These easy no-bake cereal bars are made with just three pantry staples-cereal, nut butter, and honey. They take less than 15 minutes to prep and make the perfect after-school snack, lunchbox treat, or quick breakfast on busy mornings.
These bars are a staple in our kitchen-especially during busy weeks. I started making them as an easy after-school snack, and now they've become a regular request from my family. My kid loves helping stir the mixture (and sneaking a few Cheerios). It's a quick recipe we can whip up together-and they're perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, or just when the snack cravings hit.
Why You'll Love These Cereal Bars
- Naturally sweetened: No refined sugar-just honey or maple syrup.
- Only 3 ingredients: Cheerios, peanut butter, and honey (or your favorite substitutes).
- No oven needed: Just melt, mix, press, and chill.
- Versatile & kid-friendly: Great for school lunches, snack time, or a healthy dessert.
If you're looking for more no-bake snacks, try my no-bake granola bars, peanut butter oat balls, or six easy energy ball recipes. These are perfect for meal prep, after-school snacks, or lunchbox fillers.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 3 cups Cheerios (or any O-shaped cereal)
- ¾ cup peanut butter (or almond, sunflower seed, or tahini)
- ¾ cup honey (or maple syrup, rice malt syrup, or corn syrup)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional) - for extra flavor depth
- A pinch of salt (optional) - helps balance the sweetness if using natural nut butter
Best Cereals for This Recipe:
Cheerios are classic, but you can also use Rice Krispies, puffed wheat, Shreddies, Multigrain O's, or fun options like Fruity Pebbles and Lucky Charms for a colorful, kid-approved twist.
These cereal bars are super versatile, and there are so many fun ways to switch things up! You can keep it classic with peanut butter and honey, or mix things up with fun add-ins and themed flavors. Just be sure not to overload the mixture-stick to about ¼ to ½ cup of total extras so the bars still hold together.
Easy Add-Ins
- Dried fruit: Add ¼ cup raisins, chopped dates, dried cranberries, or freeze-dried strawberries for natural sweetness.
- Mini chocolate chips: Stir in 2-3 Tbsp after the peanut butter mixture has cooled slightly so they don't melt.
- Shredded coconut: Add 2 Tbsp for extra texture and a tropical twist.
- Chia or flax seeds: Sprinkle in 1-2 Tbsp for a boost of fiber and healthy fats.
- Crushed nuts: Try almonds, walnuts, pecans, or even peanut butter chips for added crunch.
- Protein powder: Stir in 1-2 Tbsp of your favorite unsweetened protein powder to make the bars more filling.
Tip: Use natural peanut butter for a slightly less sweet, more wholesome bar.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these small slip-ups to get perfectly chewy cereal bars every time:
- Overheating the honey: It burns quickly and can make the bars taste bitter. Use medium-low heat and stir constantly.
- Not pressing the mixture firmly enough: Lightly packed bars won't hold their shape. Use a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup to press everything tightly into the pan.
- Skipping the chill time: If you cut them too soon, they'll fall apart. Chill for at least 1 hour to set properly.
- Too many mix-ins: While add-ins are fun, too many can prevent the bars from sticking together. Keep it simple.
- Using a dry nut butter: Natural nut butters that are too dry or thick may make the bars crumbly. Add 1-2 tsp oil if needed to help with texture.
How To Make Cheerios Bars
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: Melt the wet ingredients
Add ¾ cup peanut butter and ¾ cup honey to a small pot. Warm over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth. (You can also melt these in the microwave in 30-second increments.)
STEP 2: Mix with cereal
Add 3 cups of Cheerios to a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm mixture overtop and stir until every piece is coated.
STEP 3: Press and chill
Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a spatula or the back of a measuring cup to firmly press the mixture into shape. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour, then slice into bars.
Optional: Roll into snack bites instead of bars for a fun twist!
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Make it nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini as an alternative to peanut butter.
- Switch up the cereal: Try rice krispies, puffed wheat, shreddies, or Chex for a different texture.
- Boost nutrition: Add 1-2 Tbsp of ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or hemp hearts to the mixture.
- Make it sweeter: Drizzle melted chocolate overtop before chilling.
How to Store
- Room temperature: These bars can be stored on the counter in a cool, dry place for 2-3 days, but they'll stay firmer longer if chilled.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer for 2 hours, then transfer to a container or bag for up to 2 months.
Flavor Variations for Cereal Bars
- Chocolate Cereal Bars: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture. Finish with a chocolate drizzle.
- Strawberry Bars: Stir in ⅓ cup freeze-dried strawberries and top with melted white chocolate or coconut butter.
- Nutella Bars: Swap peanut butter for Nutella or any chocolate-hazelnut spread.
- Cookie Dough Bars: Use cashew butter and stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Peanut Butter Crunch: Use crunchy peanut butter and stir in ⅓ cup chopped peanuts or peanut butter chips.
- Marshmallow Bars: Mix in ½ cup chopped mini marshmallows for a fun, kid-friendly twist.
Want more fun snack ideas? You'll love these carrot cake bites or my DIY popcorn seasoning blends - both are great for making snack time a little more exciting!
Topping Ideas
- Chocolate drizzle: After chilling, drizzle melted dark, milk, or white chocolate over the bars for a sweet finish.
- Yogurt glaze: Mix ⅔ cup Greek yogurt, 2 Tbsp melted coconut oil, and 3 cups powdered sugar for a simple yogurt-style coating.
Tip: Want them to feel more like a dessert? Add a topping before chilling, then slice once set.
FAQs
Yes! Maple syrup works well and adds a slightly different sweetness. Just make sure to chill the bars thoroughly to help them set.
Any small, sturdy cereal will do. Cheerios are a classic, but you can also use puffed rice, multigrain cereal, or shredded wheat squares.
The combination of peanut butter and honey acts as a natural glue to hold the bars in place once they're chilled. Make sure to press them firmly and chill thoroughly before slicing.
That depends on your ingredients! These bars are made with just three wholesome ingredients-no preservatives or added refined sugar. You can easily make them more nutrient-dense with add-ins like seeds or dried fruit.
Yes! Place bars in a single layer on a tray and freeze for 2 hours. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They'll keep well for up to 2 months.
3-Ingredient No-Bake Cereal Bars Recipe
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Ingredients
- 3 cups Cheerios cereal
- ¾ cup peanut butter - almond butter, or Sunbutter
- ¾ cup honey - or maple syrup
Instructions
- In a small pot over medium-low heat, stir together peanut butter and honey until smooth (2-3 minutes).
- Pour the mixture over cereal in a large bowl. Stir to coat evenly.
- Spread into a square on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press firmly.
- Chill in the fridge for 1 hour. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
- Use natural peanut butter for a less sweet, wholesome bar.
- Let mixture cool slightly before adding chocolate chips to prevent melting.
- Press mixture firmly into pan so bars hold their shape.
- Chill at least 1 hour before slicing.
- Store in fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-calculated and meant to be an approximation only.
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