Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
8 Comments
Posted: 04/25/25
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These easy no bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars are perfect for a quick and delicious snack or dessert. Made with cereal, peanuts, and M&Ms tossed with a sweet peanut butter sauce.
Skip the store-bought cereal bars and make these amazing no bake peanut butter cereal bars instead! They’re loaded with creamy peanut butter and are ooey gooey and perfectly chewy.
Why You’ll Love No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- You can make a whole batch of cereal bars in under a half hour.
- Easily adapt and change this recipe with your favorite cereals, candy and add-ins.
- No bake means you don’t have to turn on the oven at all.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- Cheerios – I used plain cheerios, but you can use honey nut cheerios if you want to.
- Crisp rice cereal – Grab name brand of knock-off, both will work great!
- Dry roasted peanuts – You can change up the peanuts if you want to! Salty peanuts and honey roasted would be tasty.
- M&M’s – What’s better than candy coated chocolate gems in every bite of your yummy cereal bars?
- Light corn syrup – Light corn syrup will help give your cereal bars that chewy texture that you know and love.
- Sugar – Feel free to use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, just keep in mind that it might change the texture of the bars just a bit.
- Creamy peanut butter – You can use any brand that you like. I do not recommend using a natural peanut butter since it is difficult to get the oil and butter to fully mix together.
- Vanilla – A little splash of vanilla extract definitely elevates the flavor of the cereal treats!
How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- Spray a rimmed baking sheet with non stick cooking spray and set it to the side.
- Then add the rice krispies, cheerios, peanuts and M&Ms to a large mixing bowl and gently combine.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the corn syrup and sugar to a boil. Stir frequently so that it does not scorch.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and quickly stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Then pour the syrupy peanut butter mixture over the bowl of cereal mixture.
- Gently toss together and fold with a rubber spatula so that all of the cereal is coated.
- Pour the mixture into an even layer on the previously prepared pan and let it sit for a while until set. Cut into squares with a sharp knife and enjoy!
How to Store No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
For best results, wrap each of the cereal bars in parchment paper or plastic wrap so that they don’t stick together. You can also just place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers you stack in an airtight container.
Store at room temperature for 3-4 days or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. If stored in the fridge, allow the bars to sit out for a few minutes before consuming so that they soften a bit.
Can I freeze peanut butter cereal bars?
Yes! I highly recommend wrapping them individually and then placing them into a freezer bag. Freeze this way for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw completely before consuming.
What can I add to peanut butter cereal bars?
You can also mix in things like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, raisins, and craisins. Or you can melt chocolate and then drizzle it over the top of the set bars for a nice topping.
For a little balance to the sweetness, sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the top of each bar.
Pro Tips
- Don’t over-stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients because you could end up crushing the cereal. Just gently mix until coated and then pour into the baking sheet.
- Use a baking sheet that has a rim so that it’s easier to press the cereal bar mixture out evenly.
- Continuously stir the sugar and corn syrup while on the stove top. If you leave it, it will likely stick the bottom of the saucepan and burn.
- Allergic to peanuts? You can totally use almond butter or another nut butter instead of peanut butter!
These delicious peanut butter cereal bars are such a fun treat to make! I hope you enjoy every single bite!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Try these delicious no bake peanut butter cereal bars. A perfect for on-the-go snack or dessert.
Video
bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups cheerios
- 4 cups crisp rice cereal
- 2 cups dry roasted peanuts
- 2 cups M&M’s
- 2 cups light corn syrup
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- 2 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 ¾ teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Spray a 15'' x 10'' x 1 with non stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cereals, peanuts and M&Ms. Set aside.
- In a medium sized saucepan bring the corn syrup and sugar to a boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
- Pour syrup mixture over the cereal mixture in the large mixing bowl. Toss to coat evenly.
- Spread mixture into prepared pan. Let sit until mixture is set.
Tips
For best results, wrap each of the cereal bars in parchment paper or plastic wrap so that they don’t stick together. You can also just place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers you stack in an airtight container.
Store at room temperature for 3-4 days or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. If stored in the fridge, allow the bars to sit out for a few minutes before consuming so that they soften a bit.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 464kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 60g (20%), Protein: 10g (20%), Fat: 23g (35%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 2mg (1%), Sodium: 205mg (9%), Potassium: 247mg (7%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 49g (54%), Vitamin A: 148IU (3%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 55mg (6%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
More No Bake Recipes
- Can’t make a campfire? Not to worry! Whip up a batch of these No Bake S’mores Trifles instead.
- Reindeer Chow is another fun no-bake cereal treat that you can make around Christmas time.
- This No Bake Scotcheroo Pie is just to die for. Mouthwateringly delicious!
- No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Cake is better than the bakery, I mean it!
Lana says
I’ve been wondering about the measurements in this recipe. How much of each ingredient do I put in? I don’t want to mess the recipe up and I’m not the greatest at eyeballing ingredients.
Julie Evink says
There is a recipe card with the entire recipe. At the top you can hit “jump to recipe” and it will bring you there.
Tammy says
I’ve made these twice now. LOVE!!!! So good!
Courtney says
Thank you!
Allison J says
Hi I stumbled on your recipe trying to figure out how to use up some items in my pantry. My son who is 7 was very excited by possibly getting m & m’s for any meal. I have a question about how to best store these. I’m Florida and its super hot here so on the counter might not hold up to well. Fridge or freezer for long term? Thanks
Julie Evink says
Fridge would work great if you are going to eat them in the first few days, if not then I’d probably toss them in the freezer!
bamanut says
Lovin’ the simplicity of these great snack recipes! <3
Celeste says
Hello Julie, omg do those look delicious. I am going to make these for my grand babies! I will have to use gluten free Cheerios though I’m allergic to gluten! I made the Poke cake with pudding last night it is so tasty. I’ve made the Poke cake without the pudding I like it better with the pudding in it! My husband is inhaling a piece right now, he said”wow this cake is awesome” great flavor! Hope you know I’ve had to start walking I make a lot of your recipes and the pounds were creeping up on me. That’s a good thing though so thanks! Lol, have a fantastic week!