Cereal Bar Recipe

Think chewy, nutty, and just the right touch of sweet — this peanut butter cereal bar recipe is the snack your busy mornings and after-school cravings have been begging for. 

With crunchy cereal, a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and tart pops of dried cherries, every bite feels homemade and a little special… just the way family snacks should be. 

Making simple things like this from scratch always makes me feel like I’m providing the best for my family. If I make our food then I know exactly what goes into it and we aren’t eating a lot of fake or filler ingredients. These bars make a great high energy breakfast with a piece of fresh fruit and a tall glass of cold milk.

Ingredients for Cereal Bars

• Peanut Butter: Acts as the main binder, holding everything together while adding creaminess, richness, and a satisfying nutty flavor. 
• Honey: Works with peanut butter to bind the ingredients, adds natural sweetness, and gives the bars a chewy texture. 
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
• Breakfast Cereal: The crunchy backbone of the recipe, providing texture, bulk, and flavor variety depending on the cereal choice. My favorites are Post Great Grains Cereal (any of the flavors, especially Blueberry Morning), Basic 4, Raisin Bran or Honey Bunches of Oats.
• Pepitas: Add a toasty, nutty crunch plus a boost of protein, healthy fats, and minerals. 
• Dried Cherries: Give a chewy, tart-sweet pop that balances the richness of the peanut butter and honey. 
• Chia Seeds: Add a subtle crunch and a nutritional boost (omega-3s, fiber). 
• Cinnamon: Adds warm flavor and enhances the sweetness.
• Salt: Balances and brightens the sweetness while deepening all the other flavors.

How to Make Cereal Bars

1. Prep: Spray an 8×8 pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
2. Heat: Warm up the honey and peanut butter either in a small saucer on the stovetop or in the microwave until it begins to boil.
3. Combine: Remove from the heat and add the vanilla, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine.
4. Mix: Add the remaining ingredients to a large bowl and then pour the peanut butter mixture over the top and fold together until everything is combined.
5. Form: Press the cereal into the prepared pan and let them chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Sprinkle flaked sea salt on top, slice and serve!

Variations

Add-Ins:

• Nuts: Chopped almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios

Substitutions:

• Maple syrup instead of honey
• Almond butter instead of peanut butter
• Sub some of the cereal with rice krispies for extra crunch

Are Cereal Bars Actually Healthy?

Cereal bar recipes can range in healthiness depending on the ingredients that are used. For this recipe, we try to use all wholesome, clean ingredients. One bar is about 250 calories with 30g of carbs, 7g of protein, 14g of fat and 24g of sugar. There are definitely healthier snacks out there, but I love the healthy energy that these bars provide.

How Long Will Cereal Bars Keep?

No bake homemade cereal bars keep for about one week. They should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I don’t recommend storing them in the freezer. They get totally brittle and then are soggy the next day.

Looking for a nutritious and delicious snack option? Try this easy homemade cereal bar recipe packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, and dried fruits. Perfect for on-the-go snacking!

Watch our Video of How to Make Cereal Bars

More Tasty After School Snack Ideas:

• Homemade Granola
• Chocolate Swirl Berry Yogurt Bark
• Banana Bread
• No Bake Chocolate Energy Bites
• Aussie Bites Copycat