Whether you’re managing diabetes, watching your sugar intake, or simply looking for a healthier snack option, these No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are sure to become a new favourite. Perfect for a quick snack, after-school treat, or even a healthier dessert option.
I have quite a sweet tooth, but sugary treats can leave me feeling sluggish. Being more mindful of blood sugar levels (particularly for my daughter) I am always on the hunt for delicious sweet treats that satisfy without crashing energy. I can spend a fortune on supermarket snack bars so I have embarked on a mission to create the perfect no-bake bar. It has to be easy to make, packed with wholesome ingredients, and most importantly, it has to taste amazing. These No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are the first of many I have been experimenting with.
These Krispie bars are bursting with flavour and texture, thanks to the combination of creamy peanut butter, rich dark chocolate, and the satisfying crunch of puffed rice cereal. Plus, they’re packed with good-for-you ingredients like whole grains, protein, and healthy fats, making them a nourishing indulgence. Oh and did I mention that they are also gluten-free and kind on your blood sugar levels? So whether you’re managing diabetes, watching your sugar intake, or simply looking for a healthier snack option, these No Bake Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are a recipe to try.
Health Benefits of these No-Bake Bars
- Fibre Powerhouse: The puffed rice cereal provides a good source of fibre, which helps with digestion and keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
- Protein Packed: Thanks to the peanut butter and nuts, these bars offer a satisfying protein content, which can also help with blood sugar management.
- Healthy Fats: The nuts and nut butter contribute healthy fats, which are essential for a balanced diet.
- Less Sugar: Compared to store-bought candy bars or granola bars, this recipe uses significantly less sugar, making it a better choice for those managing diabetes or watching their sugar intake.
- Gluten-Free: Perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Why Swap the Rice Krispies?
Those childhood favourite rice krispie treats might bring back happy memories, but commercially produced options are often loaded with added sugars and refined grains. This recipe takes a healthier route, using Kallo Gluten-free Wholegrain Puffed Rice Cereal instead. This crispy rice cereal is a whole food, meaning it’s minimally processed and contains the natural goodness of the whole grain. Check out my other tasty recipes that also use these healthy puffed rice grains:
What you will need to make Homemade Crunch Bars
Kallo Gluten-free Wholegrain Puffed Rice Cereal
- Made from wholegrain brown rice
- Low in saturated fat, No added sugar, Vegetarian and vegan, Gluten free
- If you don’t have wholegrain puffed rice cereal this recipe also works well with crushed wholegrain rice cakes
Smooth Peanut Butter
- Use a natural peanut butter that doesn’t have anything else added in. Avoiding peanut butter with added palm oil
- A great source of healthy fats
- I used smooth but you can also use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer
Unsalted Butter
- Helps to bind the crisp cereal together
- You could also use coconut oil which would make this recipe suitable for vegans
Dark Chocolate
- Try and use chocolate that has a cocoa content 70% or above as this really makes the difference with the overall carb count
- The higher the cocoa content the lower the sugar!
Chopped Nuts
- Good source of protein and a lovely extra crunch
Equipment
Spoons
How to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
This great recipe is perfect for anyone with a busy schedule or a sweet tooth (like me). No preheating of the oven is required – simply melt, mix, and chill! In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious snack bar ready to enjoy. Additionally, these bars are crafted with gluten-free ingredients and formulated to be friendly on blood sugar levels, making them a perfect snack option for those with dietary restrictions or managing diabetes.
Step 1
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and butter. Heat on medium power in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
Then pour in the puffed rice cereal. Gently fold the cereal through the melted mixture until the cereal is evenly coated.
Step 2
Using a weighing scale for accurate carb counting, spoon the cereal mixture into your silicone bar mould. Each bar was around 25g of puffed cereal mixture. Gently press the cereal mixture evenly into the mould using the back of a spoon.
