Menu

Altering The Krispy Rice Treat: Make It Healthier

April 16, 2014   16 Comments

It is fun to try to make notoriously bad food into something healthier. These are screaming for a makeover.

New Rice Krispie Treat

Usually made with Kellogg's Rice Krispies, marshmallows, and butter - these are crunchy, salty, and a kid favorite. Have you seen the size of the ones at your local cafe? They are as big as my seven year old's head!

I changed this recipe by adding some nuts and dried cranberries and I cut the amount of butter by ½. Also, I didn’t make a huge tray (9x13). I made an 8x8 square and then cut them into 16 pieces so I could make a reasonable size.

They ended up tasting better, in my opinion, than the original version. My kids complained about the nuts and berries (sheesh) and then ate them all.

You don't have to use the famous "Kellogg's Rice Krispies" to make the treats. If you are lucky enough to live near a Whole Foods or natural foods store, they have something called "Brown Rice Puffs" which are the same thing except that they contain the entire rice grain.

You can use any puffy cereal, really, that you like - wheat puffs, Cheerios, anything you have in your cupboard.

I did use marshmallows, which is not the healthiest ingredient. I tried honey and it just didn't work. As I ate them, I kept missing the marshmallow flavor and I couldn't give them up.

My Crispy Rice Treats are defined as TREATS, so make sure you freeze some or share them with a crowd.

Another idea is to bring these to the bake sales at your school or church (or anywhere else you are supporting a non-profit). You will get lots of compliments on your revamp!

How have you altered your Rice Krispie Treat recipe?

Crispy Rice Treat Recipe

1.6 from 24 reviews

Makes 16, 2 inch by 2 inch treats

Print  Pin

Ingredients

2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter
2 cups miniature marshmallows or 20 large marshmallows
2 1/2 cups crispy rice or other healthy cereal
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc.)

Instructions

Spray non-stick spray on 8x8 inch square pan (or equivalent). Melt coconut oil or butter in large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir CONSTANTLY until completely melted and mix in cereal and whatever else you choose to add in.

Press into prepared pan. Cool for 10 minutes and cut into 16 squares.

Nutrition Facts

For one treat = 79 calories, 3.0 g fat, 1.0 g saturated fat, 12.6 g carbohydrates, 6.6 g sugar, 1.1 g protein, 0.5 g fiber, 45 mg sodium, 2 Points+

Points values are calculated by Snack Girl and are provided for information only. See all Snack Girl Recipes

Other posts you might like:

Chocolate Popcorn Rocks

Drizzle: to pour in a fine stream. Drizzle is a super cool word because you can hear it....

A Slice of Yummy Cake for 80 Calories

Every once in a while, Snack Girl can’t get enough of a certain food or idea....

Get Free Email Updates! Yes please!

16 Comments:

I think I'll stick to the original Rice Krispie treats

I think I need to agree with Des. I am all in favor of eating healthy, but sometimes you can't mess with the original. (But only if the treat is soft and gooey, not hard and crunchy.)

That looks awesome! I'm trying it today! Great idea!!

So minim M&M's aren't healthy? LOL

I like them plain for the most part. These look pretty good but you get a bigger square if you don't add the stuff.

I make a version with oats, Rice Krispies, honey, brown sugar and butter. Then I add mix-ins like nuts, dark chocolate chips, dried fruit, etc. They may not by SUPER healthy but I feel better about eating them than regular Rice Krispies treats!

Instead of butter and marshmallow you could do agave or maple syrup and coconut (if you like coconut). You food process about a cup if coconut and then add in about 1/4c agave and use that. I tried these last week and they were amazing!!!!! They are kinda flimsy so they have to be refrigerated :)

I'm not a fan of rice Krispy treats. They're flavorless. The nuts and cranberries would give them some flavor.

I add peanut or almond butter...about 1/2 cup, and coconut oil for most of the butter. Amazing taste, and I think if the flavor is more intense, the less you need to eat to feel satisfied.

I'm a purist. I don't want anything added to my rice crispy treat.

I tried a Cheerios marshmallow treat with cranberries, I thought they were great but my son wouldn't eat them. Oh well, more for me! :)

I recommend adding a little vanilla extract to your Rice Krispie treats, it really helps enhance the flavor. I also have butter extract, that really throws them over the top to be really decadent tasting, but it's really hard to find (I ordered mine on eBay!). I'll have to try reducing the butter like everybody says, surprisingly that's one thing I haven't tried.

I like the idea of using coconut oil. I remember seeing marshmallow at Whole Foods, but I'm not sure if anything healthier than what is sold at regular stores. I'm wondering if I could get away with using 1/2 the amount of the marshmallow and using small amount of honey??? Any suggestions?

Haha so true I'm always finding ways to make common treats with more quality ingredients, thanks for the recipe!

www.theincrediblehealth.com

I try to gauge my treats by whether it's worth working off the calories afterwards. Rice Krispie treats in their most pure form are worth every single calorie, I think!! Though now that I've been given the idea, maybe a little coconut never HURT anything. LOL

I'm not sure what your original recipe was but the standard one uses 3 tablespoons of butter for a bag (40ish large) marshmallows and 6 cups of rice krispies to make a 9x13 pan. So it seems like you are using more butter for fewer bars? I like the idea of using other puffed grains. I have some puffed kamut I might try.

I tried healthier cereal...puffed kind in a granola bar and tasted great so I figure work in treats too.

I love the idea of a healthier marshmallow. I just bought a bag with the intent of making Rice Krispie treats and had the same dilemma: sugar and preservatives. Nuts and Fruit is also a great add!

Add a comment:

(required)

(required, never published)



© 2024 Snack-Girl.com