High-Protein PB&J Rice Krispie Bars (Print Version)

Crispy, chewy cereal bars with peanut butter protein drizzle and jelly swirls for a satisfying high-protein snack.

# Ingredient List:

→ Base

01 - 4 cups crisped rice cereal
02 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
03 - 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
04 - 1/4 cup vanilla or unflavored protein powder
05 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Toppings

07 - 1/3 cup peanut butter for drizzle
08 - 2 tablespoons vanilla or unflavored protein powder for drizzle
09 - 2 tablespoons milk dairy or plant-based as needed for consistency
10 - 1/3 cup strawberry or grape jelly or jam slightly warmed

# How to Make:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large saucepan, gently heat 1 cup peanut butter and honey over low heat, stirring until smooth and combined. Remove from heat.
03 - Stir in vanilla extract, salt, and 1/4 cup protein powder until fully incorporated.
04 - Add crisped rice cereal and mix until evenly coated.
05 - Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking pan.
06 - In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup peanut butter with 2 tablespoons protein powder and enough milk to create a thick, pourable drizzle.
07 - Drizzle the peanut butter protein mixture over the pressed base.
08 - Warm the jelly slightly to loosen, then drop spoonfuls over the top. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the jelly and peanut butter drizzle decoratively.
09 - Chill in the refrigerator for at least 40 minutes, or until set.
10 - Lift out of the pan using parchment, cut into 12 bars, and enjoy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like dessert but pack enough protein to actually fuel your afternoon without the sugar crash.
  • No oven required—just a saucepan and some patience, which means you can whip these up on a random Tuesday night.
  • The peanut butter and jelly swirl looks fancy enough to bring to a potluck but couldn't be simpler to execute.
02 -
  • Cold peanut butter won't swirl—it'll just sit there like it's mad at you, so warming your jelly is non-negotiable for that actual aesthetic appeal.
  • The protein powder you choose matters way more than you'd think because some brands get chalky while others stay creamy, so stick with one you trust.
03 -
  • Use a bench scraper or offset spatula for the swirling step—it gives you actual control instead of the clumsy knife dragging that frustrated me for the first three batches.
  • If your protein powder is gritty or your drizzle won't smooth, add milk one teaspoon at a time until you get that right consistency—patience with the drizzle saves the whole aesthetic.
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