Sink your teeth into these crunchy, chewy, peanut butter crunch bars! An easy, no-bake combination of crispy rice, peanut butter, and maple syrup swirled in with melted chocolate these crunch bars whip up in just a few minutes ad make the perfect dessert!
As a busy mom, I am all about desserts in a pinch!
But as a Certified Nutrition Coach, I also want something somewhat healthy. Thus, recipes like peanut butter crunch bars (or my healthy rice krispie squares) become staples pretty fast for any kind of gathering.
These dark chocolate, peanut butter crunch bars come together in just five minutes and need only thirty more minutes to set. They're a great snack to bust a craving (just like this roundup of healthy snacks for when you're craving chocolate).
Thus making them a great recipe for impromptu parties.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 5 ingredients make them easy to make
- A healthier twist on a classic recipe
- Peanut butter and dark chocolate is the best flavor combo
- A hit with kids and adults alike
- Dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan
- Perfect for Halloween, chocolate cravings, and family get-togethers
Ingredients You Need
Coconut oil: make sure not to use another oil as coconut oil changes texture once chilled which is what helps hold these peanut butter crunch bars together.
Opt for real Canadian maple syrup for the best flavor. Honey will work as well but as written this recipe is vegan.
Peanut butter: opt for natural peanut butter so that the oil in it is mixed in with the puffed rice.
Crunchy peanut butter works as well for a funky flavor switch up.
Cacao powder: chocolate in its purest form and what gives these crunch bars their dark chocolate flavor. Learn more about cacao powder (not cocoa powder) and how chocolate can improve your health!
Crispy rice: a gluten-free cereal that replaces regular rice krispies in traditional recipes. Also called crispy rice cereal, they're not as crispy but have a wicked crunchy, chewy texture.
How To Make Them
- Melt: Over low heat, melt the coconut oil, maple syrup, and peanut butter until just melted.
- Mix until smooth.
- Stir in the cacao powder and mix until no clumps remain.
- Add in the rice cereal and stir until coated.
- Pour the mixture into an 8x4, parchment paper-lined loaf pan (or a silicone mold). Smooth it down until it's even and sprinkle the sea salt on top.
- Freeze for 30 minutes and let sit for three minutes before serving. Enjoy slightly chilled.
Expert Tips To Make Them
Sprinkle sea salt on top of the bars before freezing for the BEST flavor.
Make sure to use crispy rice and not puffed rice or you'll have a chewy texture.
The bars taste best chilled but at room temperature, they won't hold together perfectly for long. So, enjoy them chilled from the fridge.
The bars have a very dark chocolate flavor, if you prefer a sweeter chocolate flavor, use cocoa powder in place of cacao. It's a bit more processed and thus naturally sweeter.
You could also mix a few dairy-free chocolate chips into the crispy rice mixture for added sweetness.
Store the bars in the fridge for 7-10 days or the freezer for up to three months.
However, the texture alters a bit when stored in the freezer.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Useful
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
For homemade crunch bars most people use a base of rice krispies. However, for a gluten-free version, puffed rice cereal or "crispy rice cereal is what's used.
If you need to make chocolate peanut butter crunch bars nut-free, replace the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
Other Super Easy Dessert Recipes For Moms
- Gluten-free rice krispies
- Peanut butter fudge
- Homemade chocolate bars
- Cookie dough protein balls
- Salted chocolate mug cake
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars (dairy-free)
Video
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup coconut oil measured solid
- ½ cup cacao powder
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbs maple syrup
- 2 cup crispy rice cereal
- ½ teaspoon sea salt optional
Instructions
- In a medium pot combine the coconut oil, syrup, and peanut butter. Heat over extremely low heat until coconut oil is melted. Whiskhisk until everything is combined.
- Stir in the cacao powder and mix until no clumps remain and chocolate is smooth.
- Pour the rice puffs into the pot and mix until they're all coated.
