
Notes
- Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal to make this recipe fully gluten-free.
- For a nut-free alternative, substitute peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
- These bars keep well refrigerated for up to a week and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Adjust sweetness by using maple syrup or honey according to your taste preference.
- Flaky sea salt topping is optional but enhances the flavor contrast beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
