From the Kitchen of Robyn Maher
I know they look sinful, but these Peanut Butter Swirl Bars are actually very healthful. Unlike traditional recipes for crispy rice bars, mine gets its fats from beneficial sources, such as natural peanut butter and coconut oil. Peanut butter is made up of mostly monounsaturated fat, and coconut oil is a medium-chain triglyceride, or MCT, a type of fat that has gained attention in recent years for its positive effects on health. In addition, the sugars in this recipe are very minimal—just two tablespoons of honey—while the rest of the sweetness comes from zero-calorie baking stevia. To top it all off, adding Quest’s Peanut Butter flavored protein makes these bars a great treat or snack anytime—letting you enjoy your sweets without ruining your fitness goals. That’s what I call a win-win!
Peanut Butter Swirl Bars
2 cups smooth natural peanut butter
3/4 cup coconut oil, softened
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 cups gluten-free crisped-rice cereal
1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter Bumpers cereal
1 cup baking stevia (or alternative sweetener of choice)
1 cup Quest Peanut Butter Protein powder
1 cup Quest Multi-Purpose Protein Baking mix
1/2 cup oat flour (or alternative flour of choice)
For topping
1 tablespoon coconut oil
4 ounces dark chocolate
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, softened coconut oil, and honey. Stir until blended well. Place the rice cereal in a ziplock bag, and crush it until it’s almost, but not quite, all crumbs. Add the rice cereal along with the Peanut Butter Bumpers to the mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the stevia, protein powder, baking mix, and oat flour. Mix well, and add to the peanut butter mixture, once again, mixing it all together. Set the bowl aside. Line a 10-x-15-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the pan, and press evenly until flat. Microwave the dark chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe-glass measuring cup for 30 seconds, and stir until smooth. Repeat if necessary. Drizzle the chocolate topping over the bars in a swirled design. Chill in freezer until set and ready to serve. Slice evenly into bars, and keep in fridge or freezer until they’re ready to eat.
Tip: Wrap the bars individually to store in fridge or freezer for a convenient, portable snack.
Want More Delicious Recipes? Check out our Fit Recipe Blog!
IFBB Bikini Pro Robyn Maher is a fitness and nutrition expert who has
been featured on national and local TV. A graduate of Brigham
Young University with a degree in exercise science and wellness,
Robyn is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition
Specialist, YogaFit certified instructor, NPC judge and prep coach,
and the promoter of the IFBB/NPC Salt City Showdown. She’s also a
fitness model, public speaker, and mom of three who loves creating
healthy recipes and educating others on how to live an active, fit
lifestyle. Robyn lives near Salt Lake City.