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These Cereal Bars are a gooey, chocolatey, peanut butter-packed treat that’s so easy you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with boring snacks.
They’re a no-bake wonder that’s like a hug from your favorite cereal and Reese’s candy all at once! Who knew Cereal Bars could be so tasty?
I think the Reese’s peanut butter chips make all the difference in this recipe. They’ve got a flavor that’s just mmmmmmm, good!
These homemade cereal bars are loaded with Chex cereal, peanut butter, and melted chocolate, plus a sprinkle of miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups for extra fun.
They’re perfect for a quick easy snack, a lunch box surprise, or just munching while you watch cartoons.
No oven needed—just a microwave, a large mixing bowl, and some parchment paper magic.
This is a pantry favorite that’s way better than anything from the General Mills box. A total upgrade I tell ya!
Grab your creamy peanut butter, and let’s make a mess (the good kind) together! Here come my Cereal Bars!
Some of our other favorite SNACK RECIPES we have on our site include: Easy Candied Grapes Recipe, Dipped Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzels, and Easy Bugles Ranch Snack Mix Recipe.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE CEREAL BARS:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CEREAL?
- CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CANDY?
- CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY OTHER SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- No Bake Reeses Chex Cereal Bars
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- No Baking, No Fuss – You just melt stuff in a medium saucepan (or microwave) and mix. It’s so easy, even my goldfish could do it—if he had hands!
- Peanut Butter Power – The peanut butter and Reese’s peanut butter chips team up for a flavor explosion that’ll wake up your taste buds.
- Crunchy and Chewy – The cereal mixture stays crisp, while the melted chocolate and marshmallows make it gooey. It’s a whole family pleaser made with simple ingredients!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Chex cereal
- Reese’s peanut butter chips
- Milk chocolate chips
- Salted butter
- Miniature marshmallows
- Creamy peanut butter
- Miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups
HOW TO MAKE CEREAL BARS:
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cereal, ⅔ cup peanut butter chips, and ¼ cup chocolate chips. Set aside.
- Place the marshmallows and butter into a large bowl.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute, stirring vigorously until melted. If needed, return the bowl to the microwave and heat it in 30-second increments, stirring well between each cycle until it is completely melted.
- Add the peanut butter to the marshmallow cream and mix to combine.
- Immediately add the marshmallow mixture to the cereal mixture and toss well to combine. You may need to spritz your hands with nonstick cooking spray and use them to make sure the cereal is thoroughly mixed.
- Firmly press the cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a clean bowl, add the remaining peanut butter chips and the remaining chocolate chips.
- Place in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute, stirring vigorously until melted. If needed, return the bowl to the microwave and heat it in 30-second increments, stirring well between each cycle until it is completely melted.
- Spread the melted chocolate and peanut butter chips over the homemade cereal bars.
- Sprinkle with the diced candy. Press the candy into the melted chocolate so it sticks.
- Refrigerate the bars until the chocolate topping has hardened.
- Cut into squares or bars and serve.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CEREAL?
Oh, yeah! Swap Chex cereal for Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, or even crisp rice if you’re feeling wild.
I’ve done it with Crispix too. Really, it’s about what you want. It’s your bar—mix it up!
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT CANDY?
Totally! No need to stick with what I put on the recipe card.
Trade miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups for chopped Snickers, M&M’s, or white chocolate chips.
It’s like a candy playground in there!
CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?
Yup! I love having this stuff on hand at a moments notice.
Whip them up, chill them in the fridge, and store in an airtight container.
They’re good for 2 weeks—or until you eat them all next time you’re hungry (probably sooner!).
ANY ADDITIONS?
Want to jazz up these healthy breakfast bars (okay, sorta healthy)?
Here are 10 fun ideas to mix in or sprinkle on top:
- White Chocolate Chips – Toss some in for extra sweetness—yum!
- Maple Syrup – Drizzle a little on top for a breakfast-y twist.
- Coconut Oil – Mix in a spoonful for a tropical vibe.
- Granola & Trail Mix – Add some crunchy bits for texture—whole grain oats, anyone?
- Fruit Snacks Nuts – Throw in some dried cranberries or peanuts for a surprise.