- Line an 8x4 pan with parchment paper and pour the mixture into the pan. Use a silicone spatula to smooth the mixture until even. Sprinkle the sea salt over top if using.
- Freeze for thirty minutes. Remove from the freezer and let sit for three minutes before cutting.
- Enjoy slightly chilled!
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
These chocolate, peanut butter crunch bars make the perfect dessert or chocolate-curbing snack.
Likewise, they’re easy to make, keep in the freezer well and you can’t eat too many of them.
They combine the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate while adding a little bit of crunch! Plus, you can adjust the sweetness to your preference, so really, they rock!
Samantha says
Love easy recipes that can easily be made to fit my lifestyle! Thanks for sharing! Saving this for later.
fitasamamabear says
No problem Samantha- hope you enjoy them!
Esse D says
These look absolutely amazing! I'm typically not a fiend for chocolate, but when I get in the mood, it's hard too dial it back. I think the texture would also be a nice additive with the chocolate.
fitasamamabear says
Not a chocolate fiend... people like that exist?! Jk 😀 I think anything crunch is addictive so I'm a bit biased on that one too 😉
Cori @ Sweet Coralice says
Mmm, I love dark chocolate! I actually prefer it to milk or white chocolate most of the time and this sounds like a really good snack with a good crunch! Plus, the fact that they have peanut butter makes them even more desirable! 😉
fitasamamabear says
I'm a dark chocolate person too- it's funny how my taste buds have changed! I love this recipe because you can adjust the sweetness based on your preference, so it's win win
Jody says
Those bars look Yummy! I will have to make it as a treat for my dark chocolate loving friends.
fitasamamabear says
Yes! I love dark chocolate- the darker the better! By the way... you're an awesome friend! lol
Ellen says
These would make a delicious after school snack.
fitasamamabear says
Oh that's awesome thinking!
Heather @ The Spicy Apron says
Dark chocolate is the only chocolate for me! I'll definitely be giving these a try. They look great!
fitasamamabear says
I'm a dark chocolate fiend!! Most people like theirs a bit lighter though so this recipe is awesome because you can sweeten it to your liking 🙂
Courtney says
Chocolate is my favorite!! I can't wait to try these. They'll make a perfect snack for me in between my nursing sessions.
fitasamamabear says
You can't go wrong with chocolate... literally! 😀
Christine says
This looks delicious! I have some peanut butter chocolate lovers in this house that would just die for these. LOL! I'll give it a try. Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
Ohh let me know how everyone likes it! I like this recipe because you can add more "sweetness" depending on preference!
amanda says
You had me at peanut butter and chocolate. My favorite combo
fitasamamabear says
Haha I know right?!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
A chocolate PB treat will NEVER disappoint!
fitasamamabear says
Haha yes!! Best combo ever
Annmarie says
Oooh these do look yummy! And easy to make 😛
fitasamamabear says
Haha I'm all about easy!
Liz says
I love the chocolate and PB combo! These were so good- such a perfect snack!
fitasamamabear says
It's the best flavor combo!
wendie says
These bars were a hit! My youngest has a dairy allergy and these were perfect he loved them, he is already asking for another batch!
fitasamamabear says
Ah happy to hear it!
claudia says
Oh my these were a delight to have after my workout yesterday, I'm not sure they are going to last by the weekend...my family is going nuts for them! I loved how the sea salt added another delicious flavour to the crunch bar, thanks for the tip!
fitasamamabear says
They will definitely not last over the weekend haha
Jessica says
The fact that my kids love these is the perfect excuse to make them regularly. I love how easy they are to make and that I don't have to turn on the oven because it's about a million degrees outside right now. I especially love the sweet/salty combo with salt sprinkled on top.
fitasamamabear says
Honestly no bake snacks save my sanity most weeks!
Sarah says
We are a dairy-free, gluten-free household due to my kiddo's sensitivities, and I feel like it is so hard to find desserts that actually taste good. These were amazing and going in lunches every day this week! 😀
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Happy to help, I'm also Df/Gf so I know that struggle lol