Introduction

Cereal bars are a quick, tasty snack that’s easy to customize to your favorite flavors. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make these chewy bars at home for a nutritious treat.

The image shows a stack of three square cereal bars. Each bar has a top and bottom layer made of golden-brown circular cereal pieces tightly packed together, with small bright red bits scattered throughout the top layer. Between the cereal layers, there is a thick middle layer of smooth, creamy white filling that looks soft and slightly thick, acting as a binder. The bars sit on a piece of white parchment on a white marbled surface, and the background is blurred with soft blue shades. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups cereal of choice
2/3 cup peanut butter or nut butter of choice
1/2 cup agave, honey, or brown rice syrup
Optional: 1/2 tsp salt
Optional: 3 tbsp protein powder

Instructions

Step 1: Line an 8-inch pan with wax or parchment paper. You can double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan if desired.
Step 2: If needed, gently warm the nut butter until it is easy to stir.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cereal, nut butter, agave (or honey or syrup), and any optional salt or protein powder. Stir thoroughly to mix.
Step 4: Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared pan. Place a second sheet of parchment paper on top and press down very firmly to compact the mixture. This step helps the bars hold together after slicing.
Step 5: Freeze the pan for about 30 minutes or until the mixture is firm enough to cut into bars.

Tips & Variations

Try adding dried fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips to the mixture for extra flavor and texture.
Use different cereals such as oats, puffed rice, or granola to change the bar’s texture.
Press down firmly to ensure the bars don’t crumble when cut.

Storage

Store leftover bars covered in the refrigerator, freezer, or in a cool, dry place on the counter. For best freshness, keep them refrigerated and consume within one week. Reheat slightly by letting them sit at room temperature if they become too firm.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a stack of three square cereal bars. Each bar has a top layer of golden brown, loop-shaped cereal pieces mixed with small bright red berry pieces. Between each cereal layer is a smooth, creamy white layer that binds the bars together. The bars are slightly imperfect with some cereal pieces sticking out. The background is softly blurred with warm tones, and the bars are placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other nut butters besides peanut butter?

Yes, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work well and can be used according to your preference.

How long do cereal bars last?

Stored properly, cereal bars last about one week in the refrigerator or up to a month in the freezer.

Cereal Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 111 reviews

These easy and customizable cereal bars combine your favorite cereal, creamy nut butter, and natural sweeteners for a wholesome, no-bake snack. Perfect for breakfast on the go or an energizing treat, these bars can be enhanced with added protein powder and a pinch of salt for balanced flavor and nutrition.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

3 cups cereal of choice
2/3 cup peanut butter or nut butter of choice
1/2 cup agave, honey, or brown rice syrup

Optional Ingredients

1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp protein powder

Instructions

Prepare the Pan: Line an 8-inch square pan with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking. For a larger batch, double the recipe and use a 9×13-inch pan.
Warm Nut Butter: If needed, gently warm the nut butter to make it easier to stir and incorporate with other ingredients.
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cereal, warmed nut butter, and agave (or honey or brown rice syrup). Add the optional salt and protein powder if using, and stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated and combined.
Form the Bars: Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared pan. Lay a second sheet of parchment over the mixture and press down very firmly to compress the ingredients. This step is crucial to ensure the bars hold together after cutting.
Set the Bars: Place the pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes or until the mixture is firm enough to slice into bars.
Store: After cutting, store the cereal bars covered in the refrigerator, freezer, or in a cool, dry place for longer shelf life.

Notes

Use any cereal you prefer, such as oats, puffed rice, or granola for different textures and flavors.
Try alternative nut butters like almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter for variety.
Adjust sweetness by using honey, agave, or brown rice syrup as preferred.
Adding protein powder boosts the nutritional value, making these bars more satiating.
Pressing firmly when setting the bars prevents crumbling and helps them hold their shape.
Store cereal bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness up to one week at room temperature or longer in the refrigerator or freezer.

Keywords: cereal bars, no bake snack, healthy snack, peanut butter bars, homemade cereal bars, protein bars, easy snack