These Homemade Protein Rice Krispies Treats are a take on the classic Rice Krispies treats with the added benefit of having extra protein! These are the BEST rice krispies because they're so delicious, ready in only 10 minutes, and can even be made vegan if you prefer! These Rice Krispies protein bars are the perfect on the go snack!
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Recipe Ingredients
How to Make This - Step by Step
Step One: Melt butter over medium heat in a large pot.
Step Two: Add marshmallows to melted butter and continue to heat on low until almost melted and you are left with just gooey marshmallows. We like to use a silicone spatula for this because the marshmallows won’t stick to it.
Step Three: Mix in protein and vanilla! When marshmallows are almost completely melted, add the protein powder to the marshmallow mixture and continue to stir over low heat until powder is dissolved. Then, add vanilla extract and stir.
Step Four: Remove pot from heat and gently stir in cereal. The more careful you stir, the more tender the cereal bars will be. You can also move the cereal mixture to a large bowl to mix if your pot gets too full. Pour mixture into a lined square pan or airtight container (or one that can be covered tightly). Wetting a spatula with water is a good way to keep the mixture from sticking to it as you gently press the mixture into the prepared pan or container. The container or baking dish can be any size that is approximately 8x8 or even a bread pan size. It can be helpful to grease the pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray, or to line with parchment paper.
Step Five: Let cool and Enjoy!
Watch How to Make This - Step by Step
Quick Facts
How long do these bars take to make?
These high protein rice crispy treats take 10 minutes to make and 30 minutes to set.
Does this recipe meet my dietary needs?
This recipe is high protein! It can also be made gluten free, dairy free, or vegan with the use of vegan marshmallows, gluten free crisp rice cereal, and/or plant based vanilla protein.
How many bowls should I plan for this recipe?
1 large non-stick pot and 1 pan or large Tupperware
How long do these last?
These treats will keep for about 3 days covered or 2 weeks wrapped tightly in plastic wrap before they start to become stale.
Can I use any protein powder in this recipe?
Any type of protein will work, but we recommend vanilla for the classic rice krispies taste. Any other flavor will result in a much very different recipe. As far as protein brands go - we highly recommend I Heart Macros or KOS for a vegan protein. These proteins do not have a traditional chalky taste and are much easier on the stomach for those who have a hard time digesting protein.
How do I make this vegan?
This recipe can be made vegan with the use of vegan butter (like Earth Balance), vegan protein powder (like KOS), and vegan marshmallows (like Dandies).
Does Rice Krispies cereal have protein?
A serving of rice krispies cereal on it's own has 3g of protein. These rice crispy protein bars have added protein powder so they have much more protein than Rice Kripies on their own!
Does rice contain gluten?
Natural forms of rice are gluten free. However, the cereal Rice Krisipies is not gluten free.
Substitution Options
All substitution options are a 1:1 substitution unless noted otherwise.
Rice Krispies: Classic Rice Krispies are one of the all time childhood favorites, but many types of cereal will work for this recipe. A crispy rice based, such as white rice or brown rice crisps, or lighter cereal is preferred. Fruity Pebbles and cocoa krispies also make for a tasty crispy treat!
Marshmallows: Any size marshmallow, and either plain or vanilla marshmallows can be used. See the notes above for our preferred brands. Marshmallow fluff will not work since it does not become solid at room temperature.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla beans and vanilla bean paste can be used, in a reduced quantity. Origines Paradise Provisions is our favorite vanilla extract.
Butter: Coconut oil may work but this has not been tested. Although using coconut oil and a vegan marshmallow would make this recipe into vegan protein rice krispies! Salted or Unsalted butter can be used or vegan butter.
Vanilla Protein Powder: Any vanilla protein powder can be used such as plant protein powder or whey protein powder. This can also be omitted.
Toppings: We love to add a chocolate topping (after you spread the rice krispies into the pan) to make these into chocolate protein rice krispies! Natural peanut butter is also a delicious addition to add on top of these bars, and the result is a tasty peanut butter cup flavor!
Fun Fact!
Rice is one of the staple foods of the world, being the main thing that people eat in many countries. Did you know that sticky rice holds the Great Wall of China together? It’s true! The stones in the wall are held together by a “mortar” that consists of sticky rice and calcium carbonate. This rice mortar has held together since the 15th and 16th centuries when the wall was built. That’s some strong rice! (source)
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Recipe
Homemade Protein Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 4 cups rice krispies cereal
- 10 oz marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- Melt butter over low to medium heat in large non stick pot
- Add marshmallows to melted butter and stir continuously over low heat until marshmallows are almost melted. Using a silicon spatula for this will help keep the marshmallow from sticking to everything.
- Add protein powder and vanilla and stir until dissolved and marshmallows are completely melted
- Remove from heat and add cereal
- Stir gently (the more gentle you stir, the more tender the bars will be) until cereal is completely coated
- Transfer mixture to a resealable 8x8 container and gently press into pan. When pressing into pan, get silicon spatula wet and then press. This helps to keep the mixture from sticking to the spatula
- Let set for 30 minutes to set up and enjoy!
Barb McGowan says
Love these!
Mika says
Glad to hear it, thank you!
Lucas says
These are so yummy and so easy to make!
Hannah says
These look heavenly!! Can’t wait to make them!!
Andrea says
I have been looking for ways to add more protein into my diet and now that I’ve found this recipe I’m going to have to try not to over do it! These taste just like the OG treat but better and they’re super easy to make!
BK says
I couldn’t even tell there was protein powder, so good!
Mika says
Right!? They are just so good!
MArk says
Talk about a tasty treat! These protein treats are everything I dream of. I can't screw them up and they taste delicious!