Rice Cereal Energy Bars

Prep time: 30 min
Servings: 24
Yield: 24 servings

Description

Crisp rice cereal is mixed with an assortment of dried fruit and nuts in these sweet no-bake bars that are wrapped individually and frozen.

Ingredients

1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
7 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup white sugar
1 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

1 Combine sesame seeds and sunflower seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring until fragrant and toasted. Salt lightly, then set aside to cool.
2 Combine dates, raisins, apricots, cherries, chocolate chips, and toasted seeds in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to chop until small but not pasty. Transfer to a large bowl and mix in crisp rice cereal and oats until well combined.
3 Mix together peanut butter, corn syrup, and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave until bubbly. Stir in powdered milk, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over dried fruit-cereal mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until evenly coated.
4 Press mixture into a greased 10x15-inch jellyroll pan using wet hands. Cut into squares and allow to cool completely before removing from the pan.