Peanut Butter Cereal Bars are easy to make and require no baking.
I love energy bars, but most store-bought varieties are too expensive for me, too sweet, or they leave an aftertaste. I thought I could do better, and I came up with these delicious no-bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars that are packed with protein and fiber.
No-Bake Healthy Snacks that are Budget-Friendly
These bars are delicious, and one of the best parts is that you don’t have to bake them! Peanut butter and maple syrup (or honey) hold the bars together and makes them moist and chewy.
I wanted this recipe to be cost-effective and I chose peanut butter because it’s the least expensive type of nut butter.
Chunky peanut butter provides extra crunch in this recipe. If you don’t have chunky peanut butter, use creamy and add 1/3 cup chopped peanuts.
Honey is often less expensive than 100% pure maple syrup, but it’s not a vegan ingredient. Maple syrup works just as well as a sweetener and to hold the other ingredients together.
Raisins supply sweetness without added sugar, and they are likely to be the least costly dried fruit, and even less when you buy store brands. (Learn how to cut back on sugar here.)
If you substitute a higher-fiber whole grain ready-to-eat cereal for Cheerios, the cost to make the peanut butter cereal bars may be higher, and the calorie count could increase.
How to Make Vegan Energy Bars
You have a choice to help hold these bars together: honey or maple syrup. I don’t have a preference, but if you want a vegan version, use maple syrup. Pure maple syrup can be pricey, and since you really don’t taste it in the recipe, use whatever brand you can afford.
Each bar supplies 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber!
How to Make Nut-Free, Gluten-Free Energy Bars
Yes, the basis of these energy bars is peanut butter, but you can make them nut-free by using sunflower seed butter, soy nut butter, or sesame seed butter.
Cheerios are gluten-free. Be sure to choose certified gluten-free oats to be sure that you are buying a gluten-free product.
Peanut Butter Cereal Bars have just five relatively low-cost ingredients.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter Use no added sugar peanut butter, if desired.
- 1/2 cup California raisins
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 2 cups oats, uncooked
- 2 cups plain Cheerios, or store-brand equivalent
Instructions
- Coat a 8″ x 8″ baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
- Press the bar mixture evenly into the pan. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Cut into 12 squares. Keep refrigerated.
Notes
Need a chocolate fix? Toss 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips into the bar mixture. Mini chips better distribute the chocolate flavor, so you use can use less of them!
Use maple syrup instead of honey to make these gluten-free Peanut Butter Cereal Bars vegan.
Serving suggestion: Pair with eight ounces of dairy milk or a carton of Greek yogurt and a banana. You’ll get a serving each of fruit, dairy, and whole grains, as well as at least 20 grams of protein, the minimum amount of protein you should have at every meal.
Hi, I'm a registered dietitian, writer, recipe developer, and mother of three who specializes in food and nutrition communications and believes in progress, not perfection. If you're interested in easier ways to live a healthier life, you're in the right place. Welcome! 