Treat Yourself: Vegan Chocolate Rice Cake Protein Bars! 🍫

• Crush rice cakes and mix with melted chocolate chips and protein powder.
• Press mixture into a lined baking dish.
• Add toppings.
• Chill for 1 hour.
• Slice into bars and enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations

If you want to make this recipe fit your taste or dietary preferences, here are some creative substitutions and variations to try:  

• Feel free to swap out the peanut butter for almond butter, seed butter, or your favorite nut butter. If you're avoiding nuts, sunflower seed butter is a great alternative.
• Use puffed rice or rice krispies instead of rice cakes if you want a lighter, crispier texture. The puffed rice adds an extra crunch that you'll love in every bite!
• For a lower-calorie option, try using dark chocolate with a higher cacao percentage and reduce the amount of chocolate chips.
• Swap brown rice syrup for any syrup you like, such as maple syrup or agave, to make it a little sweeter.
• To make a berry version, mix in some dried berries or crumble freeze-dried fruit into the mixture for added flavor and color.

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

Making this recipe your own is easy with just a few tweaks. Here are some tips to help you tailor these protein bars to your liking:

• Use a microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between intervals to prevent burning. You can also use a double boiler on the stovetop.
• Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the rice cake crumbles and press it firmly to ensure it sets evenly.
• If you like your bars extra crunchy, sprinkle some lightly salted rice cereal over the top before chilling.
• Don’t forget to top your bars with a dash of flaky salt for that perfect sweet and salty balance.
• To give your bars a protein boost, stir in a scoop of vanilla protein powder or add some chia seeds to the mixture.

Storage and Serving Tips

If you plan to make these bars ahead of time or save some for later, here are a few helpful storage and serving tips:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week, or in the freezer for longer storage. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
• If you're making a big batch, you can freeze individual portions for up to 30 days. Just wrap them in parchment paper and store in a freezer-safe bag.
• These bars make for an ideal grab-and-go dessert or snack. They're great for a post-workout energy boost or a healthier sweet treat throughout the day.
• For a fun twist, serve them with a drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of sea salt just before serving. You'll love the contrast of crispy rice cake bars with the smooth chocolate topping!