These no-bake peanut butter cereal bars are SO good! Chewy, a little salty, drizzled with chocolate, and truly so easy to make. Crispy O’s cereal gets coated in warm peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil, pressed into a pan, and set in the freezer. Just 7 ingredients, 10 minutes of prep, and you’ve got 12 grab-and-go bars for busy mornings or an afternoon snack!
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My favorite grab-and-go breakfast bar
Mornings around here move FAST. Between getting Rhys ready and getting out the door, I need something I can grab with one hand, and these bars are it. I like to make a batch and keep them in the freezer so there’s always something ready when a craving hits.
Think of these like a homemade granola bar that’s made with cereal instead of oats. They’re totally kid friendly, but adults will love them just as much!
I used One Degree Organics sprouted honey O’s when I first made these, but you don’t need anything fancy. Cheerios, puffed rice, or any light, puffy cereal works great.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking at all, just a saucepan and a pan to press them in
- Only 7 ingredients you probably already have
- Chewy and chocolatey with a little salty peanut butter flavor
- Freezer friendly so you can grab one anytime
- Kid approved and grown-up approved too
Erin's Expert Tips
From my kitchen to yours
- Press the Mixture Into the Pan Tightly. After pouring the coated cereal into your 8×8 pan, press it down very firmly. This is what holds the bars together when you cut and eat them, so don't rush through this step.
- Use Natural Peanut Butter. For the cleanest ingredient list and the best result, go with all-natural peanut butter here. Processed versions are full of additives that aren't needed, and natural PB gives these bars that perfect, rich flavor without any of the junk.
- Follow the Chocolate Chip Measurement. Measuring the chocolate chips rather than eyeballing is worth it here as too much chocolate can throw off the balance and make these feel more like a dessert than a satisfying snack bar.
- Don’t overheat the mixture. Warm it just until everything is melted and smooth, about 2 minutes, then stir in the vanilla off the heat.
- Let them sit before slicing. Give the bars 5 minutes at room temperature after the freezer so you get clean cuts.
Ingredients for peanut butter cereal bars
Here’s what goes into these no-bake cereal bars. Full amounts are in the recipe card below!
- Cereal: Any light, puffy cereal like honey O’s, Cheerios, or puffed rice.
- Natural peanut butter: Creamy and drippy works best. Almond butter is a good swap.
- Honey: Sweetens the bars and helps hold everything together.
- Coconut oil: Melted, so the bars set up firm in the freezer.
- Salt: Only if your peanut butter is unsalted.
- Vanilla: A little goes a long way here!
- Chocolate chips: Melted with a teaspoon of coconut oil for the drizzle on top.
How to make no-bake cereal bars
Pour the cereal into a large bowl. In a saucepan, warm the peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and salt over medium heat for about 2 minutes, until smooth. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir until every piece is coated. Press it into an 8x8 pan as tightly as you can.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top and freeze for at least 1 hour. Let the bars sit out for 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the cereal bar questions I get the most!
They usually weren’t pressed tightly enough. Pack the mixture down hard with a wet hand, and make sure they freeze for the full hour before cutting.
Yes! Almond butter or cashew butter work the same way. For a nut free version, try sunflower seed butter.
They hold their shape best in the freezer since the coconut oil softens at room temperature. Grab one and it’s ready to eat in about 5 minutes.
Light, puffy cereals like honey O’s, Cheerios, or puffed rice. Heavier flakes or clusters don’t coat as evenly.
Storing cereal bars
Store the bars in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before eating.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
Ingredients
- 4 cups cereal I used One Degree Organics sprouted honey o's but you could used puffed rice, cheerios, or any somewhat puffed cereal!
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt if peanut butter isn't salted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chocolate chips melted with 1 teaspoon coconut oil.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, pour in cereal (4 cups).
- In a saucepan, add peanut butter (½ cup), honey (½ cup), coconut oil (¼ cup) and salt (¼ tsp, if your peanut butter isn't salted). Heat over medium until warmed through, about two minutes.
- Turn off heat and add vanilla (1 tsp).
- Pour over top of cereal and mix until very well coated.
