Healthy Rice Crispy Treats with Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt

Healthy Dark Chocolate Covered Rice Crispy Treats with Sea Salt | so good and so easy to make!

Aren’t you guys tired of Christmas cookies?

I mean really, who wants to look at cute little gingerbread men and sugar cookies shaped like trees for an entire month? Lame.

What you really want are healthy rice crispy treats, am I right?

No Marshmallow Rice Crispy Treats

Probably not. But I’m hoping you’ll humor me for just a few minutes…or at least long enough to see what a mess I made with the chocolate? :)

I had originally planned on making these treats with vegan marshmallows from Whole Foods but then I remembered the last time I had them in my hot chocolate, my stomach felt awful from all of the processed sugar. So I decided to try out a healthier version that I saw on Amanda’s lovely blog a while back and guess what? They turned out even better than original rice crispy treats!

The ingredients are incredibly simple too. All you need is your favorite nut butter (I used cashew because it’s what I had on hand) a little honey (or brown rice syrup if you’re vegan), a touch of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

Healthy Dark Chocolate Covered Rice Crispy Treats with Sea Salt | these are so good and so easy to make!

Heat the honey and the nut butter on the stove until melted, add the crispies and the vanilla, stir together and then smooth it down into a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Pop it in the refrigerator for an hour or so (or the freezer if you’re impatient) and that’s it!

Crunchy, crispy, sweet buttery treats are at your fingertips.

Healthy Dark Chocolate Covered Rice Crispy Treats with Sea Salt | these are so good and so easy to make!

It was all I could do not to eat the whole batch at that point so you could even stop there if you want to. But I couldn’t resist the thought of dripping chocolate over the top of each little square.

Healthy Dark Chocolate Covered Rice Crispy Treats with Sea Salt | these are so good and so easy to make!

Some of that chocolate actually ended-up smeared across my abdomen but I can’t even begin to tell you how it happened. What do they call that? Chocolate wasted?

It’s easy to do with these. They look so little and innocent then before you know it you’ve had four and the bartender is taking your keys away from you.

Healthy Dark Chocolate Covered Rice Crispy Treats with Sea Salt | these are so good and so easy to make!

The sea salt makes for an addicting sweet and salty combo but if you want to make them festive for the holidays then feel free to switch it up with red and green sprinkles. Or white chocolate instead of dark!

That ought to give those little gingerbread men a run for their money.

Healthy Dark Chocolate Covered Rice Crispy Treats with Sea Salt | these are so good and so easy to make!

Healthy Rice Crispy Treats with Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Yield: 16 treats

Ingredients

3 and 1/2 cups brown rice cereal*

1/2 cup honey**

1/2 cup unsalted cashew butter***

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

9 ounces dark chocolate chips

1 tablespoon coconut oil

sea salt or sprinkles for topping

Instructions

  1. Start by lining an 8 x 8” baking dish with parchment paper and then grab a medium size pot. Combine the cashew butter and honey in the pot and warm over medium heat. Once they are melted and mixed together, add the rice cereal, vanilla extract and sea salt to the pot, then stir until the rice cereal is evenly coated.
  2. Transfer the rice cereal to the lined baking dish and then place another piece of parchment paper on top. Use your hands to press the cereal down and out until the top surface is even.
  3. Next, melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in a small pot over low heat. Continue to stir until smooth.
  4. Pour the melted chocolate on top of the rice cereal in the baking dish and use a spatula to smooth it out to the sides. Sprinkle with sea salt then transfer to the refrigerator to set for at least one hour.
  5. Once the chocolate has set, use the parchment paper to lift it out of the baking dish. Grab a large knife and slice them into 16 squares. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Notes

Adapted from running with spoons

*can also use regular rice cereal **use brown rice syrup for vegan option ***substitute your favorite nut butter or sunflower butter for nut allergies

https://www.makingthymeforhealth.com/healthy-rice-crispy-treats-dark-chocolate-sea-salt/

Healthy Dark Chocolate Covered Rice Crispy Treats with Sea Salt | these are so good and so easy to make!