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:

1. Coat the inside of your pan with a light coating of oil and set it aside.
2. 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.
3. Place a large metal bowl over a pot of gently simmering water.
4. Put the oil, honey and marshmallows into the metal bowl. Stir until the marshmallows are melted – this will take 5-8 minutes.
5. 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).
6. Coat a spatula (or your hands) with a tiny bit of oil and spread the mixture evenly into your pan.
7. 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!)