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!

Graphic for post – three ingredient cereal bars, perfect for toddlers, kids and adults. Images of small kid hands holding a square of a cereal bar with colorful sprinkles on top against a blue kids plate.

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!

3-Ingredient Cereal Bars Video

Let’s Get Cooking –>

A glass bowl full of peanut butter and agave nectar.
Clear glass bowl against a white backdrop with mixed peanut butter and agave nectar.
Glass bowl full of cereal, peanut butter and agave nectar.
A glass bowl full of ingredients for cereal bars.
A baking dish full of cereal bars.
A baking dish full of cereal bars.
A square baking dish with cereal bars and hand sprinkling sprinkles over it.
A baking dish bowl of cereal bars with sprinkle on top.
A batch of cereal bars with colorful sprinkles sitting on parchment paper against a white background.
Blue kids plate bowl of cereal bars.
  1. Prep: line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
  2. 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.
  3. Ingredients: add in the vanilla extract and stir. Add in the ground flax seeds and cereal, and stir.
  4. 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.
  5. Toppings: add any toppings you are using (if any).
  6. 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
A hand holding up a cereal bar against a plate full of cereal bars.

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.

Two kids hands holding a cereal bar with colorful rainbow sprinkles against a plate of cereal bars.

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.
Two kids hands holding a cereal bar with colorful rainbow sprinkles against a plate of cereal bars.

Get the recipe: Easy 3-Ingredient Cereal Bars

5 stars (1 rating)
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!
Yield: 16 bars
Prep: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 5 minutes
Author: Michele Olivier
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

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.
    Clear glass bowl against a white backdrop with mixed peanut butter and agave nectar.
  • Ingredients: add in the vanilla extract and stir. Add in the ground flax seeds and stir. Add in the cereal and stir until combined.
    A glass bowl full of ingredients for cereal bars.
  • 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.
    A baking dish full of cereal bars.
  • Toppings: add any toppings you are using (if any).
    A square baking dish with cereal bars and hand sprinkling sprinkles over it.
  • 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.
    A batch of cereal bars with colorful sprinkles sitting on parchment paper against a white background.

Notes

Age: 18+ months
Storage: these are best served directly from the fridge. Store in an air-tight container for up to 7 days in the fridge. 
Added Toppings:
  • Sprinkles
  • Mini Chocolate Chips
  • Chopped Pecans
  • Coconut Flakes
  • Raisins
  • White Chocolate Chips
  • Crushed Freeze Dried Strawberries

Equipment

Stackable Glass Bowl Set
Measuring Cups

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Medically reviewed and cowritten by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).