This Healthy Scotcheroos recipe is a fantastic no bake treat, and it is gluten free, made with no corn syrup, and so easy to make! This healthy spin on Scotcheroos is made with puffed rice, a peanut butter and maple syrup mixture, and then covered with your favorite melted chocolate on top – delicious!
What are Scotcheroos, anyways?
If you didn’t know, Scotcheroos are a treat traditionally made with chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, and Rice Krispies; the recipe was originally came from the back of the Rice Krispies box in the mid-1960s.
Since then, the Peanut Butter-Chocolate combo has been super popular, and many recipe developers have created their own versions of the Scotcheroo!
Naturally, I had to create a version in line with the mission of the Granola Diaries: easy, affordable, gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, one bowl – and voila, this recipe was born! Hope you enjoy it!
Healthy Scotcheroos Cooking Tips
First, you make your sticky mixture. This consists of maple syrup and peanut butter, which are slightly heated up to melt together on the stove top.
Then, you add your puffed rice directly to the same pot and mix everything to coat and combine. Why add it to the pot and not to a bowl? To make clean up easier, of course! If you really wanted to use a new bowl, go ahead and do that.
Next, you pour the coated mixture into a lined square pan. Using either a spatula or your hands, press the mixture down into the pan, firmly but gently. You don’t want all the rice to crumble and crack, but you also want to make sure your bars will keep their shape.
Now, melt your chocolate! To keep clean up to a minmum, you can use the same pot *again*, and melt directly on the stove, or use a double boiler method, or simple melt in the microwave. The choice and the clean up are yours!
As well, you have the option to add a touch of coconut oil to your melted chocolate. This helps keep the chocolate coating a little softer, so it is less likely to break when you bite into it. Have you ever bit into a chocolate coated candy and the whole piece of chocolate breaks off right away? That is probably pure chocolate with no softening agents or oils added.
Pour the melted chocolate over your pressed down mixture, and spread it around evenly. A silicone spatula is 100% the best tool for this (something simple like this one is perfect), but you can also use a regular spoon if that’s all you have.
Also, this is important: blast your favorite song at full volume while you do this. The music, the spreading action, and the smell of chocolate will instantly put you in an incredible mood. Baking therapy at its finest.
Finally, sprinkle with a touch of sea salt and pop in the fridge! You did it! Keep that music on and have a Living Room Dance Party!
Healthy Scotcheroos Ingredients
Besides the simplicity that comes from one bowl/pot, no bake, and an easy method to make this healthy Scotcheroo recipe, the ingredients are incredibly simple as well. You won’t find any Corn Syrup or artificial stuff here!
Puffed Rice – I use Puffed Rice in this recipe instead of Rice Krispies cereal or an equivalent. I love how it only is one ingredient: rice! No additives or extra sugar. Plus, its super cheap!
Note Puffed Rice does have a bit of a different texture; it is more chewy and less crunchy than traditional krispy rice cereal. I also use it in my Homemade Sugar Free Muesli recipe.
Peanut Butter – You can’t really have a Scotcheroo without Peanut Butter! If you did want to try a peanut free version, Sunflower Seed Butter or Tahini (this is by far the best brand), would be great options. For a Paleo option, this or this alternative could work too!
Maple Syrup – Maple Syrup serves two main purposes in this recipe: sweetens and binds. Its naturally sweet flavor makes these treats sweet, and its stickiness helps them stick together. No High Fructose Corn Syrup needed! Plus, have you ever combined Peanut Butter + Maple Syrup?! If not, you need to. Now.
Chocolate Chips – I use melted down chocolate chips to make the chocolate top of these Healthy Scotcheroos. You could also melt down your favorite chocolate bar or baking chocolate, if that is what you prefer. I just find chocolate chips easy to melt and I always have some on hand! You can add some Coconut Oil to your melted chocolate to give it a softer texture; see above.
Sea Salt – No chocolate dessert is ever really complete without a finishing touch of sea salt! Get these Sea Salt Flakes, if you’re really feeling fancy!
Basically, this Scotcheroos recipe is super simple to make, made with easy and simple ingredients, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next dinner party, potluck, soccer game, BBQ, whatever! Peanut butter + Chocolate + RICE, hello all the best foods ever! I absolutely love this healthy Scotcheroos recipe.
Have I convinced you yet? Pin this recipe for later!
Healthy and Gluten Free Treat Recips
For more simple baking ideas, check out these Healthy Treat Recipes:
Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gluten Free Pumpkin Banana Bread (made in a blender!)
The Healthiest and Easiest Chocolate Cake Ever
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
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| Prep Time | 5 Minutes |
| Passive Time | 30 Minutes |
| Servings |
Squares
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- 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
- 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil Sub Butter
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 2 Cups Puffed Rice
- 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
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- Line an 8x8 square pan with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Melt and stir everything together over medium heat.
- Once combined, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Then, add the puffed rice. Fold everything together until it forms a nice big clump. Transfer the "clump" to your square baking tray and press down firmly. You can use a rubber spatula, or just use your hands!
- Once everything is pressed firmly into the tray, melt your chocolate chips. You can use a microwave for 1 - 2 minutes, or use a double boiler. Pour melted chocolate on top and spread it around evenly. Top with some sea salt and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes to over night.
- Once everything has set, remove from fridge and slice into squares. Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or you can freeze for longer!
I love anything with granola! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
This sounds super yummy!! Love the healthiER substitutes.
Thanks Megan! Hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Is there any way to make this grain free? I miss these and can’t have any grain.