Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

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These No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars are simple and quick to make. They are a perfect after school snack or sweet treat to pack in lunches. These bars are a family favorite and will have everyone asking for more!

Top view of peanut butter bars with one bar in the center on top of a spatula.

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This post was originally posted on 03/02/2017 and updated on 05/25/2023.

Why We Love Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

These bars are a quick no bake recipe with simple ingredients.
They are a healthier sweet treat made with a natural sweetener and ground flax-seed.
A perfect after school snack or a treat packed in the lunch boxes.
Family friendly and crowd pleasing.
Freezer friendly! Make a double batch and freeze!

Peanut Butter Cereal Bar Ingredients

Honey
Peanut Butter
Brown Sugar, Optional
Ground Flax-Seed
Toasted Oats (A.K.A. Cheerios)
Dark Chocolate Chips
Coconut Oil

Substitution Suggestions

Peanut Butter: I always make these bars with creamy peanut butter, you could also substitute with any creamy nut or seed butter like almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
Honey: If you are not concerned with using a natural sweetener you can use corn syrup in place of the honey.
Brown Sugar: The brown sugar can be omitted and replaced 1:1 with honey if you want to only use natural sugar.
Ground Flax-Seed: Flax-seed can be omitted if wanted. I like adding it because it adds extra fiber and texture.
Toasted Oats: Cheerios work best for the recipe, but puffed rice or corn flakes can be substituted.
Dark Chocolate Chips: Substitute dark chocolate chips with any chocolate chip you like. Use your favorite or add more peanut butter flavor by using peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips..

This easy recipe for homemade cereal bars requires basic ingredients and results in such a delicious treat!

How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

First, grease a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper leaving an inch overhang on the long edges.
In a large saucepan, combine honey, peanut butter, and brown sugar.
Heat over low heat until the peanut butter is melted and the brown sugar is dissolved. Then remove from heat.

Ground flax seed added to melted peanut butter and honey.

Cereal peanut butter mixture all stirred together in large pot.

Next, stir in the flax-seed and then the toasted oats (cheerios) to the peanut butter mixture until they are completely coated.
Firmly press the cereal mixture into an even layer in a greased 9x13 dish.
Now, in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt together the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil until smooth.

Peanut butter cheerio mixture pressed into 9x13 baking dish lined with parchment paper.

Melted chocolate in glass bowl with white spatula.

Spread the melted chocolate over the cheerios in an even layer.
Then let the bars rest until the chocolate has set.
Finally, slice into 12 or 24 bars and serve!

Top view of sliced peanut butter cereal bars in rows.

If peanut butter in desserts is a favorite of yours try my: No Bake Peanut Butter Bars, Scotch-A-Roos, Peanut Butter Brownie Bars, or Peanut Butter Banana Brownies.

How to Store Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Storing: Store these peanut butter cheerio bars in an airtight container between layers of wax paper. Place them in a cool dry place and they'll stay fresh for at least a week.

Freezing: These bars freeze well! Place the bars in a freezer safe air tight container in single layers, between pieces of wax paper. Or you can individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place in a freezer safe airtight container or zip top bag. Label, date and freeze. The cereal bars will last 3-4 months in the freezer.

Thawing: To thaw the frozen bars, simply let them sit at room temperature for a few hours or thaw overnight in the fridge.

Side view of two peanut butter cereal bars stacked on top of each other.

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

Use coconut oil or butter to grease the pan. This won't alter the flavor the bars. Or line the baking dish with parchment paper.
Pack the bars firmly into the dish so they will stay together when they are sliced.
Use plain toasted oats. The honey nut kind have added sugar and with the honey and little brown sugar in this recipe the bars will already be sweet enough.
Instead of spreading the chocolate, you can make a pretty drizzle over the top.
To help the chocolate set faster you can let the bars rest in the fridge.

Peanut butter cereal bars in rows with one bar on spatula moved in front of rows.

FAQ About Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

How to store cereal bars?

These bars can be stored tightly covered on the counter or in the fridge.

Can I use a different type of cheerios?

I recommend using plain cheerios or multi grain cheerios. Other flavors will have added sugar and there is already enough natural sugar in this recipe.

Are peanut butter cheerio bars healthy?

These bars are definitely healthier than a processed granola or candy bar. With the addition of flax seed there is some extra fiber and protein. These cereal bars do have honey (natural sugar) but it is still sugar and I feel it should be enjoyed in moderation. However, I don't ever feel guilty eating these or giving them to my children.

More No Bake Desserts to Enjoy:

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