Make snack time easy with these homemade, no-bake cereal bars! Perfect for toddlers and busy moms, these nutritious, no-fuss bars are great for on-the-go, lunchboxes, or a quick bite at home. Simple, delicious, and kid-approved!
Why You’ll Love These No-Bake Cereal Bars
These no-bake cereal bars are a lifesaver on busy days when snack time sneaks up and your toddler is suddenly starving. With just a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, you’ll have a batch of chewy, sweet, satisfying bars that both kids and parents love.
Here’s why they’re a hit:
- made with pantry staples like cereal, nut/seed butter, and honey or maple syrup
- no baking required (because who has time?)
- toddler-approved texture—soft, chewy, and easy to hold
- perfect for snack trays, school lunches, or mama’s coffee break
- easy to make allergy-friendly and freezer-friendly!
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Cheerios or any O's cereal
- peanut butter or nut/seed butter of choice
- hemp hearts
- ground flaxseed
- honey or maple syrup (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Melt peanut butter – In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, warm the peanut butter until smooth and easy to stir. If using, mix in vanilla, cinnamon, and sweetener.
- Combine dry ingredients – In a large bowl, mix the cereal, hemp hearts, and ground flaxseed.
- Mix & press – Pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until evenly coated.
- Shape & chill – Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8x8-inch pan. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.
- Slice & enjoy! – Cut into bars and store as directed below.
Hint
For easier mixing, warm the peanut butter slightly before adding it to the cereal mixture. This helps coat everything evenly and prevents crumbling when shaping the bars! If you're having trouble with it sticking together (make sure to press FIRM), add more nut butter or add liquid sweetener.
Substitutions
- peanut butter - almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini for a nut-free option
- cereal - swap for rolled oats, puffed rice, or granola for a different texture
- hemp hearts - replace with chia seeds, or extra flaxseed for a similar nutrient boost
- ground flaxseed - use chia seeds or wheat germ for added fiber and omega-3s
- sweetener - skip or reduce honey/maple syrup for less sweetness, or swap for date syrup or mashed banana
This is so easy to customize and make your own!
Variations
- chocolate lover’s – mix in mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top
- berry boost – stir in freeze-dried or finely chopped dried fruit like strawberries or blueberries
- crunchy delight – add chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or crushed pretzels for extra texture
- protein-packed – stir in 1-2 scoops of protein powder to boost the protein content (will need to add more nut butter)
Equipment
All you will need is a mixing bowl and square dish! If you prefer to pop out, here is a silicone dish you can use.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Wrap individual bars and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temp before eating.
Tiff Tip
Press the mixture firmly into the pan! This helps the bars hold together better and prevents them from crumbling when sliced. Use a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup to compact them evenly.
FAQ
Yes! Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini for an allergy-friendly option.
Make sure the peanut butter is fully melted and well mixed. Also, pressing the mixture firmly into the pan and chilling long enough will help them hold together.
Absolutely! Try adding mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, or shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Easy, No-Bake Cereal Bars
Equipment
- 1 8x8 baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 cup runny peanut butter or other nut/seed butter
- 3 cups O cereal Cheerios, unsweetened Three Wishes cereal, plain cereal of choices, or rolled oats
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- 2-4 tablespoon honey or maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Melt peanut butter – In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, warm the peanut butter until smooth and easy to stir. If using, mix in vanilla, cinnamon, and sweetener.
- Combine dry ingredients – In a large bowl, mix the cereal, hemp hearts, and ground flaxseed.
- Mix & press – Pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until evenly coated.
- Shape & chill – Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8x8-inch pan. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.
- Slice & enjoy! – Cut into bars and store accordingly.
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