Four-ingredient peanut butter Cheerio bars are an easy, handheld snack perfect for the week. Nutritious, foolproof, and addictive, these bars strike a balance between crunchy and soft, melting in your mouth with a satisfying peanut butter flavor and just the right sweetness.
My husband loves these bars, and I often pack them in his lunch. They work well as a snack or a lighter dessert and are made from simple, real-food ingredients. Instead of refined sugar, honey sweetens and binds them. You can customize the bars with add-ins like M&M’s, chopped peanuts or mini chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
Ingredients Needed
All measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
- Cheerios. Honey Nut, plain (to reduce sugar), or peanut butter-flavored work well. You can also substitute a store-brand cereal or other cereals like Cocoa Puffs or Fruity Pebbles for variety.
- Peanut butter. Creamy is recommended for easy mixing; natural peanut butter with minimal ingredients often spreads better.
- Honey. Used to sweeten and bind the bars; maple syrup does not hold the bars together as well.
- Salt. A pinch of sea salt balances sweetness—especially helpful if your peanut butter is unsalted.
- Avocado oil. A teaspoon prevents sticking while warming the peanut butter and honey. Olive oil works as an alternative.
Steps To Make
Ready to make these peanut butter Cheerio bars? The printable recipe card below includes full ingredients and detailed instructions.
- Step One. In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, oil, and peanut butter. Stir over low heat until the mixture is warm and just beginning to bubble, then remove from heat.
- Step Two. Stir in the Cheerios (or your chosen cereal) until evenly coated. Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 7×7 (or similar) baking dish. A smaller dish yields thicker bars; a larger dish yields thinner bars. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Step Three. Once chilled and firm, lift the set mixture from the dish, slice into bars, and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Use any cereal you like. Swap in Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs, or another favorite for a new flavor.
- Add-ins: M&M’s, chopped peanuts or mini chocolate chips are delicious mixed into the cereal before pressing.
- Allergy swap: Almond butter or another nut or seed butter can be used if needed.
- Watch the heat: Warm the peanut butter and honey gently—only until it’s easy to mix. Avoid overheating or burning the peanut butter.
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Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- 7×7 baking dish (or similar) lined with parchment
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter, well stirred
- ½ cup honey
- 3½ cups Cheerios (see notes)
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp avocado oil
Instructions
- Add the honey, oil, and peanut butter to a medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until warm and just beginning to bubble, then remove from heat.
- Pour in the Cheerios and fold with a spatula until evenly coated. Press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 7×7 (or similar) dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- When chilled and firm, lift from the dish and slice into bars. Enjoy.
Notes
- Any cereal works: Swap in Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs, or another favorite.
- Add-ins: M&M’s, chopped peanuts, or mini chocolate chips are great additions.
- Allergy-friendly: Almond butter or another nut/seed butter can be substituted.
- Temperature: Warm the peanut butter and honey just enough to mix—avoid burning.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.