Dessert, Snacks

Protein Rice Crispy Treats

I am always looking for ways to add more protein into my diet. These Protein Rice Crispy Treats have been a staple pre-workout snack for me for almost 6 years now. I have yet to try any other protein rice crispy treats – homemade or storebought, that come anywhere close to these in terms of flavor. These ones taste like the real thing!

Protein Rice Crispy Treats recipe
These protein rice crispy treats taste just like the homestyle rice crispy treats but with the added bonus of 7g of protein.

Does the Type of Protein Powder Matter?

Over the years I’ve made these Protein Rice Crispy Treats with probably 20 different protein powders and although all of them were good, this one is truly the best of the best. Most protein powder will alter the flavor of the rice crispy treats, leaving either an overly sweet, or bitter aftertaste and many of them changed the texture too to either be too sticky or chalky.

Isopure Unflavored Whey Protein Powder

I don’t want to make this whole post about the Isopure Unflavored Protein, but I just have too many good things to say about it! This is my go-to protein powder for fruit smoothies and any kind of baking. It’s easily accessible too which is so nice. I’m able to find it at most Target stores in my area. I’ll leave my Amazon link below for too for anybody interested:

What Kind of Marshmallows Should I use?

I usually am one that reaches for the generic brand for any food items since most of them seem identical to me. For this recipe though, I have found that the Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows really make a difference in flavor. You also want to make sure that you open a brand new bag for this recipe. If you use old marshmallows, it makes the Protein Rice Crispy Treats turn out sticky – almost like the texture of the stale marshmallows. It’s not the kind of sticky that you’re going for – it’s more the kind of sticky that makes the rice crispy treats soft instead of crunchy, and then stick to your teeth. Trust me on this and just get a fresh bag for this recipe. I like to find the 16 oz bag so that I can use all of the marshmallows and not have to save any since these seem to go stale quickly.

What Kind of Cereal Do I need to Make Protein Rice Crispy Treats?

This is where I reach for the generic brand. I have found that most puffed rice cereals all taste the same. Make sure that you aren’t getting a sweetened or flavored one. I love the Target’s generic brand for this cereal. If you want the brand name, look for the “Rice Krispies” cereal by Kellogs.

How to Make Protein Rice Crispy Treats

  • To make these protein rice crispy treats, start by melting 8 tbsp of butter on medium low heat in a large pot on a cooktop. Continue stirring until the butter is fully melted.
  • Add 16 oz of fresh mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir them in consistently until they are fully melted. Immediately remove the pot from the heat to prevent burning.
  • Add in 2 scoops of the Isopure protein and stir until well combined.
  • Begin adding in the rice cereal 1 cup at a time, making sure to fully combine each cup before adding the next.
  • Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper and then spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  • Add you protein rice crispy mixture to the baking dish and then cover with more parchment paper.
  • Firmly press down on the top parchment paper to pack the mixture into the baking dish until it has become firm.
  • Chill for 15 minutes before cutting into equal squares and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

  1. Opt for fresh marshmallows
  2. Work quickly while the butter and marshmallows are melting and continue to stir them the whole time. If you overcook them, or allow them to burn, they will turn out sticky and hard.
  3. The Isopure Unflavored protein is the absolute best for this recipe. It doesn’t clump up, isn’t chalky and leaves no bitter aftertaste the way flavored proteins do.
  4. Chilling these before cutting them helps them hold their shape and gives you crisp edges.
  5. Use an oiled knife to cut the protein rice crispy treats to prevent sticking.

Protein Rice Crispy Treats Macros

These Protein Rice Crispy Treats are definitely a treat. These aren’t a low cal recipe by any means (although I hope to post that one soon too!) For me, these are a great pre-workout snack though. I cut mine into 9 very large squares so portion size can be adjusted too as desired. See below for Nutrition Facts.

Nutrition Facts

9 servings per container

Serving Size1 g


  • Amount Per ServingCalories335
  • % Daily Value *
  • Total Fat 10g 16%
    • Total Carbohydrate 53g 18%
      • Protein 5g 10%

        * The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

        Protein Rice Crispy Treats

        4.5 from 2 votes
        Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
        Servings

        9

        servings
        Prep time

        0

        minutes
        Cooking time

        10

        minutes
        Total time

        10

        minutes

        These Protein Rice Crispy Treats taste like the real thing. I have been making them for 6 years now and nobody has ever been able to tell that they have any added protein powder. They make the perfect pre-workout snack, or protein dessert. Fresh marshmallows and this Isopure protein powder are the key ingredients here. I hope you love these as much as I do!

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        Ingredients

        • 16 oz Mini Marshmallows

        • 7 Cups Rice Cereal

        • 8 Tbsp Butter

        • 2 Scoops Isopure Unflavored Whey Protein Powder

        Directions

        • To make these protein rice crispy treats, start by melting 8 tbsp of butter on medium low heat in a large pot on a cooktop. Continue stirring until the butter is fully melted.
        • Add 16 oz of fresh mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir them in consistently until they are fully melted. Immediately remove the pot from the heat to prevent burning.
        • Add in 2 scoops of the Isopure protein and stir until well combined.
        • Begin adding in the rice cereal 1 cup at a time, making sure to fully combine each cup before adding the next.
        • To Shape the Protein Rice Crispy Treats
        • Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper and then spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
        • Add you protein rice crispy mixture to the baking dish and then cover with more parchment paper.
        • Firmly press down on the top parchment paper to pack the mixture into the baking dish until it has become firm.
        • Chill for 15 minutes before cutting into equal squares and enjoy!

        Notes

        • The Isopure Unflavored protein is the absolute best for this recipe. It doesn’t clump up, isn’t chalky and leaves no bitter aftertaste the way flavored proteins do.
        • Make sure to use fresh marshmallows. If you use stale marshmallows, the rice crispy treats will turn out sticky and hard.
        • Work quickly while the butter and marshmallows are melting and continue to stir them the whole time. If you overcook them, or allow them to burn, they will turn out sticky and hard.
        • Chilling these before cutting them helps them hold their shape.
        • Use an oiled knife to cut the protein rice crispy treats to prevent sticking

        Nutrition Facts

        • Serving Size: 9g
        • Calories: 335kcal
        • Carbohydrates: 53g
        • Protein: 7g
        • Fat: 10g
        • Saturated Fat: 6g
        • Sugar: 25g
        • Iron: 31mg

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        A protein rice crispy treat recipe

        I hope you love these Protein Rice Crispy Treats as much as I have! If you try this recipe, leave me a review and let me know what you think. I also love hearing how people alter this recipe – if you add topping or try different proteins and love it, let me know!