High-Protein PB&J Rice Krispie Bars (Printable)

Crispy rice cereal bars swirled with protein peanut butter drizzle and fruit jelly for a nutritious, satisfying snack.

# Components:

→ Cereal Base

01 - 4 cups crisp rice cereal
02 - 1.5 cups mini marshmallows
03 - 0.25 cup unsalted butter
04 - 0.25 cup creamy peanut butter
05 - 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Protein Drizzle

07 - 0.5 cup vanilla protein powder
08 - 0.33 cup creamy peanut butter
09 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
10 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

→ Jelly Swirl

11 - 0.33 cup fruit jelly or jam

# Directions:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter and peanut butter together. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
03 - Stir vanilla extract and salt into the melted mixture.
04 - Add crisp rice cereal to the mixture and fold until evenly coated throughout.
05 - Transfer mixture to prepared pan and press firmly and evenly across the entire surface.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together protein powder, peanut butter, almond milk, and maple syrup until smooth and pourable. Adjust milk quantity if needed for desired consistency.
07 - Drizzle protein mixture evenly over the pressed cereal layer.
08 - Spoon small dollops of jelly over the protein drizzle. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the jelly and protein drizzle together to create a marbled effect.
09 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until completely set.
10 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 12 equal squares and serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like a legitimate PB&J sandwich crossed with a Rice Krispie treat, not like punishment for skipping cardio.
  • Fifteen minutes of actual work means you can batch-make them on Sunday and have grab-and-go snacks all week without the guilt or the price tag.
  • The protein powder blends so seamlessly you forget you're eating something good for you.
02 -
  • If your protein drizzle is too thick, it won't swirl smoothly into the jelly and you'll end up with awkward blobs instead of marble patterns—always add liquid gradually and test before committing.
  • Not pressing the cereal layer firmly enough means bars that crumble when you bite them, which sounds fun until your snack is everywhere but in your mouth.
03 -
  • Chill your knife under cold water before cutting, and wipe it clean between each cut for edges that look professionally made rather than jagged and rough.
  • If your jelly is thick, warm it for ten seconds in the microwave before spooning to make swirling actually possible instead of frustrating.
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