Cereal Bars

These three-ingredient cereal bars are an easy, delicious snack! Use your favorite cereal and nut butter for a sweet treat everyone loves.

If you love rice krispie treats, these easy cereal bars should be at the top of your list to make.

Made with just cereal, honey, and peanut butter, these no-bake bars are easy enough for the littlest of hands to help out.

My kids are always clamoring for snacks after school, so having simple treats like these ready to go is a must at my house.

Don’t be fooled though, they’re good for grown-ups too! Plus, you can keep them simple with their base ingredients, or add in your favorite snacking ingredients.

Ready to give this peanut butter cereal bar recipe a try? Read on!

Ingredients for cereal bars

Grab what you need from the pantry!

Cereal – This recipe will work with so many different kinds of cereal, so try it out with what you have on hand.

I like to use Cheerios (any flavor), but you can also try it with Golden Grahams, Kix, peanut butter puffs, and more.

Because of the peanut butter, I don’t recommend using fruity cereals in this recipe. Save those for marshmallow treats!

Honey – Use a honey that is mild in flavor to not overpower the peanut butter or cereal.

You can also use maple syrup if you prefer.

Peanut butter – Creamy or crunchy, your choice! 

If using a natural peanut butter where the oil separates, be sure to stir it well before measuring out what you need. You don’t want too much oil added to the bars.

If you’re not a fan of peanut butter or have allergies, try almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.

How to make cereal bars

Pour the cereal into a large mixing bowl. Lightly coat a square baking pan with nonstick spray, butter, or line with foil.

Measure your honey and peanut butter and scoop them into a small saucepan. 

Heat gently over medium low, just enough to soften the honey and peanut butter so they can be blended together.

Use a whisk or silicone spatula to stir and mix until smooth and pourable.

Pour the mixture over the cereal and mix well, folding the cereal over itself to mix while keeping the cereal pieces whole.

Make sure to fully coat the cereal; you don’t want any dry pieces.

Once coated, scoop into the prepared pan and press down gently but firmly with the spatula to shape the bars.

Cover and place the pan in the refrigerator until firm.

These bars will be somewhat loose even after chilling, so if you want a bar that holds its shape, you can freeze them.

Recipe additions

These are so simple and easy with just three ingredients, but you can also amp them up with your favorite mix-ins!

Replace an equal measure of cereal with any of the following additions.

Chocolate – Go for mini M&Ms or chocolate chips. You can also add a topping of melted chocolate as for scotcheroos, which will help the bars keep shape.

Nuts – Add chopped peanuts or cashews.

More – Add mini marshmallows, dried fruits, or pretzel pieces.

Storage tips

Because these cereal bars are soft, I recommend storing them in the refrigerator.

Cereal bars will keep in an airtight container, chilled, for about 7 days.

To freeze cereal bars, cut them into individual servings and wrap in plastic wrap, then place into a freezer bag or container.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

To thaw, set out at room temperature until soft enough to eat, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

These peanut butter cereal bars are a great sweet snack for after school or lunch boxes. Happy snacking!