Step 3
Melt the dark chocolate chips or broken pieces in a large bowl in the microwave for 30-second increments stirring between each increment until melted. Alternatively, you can melt it in a heat-proof bowl over some boiling water. Turn down to a low heat and stir continuously until shiny and smooth.
Step 4
Add the rich chocolate layer to the cereal mixture and using the back of a spoon spread for an even layer. Each bar had around 20g of melted chocolate on top
Step 5
Now’s the time to sprinkle your chopped nuts for that extra crunch and protein boost.
Pop the mould carefully into the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely set
More Easy & Delicious Diabetic Recipes for BALANCED Blood SugARS:
Adapting the Recipe
- No mould, no problem: Don’t have a baking mould? Simply press the mixture into a small rectangular dish and cut it into squares or bars with a sharp knife. Remember to adjust your portion sizes accordingly for accurate carb counting.
- Fruity Twist: Want to add some sweetness and fibre? Fold in chopped dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dates. Be sure to factor these additions into your overall carb count.
- Nut Butter Flexibility: Feel free to swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or another nut or seed butter of your choice. Just be mindful of added sugars when choosing your favourite brand.
- Vegan-Friendly Option: To make these bars vegan-friendly, simply substitute the butter for coconut oil and use vegan-certified dark chocolate.
STORING YOUR CHOCOLATE Peanut Butter BARS
These peanut butter crunch bars are best stored in the fridge in my opinion but you can store them at room temperature if you prefer. Your chocolate and the cereal mixture may just be a little softer!
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Diabetes Note
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. No baking required, which means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying this delicious, healthy, easy treat. Due to their moderate natural sugars from the dark chocolate and lack of refined sugars, these peanut butter bars can be a smart snack choice for those managing diabetes, providing a satisfying crunch and protein boost without spiking blood sugar levels.
Carb Counting
The overall carb count for one no-bake chocolate peanut butter bar based on the ingredients we would count for is:
- 60g of Kallo Puffed Rice Cereal = 49g of carbs
- 160g of 80% Dark Chocolate Sainsburys = 160g of carbs
Now add all the carbs together – 49+49 = 98g of carbs
Finally divide this by the serving size, 8 – 98/8 = 12g of carb per portion
Please note this carb count amount per portion is based on the standard ingredients listed above and may differ depending on what you use and how much you choose to eat.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars – No Bake
Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Crunch Bars! Gluten-free, blood sugar friendly & ready in 30 mins. The perfect healthy sweet treat!
8
servings10
minutes0
minutes30
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
60 g 60 Kallo Wholegrain Puffed Rice Cereal
120 g 120 peanut butter
40 g 40 butter
160 g 160 dark chocolate, 70% or higher
40 g 40 chopped nuts
Directions
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and butter. Heat on medium power in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
- Then pour in the puffed rice cereal. Gently fold the cereal through the melted mixture until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Place the mould on top of the weighing scale for accurate carb counting, and spoon the cereal mixture into your silicone bar mould.
Each bar was around 25g of puffed cereal mixture. - Gently press the cereal mixture evenly into the mould using the back of a spoon.
- Melt the dark chocolate chips or broken pieces in a large bowl in the microwave for 30-second increments stirring between each increment until melted.
Alternatively, you can melt it in a heat-proof bowl over some boiling water. Turn down to a low heat and stir continuously until shiny and smooth. - spoon the melted chocolate on top of the cereal mixture and using the back of a spoon spread for an even layer.
Each bar had around 20g of melted chocolate on top - Sprinkle your chopped nuts onto the melted chocolate layer for that extra crunch and protein boost.
- Pop the mould carefully into the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely set
Equipment
Tips and Notes
- Storage – Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Diabetes Note – Due to their moderate natural sugars from the dark chocolate and lack of refined sugars, these peanut butter bars can be a smart snack choice for those managing diabetes, providing a satisfying crunch and protein boost without spiking blood sugar levels.
- See above for Carb Counting
