I just couldn't bring myself to eat a boring old, plain Rice Krispie treat again after I tried these Healthy Apricot Sunflower Rice Krispie Treats! My mother-in-law used to make these Rice Crispy treats. And I had never had anything like them. These Rice Krispie treats are healthier and a unique variation of the standard rice Krispies squares, made quickly in the microwave. They also make a great snack, picnic dessert , and are ideal for a bake sale!
When we were kids, Rice Krispie treats were a really popular treat, and it was pretty exciting when we got to have them (it was not something my Mom made at home). It wasn't until I met my husband that I tried this version. It's amazing how adding just a little dried apricot and sunflower seeds to a Rice Krispies cereal square can give it such a great variation of texture and transform it into something so delicious!
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Grandma Jean was a really good cook, and every time she used to visit us in Calgary, she'd make these rice crispy treats and her Chow Mein Casserole! I make a lot of her fabulous recipes now, including the best bran muffin you will ever eat in your life! I want her to live on that way, through her recipes. I know she'd like that.
🥘Ingredient Notes
- Dried apricots. Dried apricots are a good source of fiber and are considered a fruit serving, with ½ cup of dried fruit equal to one cup of fresh fruit. I'm not a big fruit eater, so this is a bonus for me! They also have a high beta-carotene content, making them especially rich in Vitamin A. You can read more about the health benefits of dried apricots HERE.
- Sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E (which has strong anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce risk of heart disease), folate (important for DNA synthesis), phosphorus (key for bone health), selenium (an antioxidant that protects against cell damage), manganese (which helps with bone production), copper (which helps with heart health and immune function), B6 (good for cognitive development and function) and zinc (important for metabolism and immune function), according to registered dieticians. And sunflower seeds are notably rich in magnesium. You can read more about the health benefits of sunflower seeds HERE! Make sure you get raw, shelled, and unsalted!
- Margarine or Butter. My daughter is lactose intolerant, so I usually make these with Becel Vegan Margarine. If you use butter, I recommend using unsalted butter.
📖 Variations & Substitutions
There are lots of different variations of Rice Crispy treats, but many involve making them even more unhealthy with add-ins like sprinkles, candy, chocolate chips, etc. So if you're looking for a healthier version of Rice Krispies treats, then this one is it! It's very unique tasting, and the sunflower seeds and apricots actually add some health benefits to the simple Rice Krispies squares.
- WW friendly rice krispie treats - use light margarine and/or sugar-free marshmallows (affiliate link)
- Make them vegan - with vegan marshmallows (affiliate link) and vegan margarine
- Apricots -you can use cranberries, cherries, raisins, or chopped dates instead of apricots. Just keep the amount the same (¾ cup finely chopped).
- Lactose-free - use vegan margarine.
🔪Step-by-Step: How to make Microwave Rice Krispie Treats with Marshmallows
PREP: Spray a 9 X 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 1: Grease a large microwave-safe bowl and a large spoon (plastic preferably) with a little vegetable shortening.
- Step 2: Add margarine and marshmallows to the bowl.
- Step 3: Microwave for 1 minute. Remove and stir.
- Step 4: If not fully melted, put back into the microwave in 20-second increments and remove and stir each time until melted. * They will melt as you stir.
- Step 5: Once melted, remove from microwave and stir in Rice Krispies, chopped apricots, and sunflower seeds.
- Step 6: Press into a 9X13 pan.
- Step 7: You can dampen your hands with water or lightly grease them to press into the pan or use a greased spatula.
- Step 8: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until firm. *I recommend Glad Press N' Seal because it's thicker and sticks to the side better than regular plastic wrap. Slice into squares and serve.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Chop the apricots finely for even texture. This ensures they distribute evenly throughout the squares and don't create large chewy chunks.
- Use fresh, soft marshmallows. Older marshmallows can become dry and harder to melt, which makes mixing more difficult.
- Grease your bowl, spoon, and hands. A light coating of butter, margarine, or non-stick spray prevents the sticky mixture from clinging and makes pressing it into the pan much easier.
- Don't overheat the marshmallows. Microwave in short intervals and stir often-overheating can make the mixture too stiff, making it harder to mix and press.
- Pack the mixture gently. Press it just enough to hold together without compacting too firmly, so the squares stay light and chewy.
