A crunchy, healthy dessert with a high protein twist. These protein rice Krispies are a rich combination of peanut butter, maple syrup, and collagen powder to bring you 12 grams of protein and a whole lot of flavor.
Learning how to eat more protein doesn’t mean giving up the treats you love! These peanut butter protein Rice Krispie treats are one of my favorite ways to curb cravings and boost daily protein, without using marshmallows. With minimal prep and no baking, these protein rice krispies make an easy snack or semi-healthy dessert for both moms and kids.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach (and someone with a serious sweet tooth), I use simple, high-protein recipes like this one in my Strong and Sweet Protein Guide to show busy moms that a high-protein diet can be both effective and enjoyable. These no-marshmallow protein bars are proof that nourishing your body doesn't mean skipping out on flavor.
In fact, after baseball practice, my kids ask for these. It's a total mom win.
Why No Marshmallows & Why Collagen?”
Most traditional Rice Krispie treats rely on marshmallows for sweetness and binding, but that also means lots of sugar and processed ingredients. These bars skip the marshmallows in favor of peanut butter and natural sweeteners to hold everything together.
To boost the nutrition even further, I add collagen protein. It blends smoothly, supports joint and skin health, and delivers 12g of protein per bar (check out more collagen powder recipes). It's a simple swap that keeps all the chewy, nostalgic goodness, without the sugar crash.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: Only 5 main ingredients and no baking required.
Indulgent: The base recipe is delicious but you can also top them with a thick chocolate or even sprinkles to make them more like dessert.
Healthy: With 12 grams of protein and naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, these protein rice Krispies are a healthy way to indulge your sweet tooth.
Ingredients and Substitutions
You can peek at the ingredients below. Make sure to use natural peanut butter so that it mixes with the oil properly. Also, grab crispy rice cereal and not rice puffs. Otherwise, the bars will be chewy and not crispy.
Collagen powder is the secret ingredient for these protein Rice Krispie squares. You can try protein powder but it’ll absorb differently and may make the bars more crumbly.
Expert Tips To Make It
Take care to mix the ingredients well so that everything is sticky. If pieces are left uncoated the base of the bars will crumble.
Likewise, when pressing everything into the tray, give it all you’ve got. The firmer you press them the better they hold together.
The chocolate topping on the peanut butter Rice Krispies is optional and not included in the nutritional breakdown. If I’m using these squares as a snack, I don’t top them. If I want to make a dessert, I add it.
You need fresh peanut butter so that it mixes evenly and well. The hard part at the bottom of the jar won’t bind everything.
The squares are BIG if you cut them into a 3x3. If you want to scale back the calories, cut the pan into 12 squares.
If you’re topping the peanut butter Rice Krispies with chocolate, let the baking pan sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before you slice them so that the chocolate doesn’t crack.
How To Store Them
The protein Rice Krispies are stored best in the freezer or fridge in an airtight container. Once the squares have been set, bring them out of the freezer to portion/cut them. Then, store them in the fridge for up to a week or the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you want to enjoy one from the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes or pop it into the fridge the night before.
How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Rice Krispies
Step 1: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 2: Mix until coated and portion the rice Krispie mixture into the lined pan.
Step 3: Use another sheet of parchment paper on top to press the mixture into the pan until it’s evenly distributed.
Step 3: Melt together the chocolate chips and oil and pour over the bars. Smooth it out and freeze the bars to set.
Step 5: Let them thaw briefly before slicing.
Flavor Variations
There are so many ways to make these Rice Krispies treats unique! Some of my favorite ones are below.
Nut free: To make this recipe nut free, just use sunflower seed butter in place of peanut butter.
Festive sprinkles: If using these protein Rice Krispie treats for a special gathering, instead of chocolate I like to add colorful, themed sprinkles into the mix or press on top of the squares
Chocolate chips: Just like these regular healthy Rice Krispies treats, you could add some mini chocolate chips into the mix after you’ve added the coconut oil so that they don’t melt.
Drizzle: Drizzling the treats with a dairy-free caramel sauce is always a delicious option.
Salted peanut butter: Sprinkling on some flakey sea salt after you press the squares is a tasty sweet, and salty flavor.
FAQs
Yes! In place of peanut butter, use SunButter (sunflower seed butter). I would opt for the regular one as it’s a bit sweeter than the normal one.
Yes! Make sure the chocolate on top has fully set. Then, place them in a freezer bag in a single layer or separated by sheets of parchment paper and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To keep your protein Rice Krispie treats crispy, make sure they’re stored in an airtight container in the fridge and kept away from moisture or heat. Let them fully set before slicing, and avoid stacking them directly; use parchment paper between layers if needed.
You can use whey protein or a beef protein powder in place of the collagen powder for the squares. However, plant-based protein powder will absorb too much liquid and make too dense a texture.
More High Protein Desserts You'll Love
Peanut Butter Protein Rice Krispies [No Marshmallow]
Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups Crispy rice cereal
- ½ cup Coconut oil measured solid
- ⅔ cup Collagen powder
- ½ cup Maple syrup natural
- ⅔ cup Natural peanut butter
- 1.5 cups Vegan chocolate chips
- 1.5 teaspoons Coconut oil
Instructions
- Melt the coconut oil over low heat and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the collagen and crispy rice cereal.
- Mix the peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil together until smooth and pour it into the crispy rice.
- Mix until everything is sticky, leaving no dry spots.
- Portion the rice Krispie mixture into the lined pan. Use another sheet of parchment paper on top to press the mixture into the pan until it’s evenly distributed. The harder you press the better your squares will hold together.
- If topping them with chocolate, melt together the chocolate chips and coconut oil over low heat. Mix until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate over the rice Krispie bars and smooth it out.
- Pop it into the freezer for 1 hour to set.
- Remove from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before slicing them into large squares.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Shelby S says
Sinking your teeth into one of these squares is pure bliss and the best way to chase away a crabby mood.