Need a simple sweet for a picnic, party, or to stash in the freezer for a chocolate emergency? These five‑ingredient peanut butter Cheerio bars come together in minutes and are just as popular with adults as with kids.
Not just for kids — ingredients
When I asked my partner to taste these bars, he asked if they were just a kids’ thing. Not at all. They’re addictive, crunchy, peanut‑buttery and a perfect balance of sweet without being overwhelming.
Ingredients (simple and straightforward):
- Cheerios cereal — any variety you prefer (wheat, oats, rice or original).
- Butter — salted or unsalted, melted.
- Peanut butter — natural, creamy or crunchy, whichever you like.
- Marshmallows — melted (white, pink, or a mix).
- Chocolate — melted for the topping (dark, milk or white).
That’s it — five melty ingredients and a big bowl of Cheerios. The result is buttery, slightly chewy, satisfyingly crispy, peanut‑buttery and altogether delicious. Best of all, they take only minutes to assemble.
These make a perfect lunchbox, picnic or party treat. They’re also dangerously easy to grab straight from the fridge — so plan accordingly.
How to make them
Follow these quick steps to make the bars:
Step 1: Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with baking paper. Melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows together over low heat, stirring until smooth. There’s no need to add extra sugar — the marshmallows provide the sweetness.
Step 2: Stir the melted mixture into the Cheerios until evenly coated. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan using damp hands to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate and spread it over the top of the pressed Cheerio mixture. Place the pan somewhere cool to set (the fridge works fine).
Step 4: Once set, cut into bars and enjoy. Store extras in an airtight container for a couple of days, or freeze for longer storage.
Helen’s top tips
- Melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows over low heat. Too much heat can make the mixture overly sticky instead of softly chewy.
- Use slightly damp hands when pressing the mixture into the pan to avoid sticking. Work quickly and confidently for best results.
- You don’t need a thick layer of chocolate — about 200 g (7 oz) is usually enough. Some chocolate will sink into the gaps, giving a lovely variegated chocolate hit in each bite.
More things to know (FAQs)
Yes. I store them in Ziplock bags in the freezer. They stay crispy and chewy; if they feel a bit firm right after removing from the freezer, let them sit a few minutes before eating.
Stored in an airtight container, they keep well for a day or two. After that the Cheerios may soften but they’re still tasty.
They can be. Use a gluten‑free cereal and check that your marshmallows are gluten‑free, as some brands can contain wheat.
Variations
These bars are delicious as written, but you can easily tweak them:
- Add chopped candy bars or mini chocolates like Snickers, peanut butter cups or M&Ms.
- Swap half a cup of Cheerios for a mix of nuts, shredded coconut and/or dried fruit.
- Top with white chocolate instead of milk or dark.
- Use a different cereal such as Rice Krispies or Cornflakes for a different texture.
- Decorate for occasions: Cadbury mini eggs for Easter, sprinkles for showers, crushed candy canes at Christmas, etc.
More crispy treats
- Try cornflake bars with peanut butter for another no‑bake option.
- Chocolate‑covered Rice Krispie bars are a great alternative if you love crispy marshmallow treats.
- If you’re a peanut butter fan, try no‑bake peanut butter crunch bars that taste a bit like Reese’s meets Rice Krispies.
Addictive Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (about 3 tbsp) butter
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 10 ounces marshmallows
- 6 cups Cheerios (use 5 cups if measuring with UK cups)
- 7 ounces chocolate (milk or dark) for topping
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with baking paper.
- Melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows slowly over low heat until smooth.
- Stir in the Cheerios until well coated.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan using damp hands.
- Melt the chocolate (microwave for about 90 seconds, stirring) and spread it over the top, pushing to the edges.
- Let the bars set in a cool place or the fridge, then cut into squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze in Ziplock bags for longer storage.
Notes
If using UK cups (slightly larger than US cups), use 5 cups of Cheerios (about 240–250 g). Don’t worry about being exact — the recipe is forgiving. If you prefer, replace ½ cup of the Cheerios with ½ cup peanuts. For longer storage, freeze in Ziploc bags.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 177 kcal • Carbs: 23 g • Protein: 3 g • Fat: 9 g