- Cool before cutting. Refrigerating for at least 30 minutes helps them firm up and makes slicing cleaner and neater.
- Freeze for longer storage. Wrap squares individually or separate layers with parchment, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months.
🌡️Storing
Store these Sunflower Rice Krispies treats in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
freeze well and store for up to 4 months in the freezer in a Ziploc freezer bag or sealed container.
❔ Recipe FAQs
Yes! They're a great make-ahead treat. You can prepare them up to 2 days in advance or freeze them for up to 4 months.
Use a sharp knife lightly coated with non-stick spray or run it under hot water and dry it before cutting. This helps create clean, even slices.
Yes! You can melt the marshmallows and margarine in a large pot on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Then simply follow the recipe as written.
Lightly grease your hands or spatula with butter, margarine, or non-stick spray-or dampen your hands with a little water before pressing the mixture into the pan.
But remember, although these healthier rice krispie treats may be healthier as far as treats go, that doesn't make them light, low-fat, or Weight Watchers friendly. It's a treat and meant to be eaten in moderation. However, the bonus is that you're getting some health benefits from your treat!
These Kellogg's Rice Krispie cereal bars are the perfect dessert or snack for the lunch bag and ideal for your next bake sale. They are popular sellers and really quick to make in the microwave. They also freeze well, so you can make them ahead!
If you're looking for additional bake sale ideas, these Easy Butter Tarts and my Strawberry Milkshake Cookies were also hot sellers at our last 3 bake sales! And be sure to check out my other bake sale recipes!
🍱More lunch box snack and dessert recipes
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📋 Apricot Sunflower Healthy Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups rice krispies
- 5 cups mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup margarine or butter
- ¾ cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
- ¾ cup dried apricots finely chopped
Instructions
- Spray a 9 X 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Grease a large microwave safe bowl and a large spoon (plastic preferably) with a little vegetable shortening
- Add margarine and marshmallows to bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Remove and stir. If not fully melted, put back into microwave in 20 second increments and remove and stir each time until melted. * They will melt as you stir.¼ cup margarine or butter, 5 cups mini marshmallows
- Once melted, remove from microwave and stir in rice krispies, chopped apricots and sunflowers seeds.6 cups rice krispies, ¾ cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds, ¾ cup dried apricots
- Press into a 9X13 pan. You can dampen your hands with water or lightly grease them to press into pan or use a greased spatula.
- Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until firm
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
-
- Chop the apricots finely for even texture. This ensures they distribute evenly throughout the squares and don't create large chewy chunks.
-
- Use fresh, soft marshmallows. Older marshmallows can become dry and harder to melt, which makes mixing more difficult.
-
- Grease your bowl, spoon, and hands. A light coating of butter, margarine, or non-stick spray prevents the sticky mixture from clinging and makes pressing it into the pan much easier.
-
- Don't overheat the marshmallows. Microwave in short intervals and stir often-overheating can make the mixture too stiff, making it harder to mix and press.
-
- Pack the mixture gently. Press it just enough to hold together without compacting too firmly, so the squares stay light and chewy.
-
- Cool before cutting. Refrigerating for at least 30 minutes helps them firm up and makes slicing cleaner and neater.
-
- Freeze for longer storage. Wrap squares individually or separate layers with parchment, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months.
- WW friendly rice krispie treats - use light margarine and/or sugar-free marshmallows (affiliate link)
- Make them vegan - with vegan marshmallows (affiliate link) and vegan margarine
- Apricots -you can use cranberries, cherries, raisins, or chopped dates instead of apricots. Just keep the amount the same (¾ cup finely chopped).
- Lactose-free - use vegan margarine.
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
What a great idea to add apricots and sunflower seeds to rice krispie treats! I bet they add a nice flavour and I like the idea of having a little crunch from the seeds. You've definitely taken this traditional treat up a notch!
Roslia Santamaria
It looks very yummy.Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe with us.
Amanda
This is a fantastic improvement on a calssic!
Terri Gilson
Thank you, Amanda!
Cynthia
I have yet to make Rice Krispy squares, so I definitely would make your recipe for snacks! I’d totally use the microwave too.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Cynthia! Yes, if you've never made RKT's, you definitely need too. I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Colleen
This is so cool! I used to make rice crispy treats for my kids, and they loved them, but with the addition of seeds and fruit they would be amazing. Trying this next time!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Colleen!