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    No-Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

    February 5, 2015 by Denise Bustard 38 Comments

    Home / Recipes / Desserts / No-Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

    Jump to Recipe

    Crispy, crunchy no bake peanut butter cereal bars are simple to prepare with just 6 ingredients. A delicious treat that you can prep ahead.

    While baking is a great stress reliever, sometimes you just don't want to turn on the oven. Enter the no bake treats: granola bars, energy bites and more.

    rows of no bake peanut butter bars showing chocolate tops with one on its side showing peanut butter base

    These no bake peanut butter cereal bars are definitely more a 'dessert' than a 'snack'. With peanut butter, Rice Krispies, and Corn Flakes mixed together with brown sugar and corn syrup and drizzled in a crunchy chocolate layer.

    Simple to prepare for delicious treats through the week!

    Reasons to ♡ peanut butter cereal bars

    • the texture is unbelievable: crispy and crunchy
    • peanut butter and chocolate is a classic combination that can't be beat
    • they do not require an oven and are made using 6 simple ingredients

    side angle view of rows of peanut butter bars with one on its side

    Ingredients you'll need

    • peanut butter-  for this recipe you can use all natural or a processed nut butter; I recommend creamy
    • brown sugar- you can use dark or light brown sugar
    • light corn syrup- necessary to bind the ingredients together
    • Rice Krispies- or rice cereal, this adds a light-as-air crispy texture to the bars
    • Corn Flakes- adds the crunch to the bars
    • chocolate chips- melted until silky smooth, then spread over the peanut butter cereal layer

    Prepping the bars

    Start by lining a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with foil (grease with spray oil) or parchment paper and set it aside. This step is essential as it helps you get the bars out of the pan after cooling.

    Next, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a pot and heat gently, stirring until they are completely combined. Stir in the cereal, then scrape the mixture into the pan, pressing firmly with a spatula to flatten.

    The chocolate layer

    To avoid scorching the chocolate, I advise melting in a double boiler rather than in the microwave. If you've never done this before, here's a video that shows you exactly how to do. it.

    If you need to melt the chocolate in the microwave, heat in 10 second increments only, stirring in between. Go slowly.

    Once chocolate is melted and smooth, pour it over the peanut butter cereal base and smooth the top with a spatula.

    a stack of four no bake peanut butter bars showing the layers

    Recipe tips

    • chill peanut butter cereal bars in the fridge for at least 1 hour to set
    • cut into 20 bars, or as many as you'd like
    • store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
    • add 1 teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil to the chocolate if you want it to be slightly soft to bite into

    More tasty desserts

    • Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
    • Lemon Meringue Pie Bites
    • Cream Cheese Swirl Blackberry Coffee Cake
    • Strawberry Shortcakes
    • Healthy Lemon Blueberry Bread
    rows of no bake peanut butter crunch cereal bars
    Print Recipe
    4.75 from 4 votes

    No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Calories: 182kcal
    Author: Denise Bustard
    Servings: 20
    Crispy, crunchy no bake peanut butter cereal bars are simple to prepare with just 6 ingredients. A delicious treat that you can prep ahead.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time20 mins

    Ingredients

    Bars

    • 1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
    • ½ cup brown sugar (dark or light)
    • ½ cup corn syrup (light)
    • 1 ½ cups Rice Krispies
    • 1 ½ cups Corn Flakes

    Chocolate Topping

    • 1 cup chocolate chips

    Instructions

    Bars

    • Line a 9x9 inch pan with foil and spray with oil to coat.
    • In a large pot, heat peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring frequently until mixture is completely combined and slightly melted.
    • Stir in the cereal until completely coated with peanut butter mixture.
    • Press firmly into the prepared pan.

    Chocolate Topping

    • Melt chocolate in a double boiler (or microwave if you can manage it), until completely smooth.
    • Spread evenly over the peanut butter crunch bars, being extremely gentle if bars are still slightly warm.
    • Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, before slicing into 20 bars.

