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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    Peanut Butter Cheerio Cereal Bars

    By Min On March 28, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    a square cereal bar placed on toddler's palm.

    These no-bake peanut butter cheerio cereal bars are so easy to make with pantry ingredients! They are the perfect breakfast or snack for kids.

    a close up shot of sliced peanut butter cereal bars with strawberries.

    Reasons to love these cereal bars

    These are SOO EASY to whip up with ingredients you probably already have on hand. ZERO cooking involved, just like these peanut butter bliss balls!

    While store-bought cereal bars are convenient, they can be quite expensive. Not to mention many of them are overly sweet with a long list of ingredients and added sugars.

    If you have 10 minutes to spare, you will be able to whip up a healthier, less expensive, and equally delicious version! 

    And if you are looking for soft-baked bars for easy grab-n-go breakfast or snacking, check out these banana oatmeal bars.

    Easy Breakfast Ideas for toddlers

    Ingredients

    All the ingredients laid out on a white background.
    • Cheerios - Make sure to use PLAIN Cheerios. The bars are plenty sweet with just the addition of honey.
    • Rolled oats - While you can use Cheerios alone, I find that the addition of oats makes the bars softer and chewier, which is a bonus for toddlers.
    • Honey - Adds sweetness and helps bind the bars. You can also use maple syrup.
    • Peanut butter - Helps bind the bars together and adds protein, fat, and a delicious nutty flavor. Smooth, natural style works best.
    • Freeze dried strawberries - Adds flavor and color! Feel free to use other freeze-dried fruit of choice.

    Step by Step Instructions

    a four image collage showing the cooking process step by step.
    a two image collage showing how to place and press the bars into the lined pan.
    1. Stir together the peanut butter and honey.
    2. Pour over cheerios and oats.
    3. Stir until well-coated.
    4. Fold in the strawberies.
    5. Press the bars into a parchment-lined pan.
    6. Chill!

    Tips for Success

    a square cereal bar placed on toddler's palm.
    • Use room temperature peanut butter! You want it to be runny, not dry or thick. If you keep yours in the refrigerator, take it out at least an hour prior to making. All the peanut butter cereal bar recipes I've come across require heating the peanut butter with honey on the stove or in the microwave. I don't like to heat honey and my way works just as well.
    • Using your fingers, break up the freeze-dried strawberries into smaller pieces. I've found this to be the easiest and best way to avoid crushing them too much.
    • Be sure to use a 8x8 inch pan. If you use a larger size, the bars will be too thin.
    • Line the pan with parchment paper to make it easy to pop the bars right out of the pan. Also makes cleanup a breeze.
    • Press the mixture FIRMLY into the lined pan. I like to use parchment paper so that it holds its shape and doesn’t end up on my hands.
    • CHILL for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, preferably overnight, or in the freezer for at least an hour.
    • Use a sharp knife to cut. I like to use a serrated knife.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the best substitute for peanut butter?

    You can use any nut or seed butter. However, they don’t hold the bars as well as peanut butter so I would suggest adding more.

    What's the best way to store these bars?

    Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They’re best enjoyed cold. Do NOT store at room temperature as the bars will soften.

    Can I freeze cereal bars?

    Yes! I recommend wrapping each piece in cling wrap and storing in a freezer safe bag or container. They will stay good for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before you eat.

    one square piece of cereal bar with babybel cheese in a stainless steel snack container.

    20+ Healthy Snacks for Toddlers

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!

    a square cereal bar placed on toddler's palm.

    Peanut Butter Cheerio Cereal Bars

    These no-bake peanut butter cheerio bars are so easy to make with pantry ingredients! They are the perfect breakfast or snack for kids.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Chill time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Equipment

    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups (60g) cheerios
    • 1 cup (100g) rolled oats
    • ⅔ cups (170g) smooth peanut butter, at room temperature
    • ⅓ cup (110g) honey , see note
    • 1 cup (20g) freeze dried strawberries, roughly chopped

    Instructions

    • Line a 8x8 square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, toss the cheerios and oats.
    • In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter and honey until smooth. Pour over the cheerio oat mixture and mix until well coated.
    • Fold in the chopped strawberries
    • Press the mixture firmly into the pan using a piece of parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. You can also freeze for at least 1 hour.
    • Remove from pan and slice!

