These 5-ingredient no bake cereal bars come together in just 10 minutes, making them the perfect snack or grab-and-go breakfast option. Packed with whole grains, protein, and fiber, they’re a healthy, homemade alternative to store-bought bars.
Made these no bake cereal bars in 10 minutes, and my kids are obsessed! So easy, so good, and way better than store-bought!
- Jenna
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Bailey's Thoughts ...
This no bake cereal bars recipe is so easy (only 5-ingredients), you’ll wonder why you ever bought store-bought bars. Chewy, crispy, and just sweet enough, they’re the perfect snack for breakfast, lunchboxes, or anytime cravings hit.
A little crunch from the cereal mixture, a little chew from the creamy peanut butter and honey, and just the right amount of salty-sweet magic to keep you reaching for another bite. You stir together a handful of simple ingredients, press it into a pan, and let the freezer do the work.
The key to getting these bars right? Press. Them. Down. I cannot overstate this enough—if you want bars that actually hold together (instead of crumbling into granola), you’ve got to press the mixture firmly into the pan. Wet hands, a rubber spatula, the bottom of a measuring cup—whatever works. Also, don’t skip wrapping them individually before freezing! It keeps them fresh and makes grabbing a bar on the go effortless.
- Bailey
P.S. If you love easy recipes like this, you need to try my peanut butter protein balls. Different vibe, same “how did this take five minutes?” energy.
Ingredients
Crispy Rice Cereal: Look for crisp rice cereal with minimal added sugar for the best texture and crunch.
Cheerios Use any plain or lightly sweetened O-shaped cereal, such as multigrain O’s or original Cheerios. Avoid flavored varieties, as they may alter the taste.
Honey: A classic honey bear works perfectly here—no need for raw honey unless you prefer it. Just make sure it's 100% pure honey with no added syrups for the best texture and binding.
Peanut Butter: Regular creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth, even coating that holds the bars together. Natural peanut butter can be used, but because it's thinner and oilier, you'll need to stir it really well and may need to add a little extra to help the bars bind properly.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness and adds depth to the flavor.
** See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions: No Bake Cereal Bars
- Line the baking dish. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper, placing two pieces in opposite directions to create a sling for easy removal.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the crispy rice cereal and Cheerios, tossing until evenly mixed.
- Heat the wet ingredients and combine. In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the honey and peanut butter until smooth. Add salt and stir. Pour over the cereal mixture and stir quickly to coat all pieces evenly.
- Press, chill, and cut. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pressing it down firmly with a wet rubber spatula or damp hands. Freeze until firm, then lift out using the parchment paper and slice into bars with a sharp knife.
Top Tip
Press firmly for the best texture. Use a wet rubber spatula, damp hands, or the bottom of a measuring cup to press the mixture very firmly into the pan—this prevents the bars from crumbling when sliced.
Substitutions
Crispy Rice Cereal: Crispy Rice Cereal: Substitute with an equal amount of Cheerios for a slightly denser, chewier texture. The bars will be less crispy but will still hold together well.
Cheerios: Cheerios: Substitute with an equal amount of Kix, Lucky Charms (without marshmallows), Golden Grahams (lightly crushed), or Cinnamon Toast Crunch (lightly crushed). Each option will slightly alter the texture and flavor.
Honey: Replace with an equal amount of maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or corn syrup.
Peanut Butter: Swap for an equal amount of almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Natural peanut butter can be used, but it may result in softer bars—stir well and consider adding a little extra to help with binding.
Variations
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal and gluten-free Cheerios alternative.
Nut-Free: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter to make this recipe nut-free.
Dairy-Free: Already is!
Vegetarian: Already is!
Kid-Friendly: Use a mix of Cheerios and Lucky Charms (without marshmallows) for a fun texture and mild sweetness.
Higher Protein: Add 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds to boost protein without affecting texture.
Feed a Crowd: To serve No Bake Cereal Bars to a large group, double the recipe and use a 9x13-inch pan instead of a square pan.
Storage
Refrigerate: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for a firmer texture.
Freeze: Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month for the best texture.
Thaw & Serve: Remove a bar from the freezer, unwrap, and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before eating.
FAQ: No Bake Cereal Bars
FAQ
If your bars are crumbling, it might be due to insufficient binding. Ensure that all cereal pieces are thoroughly coated with the peanut butter and honey mixture, and press the mixture firmly into the pan to eliminate air pockets.
Absolutely. Incorporating dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips can enhance flavor and texture. Be cautious not to add too many mix-ins, as this might affect the bars' ability to hold together.
To avoid overly sticky bars, ensure the peanut butter and honey mixture is well-combined and not overheated. After pressing the mixture into the pan, refrigerate or freeze until firm before cutting. Storing the bars in the refrigerator can also help maintain their firmness.
Video: Healthy No Bake Cereal Bars
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with No Bake Cereal Bars:
Recipe
Healthy No-Bake Cereal Bars for Kids
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
Description
These no bake cereal bars are a quick and easy sweet treat made with simple ingredients like crispy rice cereal, Cheerios, creamy peanut butter, and honey. They come together in minutes and firm up in the freezer for the perfect snack that’s chewy, crispy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- Crispy rice cereal (1 ½ cups | 45g)
- Cheerios (1 ½ cups | 42g)
- Honey (½ cup | 170g)
- Peanut butter (½ cup | 120g)
- Salt (big pinch)
Instructions
-
Line a square baking pan with parchment paper, placing two pieces in opposite directions to create a sling for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine crispy rice cereal (1 ½ cups | 45g) and Cheerios (1 ½ cups | 42g), tossing until evenly mixed.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together honey (½ cup | 170g) and peanut butter (½ cup | 120g) until smooth. Stir in salt (big pinch). Pour over the cereal mixture and stir quickly to coat all pieces.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pressing it down firmly with a wet rubber spatula or damp hands. Freeze until firm, then lift out using the parchment paper and slice into bars with a sharp knife.
