No Bake Cheerio Bars at Home

On the hunt for more straightforward snack bars? You should give my From-scratch Protein Bars a try! And don’t miss these Chewy Granola Bars and my 3-Ingredient Crunch Bars!

I cannot stop eating these Cheerio treats! They are a combination of three old-school favorites—Cheerios, peanut butter and chocolate for the go-to no bake treats. They’re thick, crispy and irresistibly chewy, with a flavor-packed balance of sweet and salty flavors. Reliable for a short on-the-go breakfast or snack, and go-to of all, they require no baking at all!

The only cooking required is a speedy stovetop step, and the rest is only mixing! These bars come together in 10 minutes, and then after a speedy chill in the fridge they’re ready to enjoy. Make them for an afternoon snack, potluck dessert or a fun lunchbox treat. Once you try them, they’re sure to become a regular!

What makes this method memorable

• No-Bake & Unfussy – This unfussy recipe comes together in simply minutes with minimal effort.
• Perfectly Chewy & Crunchy – A satisfying balance of textures in every bite.
• Kid-Friendly – A treat the whole family will love – these would even make a great school snack!

Basic ingredients you’ll need

This cereal bar recipe is made with simple, wholesome ingredients—ones you might already have in your pantry!

• Creamy peanut butter. Adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps bind the ingredients together. I prefer a smooth, natural peanut butter for the dependable texture. From-scratch peanut butter works well too!
  If you have a peanut allergy, you can swap it with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter, if you’d like.
• Honey. Provides natural sweetness and helps hold the bars together. Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as a substitute.
• Cheerios. The crispy, crunchy base. I like plain cheerios in this dish but honey nut cheerios would also be savory! I’ve never tried it BUT I think that Rice Krispies (or any other crispy cereal) would also be savory.
• Dark chocolate. Brings a rich, indulgent touch to complement the peanut butter and honey. I genuinely love the dark chocolate but feel free to use milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate. Chocolate chips also work well!

How to make these chocolate peanut butter cheerios bars

These pb Cheerio bars come together in simply a few simple steps! With minimal effort and a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a satisfying, chewy treat ready in no time. Let’s get started!

I used a cupcake mold for mine but you could also use a square pan with parchment paper on the bottom to get the bars out easily.

Full recipe is down in the recipe card but here’s an overview of how to make it:

STEP #1: Mix the ingredients – In a small saucepan over medium low heat, mix together the peanut butter and honey. Stir continuously until fully combined, about 2 minutes. You could also do this in a large microwavable bowl in the microwave.

STEP #2: Stir in cereal – Add in 2 cups of Cheerios and mix to cover the cereal fully in the peanut butter mixture. I find this simplest with a rubber spatula.

STEP #3: Transfer to pan – Add the mixture into a loaf pan or the cavities of a muffin pan. Press down firmly. Place in the fridge.

STEP #4: Add chocolate – Chop the chocolate and melt it in a bowl in the microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between. Remove the tray from the fridge and divide the melted chocolate evenly among the Cheerio cups, being sure to spread it out evenly on the top. Chill until the chocolate is set and ENJOY!

Storage Tips

These peanut butter Cheerio bars store well for later, whether you keep them at room temperature, refrigerate them or freeze for long-term enjoyment!

• Storing Leftovers. Keep bars in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. They stay fresh at room temperature for a few days or in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freezing. Arrange bars in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, labeling with the date. They’ll stay good for 2-3 months.

More straightforward snack recipes to try:

• Chocolate Covered Almonds
• Peanut Butter Bars
• Date Bark
• Plantain Chips
• Edible Cookie Dough
• Unfussy Fruit Dip