Rice Cereal Energy Bars

Crisp rice cereal is mixed with an assortment of dried fruit and nuts in these sweet no-bake bars. We bike and hike several times a week and take these bars with us for a tasty boost of carbs and protein. Wrapped individually and frozen, they are easy to stuff in a pack on your way out the door.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 324 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup powdered milk
• 7 cups crisp rice cereal
• 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
• 0.5 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 0.5 cup sunflower seeds
• 0.5 cup sesame seeds
• 0.5 cup dried cherries
• 0.5 cup chopped dates
• 0.5 cup dried apricots
• 1.5 cups crunchy peanut butter

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine the sesame seeds and sunflower seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring until fragrant and toasted. Salt lightly, and set aside to cool.

Step 2

Combine the dates, raisins, apricots, cherries, chocolate chips and the toasted seeds in the container of a food processor. Pulse to chop until small but not pasty. Transfer to a large bowl, and mix with oats and crisp rice cereal.

Step 3

In a small glass bowl, mix together the corn syrup, sugar and peanut butter. Heat in the microwave until bubbly. Stir in the powdered milk, vanilla, and almond extract. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the bowl of cereal and goodies, and mix with a wooden spoon until everything is evenly coated.

Step 4

Press the mixture into a greased 10x15 inch jellyroll pan using wet hands. Cut into squares, and allow to cool completely before removing from the pan.