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If you are looking for a healthier Cheerios bars recipe that doesn’t use marshmallows, try this recipe out. It’s easy to make and kids to adults enjoy this little snack treat.
My kids love Cheerios cereals and I’m always on the lookout for an after-school snack for them. This no-bake peanut butter Cheerio bars are so easy to put together. They don’t require any baking. They taste really good and the kids are digging the texture as well. I prefer to use Cheerio for a snack bar like this because it has more nutritional value compared to rice cereal. When I made this, I kinda want a bit of KIND bar in there, so I added some nuts and chocolate chips. No one complaints about that for sure!
Why you’ll like this recipe
1. No-bake
It’s always a bake when you don’t have to turn on that oven. It just requires some mixing
2. Taste and texture are good
This is not just for kids. Even adults like the taste and texture. They are tasty without overly sweet and have that nice crisp texture from the crispy oats and some crunch from the nuts
3. Healthier
I can’t say they fall into a health food category, but they are made with much more wholesome ingredients like nuts, honey, and are not loaded with refined sugar and saturated fat. You have some good protein from the peanut butter and peanuts
Ingredients and substitutions
1. Cheerios
I use plain Cheerios. They are unsweetened. You can also use other brands besides Cheerio. I have used Crispy Oats from Aldi. You can also use other varieties such as Honey Nut Cheerios. Just know that those are sweetened.
2. Peanut butter
I use store-bought creamy peanut butter. You can also use natural peanut butter, just make sure to stir them well before using. I haven’t tried the chunky version, but I imagine it should work too? I haven’t tried other nut butter like almond butter. So, if you do, let me know how it goes
3. Honey
Any honey would work here. I do not recommend substituting with agave nectar or maple syrup. I tried it with agave nectar before and the bars do not hold up together like the one made with honey.
4. Peanuts
I added some roasted unsalted peanuts. You can also use the salted version and omit the salt in the recipe if you worry that the bar may get too salty. Of course, you can also use other nuts like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, etc.
5. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
I use mini dark chocolate chips. The mini ones are better so the bars hold better when you cut them
Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheerios Bars
Ingredients
- 120 g honey
- 195 g creamy peanut butter
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 120 g Cheerios or other brands such as crispy oats
- 60 g dry-roasted unsalted peanuts
- 30 g mini chocolate chips dark, or semi-sweet, or milk (your choice)
Instructions
Things to take note before you start:
- I use dry-roasted unsalted peanuts from the store. If you use raw peanuts, roast them in the oven at 350 F (180 C) for 5 minutes until they are fragrant and let them cool down
- You can also use other mixture of nuts such as hazelnuts, pecans,walnuts, pistachios, almonds, etc. Please make sure to cut them into small pieces. They stay together much better when you cut them
- I use plain Cheerios so I can control the amount of sweetness. You can also use honey-nut Cheerios or other flavors. Just take note that these varieties have been sweetened
- Please make sure the peanut butter you use is smooth and creamy.
Prepare the bar:
- Line a 8 x 8 inch square pan with aluminum foil. Spray with some non-stick spray on all sides. You can also use an oversized cling wrap to line the pan. You don't need a non-stick spray if you use the wrap
- Put peanut butter, honey, and salt in a non-stick pan over low heat and stir until the honey has loosened a bit and has a runnier texture. It shouldn't take long, about 2-3 minutes. We just want to warm them up. Remove from the heat. Alternatively, you can microwave them on high for 30 seconds or so. It shouldn't take long. Stir in the vanilla to combine
- Add the cheerios and finely chopped nuts and stir to combine. When I know the mixture is not warm anymore, I add the chocolate chips because I don't want them to melt
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and use a spatula to help you spread evenly. Cover the surface with a piece of cling wrap and gently press the mixture down with your palms to make sure you pack the mixture down and fill up any gaps, so they stay together and won't fall apart when you cut them
Chill in the fridge or freezer:
- Put the pan in the fridge for 2 hours or in the freezer for 1 hour before cutting. Do not skip this step. The mixture needs to be cold to make sure they stay together and won't fall apart
To serve:
- Once it has been properly chilled, cut into the size you like, 10-12 smaller pieces, or 8-9 larger pieces. They are delicious served cold straight from the fridge.
- If you plan to bring this out on the go, make sure they have been chilled before in the freezer so they can last longer and won't lose their crunch. Definitely don't leave them in a hot car, as they will fall apart and the chocolate chips most likely will melt
How to store:
- These bars have to be kept in the fridge. Please don't store them at room temperature. The cold keeps the bar together and the cereal stays crispy. I store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2 weeks without problem. For longer storage, I store them in the freezer. They froze very well. They can be kept in the freezer for 3 months.
- If the bars have been kept frozen, leaving them at room temperature for about 5 minutes (depending on how warm where you are, it may not need that long) and they are ready to be eaten. You can also thaw them in the fridge overnight
*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*
Tips for success
1. Make sure the peanut butter is creamy and not hard and the honey is runny in texture. If they are cold from the fridge, they won’t mix well and the pieces of ingredients won’t get coated evenly
2. Don’t overheat the peanut butter and honey mixture, however. Just warm them up
3. Combine everything to make sure they get coated evenly. Add the chocolate chip last when the mixture is not warm anymore so the chocolate chips won’t melt
4. Pack the mixture down into a pan tightly. This is one of the key steps to make sure the bar won’t fall apart
5. Chill in the freezer for 1 hour or in the fridge for at least 2 hours. You cannot skip this step or the bars won’t hold up together
6. Store them in the fridge or freezer, not at room temperature
I tried to keep them in an air-tight container at room temperature (about 75 F/ 24 C) for more than 30 minutes and the bars start to soften and gets sticky and you can pull apart the pieces easily. They are still delicious, but they won’t hold together as a bar
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I bring these bars out on the go for a few hours?
I won’t recommend it. I think under 30 minutes is still okay, but you will notice that they get sticky and won’t hold together as a bar, especially if the temperature is hot and humid. The humidity makes the bar turn soggy
2. Can I use other cereals besides Cheerios?
If you leave at a place where Cheerios aren’t available, you can use similar size cereals. I haven’t tried other crispy cereals with this recipe yet
3. Can I use homemade peanut butter?
Just make sure your homemade peanut butter is smooth and creamy. If the oil separates, stir them well before you use them.
4. Can I use other nut butter?
I haven’t tried it myself, but most likely would work
5. Can I substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar?
I have tried both and the bar doesn’t hold up as well. Maple syrup and agave nectar are much runnier
6. Can I skip the peanuts and chocolate chips?
Yes you can. If you notice the mixture is too runny after adding Cheerios, you can add a bit more cereals to make up for the loss
Did you make this easy no-bake peanut butter chocolate chip Cheerios bars recipe?
I love it when you guys snap a photo and tag it to show me what you’ve made. Simply tag me @WhatToCookToday #WhatToCookToday on Instagram and I’ll be sure to stop by and take a peek for real!
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