Puffed Rice Chocolate Bars
Ingredients
Puffed Rice:
- 1 cup Carolina® Jasmine Rice
- Canola oil, for frying
Chocolate Bars:
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
Simple yet satisfying, these 5-ingredient Puffed Rice Chocolate Bars will leave quite an impression. Whether you want to stock up on grab-and-go breakfast options or are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, these chocolate bars are just what you’re looking for!
Puffed Rice
Step 1
Preheat oven to 170ºF. Cook rice according to package directions. Transfer to parchment paper-lined baking sheet; bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until dry to the touch and all the moisture has evaporated. Let cool completely (rice should be dry and hard before frying).
Step 2
Pour enough oil into large saucepan to come 2 inches up side; heat over medium-high heat until instant-read thermometer reaches 425°F. Add a few grains of cooked rice; if oil is hot enough it will start to puff up instantly.
Step 3
Working in batches, carefully add 1/2 cup rice to hot oil; fry for 5 to 8 seconds or until puffed. Using small metal wire sieve, carefully transfer rice to paper towel-lined baking sheet. Let cool completely.
Chocolate Bars
Step 4
Line 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.
Step 5
In a large saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and maple syrup; cook, stirring often, for 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and melted.
Step 6
Add puffed rice to chocolate mixture, stirring until well combined. Transfer to prepared pan. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours or until firm and set. Remove from pan; cut into bars.
Cooking Tips
Puffed rice can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 to 7 days.
To ensure proper drying, spread the rice evenly in a thin layer with minimal clumping on the baking sheet.
Recipe Video
Breakfast in 5 Minutes or Less
Not everyone has the time or energy to whip up Sunday brunch quality breakfasts every morning. Luckily, Carolina® has recipes that you can whip up in no time!
A big sip of protein-packed Peanut Butter, Berry, and Rice Breakfast Smoothie will surely wake you and your taste buds up! For those who need to go from 0 to 60 in the mornings, a flavorful smoothie is the perfect grab-and-go breakfast.
If you don’t even have 5 minutes to spare, prep your blender pitcher – with all the ingredients except the ice and coconut milk – and store in the fridge overnight. Or, because it calls for leftover Whole Grain Brown Rice, our fruity “Nature’s Cereal” Bowl only takes a minute or two to assemble in the morning!
Meal Prep Morning Meals
Don’t shy away from recipes just because of the long cook time – many could quickly become your meal prep go-to’s!
Spend an hour making these cheesy Chicken and Brown Rice Lunchbox Cups or veggie-packed Vegetarian Quinoa Cakes, and enjoy breakfast on the go all week long! Store these savory bites in the fridge until you’re ready to pop them in the microwave in the morning. Ready in less than a minute, these steamy muffins are loaded with protein and whole grains to give you the energy you need to take on the day.
In fact, you can freeze these breakfast bites. So why not make a double batch? Transfer the number of muffins you want from the freezer to the fridge the night before. In the morning, simply microwave them for 20-30 seconds. Thaw a few additional cups to pop into your lunch bag.
Find all kinds of recipes that can be prepped ahead of time in our recipe section including desserts like an Indian rice pudding.
