These Peanut Butter Cereal Bars are a quick, no bake treat that's perfect for busy mornings, after-school snacks, or even a holiday goodie tray. They're sweet, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor and a little crunch from crushed cereal.
This recipe reminds me of the kind of snack my mom used to make when we were kids with simple ingredients and easy clean up. If you like my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, then you'll love these cereal bars as well.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick fix: ready in minutes with simple pantry staples.
No bake: you won't even need to turn on the oven for this one.
Crowd favorite: great for lunchboxes, bake sales, or holiday dessert trays.
Key Ingredients for No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Creamy peanut butter: the star ingredient that holds everything together and adds that classic flavor.
- Light corn syrup and sugar: create the sweet, chewy base that binds the bars.
- Dry-roasted peanuts: add a salty crunch to balance the sweetness.
- Crushed cereal flakes: give these bars their crispy texture, cornflakes work perfectly.
- Dark chocolate chips: melted and drizzled over the top for a touch of rich flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Honey or brown rice syrup can replace corn syrup for a natural sweetener.
- Crunch peanut butter can be used instead of creamy for added texture.
- Rice Krispies or Cheerios can replace cornflakes for a lighter crunch.
Variations on Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- Chocolate chip version: stir mini chocolate chips into the mixture before pressing it into the pan.
- Festive bars: add colored sprinkles or M&M's for holiday flair.
- Salted Butterscotch chip twist: Drizzle melted butterscotch chips over top along with the chocolate drizzle and sprinkle with a bit of grey sea salt.
Tips for the Best No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Don't overheat the mixture, remove it from the stove as soon as it starts to bubble.
- Press firmly into the pan to help the bars hold their shape once cooled.
- Score while warm so you can easily cut clean bars once they've set.
How to Store
Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If chilled, let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving for the best texture.
More Easy Peanut Butter Recipes You'll Love
For another quick no bake option, try my Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies, and my Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge. For a frozen treat, try my No Bake Peanut Butter Pie, and this baked family favorite Chewy Peanut Butter Layer Bars
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Equipment
- Heavy bottom saucepan
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Ingredients
- 1¾ cups creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- 1½ cups chopped lightly salted, dry-roasted peanuts
- 3½ cups cornflakes
- Cooking spray
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside
- Combine first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook 4 minutes or just until mixture begins to boil, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat; stir in peanuts and cereal. Spread mixture evenly into a prepared dish.
- Place the dark chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until chocolate melts, stirring every 20 seconds. Drizzle chocolate evenly over peanut mixture. Score into 36 bars while warm.
Justine says
oh my goodness this look fabulous!
Matt's Kitchen says
You could serve me just about anything with peanut butter and chocolate and I would love it. There's something about that combination that makes me weak at the knees!
Katy says
How did I miss this post?! Fab, fab pix. Boy do these look good. Absolutely something I would make.
Laura says
How did I miss these? They look awesome!
Megan says
looks like a homerun to me!!!
Fit Chick says
Your bars sound so yummy!Be very happy you did not make the custard.
Robin Sue says
Ooh this is a nice bar to have around. I have been eye-balling that coconut cake you have on here too. Everything you make looks so good!
Cristine says
Your bars look delicious!
Pam says
The swag bars look delicious - I love that they are low in calories but still taste amazing.
Creative One says
These bars look yummy. I would have to have more than one!
Jessie says
peanut butter bars are one of my favorites! then again You know how much I love sweets 🙂
The Hungry Mouse says
Oh these look fabulous! Love, love, love Cooking Light!
+Jessie
recipes2share says
These look chewily delicious!
Meg says
These look quite fabulous! They would pair quite well with some coffee right now!
Sabrina says
I made the custard just to say I made it. Not an eggy fan!
Holy cow! those bars look amazing!!! I am going to make those now! I made the PBChoc rice crispy ones for a party last week and i should've trippled the batch!!! Seriously... they were gone in an instant. My crush said they were his new favorite thing I make!
Thanks for that recipe too!!!!!!
Marthe says
These look soooo amazing and sounds like they are tasty too!! Yum!!!