- Corn Syrup – Swirl a tiny bit into the melted chocolate for stickier bars.
- Cashew Butter – Dab some on top for a nutty kick.
- Folic Acid – Okay, kidding—just sprinkle some candy sprinkles instead!
- Popcorn Cookies Crackers Dried Fruit – Add crushed cookies for extra crunch.
- Pinch of Salt – Sprinkle it on for that sweet-salty magic.
ANY OTHER SUBSTITUTIONS?
Mix it up with these swaps if you’re out of something or tweaking for taste:
- Coconut Oil – Swap it for salted butter—it’s a fun flavor twist!
- Brown Rice Syrup – Use this instead of miniature marshmallows for a stickier base.
- White Chocolate Chips – Sub these for milk chocolate chips if you’re feeling fancy.
- Seed Butter – Replace creamy peanut butter with sunflower butter for a nut-free option.
- Granola Bars – Crumble these into the mix instead of Chex cereal for a chewy change.
HOW TO STORE:
Room Temp:
Pop these in an airtight container or wrap them with food storage wraps and keep them at room temperature for a week.
They’ll stay awesome for up to 2 weeks in the fridge—if you don’t raid them first!
Freezer:
Stick them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick portable snack whenever you need a peanut butter fix!
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Spray Everything – Hit your prepared pan and hands with nonstick cooking spray—this stuff’s stickier than glue!
- Melt Slow – Microwave the marshmallows in short bursts so they don’t turn into lava (yep, I’ve burned a batch!).
- Press Hard – Smash that cereal mixture into the inch pan so it sticks together—use your muscles!
- Chop Easy – Use a sharp knife to cut the bars—clean slices make you look pro.
- Cool It – Let the melted chocolate harden in the fridge, or you’ll have a gooey mess (tasty, but messy!).
- Candy Crunch – Press those miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups in good—they’re the best part!
Cereal Bars that are peanut buttery, chocolatey, and crazy easy!
They’re the easy snack you’ll want to make again and again, whether for the whole family or just a sneaky treat for yourself.
Grab a square, and enjoy that delicious cereal goodness—you’re a snack-making rockstar now!
No Bake Reeses Chex Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 8 cups Chex cereal any flavor
- 10 ounces peanut butter chips divided
- 2 ¼ cup milk chocolate chips divided
- 10 ounces miniature marshmallows
- ¼ cup salted butter cut into pats
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup miniature peanut butter cups diced
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cereal, ⅔ cup peanut butter chips, and ¼ cup chocolate chips. Set aside.8 cups Chex cereal, 10 ounces peanut butter chips, 2 ¼ cup milk chocolate chips
- Place the marshmallows and butter into a large bowl.10 ounces miniature marshmallows, ¼ cup salted butter
- Microwave on high for 1 minute, stirring vigorously until melted. If needed, return the bowl to the microwave and heat it in 30-second increments, stirring well between each cycle until it is completely melted.
- Add the peanut butter to the marshmallow cream and mix to combine.½ cup creamy peanut butter
- Immediately add the marshmallow mixture to the cereal mixture and toss well to combine. You may need to spritz your hands with nonstick cooking spray and use them to make sure the cereal is thoroughly mixed.
- Firmly press the cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a clean bowl, add the remaining peanut butter chips and the remaining chocolate chips.
- Place in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute, stirring vigorously until melted. If needed, return the bowl to the microwave and heat it in 30-second increments, stirring well between each cycle until it is completely melted.
- Spread the melted chocolate and peanut butter chips over the homemade cereal bars.
- Sprinkle with the diced candy. Press the candy into the melted chocolate so it sticks.1 cup miniature peanut butter cups
- Refrigerate the bars until the chocolate topping has hardened.
- Cut into squares or bars and serve.
Notes
- Hit your prepared pan and hands with nonstick cooking spray.
- Microwave the marshmallows in short bursts so they don’t turn into lava (yep, I’ve burned a batch!).
- Smash that cereal mixture into the inch pan so it sticks together.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the bars. This ensures you get those perfect clean slices.
- Let the melted chocolate harden in the fridge, or you’ll have a gooey mess.
- Press those miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups in good.
Nutrition
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