These Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars are quick to make with just 5 simple ingredients and are the perfect breakfast or snack on the go!
Kids and adults both love cereal bars, but the store-bought versions can get expensive fast. When you can make them at home for a fraction of the cost, it’s a no-brainer. I love whipping up a batch on a Sunday afternoon so we have easy grab and go snacks all week long.
They’re perfect for packing in lunchboxes or grabbing on busy mornings when you’re running out the door. You can also easily customize them such as use Honey Nut Cheerios or Chocolate Cheerios, stir in chocolate chips or skip the chocolate altogether. You can even switch things up and try a different cereal bar like my Trix Cereal Bars, which are always a bit hit with the kids.
If you love this easy no bake treat, be sure to try my cereal favorites like Conversation Heart Rice Krispie Treats for Valentine’s Day or White Chocolate Chex Mix for an easy everyday snack.
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Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars
- Cheerios: I like to use name brand but store brand can also be used
- Marshmallows: large or regular size marshmallows works best
- Butter: salted adds a little more to taste but unsalted can be used too
- Peanut butter: creamy
- Semi sweet chocolate chips
How to Make Cheerios Bars
1. Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a large pot, melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows over low heat, stirring continuously until smooth.
3. Remove from heat and gently fold in the Cheerios using a wooden spoon until evenly coated.
4. Press the mixture firmly into prepared baking dish using damp hands or a spatula to prevent from sticking.
5. Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and melt in 30 second intervals stirring in between until melted and smooth.
6. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the Cheerios mixture, all the way to the edges.
7. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
8. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Stir continuously while melting to prevent from burning.
- Use damp hands or parchment paper to press the bars down evenly.
- Let bars fully set before slicing for clean edges.
- Cut with a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
Storing Leftovers
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap each bar individually, place in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Just note that the texture will be slightly different.
Yes! Use 6 cups of mini marshmallows as a substitute for the large marshmallows.
Yes, just be sure to use the gluten free Cheerios brand and double check all ingredient labels.
Recipe
Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
Ingredients
- 6 cups Cheerios
- 10 oz. marshmallows
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 8 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows over low heat, stirring continuously until smooth.
- Remove from heat and gently fold in the Cheerios using a wooden spoon until evenly coated.
- Press the mixture firmly into prepared baking dish using damp hands or a spatula to prevent from sticking.
- Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and melt in 30 second intervals stirring in between until melted and smooth.
- Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the Cheerios mixture, all the way to the edges.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Stir continuously while melting to prevent from burning.
- Use damp hands or parchment paper to press the bars down evenly.
- Let bars fully set before slicing for clean edges.
- Cut with a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Jill says
My husband loves the peanut butter honey nut cherries bars. They came out really sticky. What size bag of marshmallow are you using? I thought less marshmallow? They are delicious and he takes them in his lunch