    Notes

    Add 1 teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil to the chocolate if you want it to be slightly soft to bite into.
    Storage
    • store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
     
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar (1/20 of batch) | Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @SweetPeaSaffron or tag #sweetpeasandsaffron

    Recipe adapted from BHG

    About Denise Bustard

    Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more. read more

    Previous Post: « Apple Cider Slow Cooker Carnitas with Fresh Apple Salsa
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    Comments

    1. liz klotz

      April 02, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      Turned out rock solid , anyway to soften them a bit?

      Reply
    2. Patricia Parker

      November 18, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      5 stars
      I was introduced to this snack by a friend who brought them to my house, I so had to make some, they tasted like Reese peanut butter cups only better. My friend had brought home about a half dozen of them home or so and by the next day, they were gone. I decided I had to know the recipe, I made up a batch and invited one of my daughters over who adores her chocolate, sorry but she renamed it "Crunchy Crunch" I had made a batch and while texting her I was making another, this was just last night, she came over, I sent her home with 4 and today there are about 4 left out of 2 batches, this is my new go to snack for the house, thank you.

      Reply
      • Denise

        November 26, 2019 at 5:59 pm

        I think I should rename this recipe to Crunchy Crunch! What a great name. Thanks so much for reporting back, Patricia!

        Reply
    3. Beryl

      July 24, 2016 at 7:04 am

      I use to make these for my son years ago he is now almost 50. My original recipe came from Woodward's grocery store in BC Canada

      Reply
    4. Stef

      August 18, 2015 at 9:57 am

      These are delicious! A total hit with my kids, including my very own Mr. picky! One cup of chocolate chips didn't quite cover mine. I'll go with 2 cups next time.
      Thanks for this!

      Reply
      • Denise

        August 18, 2015 at 10:02 am

        Hi Stef! I'm so glad you and your kids like the bars! Thanks for the feedback on the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    5. Nikita

      March 17, 2015 at 2:32 am

      4 stars
      looks good...probably tastes nyc too.well i wanna ask...what are rice krispies? and is it ok if i dont add corn syrup?if no, then plz tell me wai i can substitute it with...

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 17, 2015 at 7:57 pm

        Hi Nikita! Rice Krispies is toasted rice cereal, here's a link! They add a real light crispiness to the bars. If you can't find any, I would suggest substituting with more cornflakes. I hope you like them!

        Reply
    6. susan @ the wimpy vegetarian

      March 04, 2015 at 9:12 pm

      Oh my, this looks so perfect!!!! I can't wait to make them!!

      Reply
      • Denise

        March 05, 2015 at 3:09 pm

        Thanks, Susan! They are so easy, I think I'm going to whip up another batch tonight 😉

        Reply
    7. taylor @ greens & chocolate

      February 11, 2015 at 7:42 am

      My mother in law makes something like these and they are SO good! Yours look incredible...can't wait to give them a try!

      Reply
    8. [email protected]

      February 08, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      Gosh this is the perfect timing!! My brother just asked me to send him some homemade granola bars and he loves peanut butter!! Will be making these for him!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 09, 2015 at 8:55 pm

        Hope you and your brother like them! Thanks, Ami 🙂

        Reply
    9. [email protected]

      February 08, 2015 at 6:50 pm

      These look dangerously delicious! I love my peanut butter toast too, but I would dive at a pan of these!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 09, 2015 at 8:56 pm

        They are dangerous! The first pan was inhaled...I wish I could say Ben helped but admittedly it was mostly me 🙁

        Reply
    10. marcie

      February 08, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      These bars look AWESOME! I love the peanut butter, corn flakes, and pretty much everything about these bars...especially the chocolate. I need to try these soon! 🙂

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 09, 2015 at 8:56 pm

        Thanks, Marcie!

        Reply
    11. Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel

      February 07, 2015 at 5:04 pm

      Your baby sounds like my pooch... he never says no to peanut butter! 😉 LOL! Seriously though, these bars look amazing! PB + chocolate should always go together!!

