Okay, so chocolate and basil, have you tried that combo yet? It may sound a bit odd to many of you, but I actually happen to love it. It’s definitely an acquired taste though. In other words, you definitely have to like basil.
What we got here is a super simple and fast treat that requires no baking or appliance to make them. They are super chocolatey with a nice crispy texture and chew and a hint of earthy flavor from the fresh basil. They are so much better for you, and taste better, than these types of bars you’d purchase at a store too. The fact that they are vegan, gluten-free and oil-free and just 6 ingredients (+ salt) makes them deserve a happy dance!
One person not doing a happy dance about these though, was my daughter. She was not a fan of these. She loves chocolate, but hates basil. I thought the fact that these bars are sweet and chocolatey, that would fool her, but nope. She basically told me she didn’t like the yucky green basil in them, haha.
If you aren’t a fan of trying this combo, by all means, just use chopped mint instead and that will be amazing as well!
Chocolatey, crispy, chewy, sweet and a perfect on-the-go dessert that takes just minutes to make. I don’t know about you, but that puts me in a really good mood.
I would love for you to make these and to hear your feedback below after you make them, it makes my day! I’d also love to see your creation on Instagram with my hashtag #thevegan8, so I’ll be sure to see it!
6 Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Basil Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups b]unsweetened[/b] brown rice crisp cereal 36 g, I used [this one by Nature's Path
- 1/2 cup mini dairy-free chocolate chips 95 g, I use Enjoy Life
- 3 tablespoons plant milk I used "lite" canned coconut milk, but use any you like or nut-free
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons protein powder I used Ka'Chava vanilla, but any vanilla, chocolate or unsweetened will work
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil or mint if you don't want to use basil
- Note: I was sent the Ka'Chava brand to try out so I used it in these bars. The Ka"Chava is very sweet, so if you can't use it, I'd recommend using your favorite protein powder in place of it and even recommend unsweetened. The chocolate chips make these bars plenty sweet.
Instructions
- Add the brown rice cereal to a medium bowl and set aside.
- Add the chocolate chips to a heat safe glass or ceramic bowl and melt them in a microwave or double boiler and once it's almost melted, stir until smooth. Be careful about overheating chocolate or it will burn and get ruined.
- Add the milk, vanilla, salt and protein powder and stir until completely smooth. Add the chopped basil or mint.
- Pour over the brown rice cereal and stir until well coated.
- Line a 9X5 loaf pan with plastic wrap hanging over the sides for easy removal. Add the bar mixture to the pan and spread out evenly. Press down hard with a small plastic spatula or place a piece of parchment paper over the top and press down flat and hard to even out the top of the bars.
- Place to firm up in the freezer for 1 hour or until firm enough to cut into bars. Then keep them stored in the fridge, not the freezer. They will stay firm in the fridge, but easy to eat right away, whereas the freezer will make them too hard.
Notes
I’m a big fan of both basil and chocolate and thanks for validating my interest in combining them. I might add a little ground red pepper if it goes well.
Recipe sounds delicious, can’t wait to try it. Since I have never used protein powder, wondering what the protein powder does for the recipes. Since the amount is only 2 tablespoons, is there something you can substitute or leave out? Thank you.
Hi Teri! Do you have any of those superfood powders like Lucuma or mesquite? They are naturally sweet (like the protein powder) and would work well. If not, I would just sub with either brown rice flour or oat flour. I haven’t tried it with either, but am assuming it would work fine. Let me know please, I’d love to hear!
I used to think that I didn’t like basil, and then I had fresh basil in a herb salad. It made me realize what I’d been missing all along – using fresh basil instead of dried. My husband adores all things rice crispy – so I’m definitely going to have to make these for him 🙂
Loving these!
