A Healthy Twist On An Old Favorite: The Rice Krispie Treat
March 14, 2012 21 Comments
It is fun to try to make notoriously bad food into something healthier. The Rice Krispie Treat is just lookin' for a makeover.
First, your eyebrows need to be plucked, your hair needs coloring, and those clothes! What are you thinking?? (wait, that's not a rice krispie treat - that's me!)
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 five year old's head!
What I did was add some nuts and berries to make them a wee bit healthier. They also ended up tasting better (which was a bonus).
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.
These would work for this recipe and give it more nutrients. You can use any PUFFY cereal, really, that you like - wheat puffs, Cheerios, anything you have in your cupboard.
Now, I used marshmallows, which are not exactly the healthiest ingredient. I TRIED honey and it just didn't work.
As I ate them, I kept missing the marshmallows and I couldn't give them up. I have seen marshmallows without Blue #1 at Whole Foods (but I didn't buy them because I am cheap).
I did exchange the butter for coconut oil (in the natural foods section of the supermarket) because it has been getting some good press lately. It seems that the saturated fat in coconut oil is actually good for you! It is called "lauric acid" and unlike saturated animal fats it has been found to increase good cholesterol.
Go figure.
So, I used coconut oil which also imparts a sweetness. If you can't find it, don't be too upset. Just go ahead and use butter.
Finally, I added good stuff - dried cranberries, chopped almonds, and dark chocolate chips and this tray of "Crispy Rice Treats" lasted all of 10 minutes in my house.
These are super fun to make, fast, and very satisfying. My daughter (with a little help) can make them for an afternoon snack and they taste SO much better than any packaged cookie or bar.
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
(makes 12)
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 chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc.)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Spray non-stick spray on 8x8 inch square pan (or equivalent). Melt coconut oil in large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir CONSTANTLY until melted and mix in cereal and whatever else you choose to add in. Press into prepared pan. Cool for 10 minutes and cut into squares.
For one treat: 128 calories, 5.6 g fat, 17.4 g carbohydrates, 1.7 g protein, 0.7 g fiber, 57 mg sodium, 3 Points+
Points values are calculated by Snack Girl and are provided for information only. See all Snack Girl Recipes
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