The McJordan's (Walker, Vienna and I) have been eating (okay gorging) on these rice crispy squares so much so that I actually need to take a break! They are addictive. Once you make them, you'll know what I mean because they are crunchy, sweet and just the perfect little snack that is super easy to make.
Funny thing is... I created a recipe about five years ago for Chocolate Orange Rice Crispy Squares and I'm almost embarrassed to show you because the photos are so terrible, it's frightening! The Joyous Health blog has come a long way since 2012 -- sorry for subjecting you to my terrible food photos back then, haha! But these crispy squares are a far better recipe and much prettier too. That being said, the old ones were still tasty :)
This new recipe was inspired by both Oh She Glows and my good friend Meghan Telpner's crispy squares. So thanks ladies for inspiring me back to rice crispy squares!! I'd almost given up on them until I remembered the secret ingredient is brown rice syrup -- it makes everything stick like how marshmallows do the trick.
The combination of almond butter, coconut oil, brown rice syrup and chocolate chips is absolute heaven on earth. You'll see what I mean when you make them.
Basically, all you have to do is melt these ingredients together on low heat and then combine with brown rice crisps and voila! I love how healthy, whole-foods-based these ingredients are, nothing like their unhealthy counterparts by Kellogg's -- yuck.
This recipe takes about 10 minutes, no joke.
Then refrigerate them for an hour or two and slice em' up!
Here's the whole recipe:
Desserts
Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Rice Crispy Squares
Print
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups brown rice crisps
- 1/2 cup brown rice syrup*
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, measured when solid
- 1 tbsp dark real maple syrup
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Line a square 8"x8" pan with parchment paper.
- Place brown rice crisps in a large mixing bowl, set aside.
- In a pot on low heat, combine brown rice syrup, almond butter, coconut oil and maple syrup. Once combined, remove from heat.
- Add brown rice syrup mixture to brown rice crisps until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour mixture into 8x8 pan and refrigerate for 2 hours. Remove from refrigerator, cut into squares and enjoy immediately!
- If you plan on serving these at a picnic or BBQ outside, they are best served chilled, otherwise they are a sticky mess!
Notes
*You could also use organic raw agave or coconut nector - you need something very sticky. I tried this recipe with maple syrup only and it didn't bind properly. Brown rice syrup can be found at health food stores, in the natural food section of your grocery store or online. I haven't tried liquid honey, but that would probably work very well too.
I have a feeling you're gonna love them. Don't say I didn't warn you though, they are addictive!
Have a joyous week!
Joy
Hi Joy! I recently discovered that I have an unfortunate intolerance to rice:( Do you think this recipe would work with a thicker raw honey and puffed quinoa? I am also intolerant to all nuts except macadamia, walnut, chestnut and pecan, so do you have any suggestions there for substitutions?! Thank you so much, can't wait to try them if I can find a way to enjoy them while "tolerating" them lol.
ReplyHey Sinead! I think quinoa puffs, thick raw honey and maybe sunflower butter instead of almond butter would work great! :) We haven't made them so we wouldn't be able to guarantee results, but I don't see why that wouldn't work? The brown rice syrup is pretty key but raw honey would come as a close second to keep everything together. If you end up trying it, let us know how it turns out :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
What are your thought on the healthiness or non-healthiness of briwn rice syrup? Ive read a few things online which doesnt sound promising (to say the least)....
ReplyHey Erin! Nice to see you around here :) It's not a #1 choice from a health standpoint but Joy uses it for recipes like this because it's super sticky and holds them together. It is however fructose-free which makes it a somewhat better option as it won't cause blood sugar levels to spike as much unlike other sweeteners. Typically Joy's go-to natural sweeteners are coconut sugar, maple syrup and raw honey which offer more health benefits, as you might know since you're a pro gluten-free baker! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
I really want to try these. They look fantastic but I cannot use any nut based ingredients in my home. Do u think sunbutter would work as well?
ReplyHey Michelle! Sunflower butter would work great :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Would coconut nectar work as well?
ReplyHey Candace! Coconut Nectar is a great natural sweetener but it isn't sticky enough to hold these together. Brown rice syrup is the only natural sweetener that has worked for Joy when she's made these but you could also experiment with raw honey since it has a similar consistency. Rachel - Joyous Health Team
I love the recipe for my school going daughter except I have to substitute almond butter. Any suggestions?
ReplyHey Shruti, You could use sunflower seed butter instead :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
May not work for school rules either, but I used natural peanut butter and they were great!
Yummy!