Notes
Refrigerate: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for a firmer texture.
Freeze: Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month for the best texture.
Thaw & Serve: Remove a bar from the freezer, unwrap, and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before eating.
Peanut Butter: Regular creamy peanut butter works best for binding the bars together. Natural peanut butter can be used, but because it's thinner and oilier, the bars may be softer and more fragile. If using natural peanut butter, stir it very well before measuring and consider adding a little extra to help with structure.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal and gluten-free Cheerios alternative.
Nut-Free: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter to make this recipe nut-free.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 114
- Sugar: 24.4 g
- Sodium: 33.1 mg
- Fat: 0.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.9 g
- Protein: 0.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Elizabeth Shaw
I love all the variety and how simple these seem! What a great way to get the kids involved in their snacks too! Great recipe Bailey!
Bailey Sissom
Thanks Liz!! I say the simpler the better:)
Kristen Smith
I need to make this recipe for my little one ASAP!
Bailey Sissom
Mine LOVE them.. hope yours do too!!!
Lauren Harris-Pincus
I'm looking for bar recipes for my son, these sound great!!
Bailey Sissom
I think he will love them! Let me know how it goes:)
Elizabeth
I just made these, and they are terrific! I had to replace sun butter for peanut butter (due to peanut allergies at my child's school), and it turned out great. I added 2 tbsp chopped dried cherries and 1/8 cup toasted unsweetened coconut, and I used about 2 tbsp bittersweet chocolate chips. My daughter loves these.Thanks for such a great and thoughtful recipe!
Bailey Sissom
Yay! I'm so glad that they turned out well for you. Sounds like you made some yummy changes too! I love the idea of cherries and chocolate:)
Barbara
Any suggestion for replacing the peanut butter? My daughter's school is a nut-free zone.... 🙂
Bailey Sissom
Hi Barbara! I haven't tried this, so I can't say for sure... but I think sunflower seed butter would work as well. If you try it, make sure to leave a comment and let us know how it goes!
Rachel
Just made these and while they taste great, mine crumbled when I cut them. I even had them in the freezer and extra 5 minutes to set. Any advice? More pb or honey?
Bailey Sissom
I'm sorry they crumbled on you, but glad they were tasty. Yes, I would try more peanut butter/honey mixture.
Mark Tenheim
Hi! Well I followed this recipe exactly. My wife always laughs that I measure everything when following recipes, rather than approximate with a pinch here and a handful there. It came out BAD. Left them in the freezer for 30 minutes. When trying to cut they just crumbled it pieces. Something is seriously wrong with this recipe, threw the lot in the garbage.
Bailey Sissom
Hi Mark. I'm so sorry to hear that the recipe didn't work out. This is one of my family favs and I make it all the time. I've never had crumbly bars. That said.. you are the second person that had this result. Do you mind if I ask what type of peanut butter you used? I am wondering if you MUST use natural (as it is more oily). I plan to retest the recipe with regular peanut butter and adjust as needed.
MMC
Just a thought, but I think for those that are leaving it in the freezer longer that's why they're crumbling.
Bailey Sissom
Good thought! Thanks for the tip.
SN
I just found your page a few days ago and tried this recipe today. It's a perfect one!! Takes hardly any time at all, I added some figs, dates and white chocolate to mine and left them in the freezer for an extra 7-8mins and they cut up easily after. Looking forward to trying some of your other recipes for myself and my son!
Bailey Sissom
I'm so glad that they turned out well! Your additions sounds yummy:)
J
Yum! All four of my kids loved this! However, I think I loved this the most, quick easy and yummy! A great little snack!
Bailey Sissom
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the recipe! It's definitely a favorite around here!
Marie
Great recipe! Cereal bars are definitely a good way to make breakfast more exciting for kids. Plus, if you prepare them in advance, it will make the morning panic a whole lot easier. When you buy ready-made cereal bars, they don't always contain the healthiest ingredients. However, if you make them yourself, you know what you're putting into them!
Bailey Sissom
I totally agree! Thanks for your kind words.
bev
Great recipe!
Joe
Loved it!
Smoki
Can you use Rice Krispies for the puffed rice?
Bailey Sissom
That would work just fine:)
Jane
I make these all the time! They are a favourite of mine! I also add cornflakes and a handful of coconut! I have found that using natural
peanut butter when the jar is full and new works best. Once mine were a little dry and I was using the bottom of my natural peanut butter container... thought about adding a little coconut oil for when my jar is low again, what do u think?
Bailey Sissom
Love the tip of using the top of the peanut butter.. I am going to add that tip to the post! I think adding a little coconut oil would work perfectly:)
LB
Hi, new to your site and wanted to try these but looking for less sweetener. Do you think they'd hold w 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup coconut oil? My kids are used to my recipes tasting less sweet which I'd like to keep up if possible:) plus honey is expensive!! Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!!
Kas
Do you thinking that adding a thin layer of yogurt at the bottom of the pan would work at all?
Sharon
Has anyone substituted maple syrup for the honey?
Wildling Mother
This looks great, thank you Bailey 🙂 My daughter doesn't like peanut or seed butter (as in flat out refuses anything with a hint of it in there), is there something I can use as alternative? Coconut oil mixed with cocoa? Mashed banana with steamed apple and cinnamon? Would those things work or mess up the texture?
Anna
This is my son’s new favorite breakfast! Great recipe.