Crispy Crunchy Bars Recipes

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRISPY BARS

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch square baking dish with a strip of parchment paper, cut to fit neatly across the base and up opposite sides. In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown rice crisps and 1 cup of the chopped pecans (reserve the rest for sprinkling on top). Set both aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the peanut butter and honey. Warm the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring often, until it's steaming or you catch a bubble or two forming on the bottom, about 5 minutes. (We don't want this mixture to come to a boil or the peanut butter could scorch.)
• Pour the warm mixture into the bowl of rice crisps. Using a rubber or silicone spatula, stir until the mixture is completely combined. Transfer it all to the lined baking dish. Press down with the spatula to spread it fairly evenly, then switch to a large, sturdy glass with a flat bottom (maybe a working jar or mason jar or what-have-you) and press down firmly all over, including the corners. You really want to pack it down (it's ok if you hear some crunching noises). Lastly, use your hands to ensure that it's evenly compacted.
• Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each one. Don't overdo it. The chocolate is done when it's about 90% melted-keep stirring off the heat and the pieces should completely dissolve. (Alternately, you can use melt it in a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water.)
• Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter-crispy mixture. Use a clean spatula to spread it evenly all over. Make some pretty chocolate swooshes if you'd like. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top, followed by the salt.
• Place the baking dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to a day. To slice, carefully grab both sides of the parchment paper and lift it out of the baking dish. Use a sharp chef's knife to make 4 even columns and 4 even rows-to minimize the risk of cracking the chocolate, carefully apply even pressure from above the knife to press straight down, rather than sawing from one edge across.
• These bars will keep well at room temperature for up to 1 week, or for several months in the freezer. Store in an air-tight container either way.

CRISPY HONEY NUT GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.
• Spread the oats, walnuts and almonds onto the prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast for 7 minutes. Add the coconut and toss well with a rubber spatula, then place back in the oven to cook for 4 to 5 minutes more. Keep an eye on it towards the end; you want the coconut to turn golden but not burn.
• In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract and salt in a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Whisk and bring to a rapid boil, then turn off the heat and set aside.
• Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300°F. Combine the oat mixture, honey mixture, rice cereal, and dried fruit in a large bowl and toss well. (Reserve the aluminum foil.)
• Use the reserved foil to line a 9x13-inch baking dish, then spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Turn the granola bar mixture out into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly, patting down with a spatula. Be sure the heat is reduced to 300°F, then bake until lightly golden, 20 to 23 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely, 1 to 1½ hours. Use the foil overhang to transfer the bars to a cutting board, then use a large, sharp knife to cut into rectangles. Store the bars in a single layer in an airtight container, or wrap the bars individually in aluminum foil, for up to a week at room temperature.
• Note: You can swap in your favorite nuts and seeds as long as you keep the proportions of dry to wet ingredients the same. You can also toss in some dried fruit. On occasion, I'll sprinkle some chocolate chips over top for the kids (you can't mix them in or they'll melt).
• Note: Be sure your oven is fully preheated before toasting nuts; the initial blast of heat to preheat the oven can burn them.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The granola bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely and store in an airtight container separating layers with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Before serving, remove them from the container and let them come to room temperature.

THE BEST HOMEMADE CRUNCH BARS

Steps:

• Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or deep baking tray of choice with parchment paper and set aside.
• Add crispy rice cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, combine all your other ingredients and heat until melted. Remove from microwave/off stove and whisk until completely incorporated.
• Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the crispy rice cereal and mix until combined. Pour into the lined baking dish and refrigerate until firm (at least an hour).
• Remove and cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER CRISPY BARS

Steps:

• Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides. Prepare and bake brownie mix according to package directions, using prepared pan. Cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate until cold., Spread chunky peanut butter over brownies. Place chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in Rice Krispies; spread over chunky peanut butter layer. Refrigerate, covered, at least 30 minutes or until set., Lifting with parchment, remove brownies from pan. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CRISPY-CRUNCHY BARS

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons butter, 10 ounces marshmallows and 1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter) in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir in 4 cups crisp brown cereal, 1 cup granola and 1 cup chopped almonds. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Press into a buttered 9-inch square pan; let cool, then cut into bars.
• Copyright (c)2011 Food Network Magazine, LLC. Published by Hyperion. Available wherever books are sold. All Rights Reserved. Photograph courtesy of Antonis Achilleos.

CRUNCHY PECAN BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Butter a 15 x 10 jelly-roll pan.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add egg yolk and vanilla; mix well.
• In a medium-size bowl, mix flour and cinnamon.
• Sfir flour mixture into creamed mixture, using hands to mix stiff dough, if necessary.
• Spread evenly in buttered jelly-roll pan.
• In a small bowl, beat egg white just until well mixed; spread over dough.
• Sprinkle pecans evenly over top, then sprinkie lightly with sugar.
• Bake in preheated oven about 1 hour or until set. Cut in 2 x 1" bars or diamond shapes while still very warm.
• Remove cookies from baking sheet to wire racks and cool.
• Cookies become crisp as they cool.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCH BARS

Steps:

• Reserve 1/3 cup chopped pretzels. In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave 6 tablespoons butter on high for 45-60 seconds or until melted. Stir in marshmallows; cook 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until marshmallows are melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in Rice Krispies and remaining chopped pretzels. Immediately press into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan., In another microwave-safe bowl, combine 2 tablespoons butter and 1/4 cup corn syrup. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 45-60 seconds or until butter is melted, stirring once. Add peanut butter chips; cook 30-40 seconds or until chips are melted, stirring once. Spread over cereal layer., In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the remaining corn syrup and remaining butter. Cook on high for 45-60 seconds or until butter is melted, stirring once. Add chocolate chips; cook 30-40 seconds longer or until chips are melted, stirring once. Spread over top., Sprinkle with peanuts and reserved pretzels; press down gently. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. Cut into bars. Store in airtight containers.

CRUNCHY GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• To toast oats spread them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 10-15 minutes or until just golden.
• Mix all ingredients.
• Firmly press into a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan lined with grease parchment paper.
• Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes.
• Cool completely and cut.