You are right about these being addictive!! They are fabulous and my whole family loves them. I've bought your book and can't wait to try more recipes, thank you Joy!
ReplyHey Elaine! Aren't they awesome!? We're a big fan of them over here! Yay! So glad you got Joy's book too - you're going to love it! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
What brand of brown rice crisps do you recommend? I'm looking forward to making things!
ReplyHey Nancy, Nature's Path Organic Brown Rice Crisps are great :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
I made this using honey and natural peanut butter-- delicious.
ReplyHey Pam, Mmm, that sounds delicious :) I'm sure the honey held it together and kept it sticky too! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Are there any other substitutes I can use instead of coconut oil? Thanks!
ReplyHey Nikole, You could use ghee or grass-fed butter! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
I have rice malt syrup. Is that the same thing? Thank you!
ReplyHey Laura, Yup! It is so you can use that :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Hi Joy
ReplyHey Helen (on behalf of Joy!) Thanks so much for stopping by here :) We're grateful to have you! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Hi, I just made these, and had them taste tested... they taste delish BUT my brown rice puffs taste almost stale. They were perfectly crunchy coming out of the bag, but after mixing and cooling theyve softened. The crunch is lost. Any ideas??
ReplyHey Moira, This will happen slightly as they absorb the moisture from the wet ingredients in this recipe. Did you enjoy it right out of the fridge? Rachel - Joyous Health Team
I think I read elsewhere that allowing the syrup mixture to cool will help keep the crispies crisp!
Hi Joy! I made this recipe, and it was delicious, but the chocolate chips did not hold their shape and melted into the mixture! When do you add the chips so they don't melt and are distributed throughout the crisps as in your photo? I'm afraid to let it cool too much and not be able to stir the chips in at all. Thanks!
ReplyHey Sam, Did you overmix them maybe? It's also important to melt the ingredients on low heat and not let it get too hot so then when you add them altogether the chocolate chips don't melt. Maybe trying that could help? Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Very nice, all of the family loved these.
ReplySo happy to hear that Rachel! Thanks for sharing :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Love this recipe. Have made it 3 times already since the beginning of the year.
ReplySo happy to hear you've been enjoying it Nina :) It sure is a goodie! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
What are brown rice crisps?! Those crackers you crumble?
ReplyHey Ann! Nope, they look like little rice crispies but they are derived from brown rice. You can find them at your local health food store and sometimes at bulk food stores too :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Joy, I love this recipe. I know you were expecting a baby but haven't heard about the arrival. I am so anxious to know the news.
ReplyHey Barb! Glad you love this recipe :) I had a baby, and she's now 2.5! You can read my birth story here if you like: https://www.joyoushealth.com/22624-blog-my-birthing-story
These are awesome! For those curious about honey, I tried it, and it worked! I was worried it would be too sweet and wouldn't hold together, so tried a couple of modifications: reduced the honey to 1/3 cup, and added 2T ghee. Turned out great!
ReplyHey Genevieve, That's awesome! We're so happy to hear it worked. Thanks for sharing :) Enjoy! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Just wondering if you recommend raw or roasted almond butter for these? Is there much of a difference?
ReplyHey Kate, It doesn't make much of a difference. Whatever your preference is :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Oh boy, I must have known this was coming up so I found the brown rice syrup at the store last week!
ReplyPerfect! You can make it with honey as well :)
Definitely addictive! I used some new kind of nut and seed butter from Costco this time, with the brown rice syrup. So easy and just the right sweetness for me. I put in some small carob chips with a few semi-sweet chocolate chips. I’m hoping I won’t eat half the pan myself tonight!
ReplySounds delicious! Glad to hear you enjoyed them. I know, they are kinda addictive!
If I use honey instead of brown rice syrup, is the maple syrup still necessary or can I omit that? Thanks!
ReplyYou can omit that. Or just give them a taste test as you are making them. Then you can adjust the sweetness to your preference. Enjoy!
Looking online at Sprouts, I found "Barbara's Organic Brown Rice Crisps Cereal" *and* Sprouts Organic Brown Rice Cereal. Is that what I need?
ReplyYes, either of those will work!
Can I please ask what brand of rice crisp you used?
ReplyI use Nature's Path Crispy Rice cereal and I buy it at my local health food store :)
Thank you :)
ReplyHello Joy and team. I have tried these with honey and found them to be too sweet. Thanks for all the sharing
ReplyHi Tricia! Do you have The Joyous Cookbook by chance? I've got a much better updated recipe in there :)