      Reply
    12. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter

      February 07, 2015 at 2:22 pm

      These look absolutely incredible, Denise! Love that they're no-bake and the chocolate and peanut butter combo is such a winner around our house too! That entire pan would be gone in no time 🙂

      Reply
    13. Old Fat Guy

      February 07, 2015 at 10:48 am

      These bars remind me of something my mother used to make. Nice post!

      The Old Fat Guy

      Reply
    14. Thalia @ butter and brioche

      February 07, 2015 at 2:14 am

      Nothing beats the peanut butter and chocolate combo - so I can imagine how delicious these cereal crunch bars must have been. They do look beautiful!

      Reply
    15. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life

      February 06, 2015 at 10:08 pm

      Oooh these bars would SO not be safe around me. They look awesome, Denise! We're PB fanatics here so I think a pan of these babies are in our future. 🙂

      Reply
    16. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

      February 06, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      These bars look PERFECT, Denise! I'm all about no-bake bars, especially ones that involve lots of peanut butter. I love the chocolate layer on top, too! How delicious!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 06, 2015 at 9:06 pm

        Thanks, Gayle! I'm new to the no-bake bar thing, but I like it! So easy!

        Reply
    17. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

      February 06, 2015 at 7:08 am

      Denise, I love these!!!! My oldest loves peanut butter toast as well. . and she's 7 so she is actually vocal about it! 😛 love the Corn Flakes, peanut butter and chocolate topping!!! yum!!!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 06, 2015 at 9:03 pm

        Thanks, Alice! So I guess I can't count on the PB love to disappear anytime soon, huh? 😉

        Reply
    18. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen

      February 05, 2015 at 1:10 pm

      I've never tried adding corn flakes to rice crispy bars before - what a great idea. A 20 minute snack with no baking - I'm sold! I like how thick the chocolate is on top. Great pictures, Denise!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 05, 2015 at 4:07 pm

        Thanks, Geraldine 🙂 I loved the texture of the corn flakes...more crunchy than the crispiness of the Rice Krispies!

        Reply
    19. Leah | So, How's It Taste?

      February 05, 2015 at 12:45 pm

      Yes, please! No bake + all that crunch? Sounds perfect!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 05, 2015 at 4:06 pm

        Thanks, Leah!

        Reply
    20. Annie @Maebells

      February 05, 2015 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      Great minds think alike don't they?! 🙂 These look just incredible! I love the layer of chocolate on top! I want them all!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 05, 2015 at 4:06 pm

        Totally 😉 I love your cereal bars! I'm going to have to try them, especially with all that PB in them 😉

        Reply
    21. Laurie

      February 05, 2015 at 12:24 pm

      Why no natural type peanut butter? Does it need to be the type of PB with sugar and other ingredients besides peanuts and salt?

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 05, 2015 at 4:05 pm

        Hi Laurie! I haven't actually tried it with natural peanut butter, but since the texture and taste is quite different from Kraft (or Skippy), I don't think the bars would turn out the same. You would definitely need more sugar, and the bars may not stay together. But like I said, I haven't actually tried it.

        Reply
    22. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely

      February 05, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      Love all the crunch and peanut butter in these! And a great breakfast to grab and eat on the go. I could easily eat a whole pan of these babies : )

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 05, 2015 at 4:03 pm

        Don't tell anyone, but I pretty much single-handedly ate the whole first batch 😉

        Reply
    23. Sarah @ Whole and Heavenly Oven

      February 05, 2015 at 8:05 am

      Oh my gosh. You definitely have a buyer here. I am SO down with these bars! Cereal bars are seriously my jam and anything choc/pb with only 6 ingredients SO has my name on it! Did I mention your photos are super-duper fabulously gorgeous?! You rocked these bars, Denise!

      Reply
      • Denise

        February 05, 2015 at 4:03 pm

        Thanks, Sarah! I am definitely in love with the crispy texture cereal gives!

        Reply

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