Easy no-bake peanut butter cheerio bars make the perfect snack or dessert. Only 4 ingredients and done in less than 10 minutes!
More easy snack recipes you’ll love include homemade granola bars, cereal bars and no bake peanut butter bars!
Table of Contents
No Bake Honey Nut Cheerios Peanut Butter Bars
These peanut butter cheerio bars are a tasty treat similar to scotcheroos, but easier to make! They’re made with cheerios instead of rice krispies and don’t include the butterscotch chips.
These honey nut cheerio bars were a well loved snacking staple in my house growing up. My mom made them all the time! They are seriously addicting, easy to make and a family favorite.
Half of my family likes this honey nut cheerios recipe without chocolate similar to my peanut butter rice krispie treats recipe, so we usually do half of the pan plain. But I always drizzle chocolate on my portion. Chocolate makes everything better. ;)
Honey Nut Cheerio Bars Ingredients
- White sugar: Granulated white sugar dissolves best when heated for this honey nut cheerios recipe.
- Light karo syrup: This adds the best chewy texture in the cheerio bars.
- Peanut butter: My family prefers these with peanut butter but you could use almond butter or cashew butter.
- Honey nut cheerios: A key ingredients in this honey nut cheerios recipe!
How to Make Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
- Melt. Melt the sugars in a large pan over medium heat until they barely start to boil. Remove from heat and mix in peanut butter until smooth.
- Stir. Add the cheerios to the peanut butter mixture (2 cups at a time) and gently stir until fully coated.
- Press. Press the honey nut cheerios recipe into a buttered 9×13″ baking dish. I like to line my pan with parchment for easy removal.
- Top. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, then drizzle on top of the bars. Slice and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Butter the pan. Or line it with foil or parchment paper. This helps remove the honey nut cheerio bars much easier! I also find that a glass pan or porcelain pan works best.
- Press down firmly. Otherwise your peanut butter cheerio bars may not stick together.
- Silicone spatula. Using a silicone spatula to combine bars means less sticking and it’s easier to clean.
- Let cheerio bars set. It’s hard to resist these right away but after they have time to set they will be a lot less messy to eat!
FAQs
If you’re looking for a way to make this recipe a bit healthier, try substituting the sugar with honey (similar to my other cereal bars). Use 1 cup honey in place of the sugar and corn syrup. You could even use the original cheerios instead of honey nut.
Sure! Any other variety of cheerios will work as well as cereal like Cocoa Pebbles, Special K, Reese’s Puff and more.
These cheerio bars will keep for about 3-5 days if stored in an airtight container or bag. You can keep them at room temperature, although I personally like to store them in the fridge to hold their shape. They’ll last a little bit longer too if stored in the fridge.
Yes! Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap then foil and store in the freeze for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy.
More easy snack recipes with cereal that you’ll love include Fruity Pebbles treats, Golden Graham bars and sweet chex mix recipe.
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Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light karo syrup
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups honey nut cheerios
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips for topping
Instructions
- Butter a 9×13" baking dish and set aside.
- In a large pan, melt the sugar and corn syrup over medium heat until it barely comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter. Add cheerios, 2 cups at a time and stir until fully coated.
- Press the cheerio mixture evenly into the baking dish.
- If adding chocolate, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute until smooth. Then drizzle on top of the bars.
- Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days (if they last that long)!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I didn’t have karo syrup or honey, so I used a combination of agave syrup and pure maple syrup. Just a heads up if you try to make a similar substitution, it was a VERY sweet combo. I should have predicted that and cut back on the amount. Next time I look forward to trying it with honey. :)
Thanks for sharing your tips, Shannon! This is a similar recipe that you could always try that uses honey instead :) https://www.iheartnaptime.net/cereal-bars/
My kids love delicious these are! I love how easy they are to make!
We love these! They are the perfect afterschool snack and so easy.
I’m so glad to hear you love these! :)
YUM!! I LOVE how easy and delicious these are!
These are like a gourmet version of Rice Krispy Treats! Love this idea; looking forward to making these over the weekend!
This recipe is so amazing! My kids loved it so much. I am coming back to make more kid-friendly recipes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Such a fun and delicious snack! I made these for an after school snack and my kids obliterated them!
These are so amazing!!! But instead of using a cup of light Karo syrup I replace it with honey. I made this for my family and they lasted 2 days! This is a five star recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for leaving a comment Bella!
Such a great snack idea! Yum!
I’ve made this exact recipe, except have used Special K cereal (or, infrequently, Rice Chex) and roll them into bite sized balls. You can also dip them in chocolate halfway (or all the way), and everyone loves them!
Do you chill them in the refrigerator afterwards?
I don’t but you definitely could. I just let them cool and then dig in! :)
oh, this looks so delicious. my hubby would love this!! :)
I don’t have karo syrup – what else can I substitute?
Hi Monica! I haven’t found a good substitute for karo syrup, I’m sorry!
We just made these and instead of drizzling chocolate on top, we sprinkled min Reese’s pieces on top! Yum! Thanks for the great recipe!
Yummy! Mini Reese’s pieces would be delicious, thanks for sharing!
These are my favorite!! Thanks for posting the recipe! :) :) :)
YUMMY!! We love easy treats like these – can’t wait to try. Thanks!
Delicious! pinned!
I would have to leave the chocolate off as well. Then again if my husband really wanted it I may have to do a half pan like you.
These are just as yummy without chocolate! Add a little less honey nut cheerios and they will be even more gooey and delicious! :)
Does it matter whether you use natural peanut butter or regular peanut butter?
Hi! I’ve never tried using natural peanut butter in this recipe, I always use regular peanut butter! It may be too runny if you use natural peanut butter so you would have to experiment a little. :)