If you love peanut butter balls (aka buckeyes) or peanut butter Rice Krispie treats, then these are just for you! I made them slightly healthier by removing the butter and extra sugar, using a small amount of honey, choosing peanut butter with just peanuts and salt, using dark chocolate and less of it, and adding protein powder adding chia seeds to up the protein and fiber to make them more satisfying!
Nutrition info per square: 130 calories, 7 g protein, 9 g fat, 10 g carbs, and 2 g fiber
Crispy Peanut Butter Protein Squares
What you need:
3/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup honey or pure maple syrup
2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
Sprinkle of salt, if peanut butter is unsalted
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
3 cups Rice Krispies or other puffed rice cereal
3 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup dark chocolate, melted
What you do:
1. Line and 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper
2. Place a medium pot over low heat. Add peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Heat until smooth and combined, stirring frequently.
3. Remove from heat and mix in protein powder until combined.
4. Stir in rice Krispies until cereal is coated.
5. Press mixture into parchment paper-lined pan with spatula. Spread into pan until top is flattened.
6. Sprinkle bars with chia seeds
7. Spread melted chocolate chips evenly over the top of the bars.
8. Cover and place in refrigerator until chocolate is set. Cut into 16 squares and Enjoy!
9. Store bars in the fridge. Can be frozen to enjoy for later as well!
Healthy with Hannah 