This no-bake granola bar recipe uses Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios; a peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil mixture; and a little extra chocolate for good measure.
I'm the kind of person who has 93023 types of cereal in my cabinet at all times. The cereal aisle is probably my favorite aisle in the entire grocery store because it's so huge and colorful and I never know what fun new brands and varieties I'll find on the shelves.
Which leads me to my serious cereal buying problem. I buy them, I try them, I sometimes create recipes with them, and then the half-full boxes sit in my cabinet until I decide to clean everything out and throw them away. Or my husband eats them. Whichever comes first.
But when I saw that Cheerios now has a Chocolate Peanut Butter variety, I knew that was one box that would not go to waste. A box that would be licked clean. If, um, you did that sort of thing to cereal boxes. Let's just say that many bowls of this cereal will be licked clean because it is freaking good.
In addition to eating it by the bowlful, I created these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Granola Bars. Mainly because I wanted a way to bring this cereal out of the house and on the road with me.
And you know, it's generally looked down upon to be walking down the street carrying a bowl of cereal. But a granola bar? That's A-OK.
Seriously, though... how has General Mills not had a chocolate peanut butter variety of Cheerios already?? It's about time!
And yes, I had a nice big bowl of it before I started anything. And it was pretty much everything I dream about when I dream about the perfect cereal.
It's definitely more indulgent and dessert-like than any of Cheerios family.
It's a dreamy combination of chocolate and peanut butter, but it also has a sort of powdery coating on it than packs it with more sweet flavor than any other Cheerios.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Granola Bars
I made granola bars because I wanted to basically just be eating the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios in bar form. Of course, I did make a few additions, like oats to add some more substance.
And mini chocolate chips and peanut butter chips to add even more fun (totally not necessary, but I still did it).
I used a peanut butter, coconut oil, honey mixture to help hold everything together. These are no-bake granola bars, so you just need to bring the liquid mixture to boil in a saucepan, pour over the Cheerios and oats, press into a pan, and let cool.
Super easy and definitely worth the wait while they cool. Oh whoops, I almost forgot to mention that I drizzled a little melted milk chocolate over the top of the bars before slicing. Because why not?
I made these a couple times and found that using quick cooking oats helps hold the bars together more than using old-fashioned oats, so keep this in mind. You can definitely use old-fashioned, but the bars will be a little more crumbly and more likely to fall apart.
No matter what, they're delicate bars, as most no-bake granola bars are, so keep this in mind if you're planning to grab and go (i.e. throw them in a bag in your purse and carry around all day, like I did).
More Recipes Made With Cereal
If you know me, you know I LOVE baking with cereal of all kinds. Here are some of my favorite recipes featuring cereal:
- Lucky Charms Granola Bars
- Cinnamon Toast Granola
- Fruity Pebbles Crepes
- Lucky Charms Cookie Dough Bars
- Pumpkin Cheerios Marshmallow Treats
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Ice Cream
- