These Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars are quick, easy and only require 3 basic ingredients. These bars make the perfect afternoon snack or breakfast on the go.
Cereal is a favorite snack and breakfast in my house, and I love that these Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars are portable and easy to make. The cereal bars require little prep work and you only need 3 simple ingredients.
These peanut butter bars make a great after school snack for kids, or fast breakfast on the go. This recipe is easily customized with different cereal, sweeter or nut butter for the perfect combination for your family.
Ingredient Notes
Plain Cheerios Cereal
Plain Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, or the Multigrain Cherries work the best for these peanut butter cereal bars. I do not recommend using any of the ones with added flavors as this will compete with the honey and peanut butter. You can of course use an off brand alterative instead of Cheerios.
Honey
If you want to make these vegan, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar. The overall flavor will change, but the bars will still hold together well.
Peanut Butter
The favorite in my house is creamy peanut butter, but a creamy almond butter or cashew butter could be substituted in if you wish.
Why You'll LOVE Them
Quick & Easy Prep, plus No Baking
Only Three Ingredients!
Versatile: Great for an Afternoon Snack or Quick Breakfast
Instructions
- Measure out and add the honey to a medium size sauce pan.
- Add the measured peanut butter to the sauce sauce pan as the honey. Optional: add in a teaspoon of Olive Oil as well the help the mixture stick less.
- Stir the honey and peanut butter and heat over low heat. Once warm, combined and just beginning to bubble remove from heat.
- Add the Cheerios to the sauce pan.
- Stir everything until well combined and make sure all of the cereal is coated.
- Once combined, pour/scoop the cereal mix in a greased 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking pan and spread into and even layer. I like to press mine down to ensure everything sticks together.
- Cover and place the peanut butter cereal bars in the fridge for at least an hour, or until completely set. Once set, slice into bars and enjoy.
Leftover Storage
Once set, you can store the leftover cereal bars at room temperature for up to 4 days. After that you can put them in the fridge in an airtight container to extend the shelf life to 1 week. Check out my tips for freezing cereal bars below!
Pro Tips
Oil Tip: I like to add a bit of oil (plain Olive Oil works well) in with my peanut butter and honey when heating it up. This helps the mixture from not sticking to the pan and everything combines better.
Chill Time: Make sure you let the cheerio bars fully set until you eat them. If they aren't completely set they will fall apart, and peanut butter will get all over your hands. They will still taste incredible, but be warned about the messy fingers.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Baking Pan: I like using glass or porcelain because the bars are east to get out. Also, I recommend using a 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan for the perfect thickness.
Silicon Spatula: This works the best for combining the bars, and is easy to clean!
FAQS
Sure, you can use a different variety of Cheerios, or other cereals that work well for peanut butter bars are plain Special K, Reese's Puffs, Honey Bunches of Oats, or Coco Pebbles. Obviously these will all yield a different flavor, but some fun ways to mix these up.
Yes, you can freeze these homemade cereal bars for up to 1 month. Wrap each bars tightly in cling wrap, then in foil and store in the freezer. When ready to enjoy let them thaw at room temperature overnight.
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Easy Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ½ Cups Plain Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal
- ½ Cup Honey
- ½ Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil Optional
Instructions
- Add the honey and peanut butter to a medium size sauce pan, along with the olive oil if using. Stir the honey and peanut butter and heat over low heat. Once warm, combined and just beginning to bubble remove from heat.
- Add the Cheerios to the sauce pan and stir until well combined. Make sure all of the cereal is coated well. Once combined, scoop the cereal mix in a greased 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking pan and spread into and even layer pressing down on the top to ensure everything sticks together.
- Cover and place the peanut butter cereal bars in the fridge for at least an hour, or until completely set. Once set, slice into bars and enjoy.
ann
Perfection! I made this exactly & was delighted! The second time & reason I’m commenting is to share I added two heaping teaspoons of tahini & gamechanger! I brought these bars to card night & they were the only snack completely devoured. Thanks for sharing this recipe & inspiring me!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Ohhhhh love your addition! Will def be trying next time!
Kaylee
Made with sun butter and apple cinnamon cheerios. Delicious! Definitely a bit crumbly, but worth it. I used an 8x8 pan and cut it into 16 pieces. Not too sweet, and just rich enough that one piece was perfection.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Love your swaps and glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Liv
Just made these today! These are absolutely delicious. I do have a question. Approx size of 1 serving/bar? I like to keep track of calculations. Thank you!
Caitlyn Erhardt
I usually cut my pan into 9 bars. 🙂
Keewandas
Made these tonight and they were absolutely delicious. The only things I did differently was add chopped pecans to the mixture and since these were just for my husband and I, once I had them pressed into my baking sheet I sprinkled a tiny bit of salt over the top to offset the sweetness a bit. He liked them cold and firm but I actually preferred them a little warm and gooey. Great recipe!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Love the addition of the pecans and salt over the top! Great additions.
Mary Reimer
Made Them Today!
Me and the kids Love mixing cheerios and PB! (multigrain)
Then I found this recipe lol.....
Caitlyn Erhardt
These are so simple and the best!!!
Nisha
These are the cutest bars I have ever seen. Love the cheerios and peanut butter combination. Can't wait to try this recipe. 🙂
Caitlyn Erhardt
I hope you enjoy when you make it!
Kalu Lor
So good and so simple to put together for an after-school snack.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Yep, perfect for after school!
Suzy
My kids loved them! Just a fun and tasty snack! Really loved the peanut butter with the Cheerios!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Thank you!
veenaazmanov
Easy and nutritious way of enjoying some quick and easy carry away breakfast in hand. Crunchy and I love the Peanut Butter flavor too.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Yep, great to have on hand!
Biana
This sounds like such a delicious breakfast idea! Will be making it soon.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Enjoy, we love them for a quick breakfast!
Kathy
Can I use a cream honey it's more solid
Caitlyn Erhardt
I have not tried, but I would think yes!