These Hippy bars are my take on a healthy rice crispy squares. Reminiscent of the west coast hippie bars I grew up with, they rely on dates for sweetness and hemp for that added hippie vibe.
They aren't too sweet, they're full of fibre (from dates), and have that "granola" feel about them. The base is made of nut butter, dates, and some cinnamon, then crispy rice is added alongside a good dose of hemp hearts. We topped ours with melted chocolate, but for the real "hippie-bar" experience, carob would be more authentic.
Ingredients
- Medjool dates
- nut butter
- maple syrup
- coconut oil
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- crispy rice cereal
- hemp hearts
- sea salt
- chocolate chips
Method
In a blender or Vitamax combine the dates, nut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, sea salt, and cinnamon. Puree the mixture until it is relatively smooth. If you are using a blender, you might want to use a tempter.
In a bowl combine the crispy rice and hemp hearts together. Add the date mixture and using your hands, knead it a little so it all comes together.
Press the rice mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan or a square baking dish (shape doesn't really matter here). I find using a spoon helps to press the mixture into the corners.
Chill the pan of rice mixture while you melt your chocolate.
In a bain Marie or microwave, melt the chocolate just until no clumps remain.
Pour the chocolate over the chilled rice base and then return the bar to the fridge to fully set. Once the chocolate is hard, slice into the bar.
Tips + Notes
Since these healthy rice crispy squares don't have marshmallow holding them together, it is important that you press the mixture down well to ensure it holds. I like to use the back of a spoon to do this as it creates a nice smooth surface on which to pour the chocolate over.
While I haven't tried it I know others have made this recipe with the puffed rice that is not crispy and even oats. Look at substitutions for more ideas.
Substitutions
As some ingredients are hard to find these days, here are some of my recommended replacements
- Try sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version
- Try puffed quinoa or millet if you can't find crispy rice cereal
- Omit the cinnamon and add a little more vanilla
- Try using shredded coconut instead of hemp hearts
- Add a few tablespoons of cacao nibs
Recipe
Hippy Bars (Healthy Rice Crispy Squares)
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Blender or Vitamix
- Mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
- Loaf pan or square baking dish
- Bain Marie or microwave
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates pitted
- ½ cup nut butter I used almond
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 ½ cups crispy rice cereal we like this one
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a blender or Vitamax combine the dates, nut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, sea salt, and cinnamon. Puree the mixture until it is relatively smooth. If you are using a blender, you might want to use a tempter.
- In a bowl combine the crispy rice and hemp hearts together. Add the date mixture and using your hands, knead it a little so it all comes together.
- Press the rice mixture into a parchment-lined loaf pan or a square baking dish (shape doesn't really matter here). I find using a spoon helps to press the mixture into the corners.
- Chill the pan of rice mixture while you melt your chocolate.
- In a Bain Marie or microwave, melt the chocolate just until no clumps remain.
- Pour the chocolate over the chilled rice base and then return the bar to the fridge to fully set.
- Once the chocolate is hard, slice into the bar.
Hello! I love your blog and have really enjoyed every recipe I have tried so far! Honestly the best plant-based vegan recipes I have ever made! So nourishing and amazing flavors. And I have been making great sourdough bread from your awesome recipe every week!
I made these Hippy Bars, and while they tasted amazing, I somehow couldn’t get them to hold together. I followed the recipe but it seemed like I didn’t have enough of the sticky ingredients to the ratio of the puffed rice. Just curious if I should add more almond butter or coconut oil next time? Still really enjoyed these, just ate it with a spoon! Lol
Thank you so much, Sophia! You're too kind <3 This could be as simple as different crispy rice. You could always up both the oil and nut butter next time or maybe add a little less cereal. Another trick is to make sure you press them really, really well (I love to use the back of a large metal spoon here to compact them) Hope they hold and please let me know how it goes <3