Peanut Butter Chocolate Cereal Bars {5 Ingredients}
These Peanut Butter Cereal Bars are so easy to make and only require five simple ingredients including cereal, peanut butter, butter, marshmallow, and chocolate. They are gooey, crunchy, full of marshmallow flavor topped with a smooth cholate layer. This quick and easy snack or dessert is not only delicious but naturally vegan, dairy-free, and can be made gluten-free too. You’ll be making them on repeat, guaranteed.
What to do when you have an extra box of cereal in your pantry? Peanut Butter Cereal bars is the BEST answer!
When you have kids, you ALWAYS have an extra box of cereal that is sitting in your pantry for way too long. When I found myself in this situation a couple weeks ago, I decided it was time to create something fun and delicious with them.
Like my No Bake Cinnamon Rolls or my Healthy Pistachio Muffins, we’re now all obsessed over these Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cereal Bars! They officially became our new favorite treat!
Here are the reasons why we love these cereal bars so much:
- They make a perfect after-school snack, and a delicious treat for your sweet craving emergency.
- They only take a few minutes to make, and no baking required.
- They are super easy and affordable! You only need five basic ingredients: cereal, butter, peanut butter, marshmallow, and chocolate. That’s it!
- They are not only for kids. These treats are perfect for the whole family. We’re obsessed!
- They are an explosion of flavors combined with a crispy gooey texture. Absolutely HEAVEN!
- They’re vegan, dairy-free, and can be easily made gluten-free depending on the cereal you choose.
Ingredients Needed to Make Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
These cereal bars are made with SUPER simple and affordable ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Cereal: Cheerios, purely O’s, Whole O’s, any of the O shaped cereals work the best for this recipe. You can choose your favorite ones whether they are whole grain, honey, grain free, anything that plays your fancy.
- Peanut Butter: You can use your favorite nut or seed butter, but I highly I recommend using a smooth and unsweetened for this recipe. Since the marshmallow is already sweet.
- Butter: I like using vegan butter to keep this recipe vegan, but you can use the butter of your preference.
- Marshmallow: You can use regular or mini marshmallow for the most delicious and gooey texture.
- Chocolate: You can use dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate. I prefer using dark chocolate for this recipe.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
You won’t believe how easy and quick this is! Just a few quick and simple steps and you’ll have the most incredible Cereal bars.
Lastly, refrigerate until set and enjoy.
Tips to Make the BEST Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- Prepping: Once the marshmallow starts to melt, turn the heat to low. Overcooking the marshmallow and peanut butter mixture can make it dry and sticky.
- Chill time: transfer the cheerio treats mixture to 8×8 pan immediately after they well incorporated with the peanut butter mixture. The cooling process allows them to set and form.
- More chill time: Allow the bars to chill before enjoying. This will allow them to fully set and prevent a messy experience.
- For a perfect chocolate topping: adding peanut butter while melting chocolate will prevent them from cracking after refrigeration.
Other ways to spice them up:
- Try a different cereal: It will be interesting to experience with different texture and flavors. You can use try Rice Krispies, granola, Special K, or Puffs. You can choose your favorite ones whether they are whole grain, honey, grain free, anything that plays your fancy. They’ll turn out amazing!
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the chocolate: I highly recommend sprinkling flakey sea salt on top of the cholate layer. This step will add the most amazing salty-sweet finish to your bars.
- Add mix-ins: Raisins, toasted coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds are all great additions.
How to Store Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- For best results, store them in airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 2 days.
- Storing in the fridge for more than 2 days could potentially make it harden (depending on the cheerios you use).
And now to the fun part. Scroll down to the recipe and invite your family to make these fun and delicious Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
And when you are done, leave me a comment below!
ALSO, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT “ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS”
Get the recipe:Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Ingredients
For Cereal Bars
- 3 cups cereal, *I used Cheerios
- 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter, *I used vegan
- 2 cups marshmallows, *Heaping cups, roughly 5oz
For Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup chocolate
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
Instructions
- In a medium non-stick pot, melt the vegan butter on medium to low heat.
- Add marshmallow and peanut butter, gently stir until fully melted. Once melted, immediately add cheerios. Overheating can cause the marshmallow and peanut butter mixture to start dry out and become sticky.
- Stir in cheerios and fold together until cheerios are fully coated with the peanut butter mixture.
- Pour the mixture into an 8×8 baking dish lined parchment paper or wax paper.
- Wet hands and press cereal mixture down (damp hands will prevent the cheerios mixture from sticking to your hands).
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate with the peanut butter for about 30 seconds or until fully melted. Spread on top evenly.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until set and enjoy.
- Store in airtight container in the fridge or on the counter
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.
I made these recently for me and my husband- and he finished them in 2 days! Used lovebird cinnamon cereal and it was DELISH!
(Review provided by a family member or employee of Shuangy’s Kitchensink)