Today I am coming in hot with these (ironically) no-bake Trail Mix Rice Krispies! These have been my FAVORITE snack since I created this recipe- I’ve been making them batch after batch after batch they’re SO GOOD. Rice Krispies are a timeless snack, right? Well, I like to call these my “grown-up” krispies (Yes, unfortunately I think I am officially in the ‘grown up’ category now #sad) because they are loaded with superfoods. So, not only are they a great pick-me-up or pre-workout snack, you can rest assured that in addition to the party your tastebuds are having, you’re also getting a dose of micronutrients too!
I know I know, I was supposed to have this recipe up BEFORE I left for Italy, but life, man. It’s just been non-stop. But the good news is, by the end of this month, I will be done with my Health Coaching school, meaning I’ll hopefully have more time to get back into the kitchen to create recipes and share them with you here! Do you have any recipe requests you’d love to see remade in a healthier way or made entirely plant-based? I’d love your feedback, so leave me a note in the comments below!
As I mentioned above, these Trail Mix Rice Krispies are not only a delicious snack- seriously, can’t put them down!- they are made with many nutrient dense ingredients. I break down the highlights of most of the ingredients below, but of course, leave me a comment if you have any other questions!
Lucuma Powder
Ever since MRM released their superfood Lucuma powder, I’ve been using it in as many recipes as possible to add sweetness + micrnutrients. Lucuma is sweet but has a low glycemic index meaning it increases blood sugar slowly and steadily without the typical spike seen with most common sugars. It contains many nutrients including beta-carotene, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, calcium and protein. Lucuma powder has a unique taste that seems to be a cross between maple, caramel, and sweet potato….all flavors I can definitely get on board with. The fruit has also been said to aid in fertility, as it has been a Peruvian symbol of fertility for several millennia. In addition, fresh lucuma has long been said to aid in healing and speed up wound closure, making it a powerful natural healer with purported antibiotic, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, in addition to being a source of beta-carotene, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B3, magnesium, potassium and calcium.
Vitafiber + Raw Honey
Have you ever had a Quest Bar? I used to be OBSESSED with these high fiber protein bars, until I went vegan, but anyway, the thrill of these bars was they were super low carb because all of their sweetness came from Vitafiber! VitaFiber * is a low calorie natural sweetener that also provides a good source of prebiotics and non-GMO dietary fiber for improved digestive health. If you haven’t heard of prebiotics, it’s time to get on board! Prebiotics act as food for the probiotics in your gut, both working together for optimal gut health. Gut health is essential for nearly all physical and mental functions of your body, so be sure you’re getting both of these nutrients into your diet!VitaFiber is also low-glycemic, minimally processed, sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, halal, kosher, and allergen-free, with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. (*20% off Vitafiber with the code VFELLENW20 at checkout!)
In addition to Vitafiber, I include a bit of raw honey in this recipe because peanut butter +honey is literally my all time favorite flavor combination! (Seriously, just give me a jar of peanut butter and a squirt bottle of honey and I’ll be happy the rest of my life.) Additionally, raw honey is a great immune booster and can help prevent allergies.
Tocos
I’m kinda obsessed with this superfood laterly because TOCOS adds the most incredible creamy, vanilla flavor to whatever you add it to! I’ve been using it in my smoothies every dingle day, but I’ve been looking for other ways to incorporate it into my diet…cue: Trail Mix Rice Krispies. The best part is it’s a super rich source of bio-available Vitamin E, the fat-soluble vitamin that promotes radiant skin, connective tissue, and healthy muscle function. It’s also loaded with a variety of minerals such as: Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Iodine. Even if you don’t make these treats, you should totally invest in this superfood because it is life changing!
Maca
For years I have been hearing about the incredible benefits of maca for athletic strength and it’s ability to help balance hormones. Except, unfortunately, when I first tried it several years ago, it did not sit well with my stomach. (I’m talking major bloat- like 9 months pregnant looking bloat- with so much pain I’d be in the fetal position for hours). Turns out, I wasn’t using a pure source of Maca and I was using WAY TOO MUCH. With some superfoods, less is more.
Luckily, I was able to give Maca another try earlier this year when MRM released its organic, non-GMO Project Verified, vegan & gluten-free version. I have since had zero negative responses to this superfood, and have finally been able to experience the incredible benefits of this powder! Apart from the many valuable nutrients present in maca, its primary value is as an “adaptogen”. Adaptogens greatly improve your body’s ability to adapt to stress, whether it’s heat or cold stress, a hectic schedule, excessive noise, altitude or any number of other environmental factors. This elite class of supplements impart metabolic strength, energy, stamina, endurance, and they have been shown to improve mental clarity. Not only have I included this powder in these Trail Mix Rice Krispies, but I put a 1/2 tsp in my smoothies every morning to help power me through the day!
Hemp Hearts
I started using hemp hearts(shelled hemp seeds) several years ago in oatmeal and smoothies to help with digestion and for a good source of omegas (they not only contain Omega 3 & 6, but GLA too). I recently started eating them every chance I get, after discovering what an amazing source of plant-based iron they are, with one serving providing 20% of my daily needs. As another plant-based bonus, per serving they also pack 10g of protein, which is twice the amount of protein compared to flax or chia, and they’re lower in carbohydrates.
I hope you love my Trail Mix Rice Krispies as much as I do, be sure to let me know what you think in the comments or by sharing with me on Instagram!
- Yield: 24+
- Prep Time: 10 min + 90 minutes cooling minutes
Trail Mix Rice Krispies
A nutty, sweet, superfood-packed snack that is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter*
- 1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1/4 cup Vitafiber - or can sub more honey
- 1/3 cup MRM Lucuma Powder**
- 2T chia seeds
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2T Tocos - I use Sun Potion brand, optional
- 2 T MRM Maca powder
- 4 1/2 cups brown rice krispies
- 1/2 cup currants
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds - roasted for best flavor
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- (optional) handful of mini chocolate chips - I like Enjoy Life brand
Instructions
- Lightly melt the coconut oil, peanut butter and honey together in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir in the vitafiber, lucuma, sea salt, tocos, maca and chia seeds until evenly combined.
- Add the rice krispies, currants, sunflower seeds, and hemp hearts. Combine the entire batch until the krispies are evenly coated, and the other mix-ins are evenly distributed. (It's critical you equally distribute the peanut butter mixture, so the krispies bind together!)
- Press into a lightly sprayed 9x13 baking dish, and then use a sheet of wax paper to press firmly down into shape. Refrigerate at least 90 minutes. Slice into bars or bites, and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!
*Ingredients should read "peanuts" or "peanuts, salt"
**I haven't tested it, but you could likely some powdered peanut butter (PB2) in place of this, you may just need to adjust the honey or vitafiber for sweetness.
Allergens