Thank you so much for this recipe! This year I found and planted cinnamon basil (!) and have been searching for just the right recipe to try it in, and I do think yours is it! I am heading to the store this weekend for the rest of the ingredients. I’ll let you know how they turn out. mmmmmm chocolate, cinnamon and basil… you can’t go wrong 🙂
I’m actually reading this just after eating some chocolate crisp bars myself! I love the texture that puffed rice adds to chocolate, and I also like to add in some puffed quinoa to mine too – there are so many different puffed grains available now, it’s amazing!! These look so delicious Brandi, and I love that you combined them with basil – I’ve never tried that before, and I know I’m just going to have to now!!! 🙂
Wow! I adore chocolate and I adore basil and the bars look amazing with the little green flecks! It’s a combination I would never have thought of but now I can’t wait to try it.
The texture in these sounds out of this world delicious girl (plus ONLY 6 ingredients – LOVE it!!)! I have never tried chocolate and basil together but I am a HUGE fan of both so can imagine they must taste fantastic together. I actually thought those were mint leaves before reading the recipe title!! I kind of wish I had one of these bars to snack on right now 🙂
Thanks so much my friend!! They do look just like mint don’t they? Mint is just a bit lighter in color, but they are very similar. It is different, but I love that kind of thing and it works well. My daughter and hubby weren’t fans though, hahaha!
I love the combination of chocolate and basil, but I have never thought of doing it in a dessert. Looks delicious and such a good idea. Thanks for the inspiration:)
Thank you so much Laura! It works well, as long as you don’t go overboard on the basil, haha! A little goes a long way since fresh basil is so strong!
It’s got crispy rice so I’m pretty much sold without even having to know the other ingredients :-)!
Crispy rice is the best isn’t it?!
How fun an unique! I must try this combo.
Ooh doesn’t chocolate and basil together sound divine! Yum!
Thanks so much Thalia! It really does!
I’m loving this! I haven’t tried these two together but I’m thinking I may love them!
Thanks so much Sophia!!
I think you might too, thank you Sophia!
This is such a lovely combination of flavors. I’ve never thought about to put basil in chocolate treats. So I’m really curious how does it taste, Brandi! Thank you for sharing such an innovative recipe! Definitely give this a try! Your pictures look stunning as always.
These look crazy good! I’ve never had chocolate and basil together, but I love basil on EVERYTHING. Pinned 🙂
Thank you so much Medha! I appreciate that! Basil is a favorite of mine too!
I LOVE basil! You are right, mixing these 2 ingredients together is an acquired taste and probably more for exotic and/or adult tastebuds. But once you’ve had the flavors mingle together it can be quite addicting. This 10 minute recipe looks totally drool-worthy!
Thank you so much Michaell! Well said, because as I mention in the post, my 3 year daughter was NOT a fan…hahaha! She thought the “green things” were nasty. I love the combo, but that’s why I suggest mint for an alternative because I totally get it if somebody doesn’t like the 2 together 🙂
What a cool flavor that is! Chocolate and basil, never tried it but I can imagine the combination is just divine 🙂
Thank you so much June! If you like both chocolate and basil, then I think you just might like these! I sure loved them!
Oooh, interesting. I’ve tried strawberry and basil, and liked it, but not particularly. In other words I thought it would have been better just strawberry:P On the other hand, I like chocolate mixed with just about anything apart from chili! Love trying new flavour combos though, so I reckon if I made this I’d do perhaps a quarter basil and the rest mint just to be safe and ensure none get wasted xD
I don’t think I’d like strawberry with basil too much, but I do love strawberry with mint. For some odd reason, the basil goes well with chocolate…in my opinion anyways, but it is definitely an acquired taste! Definitely do mint if you want…then you are guaranteed to like these 😉
I love chocolate with herbs and chili peppers. These look delicious Brandi! Lol, don’t you love how honest kids are? 🙂
Yes, I cracked up at her response! Thank you Linda!
Wow, I have never thought to pair chocolate with basil, but I bet it’s delicious. I’m definitely going to have to try this! I still have your peanut butter caramel on my short list of recipes to try too so I’ll be tagging you on instagram soon!
Thank you so much Jen! It’s different but I really quite enjoy the contrast!! I am one that loves just about any flavor pairing with chocolate…there isn’t much that doesn’t go well with it!