3-Ingredient Puffed Rice Bars: The Delicious Snack Ready in Minutes!

Crisp, snappy, and ridiculously easy to throw together, these puffed rice bars are what you reach for when time is short but the snack cravings are loud. Built on bold layers of dark chocolate, a crackly puffed rice-white chocolate combo, and a final rich finish, they bring maximum flavor.

What are Puffed Rice Bars?

Before they were immortalized in lunchboxes and snack tins around the world, puffed rice treats were already big stars in various global cuisines. The ancient method of puffing rice goes way back, India has murmura, Japan has okoshi, and Korea has gangjeong.

Puffed rice was originally a clever way to stretch grain harvests, but it soon became a beloved ingredient used to create snacks. In the West, puffed rice really hit its stride in the early 20th century, thanks to cereal makers and candy bar innovators.

Pro Tips for the Best Puffed Rice Bars

• Use high-quality chocolate. The fewer the ingredients, the more important it is that each one shines. Opt for real chocolate, not candy melts.
• If you want a snappy chocolate finish instead of a sad, dull one, temper your dark chocolate before pouring it.
• Toast your puffed rice because just a quick minute in a dry pan can bring out a deeper, nutty flavor and enhance the crunch factor.
• Chill, but don’t freeze too long. Ten minutes in the freezer is perfect. Longer, and your chocolate might crack when cutting.

Can I Use Milk Chocolate Instead?

You absolutely can. Just be aware that milk chocolate is sweeter and softer than dark chocolate, so the final bars may be less firm and more sugary. If you’re sharing with kids, it’s often a hit, but adults might prefer the bittersweet edge of dark chocolate.

How Long Do They Last?

If stored properly in an airtight container, these puffed rice bars can last for up to 5 days at room temperature.

Can I Add Peanut Butter?

Totally! Swirl some into the white chocolate before mixing in the puffed rice for a nutty upgrade. Just reduce the chocolate slightly so the mix doesn’t become too runny.

Do I Need to Refrigerate These?

Not unless your kitchen is very warm. Room temperature is perfect for setting and storing these bars. Just keep them out of direct sunlight or near a heat source.

Can I Add Sprinkles or Toppings?

Yes! Jazz them up with rainbow sprinkles, crushed cookies, sea salt flakes, or even freeze-dried fruit.

How to Make Puffed Rice Bars

Gently melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each blast until smooth.

Pour the melted dark chocolate into a parchment-lined tray or pan and spread it evenly.

Let the melted chocolate sit at room temperature or in the fridge for a few minutes until firm.

Mix the puffed rice with the melted white chocolate until evenly coated.

Pour the white chocolate–puffed rice mix over the set dark chocolate base.

Pour more dark chocolate over the puffed rice layer.

Pop the tray in the freezer for 10 minutes or until the top is set. Don’t leave it too long, or the chocolate might crack when slicing. Once everything is firm, cut into squares or rectangles, depending on how generous you're feeling.