High-Protein PB&J Rice Krispie Bars (Printer View)

Chewy cereal bars topped with protein peanut butter drizzle and swirled jelly for a satisfying high-protein snack.

# Components:

→ Base

01 - 4 cups crisped rice cereal
02 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
03 - 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
04 - 1/4 cup vanilla or unflavored protein powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Toppings

07 - 1/3 cup peanut butter
08 - 2 tablespoons vanilla or unflavored protein powder
09 - 2 tablespoons milk, dairy or plant-based
10 - 1/3 cup strawberry or grape jelly, slightly warmed

# Method:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large saucepan, gently heat 1 cup peanut butter and honey over low heat, stirring until smooth and combined. Remove from heat.
03 - Stir in vanilla extract, salt, and 1/4 cup protein powder until fully incorporated.
04 - Add crisped rice cereal and mix until evenly coated with the peanut butter mixture.
05 - Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking pan.
06 - In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup peanut butter with 2 tablespoons protein powder and enough milk to create a thick, pourable drizzle.
07 - Drizzle the peanut butter protein mixture over the pressed base in a decorative pattern.
08 - Warm the jelly slightly to loosen, then drop spoonfuls over the top. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the jelly and peanut butter drizzle decoratively.
09 - Refrigerate for at least 40 minutes, or until the mixture is set and firm.
10 - Lift out of the pan using parchment overhang, cut into 12 equal bars, and serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like dessert but deliver real protein without any chalky aftertaste.
  • Minimal active time means you can have them chilling while you do literally anything else.
  • The jelly swirl is your permission to play with flavors—strawberry, raspberry, whatever's calling to you.
02 -
  • If your drizzle hardens before you finish swirling, microwave it for five seconds to soften it back up—this saves the whole batch from looking like a mistake.
  • Warming the jelly isn't optional if you want swirls that actually swirl; cold jelly just sits there judging you.
03 -
  • Use slightly warmed jelly straight from the jar—don't microwave it until it's hot, just warm enough that it flows without the cereal cracking when you swirl.
  • Pressing your base layer firmly ensures every bite is cohesive and satisfying, not crumbly and disappointing.
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