High-Protein PB&J Rice Krispie Bars (Printable Version)

Nostalgic crispy rice bars layered with protein peanut butter drizzle and fruit jelly swirls for a satisfying high-protein snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cereal Base

01 - 4 cups crisp rice cereal
02 - 1.5 cups mini marshmallows
03 - 0.25 cup unsalted butter
04 - 0.25 cup creamy peanut butter
05 - 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Protein Drizzle

07 - 0.5 cup vanilla protein powder
08 - 0.33 cup creamy peanut butter
09 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
10 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

→ Jelly Swirl

11 - 0.33 cup fruit jelly or jam

# How-To Steps:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and peanut butter together. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
03 - Add the crisp rice cereal to the mixture and fold until evenly coated throughout.
04 - Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking pan.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together protein powder, peanut butter, almond milk, and maple syrup until smooth and pourable. Adjust milk quantity for desired consistency.
06 - Drizzle the protein mixture evenly over the pressed cereal layer.
07 - Spoon small dollops of jelly over the top. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the jelly and protein drizzle together for a marbled effect.
08 - Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until completely set.
09 - Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and cut into 12 equal squares.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Nostalgic Flavor: Captures the classic pairing of peanut butter and jelly in a crunchy bar form.
  • Protein-Rich: With 7g of protein per serving, it is a satisfying snack option.
  • Quick Prep: Takes only 20 minutes of active time to prepare.
  • Customizable: Easy to adapt for different dietary needs, such as making it nut-free.
02 -
  • Parchment Paper: Using an overhang makes it much easier to lift the entire block out of the pan once chilled.
  • Drizzle Consistency: If your protein mixture is too thick to pour, add a tiny bit more milk until it reaches a smooth consistency.
  • Marble Effect: Use a light touch with a skewer to create the swirls so you don't overmix the jelly into the protein layer.
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