This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CrispyComeback #CollectiveBias
I have loved M&Ms ever since I was a little girl. They are one of my favorite bite-size candies, and always will be. The first time I had ever eaten M&Ms® Crispy was around Valentine’s Day. I am really happy they brought this variety back to the shelves, because I became an instant fan. I didn’t even know I had been missing out while they were gone!
Guess what happened when I brought out the large bag to share with my family. Let’s just say, those M&Ms® Crispy didn’t last for long. I had to go out to CVS and buy another bag so I could make no bake granola bars with M&Ms® Crispy. I love adding M&Ms® candy to my homemade granola bars. I normally add in the plain variety, but I knew the M&Ms® Crispy with their crispy rice centers would taste awesome in granola bars made with crispy rice cereal.
On my next trip to store, I picked up an M&Ms® Crispy large bag to use in the recipe AND some of the small bags to hide away in my “secret Mom candy stash.” They have 180 calories per serving, which makes them a wonderful way to treat myself. Now I am wondering: Do you have a secret stash of treats to enjoy all by yourself after the kids are in bed? You can tell me, I promise to keep it a secret!
My new favorite way to make granola bars the perfect size. Meet granola bites!
I had a happy accident while making these granola bars. I doubled the recipe so I would have enough to freeze (because yes, you can freeze them). I ran out of baking dishes, so I used a mini muffin pan to make a batch of bite-sized granola bars. The happy accident was that I realized it is MUCH easier to make granola bars in the mini muffin pans because you don’t have to cut them out! They are already the perfect size for granola bites. I will definitely be making them this way from now on. I never was a big fan of trying to cut granola bars into bar shapes. I am so happy I can skip that step by using the mini muffin pan as a mold.
No Bake Granola Bars with M&Ms® Crispy Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 Large bag of M&Ms® Crispy
2.5 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
1 3/4 cups Quick Oats
1/4 cup Ground Flax Seed (you can substitute more oats if you don’t have this ingredient)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
1. Mix the Rice Krispies, Quick Oats, and Ground Flax Seed in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a small saucepan, stir the honey, brown sugar and salt together on medium-low heat. Continue to stir and bring the mixture to a rolling boil for 30-60 seconds.
3. Remove mixture from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Pour the mixture onto the dry ingredients from Step 1 and mix until everything is thoroughly coated.
5. Allow mixture to cool for 5-10 minutes before mixing in the M&Ms® Crispy.
6. Press mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 pan and let cool before cutting into bars. *OR* press mixture into mini muffin pan and allow to cool completely before removing from pan.
This recipe can easily be doubled to make a larger batch of granola bars. I like to make a double batch and freeze at least half of what I make. I pull more bars out as needed. They thaw quickly, and the kids love to eat them for snacks at home and at school.
M&Ms Coupon at CVS
Click to get your $1 coupon available for M&M’s® Crispy at CVS
M&Ms® Crispy – So Good, They’re Back! Watch Yellow M&M tell all the fans the good news.
Scarlet says
Yum. These look so good, I’d eat them too! (I usually just give granola bars to my kids for snacks on the go.)
Nicole says
I am a big fan of granola bars and this is one of the easiest recipes to make them where they turn out nice and chewy. We like them that way!
Nicole Dziedzic says
Always awesome when it involves no baking, I love when M&M’s candies are used to make awesome recipes like this, sweet treat!
Julie Wood says
I love these adorable cute No bake Granola bars! I always like to make cookies that do not have to be baked and these look delicious and easy to make! Thanks for sharing.
Julie Wood says
There is no comment section for the Kohl’s giveaway.
Nicole says
Thanks Julie – I’m heading over to open the comments on that post. I’m sorry about the inconvenience.
s.w. says
Love that this is a no-bake because it would save on time. This would be a great after school snack .
JanetGoingCrazy says
These are just adorable and I’m sure they are tasty as well! #client
Nicole says
Thank you! Yes, they are really yummy even without M&Ms…but add those crispy M&Ms and they are over-the-top! 🙂 One of my favorite snacks.
Janet W. says
What a delicious recipe! I’ll have to try this. I love the crispy M&Ms!
Michelle S says
I have had something similar before, and they are a yum treat on the go!
CR Williams says
My daughter would love this. I think I would too : )
Small Footprints says
Mmmmm! Well, except for the honey, I think I could definitely do these … they look yummy! Perhaps, instead of honey, I could use molasses or agave syrup to make it vegan. Definitely worth trying. Thanks for sharing!
Small Footprints says
Oh … I just had a thought … are M&Ms vegan? Well, I’m sure I could find a vegan chocolate chip if they aren’t. 🙂 Thanks, again!
Nicole says
Hi! I am trying to find out the answer to this question. So far all I have learned is that every variety of M&Ms besides the Peanut M&Ms are supposed to be gluten-free. BUT those lists did not have the Crispy variety on them (perhaps because their return is so new). If I hear back from the company I will let you know for sure! Thanks for your question. And yes, you could substitute blue agave syrup (and probably molasses but I don’t know how much that would change the taste) for the honey.
Laura J says
Oh this looks so good and easy to make! I think Carter would love them! What a great idea!!! Cannot wait to try them!
shelly peterson says
These look super yummy and easy to make. I might use mini M&M’s or chocolate chips just to make them easier to eat.
Nicole says
Yes, these would be great with mini M&Ms, chocolate chips (even the mini kind of chips) or other mix ins that you like in your granola bars. Thanks for your awesome suggestions! –Nicole
Cynthia R says
I love the granola candy mix, looks delicious
Heather says
I think these sound awesome! I think my whole family would enjoy them! I love that they are no bake too!