Love Rice Crispy squares? Well, I’ve got a “healthier” option with these healthy crispy squares. Thank you Alton Brown for the inspiration on Good Eats!
Healthy Crispy Squares – Okay, Let’s Call Them “Healthier” Crispy Squares
I love Rice Crispy squares, and have since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Now that I am an adult I try to eat healthier and avoid too many sweets. But, I was born with a very large sweet tooth, so here’s a way to indulge in some sweets but still eat somewhat healthy.
These take longer to prep than to make. It involved bunch of chopping and measuring. It is a super easy recipe and you will end up with about 20-24 squares.
Prep time is about 15-20 minutes; Cook time is about 10 minutes.
The hardest part is getting the puffed rice mixed into the marshmallows without making a disaster of your kitchen.
Ingredients Needed:
**This is an approximation of what I used, it is not necessarily an exact science – if you like certain fruits or nuts add those or add more!
- 6 cups puffed brown rice – the “puffed rice” in your cereal aisle works great.
- 3 tablespoons oil, plus extra for the pan (use the oil of your choice, we used regular canola oil but flax seed oil would add to the health benefits)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 cups mini marshmallows (or cut up regular marshmallows)
- 3/4 cup of slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries
The nuts and fruits in this recipe can be substituted for what ever ones you enjoy more (or the less expensive – like raisins or apricots).
Bake-ware needed: a 13″ x 9″ metal pan.
Instructions:
- Coat the inside of your pan with a light coating of oil and set it aside.
- Measure out all your dried fruits and nuts into a bowl with the puffed rice. Mix them all together so the fruit/nuts are evenly distributed. Keep within arms reach of the stove.
- Place a large metal bowl over a pot of gently simmering water.
- Put the oil, honey and marshmallows into the metal bowl. Stir until the marshmallows are melted – this will take 5-8 minutes.
- Once your marshmallows are nicely melted, add in the puffed rice/fruits/nuts mixture. This is the messy step – and takes some arm strength (I called in the hubby).
- Coat a spatula (or your hands) with a tiny bit of oil and spread the mixture evenly into your pan.
- Once cooled, cut into squares and store in an airtight container.
These healthy crispy squares are great when you crave a little sweetness. I make them regularly as a treat (but a treat that still has many health benefits!)