Easy 3-Ingredient Cereal Bars
You need just 3 ingredients to make these easy and healthy cereal bars! Plus, they’re incredibly customizable with 10 different topping options. A perfect snack for toddlers, kids, and adults!
Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Cereal Bars
Looking for an easy snack or treat for your family? A recipe that you already have all of the ingredients for?
Then look no further! This recipe is a perfect combination of sweetness, savory, and crunchiness, all wrapped up in one wholesome, healthy bar.
And we’re willing to bet you’ve got all the ingredients to make these easy 3 ingredient cereal bars right there in your pantry. You’re only 5 minutes away from yumminess – let’s go!
With dozens of healthy snack ideas to choose from, like my crazy good Blueberry Avocado Mini Muffins, Funfetti Energy Balls, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie, there are zero reasons to be in a kid snack slump. If you need toddler and kid dinner, breakfast or lunch ideas, I have those too, plus plenty of healthy popsicle recipes to choose from as well.
3-Ingredient Cereal Bars Video
Watch this video to see how easy these Cereal Bars are to make!
Reasons to Love These Cereal Bars
- Healthy snack or addition to breakfast for toddlers and kids
- Made with pantry-friendly ingredients you likely have on hand
- Incredibly easy to make – these bars come together in about 5 minutes!
- Customizable toppings
- Allergen friendly – naturally dairy-free and easily made peanut-free or wheat-free
- Packs well in lunches or snacks on the go
- A kid-friendly recipe for toddlers or kids who want to help in the kitchen
- Perfect alternative to store-bought cereal bars
Need More Kid Meal Ideas? I’ve got your family covered with amazing family-friendly recipes in my best-selling cookbook, Little Foodie: Baby Food Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste.
Ingredients
- Cereal: an ‘O’ cereal, such as Cheerios or a similar style, but really any type of crispy cereal will work
- Peanut Butter: can use almond or seed butter but the bars will have a slightly different taste
- Agave Nectar: can use honey or maple syrup
- Ground Flax Seeds or Hemp Seeds (optional): provides added texture, as well as nutrients
- Vanilla Extract (optional): for additional flavor
- Toppings (optional): see list below
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep: line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- Heat: in a large microwave-safe bowl, add in the peanut butter and agave nectar and heat in the microwave in 30-second increments until melted and smooth. Stir until combined.
- Ingredients: add in the vanilla extract and stir. Add in the ground flax seeds and cereal, and stir.
- Press: pour the cereal mixture into the pan and then press until even. Using parchment paper or a plastic baggie, press the mixture firmly until the bars are even and condensed.
- Toppings: add any toppings you are using (if any).
- Chill: place the pan into the fridge and let chill for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best. Remove from the fridge and then cut into bars.
Added Toppings
- Sprinkles
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Chopped Pecans
- Coconut Flakes
- Raisins
- White Chocolate Chips
- Crushed Freeze Dried Strawberries
- Crushed Freeze Dried Raspberries
- Chopped Almonds
Frequently Asked Questions
These homemade cereal bars are considerably healthier than packaged bars. They contain less sugar, less fat, and no preservatives compared to store-bought bars.
Cereal bars make a great snack option. You can also pair them with yogurt or scrambled eggs for breakfast or as a side with a balanced lunch.
How to Store
These cereal bars are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. They will soften a little bit at room temperature, so they are best served while still cold.
Cooking with Kids
Getting kids involved in the kitchen often seems to increase the chances that they’ll try a new food. These cereal bars are a kid-friendly recipe that even toddlers can help prepare.
Toddlers
Depending on the age of your toddler, they can help with finding ingredients in the pantry, gathering cooking supplies, measuring and pouring cereal, stirring ingredients, and adding any toppings.
Kids
Older kids can help with all of the above tasks, as well as helping with reading and following the recipe, planning out a grocery list, and using the microwave (with supervision as needed).
Recipe Tips
- We used an “o” type of cereal, such as Cheerios, but any type of crispy cereal will work, such as Special K, Chex, or Rice Krispies.
- For a gluten-free o’s cereal, we like Natures Path Organic Whole O’s Cereal
- Sub different nut butters for any dietary needs – try cashew, almond, or go nut-free with sunflower seed butter
- Make sure to take your time when combining ingredients in order to get each piece of cereal coated with the mixture.
- These cereal bars will freeze well for up to 3 months when wrapped individually in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe container.
Get the recipe: Easy 3-Ingredient Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups cereal
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 cup agave nectar, honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup
- 1 tbsp ground flax or hemp seeds (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper
- Heat: in a large microwave-safe bowl, add in the peanut butter and agave nectar and heat in the microwave in 30-second increments until melted and smooth. Stir until combined.
- Ingredients: add in the vanilla extract and stir. Add in the ground flax seeds and stir. Add in the cereal and stir until combined.
- Press: pour the cereal mixture into the pan and then press until even. Using parchment paper or a plastic baggie, press the mixture firmly until the bars are even and condensed.
- Toppings: add any toppings you are using (if any).
- Chill: place the pan into the fridge and let chill for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best. Remove from the fridge and then cut into bars.
Notes
- Sprinkles
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Chopped Pecans
- Coconut Flakes
- Raisins
- White Chocolate Chips
- Crushed Freeze Dried Strawberries
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2 Comments on “Easy 3-Ingredient Cereal Bars”
Is there an alternative to peanut butter to bind the recipe together, by any chance? Unfortunately many childcare places have a nut-free policy where I live. Thank you!
You can use sunflower butter in place of the peanut butter.