No Bake Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
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Posted: 01/07/25
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Ooey, chewy, No Bake Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars are the best! Once you start munching on these easy no bake bars, you won’t be able to stop. Loaded with cheerios and peanuts and covered in peanut butter.
If you love cereal bars like rice krispie treats, these cheerio bars need to be next on your list. Easy and loaded with peanut butter, they’re a hit every time! I am all about the no bake dessert bars, and these peanut butter cheerio bars are a go-to at our house. They’re so tasty!
Peanut butter cheerio bars are inspired by another cereal bar that my family loves: scotcheroos! Except we’re skipping the chocolate and making these cheerio bars all about the peanut butter. You will love having this easy recipe up your sleeve the next time you need a quick treat to share! It’s a long-time family favorite recipe, and I can’t wait for you to try it.
Why You’ll Love These Cheerio Bars!
- These are a fantastic make-ahead recipe! You can make a batch of these, then slice and store and eat on them throughout the week. They store really well!
- Peanut butter cheerio bars are the ultimate kid friendly treat. Skip the store-bought granola bars and cereal bars and make your own instead. They’re so much better!
- Cheerio bars are perfect for after-school snacks, a lunch box sweet treat, or for sharing at potlucks and parties.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
- Granulated sugar – This makes the bars nice and sweet! Use it along with light corn syrup to make them perfectly sweet.
- Light corn syrup – Not only does corn syrup add sweetness to the cheerio bars, but also ensures your bars are soft and chewy and not too hard.
- Peanut butter – I love to use creamy peanut butter, but you can use crunchy peanut butter to give the bars more texture.
- Vanilla extract – Add depth of flavor with a splash of pure vanilla extract.
- Peanuts – For a salty-sweet combo, use salted roasted peanuts. But plain peanuts work too.
- Cheerios – You’ll need about half of a 12-ounce box of cereal. Grab whichever cheerios are your favorite.
Products Needed
How to Make Cheerio Dessert Bars
- Combine the granulated sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then take the pan off the heat. Add the peanut butter and vanilla to the sugar mixture and stir until smooth.
- Place the cereal and peanuts into a large mixing bowl. Then pour the peanut butter mixture over the top and stir until the Cheerios and nuts are evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into a prepared pan and let it cool at room temperature before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Tips for Storing Cheerio Bars
Room Temperature: Store leftover homemade cheerio bar in an airtight container with parchment paper in between the layers, and they will keep well for two to three days at room temperature.
Refrigerator: They will keep in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. Let them sit at room temperature to warm up before serving them.
Freezer: Cheerio bars are freezer friendly! I like to individually wrap the bars and then keep them in a large freezer bag. They will keep well for up to two months, and you can thaw them at room temperature.
Can you use flavored Cheerios?
I use original Cheerios for this recipe, but there are other flavors you can try. Try honey vanilla Cheerios, multi-grain Cheerios, honey nut Cheerios, or frosted Cheerios!
Can I use a different nut butter?
If you have a peanut allergy, or just prefer not eat peanuts, then you can totally swap out with a different nut butter. Cashew butter, almond butter, and sunflower butter would all be tasty.
Variations
Want to dress up these peanut butter cheerio bars? There are a few things you can add to put a spin on them:
- Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars with Chocolate: You can mix in some chocolate chips or drizzle the bars with melted chocolate. Semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or milk chocolate would be great. Or try some white chocolate!
- Add Some Sprinkles: Mix in or sprinkle some fun sprinkles over the top!
- Mix In Reese’s Pieces: Stir some peanut butter candy into the mixture to add a fun treat in every bite.
- Drizzle: Add a peanut butter or chocolate drizzle over the top of the bars.
- Other: Mix in chopped peanut butter cups or M&Ms! Some mini chocolate chips would be tasty too.
Pro Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
- Use a large mixing bowl to make it easy to mix the cereal with the peanut butter mixture.
- Don’t forget to grease the pan! This will ensure your bars don’t stick when you try to remove them. To make it even easier, line the pan with parchment paper and use it to lift the bars out in one piece to make it easy to slice them.