    Notes

    • These bars are not suitable for babies. It is best to avoid added sugars until 2 years of age. 
    • Use room temperature peanut butter! You want it to be runny, not dry or thick. 
    • Using your fingers, break up the freeze-dried strawberries into smaller pieces. 
    • Be sure to use a 8x8 inch pan. If you use a larger size, the bars will be too thin.
    • CHILL for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, preferably overnight, or in the freezer for at least an hour.
    • You can use any nut or seed butter. However, they don’t hold the bars as well as peanut butter so I would suggest adding more.
    • Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They’re best enjoyed cold. Do NOT store at room temperature as the bars will soften.
    • You can freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Sugar: 8g
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alexandra Rydz says

      May 05, 2023 at 2:08 pm

      These sound great! Do you have any suggestions for what to use in lieu of freeze dried strawberries ? I am having a hard time finding any freeze dried fruit !

      Reply
      • Min says

        May 07, 2023 at 7:40 pm

        Hi! you can leave it out or add shredded coconut, chocolate chips, etc. instead

        Reply
    2. EF says

      April 15, 2023 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      Awesome! These are easy and fun and nutritious. Thank you Min for this great recipe that doesn’t need refrigeration but will keep my preschooler full! Can’t wait to try more of your snack recipes. ❤️

      Reply
      • Min says

        April 15, 2023 at 7:23 pm

        You're welcome it brings me so much joy to be able to share these recipes with you!

        Reply
    3. Zoua says

      February 12, 2023 at 8:02 pm

      We already have honey nut cheerios so I don't want to go out and buy plain Cheerios. Will it just be slightly sweeter... Should I reduce the honey amount?

      Reply
      • Min says

        February 14, 2023 at 12:11 pm

        You can use it still but yes will be sweeter. I wouldn't reduce the amount of honey as the bars may not stick together well

        Reply
    4. Katie says

      November 07, 2022 at 2:08 pm

      5 stars
      We call these “breakfast cookies” because they are so well-loved by the whole family! My toddler loves to help make them. Great to grab out of the fridge on busy mornings for breakfast or the lunchbox. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Min says

        November 07, 2022 at 7:00 pm

        I love the name! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    5. Rita Scott says

      July 17, 2022 at 8:15 am

      We really like your cheerio bar recipe. I appreciate the idea of using parchment paper to press cereal mixture into pan. I often keep a few empty cereal bags on hand for this process; it especially helps when the mixture is hot & sticky like krisp rice bars.

      Reply
      • Min says

        July 17, 2022 at 1:31 pm

        I'm so glad you guys like this recicpe!

        Reply
    6. Ariella says

      June 04, 2022 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      I made these with sunbutter so it would be safe for daycare and everyone loved them! They stuck together really well and we’re great in their afternoon snack.

      Reply
    7. Emily Hardy says

      June 02, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      Min! These are delicious and easy to make! Thank you for the recipe. My daughter (18 months) loved helping to make these cookies and eating them!
      I found with adding a half cup of whole-wheat flour they became almost like muffins - delicious!

      Reply
      • Min says

        June 02, 2022 at 4:11 pm

        Thank you for putting a smile on my face right now! So glad you guys enjoyed making and eating together! But I wonder if you meant a different recipe - perhaps the peanut butter chickpea cookies!

        Reply
    8. Melanie says

      May 25, 2022 at 11:55 pm

      Hi Min,

      Love this idea! Do you think this would be suitable for my little one who’s 16 months?

      Reply
      • Min says

        May 26, 2022 at 5:11 pm

        Yes! Depending on your child's chewing abilities, I would take it out of the fridge 5-10 min prior and will soften up a bit!

        Reply
    9. Amanda says

      May 24, 2022 at 7:12 pm

      Hi Min,

      Thanks for sharing this! Just wondering will this work with fresh fruits?

      Reply
    10. Ally says

      May 12, 2022 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      Edges were a bit crumbly, possibly didn’t press them hard enough to get it all to stick together - but it didn’t matter as both the bars and crumbs were delicious and eaten quickly by my kids and my nieces!

      Reply
      • Min says

        May 12, 2022 at 2:25 pm

        Yay!!

        Reply
    11. Bonny says

      April 20, 2022 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! We enjoyed it as well

      Reply
      • Min says

        April 20, 2022 at 10:23 pm

        Yay!! Makes me happy 😉

        Reply

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    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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