- Press into 8x8 pan, VERY tightly. Wet your hand and press down until compacted completely.
- Drizzle melted chocolate (½ cup chocolate chips melted with 1 teaspoon coconut oil) overtop and place in freezer for at least 1 hour before eating.
- Store in freezer. Let sit at room temp for 5 minutes before cutting.
- Press the Mixture Into the Pan Tightly: After pouring the coated cereal into your 8×8 pan, press it down very firmly. This is what holds the bars together when you cut and eat them, so don't rush through this step.
- Use Natural Peanut Butter: For the cleanest ingredient list and the best result, go with all-natural peanut butter here. Processed versions are full of additives that aren't needed, and natural PB gives these bars that perfect, rich flavor without any of the junk.
- Follow the Chocolate Chip Measurement: Measuring the chocolate chips rather than eyeballing is worth it here as too much chocolate can throw off the balance and make these feel more like a dessert than a satisfying snack bar.
Nutrition
Per serving. Nutrition is an estimate.
Leave a star rating below and tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation!
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Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Reagan says
Very good and easy! I added a bit of cinnamon
Nicole S says
These are my go-to when I want a quick snack. Easy to take to a party or a road trip. I use protein cereal. So delicious!
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Jaime says
I like these!! My kids do too. They are a bit on the sweeter side for my preference. Would there be any harm in reducing the amount of honey? Should I add anything else in place of it? Wondering if it will still hold together with less honey!
Erin says
Hi Jamie, so happy they're a big hit! You could do less honey! It won't hold as well, but adding in coconut oil that hardens at room temp will help solve that problem. If you use refined coconut oil, there is no coconut flavor. Hope this helps!! Let me know how they come out with this sub! 🙂
Bern says
Super easy to make and delicious!
Erin says
HI Bern, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Taylor says
Who knew that something so simple could be so amazing? And because they're not full of corn syrup and sugar, I don't feel bad about making them constantly for my kids (because they're always asking for them!) For us, best made with cheerios, it's the perfect texture.
Erin says
Hi Taylor, so happy everyone loves the bars so much! 🙂
Jenny says
I never thought something this simple would be so tasty. I am high key addicted to these.
Erin says
Hi Jenny, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Sarah says
These are so easy & so delicious! For the cereal, I used Nature's Path Sunrise Crunchy Vanilla, which was a great choice. Loving this sweet treat!
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so glad you loved them! 🙂
melissa says
Easy to eat for breakfast, snack or dessert. Can be a little messy, but worth it for how good these taste!
Erin says
Hi Melissa, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Carter Blum says
Could you freeze these for leftovers?
Erin says
Hi Carter, yes of course. Just put in an airtight container!
Becca says
Loved these! So stinkin' easy and delicious! I microwaved instead of stovetop because I was feeling extra lazy and they turned out fine. I measured the chocolate chips with my heart which I wouldn't really recommend because it felt like a little too much chocolate for a breakfast bar, so I'd suggest following the recipe measurements.
Erin says
Hi Becca, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂
Autumn says
Could the coconut oil be subbed for another oil?
Erin says
Hi Autumn, yep that should be fine. Let me know what you use and how the bars come out!!
Annie says
These bars are addicting! I have made them four times in the past week. They freeze really well and are the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Erin says
Hi Annie, I am thrilled you love them so much!
Nicole S says
I had to make these again because they were requested! These cereal bars are so easy yet so delicious. They are great to bring to parties, camping and kids love them!
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so glad you loved them!!
Maggie Reiff says
Love this recipe. I also sub whatever cereal I have on hand (especially if its one I've left open and going a little stale...oops)! I love toping these with flaky sea seal, highly recommend!
Erin says
Hi Maggie, so glad you liked them and great idea!!
Kristin says
These bars were so good, and don’t require any baking. Win win in my book! I’ll definitely be making these again.
Erin says
Hi Kristin, so glad you loved them so much!
Gabby says
I make these all the time for my family and everyone loves them! Couldn’t recommend more if you want an easy and delicious snack.
Erin says
Hi Gabby, so happy you loved them!