- Spray your rubber spatula with a bit of non-stick cooking spray when mixing the cereal mixture together. It will help keep it from sticking to the spoon.
Have you added a box of Cheerios to your shopping list yet? You’ll want to make a batch of these easy dessert bars this week – have fun making them and enjoy!
Looking for More No Bake Bars?
- Frito Bars are a super simple sweet and salty dessert bar that you will love, too!
- Caramel Rice Krispie Treats are an upgrade on the classic marshmallow bar with ooey-gooey caramel.
- Or try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars!
- These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars are delicious too!
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 Cheerio Bars
Ooey, chewy Not Bake Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars are the best! Loaded with cheerios, peanuts and covered in peanut butter. It's a hit every time!
Video
bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 ¼ cups light corn syrup
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup peanuts
- 6 cups Cheerios
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan mix together white sugar and light corn syrup. Bring to a boil.
- Remove pan from heat and add peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Pour Cheerios and peanuts in a large mixing bowl. Pour peanut butter mixture over Cheerios and peanuts. Stir until combined.
- Spread Cheerio mixture in prepared 9×13 inch pan. Let cool and cut into bars
Tips
Room Temperature: Store them in an airtight container, and they will keep well for two to three days at room temperature.
Freezer: Cheerio bars are freezer friendly! I like to individually wrap the bars and keep them in a large freezer bag. They will keep well for up to two months, and you can thaw them at room temperature.
Want to dress up these peanut butter cheerio bars? There are a few things you can add to put a spin on them:
- Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars with Chocolate: You can mix in some chocolate chips or drizzle the bars with melted chocolate. Semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or milk chocolate would be great. Or try some white chocolate!
- Add Some Sprinkles: Mix in or sprinkle some fun sprinkles over the top!
- Mix In Reese’s Pieces: Stir some peanut butter candy into the mixture to add a fun treat in every bite.
- Other Candy: Or, mix in chopped peanut butter cups or M&Ms!
- Use a large mixing bowl to make it easy to mix the cereal with the peanut butter mixture.
- Don’t forget to grease the pan! This will ensure your bars don’t stick when you try to remove them. To make it even easier, line the pan with parchment paper and use it to lift the bars out in one piece to make it easy to slice them.
- Be sure to store them in an airtight container – If the cheerio bars are exposed to air they will dry out and not be soft and chewy.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 242kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 35g (12%), Protein: 6g (12%), Fat: 11g (17%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.002g, Sodium: 102mg (4%), Potassium: 168mg (5%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 28g (31%), Vitamin A: 208IU (4%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 39mg (4%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
Donna Kipybida says
Great recipe! Addicting treats! I adjusted this a little just to make it easier. Since the corn syrup comes in a 16oz(2 cup)bottle, I use just a cup of corn syrup and then add 1/4 cup more peanut butter. Then I can make a second batch with that corn syrup next time! They also come out a little creamier and chewier.
Brooke Kill says
That sounds so delicious! I’m glad you enjoyed!
Mamakitty says
Will slightly stale Cheerios work?
Sarah Hill says
You might lose some crunch to these bars but they should still work!
Linda Turner says
Hi can I make a simple syrup recipe made with white sugar and water, instead of corn syrup? I’m thinking the corn syrup is what binds it all together so using a homemade sugar syrup would not work?
Sarah Hill says
I would think making your own would work well! You are correct in that this is used as a binder for everything.
Judy says
These are very quick to make when you are pinched for time and are delicious!
Courtney says
Yes! Exactly when I make them as well.
Ruth says
Is there anything I can use In place of the corn syrup?
Jess says
You can use honey.
Gloria Haar says
Absolutely delicious. Definitely will make them again.
Courtney says
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment and for rating this recipe! 🙂
Laura says
I take treats to a lot of young adults. They LOVE the cheerio scotch-a-Roos. I added an extra cup of cheerios and an extra tsp of vanilla. They are the best!
Julie Evink says
Vanilla is a great addition! So glad you are enjoying them Laura!
barb says
Guys liked this better than rice krispie bars – I agree!
Julie Evink says
Wonderful to hear Barb!! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!