Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Aug. 29, 2025
I love these healthy rice krispie treats as a feel-good version of the classic. They’re a quick, mess-free treat that’s actually satisfying. Just 3 ingredients and zero baking.
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Amy’s Notes
These Healthy Rice Krispie Treats are my favorite make-ahead healthy snack for kids and adults alike. Here’s what makes them a staple in my kitchen:
- Only 3 Ingredients: All you need is peanut butter, honey, and crispy rice cereal. It’s quick, simple, and uses up the whole box so there’s zero waste!
- Naturally Sweetened: I love that the sweetness comes from pure honey. They taste like a treat without the refined sugar.
- No Baking Required: Like with my Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, everything comes together on the stovetop in minutes. I just press them into a pan and chill.
- Add-Ins: Sometimes I stir in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries. It’s a flexible base that works with whatever I have in the pantry and reminds me of this Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats.
- Great for breakfast, snack, or workout fuel: These bars are great for busy mornings, school lunches, or stashing in my gym bag.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Pure Honey: Acts as the natural sweetener and binding agent. It brings a warm, floral sweetness that helps the bars hold together without using marshmallows or refined sugar.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds rich flavor and a dose of healthy fats and protein. It also helps create that soft, chewy texture we love in a no-bake bar.
- Crispy Rice Cereal: Brings the signature crunch and volume. These light, crisp grains give the bars their classic texture and make them fun to bite into.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Nut Butter Options: I usually use creamy peanut butter, but almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work great. Just be sure it’s smooth and creamy; not too runny or too dry.
- Mix Add-Ins: To mix things up, I love folding in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit once the mixture has cooled slightly. Just avoid adding anything too warm or melty while the base is still hot.
- Cereal Alternatives: I stick with classic crispy rice cereal, but any unsweetened puffed rice cereal or brown rice cereal would work. Just make sure it’s crunchy and fresh.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Warm up the honey and peanut butter.
- Mix with crispy rice cereal.
- Press into greased pan and chill.
- Slice into squares and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
- Make and Chill the Night Before: These bars are perfect to make ahead. Once pressed into the pan, just cover and chill them overnight. They’ll be firm and easy to slice the next morning.
Healthy Rice Krispie Treats
These Healthy Rice Krispie Treats use only 3 ingredients, and are way healthier than any store bought bars. Perfect for mornings on the go, afternoon pick-me-ups, and trips!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup pure honey, plus more to taste
- 1 ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 8 cups crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together honey and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. Mixture should be lukewarm.
- In a large bowl, add crispy rice cereal and combine well. Use a rubber spatula to gently mix in the peanut butter mixture until fully coated and combined.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 pan on bottom and sides. Firmly press cereal mixture into pan. Press hard enough to pack down the cereal mixture evenly throughout. Cover and chill until mixture is firm.
- Cut into squares and serve. Leftovers should be kept covered in the fridge.
Notes
- Gently heat the honey and peanut butter until smooth and fully blended. The mixture should be warm, not hot, to avoid making the cereal soggy.
- Let the peanut butter mixture cool slightly before combining with the cereal. This keeps the final texture crisp and prevents it from turning too soft.
- Mix everything with a rubber spatula and stir gently to avoid crushing the cereal.
- These treats should be sliced and served chilled, as they’ll keep shape better when cold.
- This recipe was developed to allow you to use up an entire 9oz box of rice cereal, so there are no random leftovers in a box.
- Feel free to fold in your favorite add-ins, like dried fruit, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts. Just be sure to let the cereal mixture cool to lukewarm before adding them so nothing melts too much.
- You can also swap out the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or any nut-free alternative that fits your needs.
- This recipe is part of our Healthy Snack Recipes Collection.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 30.3g | Protein: 4.7g | Fat: 10.6g | Saturated Fat: 3.4g | Sodium: 110.5mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 19.4g
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of peanut butter works best?
A creamy, natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt works best. If using a no-stir or thicker peanut butter, the bars may be firmer and more dry.
How sweet are these treats?
They’re lightly sweetened with honey, but you can always add a little more or less depending on taste. Keep in mind that adjusting honey may affect the texture.
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?
Yes! Mini chocolate chips, raisins, chopped dried fruit, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts all work well. Add them once the mixture is lukewarm so they don’t melt too much.
How should I store them and how long will they keep?
Store the bars covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can also be kept at room temperature for 2–3 days, but they’ll stay firmer and fresher when chilled.
Can I freeze these treats for later?
Yes, once fully cooled and sliced, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before eating.
More to Cook And Eat
- Carmelita Bars – These Carmelita Bars are hearty with oats, chewy with caramel, and chocolate. They’re loaded with everything one could ask for in a cookie bar and are a huge crowd pleaser.
- Congo Bars – These Congo Bars (Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars) are soft, decadent, and chewy in the center with loads of melty, gooey chocolate in every bite.
- Protein Granola Bars – These protein granola bars are made with 10 ingredients and are ready in less than 30 minutes for a better-for-you, budget-friendly option perfect for breakfasts and snacks.
- Date Bars Recipe – This Date Bars Recipe makes a deliciously healthy snack that tastes like the popular Lara Bars!