I love making homemade granola and granola bars. In fact, that might be the next recipe I post. but today, I wanted something a little sweeter and decadent than my standard healthy granola bar recipe produces.
I was also in the mood for something with a little more crunch. For me, texture plays a huge part food. Sometimes i just want to eat something soft, like a big chewy cookie made even softer with oatmeal baked in. Other times, only something with a bite will do, and a nut-infused candy bar is the only thing that will satisfy me.
Today, the mood was crispy. I was specifically craving one of those crispy-style granola bars that Kid’s Cliff Bars makes, but i also felt like cooking, so i decided to make my own.
This recipe, like all recipes really, is just a guideline. Use whatever you have around the house – toss in your choice of nuts and toppings. Whatever you end up with, it’ll likely taste delicious!
another bonus – not that i am – but this recipe is gluten free for those who must be conscious of it!
nutty brown rice krispie treats
For the bars:
- 4 cups brown rice krispies (regular will also work)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey (or agave)
- 1 cup peanut or almond butter
- 3/4 cup nuts (i used almond and cashew today)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (or butterscotch or white chocolate chips)
- 1 cup chocolate chips, melted (for optional drizzle on top)
Directions:
- Melt butter in the microwave (about 30 seconds). Add brown sugar and mix.
- Add honey to brown sugar/butter. Mix again.
- Add peanut butter. To make stirring easier, it may help to microwave for about 20 seconds before mixing.
- Fold in cereal. Mix with a spatula or large spoon until evenly coated. If they aren’t “sticky” enough at this point, add more honey until they are sticky!
- Add nuts & chocolate chips.
- Pour into a 9×13 pan that has been buttered or sprayed with cooking spray.
- Melt remaining chocolate chips in the microwave, and drizzle on top of bars.
- Place in the fridge to let them firm up.
- Cut, eat, enjoy! 🙂
![Done! I am officially Katherine Baker, MS Human Nutrition, MPH Environmental Health Science. These letters mean very little to me compared to the things I learned in the classroom and the moments I shared with classmates, and how greatly my mind has evolved in terms of thinking as a health scientist and problem-solver. I am SO grateful to have completed not one, but three degrees in NYC, and so thankful for my greatest supporter/study buddy @millie_the_nugget who has been there with me through it all (swipe for throwback photos from my past Columbia and NYU graduations). What is next? I am delighted to announce I have accepted a full time position....as a student of course (cue exactly no one being surprised)! I am so so humbled to have accepted a spot as a PhD student in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University starting in fall. I will be working towards PhD/RD status and want to integrate environmental health into nutrition and hope to further elucidate how our changing environment impacts nutrition, and help create a more sustainable, safe, nutritious, and equitable food system to feed the future. I also hope to be able to continue to share all I’ve been so fortunate to learn with others through writing and other media. The past many years have been incredibly challenging and I have spent a great deal of the past decade glued to textbooks and computer screens, spent many weekends studying instead of socializing, have endured many weeks of stress to the point of feeling like I’m going to break, and still have no idea what it’s like to make a salary (lol). BUT I recognize that I’m extraordinarily privileged to have been able to follow my passions and study what I’ve loved so much. Maybe it’s my public health degree talking, but the older I get the more I recognize how lucky I have been. I did absolutely nothing to have been born into such an incredible public school district, where I always felt safe and happy, and had teachers who fostered my love of learning and continuously challenged me. I was also privileged enough to happen to have had parents who drove me to extracurriculars and dance lessons [cont in comments]](http://scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/193b6b25f2c68803f6068c95e5d10482/5DA98ECA/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/60426540_2195203280569347_1867709081012730455_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com "Done! I am officially Katherine Baker, MS Human Nutrition, MPH Environmental Health Science. These letters mean very little to me compared to the things I learned in the classroom and the moments I shared with classmates, and how greatly my mind has evolved in terms of thinking as a health scientist and problem-solver. I am SO grateful to have completed not one, but three degrees in NYC, and so thankful for my greatest supporter/study buddy @millie_the_nugget who has been there with me through it all (swipe for throwback photos from my past Columbia and NYU graduations). What is next? I am delighted to announce I have accepted a full time position....as a student of course (cue exactly no one being surprised)! I am so so humbled to have accepted a spot as a PhD student in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University starting in fall. I will be working towards PhD/RD status and want to integrate environmental health into nutrition and hope to further elucidate how our changing environment impacts nutrition, and help create a more sustainable, safe, nutritious, and equitable food system to feed the future. I also hope to be able to continue to share all I’ve been so fortunate to learn with others through writing and other media. The past many years have been incredibly challenging and I have spent a great deal of the past decade glued to textbooks and computer screens, spent many weekends studying instead of socializing, have endured many weeks of stress to the point of feeling like I’m going to break, and still have no idea what it’s like to make a salary (lol). BUT I recognize that I’m extraordinarily privileged to have been able to follow my passions and study what I’ve loved so much. Maybe it’s my public health degree talking, but the older I get the more I recognize how lucky I have been. I did absolutely nothing to have been born into such an incredible public school district, where I always felt safe and happy, and had teachers who fostered my love of learning and continuously challenged me. I was also privileged enough to happen to have had parents who drove me to extracurriculars and dance lessons [cont in comments]")
Ahhh looks so good!!!