Looking for a quick and easy snack? Try these sweet and tasty no bake peanut butter cereal bars! Made with cereal, peanuts, and M&Ms tossed with a sweet peanut butter sauce. They’re perfect for a sweet snack or a dessert for a crowd.

a White plate filled with cereal bars one on top of the other.

After-school snacks don’t have to be boring! Make things extra fun and wonderfully tasty with simple recipes like these peanut butter cereal bars. Loaded with creamy peanut butter and crunchy cereal, these delicious bars are worlds better than anything you can find in the grocery store. Not to mention, they’re no bake so you don’t even have to worry about turning on the oven.

This easily shareable treat is great for school lunches, parties, after-school snacks and so much more. They remind me of my recipe for monster energy balls a little bit, except these have that yummy crunch from cereal. I love that there’s a good amount of protein in each snack bar too. This peanut butter cereal bars recipe is incredibly simple and is sure to be a hit around your house. I know it’s definitely a favorite in our home!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

This recipe is kid-friendly and super fun to make! Since it’s no bake, kids can easily help you make them. Just be careful with the corn syrup and sugar mixture as it can get pretty hot.
Easily turn this into a gluten free and dairy free treat. It is really easy to make substitutions and switch up ingredients based on dietary needs or preferences.
Cereal bars only take 30 minutes to make. You can have this treat ready in no time and then get to snacking!

Overhead Image of the No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars Ingredients

Ingredients for No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Cheerios – This recipe calls for the plain cheerios, but you can also use honey nut cheerios if you prefer.
Crisp rice cereal – Using two cereals add maximum crunch to these delicious cereal bars.
Dry roasted peanuts – Some honey roasted peanuts or salty peanuts would actually be pretty tasty mixed in to these snack bars!
M&M’s – Grab a bag of classic M&Ms to mix into the cereal bars. They added sweetness and fun color into the mix.
Light corn syrup – A little light corn syrup helps to give the cereal bars that chewy texture you know and love.
Sugar – You can swap our the sugar for a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, just keep in mind that it might change the texture of the bars just a bit.
Creamy peanut butter – Jif® creamy peanut butter is a favorite around our house, but you can use any brand that you like. I do not recommend using a natural peanut butter since it is difficult to get the oil and butter to fully mix together and could mess with the texture of the bars.
Vanilla – A little splash of vanilla extract will elevate the flavor of the cereal treats!

Helpful Tools

In a large mixing bowl mix together the Crisp Rice Cereal, M&M's, Cheerios & peanuts. Set aside.

In a medium sauce pan bring the sugar and corn syrup to a boil.

How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

To begin, spray a rimmed baking sheet with non stick cooking spray and set it to the side to be used later.
Pour the rice krispies cereal, cheerios, peanuts and M&Ms into a large mixing bowl and gently stir to combine.
In a medium saucepan, bring the corn syrup and sugar to a boil. Be sure to stir frequently so that it does not scorch.
Remove the sugar mixture from the heat and quickly stir in the peanut butter and vanilla. Then pour the peanut butter mixture over the bowl of cereal.
Gently toss together and fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until all of the cereal is evenly coated.
Spread out the cereal bar mixture into an even layer on the previously prepared sheet pan and let it sit for a while until set. Cut into squares with a sharp knife and enjoy!

Pour syrup mixture over the cereal mix and toss until fully coated.

Cereal Bar mixture ready to go into a pan.

How to Store Leftover Cereal Bars

You can either store this sweet treat in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers, or wrap them individually to store. Keep the bars at room temperature for 3-4 day or refrigerate for up to a week.

If stored in the fridge, allow each bar to sit out at room temp for a few minutes to soften before eating.

Can I freeze peanut butter cereal bars?

Absolutely! If you decide to freeze your leftovers, I highly recommend wrapping them individually and then placing them into a freezer bag to keep them from sticking together. Freeze for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw completely before consuming.

Are cereal bars healthy?

While this is a kid-friendly recipe, it is not necessarily a “healthy” recipe. The bars do have quite a bit of sugar. However, you can omit and swap some of simple ingredients to make them healthier. If you omit the sugar or swap it for a natural sweetener and then add something other than M&M candy, you can reduce the sugar content and make these cereal bars a bit healthier!

Are cereal bars filling?

There is about 10g of protein in each cereal bar, so they have a decent amount of protein for a simple snack! They won’t be super filling but can be a great snack to keep you going and give you a bit of a protein boost.

What can I add to no bake peanut butter cereal bars?

Maximize the peanut butter flavor of these tasty treats and add any of your favorite mix-ins. As a nod to rice krispie treats, you can mix in some marshmallows!

Other fun mix-ins would be things like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, raisins, and craisins. You can also melt chocolate and then drizzle it over the top of the set bars for a nice simple topping.

For a little balance to the sweetness, sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the top of each bar.

Pro Tips for the Best No Bake Cereal Bars

To speed up the setting process, pop the pan of peanut butter bars into the fridge for a few minutes. Don’t cut into the bars until they are completely set!
Do you have a peanut allergy? Not to worry! You can use almond butter or another nut butter to make these yummy cereal bars.
Use a baking sheet that has a rim so that it’s easier to press the cereal bar mixture out evenly. You can also use two casserole dishes if you don’t have a baking pan that will work.

Bars taken out of the pan to show the inside of the bars.

What’s not to love about these chewy bars of tasty goodness? This kid friendly recipe always hits the spot and is so much fun to make.

More Snacks You’ll Love!

Sand Dessert Cups are by far one of my favorite summertime treats! They look so cute and taste even better.
How adorable are these Flower Pretzels? They are perfect for spring time and are the most fun Mother’s Day treat.
Show your patriotic pride even in fun snack form! These 4th of July Dirt Cups are just so tasty and pretty to look at.
Make a salty sweet Fall Snack Mix to enjoy those cozy fall days.
Want another peanut butter treat? Then check out Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies!