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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.
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 and healthy rice krispie treats!
Easy Breakfast Ideas for toddlers
Ingredients
- 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
- Stir together the peanut butter and honey.
- Pour over cheerios and oats.
- Stir until well-coated.
- Fold in the strawberies.
- Press the bars into a parchment-lined pan.
- Chill!
Tips for Success
- 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 8×8 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
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.
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.
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!
Peanut Butter Cheerio Cereal Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups (60g) cheerios
- 1 cup (100g) rolled oats
- 2/3 cups (170g) smooth peanut butter, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (110g) honey, , see note
- 1 cup (20g) freeze dried strawberries, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Line a 8×8 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 8×8 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.
Just made them with my 1 and a half year old and we both loved them!! Thank you for another fabulous recipe!!
So happy to hear that!! Thanks for taking the time to share, mama :).
Is there something I could substitute instead of honey? Wanting to cut down on the sugar so I can make these for my 14 month old.
Unfortunately not for this recipe as you need the honey hold the bars together
What kind of consistency should I look for after all the ingredients are mixed? Thanks a lot!
HI it should be sticky and easily pressed and “moldable”
Can you use fresh fruit?
No I’m afraid it will make the bars too wet. If you can’t find freeze dried fruit, you can leave it out or add other ingredients like chocolate chips or shredded coconut flakes.
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 !
Hi! you can leave it out or add shredded coconut, chocolate chips, etc. instead