These peanut butter crunch bars are sweet, salty, crunchy, chocolatey, and completely impossible to eat just one of. And the best part? NO baking, refined sugar-free, just 5 ingredients, and made with healthier ingredients so they’re better for you than a candy bar (but just as delicious)!
I keep a batch of these in my fridge at all times, right alongside my Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Bars and No-Bake Cookies because life is simply better when there’s a healthy chocolate peanut butter treat waiting for you in the fridge. These are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan too, making them a dessert or snack that works for absolutely everyone at the table!
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
- Crunchy, chocolatey, and completely addictive. Two layers of crispy rice cereal – one with peanut butter and maple syrup, one with melted chocolate – create the most satisfying crunch in every single bite. These taste better than any store-bought chocolate crunch bar!
- No-bake, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Mix, press, pour, chill. No oven, no dairy, no gluten, no refined sugar. These are the rare treat that genuinely everyone can enjoy, and nobody will ever guess how healthy they actually are.
- Great for meal prep and easy snacking. Make a batch, slice into bars, and keep them in the fridge or freezer all week. They’re the perfect grab-and-go healthy dessert or snack that actually satisfies a sweet craving!
What Kind of Cereal Did You Use?
I used organic puffed rice cereal – specifically a plain, unsweetened variety with just one ingredient: organic rice. This is the key to keeping these bars refined sugar-free and clean. Look for puffed rice or crispy rice cereal in the natural foods section of your grocery store, or order online. Avoid regular Rice Krispies, which contain added sugar and malt flavoring — go for a simple, organic variety for the best results!
What Makes This Recipe Healthy?
These peanut butter crunch bars are a genuinely healthier alternative to store-bought chocolate crunch bars – and here’s exactly why:
Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil — Used in both layers, Nutiva’s organic virgin coconut oil is cold-pressed, unrefined, and retains all of its natural beneficial fatty acids. It’s what gives these bars their satisfying richness and helps them set up firm in the fridge. Unlike processed vegetable oils found in most candy bars, this is a clean, wholesome fat that your body can actually use.
Natural peanut butter — Packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, natural peanut butter (made with just peanuts and salt) is a nutritional powerhouse compared to the partially hydrogenated oils and added sugars found in most commercial peanut butters.
Maple syrup instead of refined sugar — Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener that provides the same sweetness as refined sugar with a lower glycemic index and trace minerals like manganese and zinc. No corn syrup, no white sugar – just natural sweetness.
Organic puffed rice cereal — Simple, clean, and made with just organic rice. No added sugar, no artificial flavors, no preservatives.
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Healthy Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- 1 9×4-inch loaf pan
- 1 small bowl
Ingredients
For the peanut butter layer:
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter unsweetened
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut oil melted
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal
For the chocolate layer:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 cup puffed rice cereal
Instructions
- Mix together the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, and melted Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in a large bowl. Then, stir in the crispy rice cereal.
- Transfer the rice cereal and peanut butter mixture to a 9×4-inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Press the cereal down into an even layer.
- Make the chocolate layer by melting together the chocolate chips and Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in either the microwave or over a double boiler until completely smooth. Then, stir in the crispy rice cereal.
- Pour the chocolate mixture on top of the peanut butter mixture and spread it into an even layer. Place the bars in either the fridge or freezer for 1-3 hours, or until completely hard and set.
- Remove the bars from the pan and slice into individual bars or squares. Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge for later!
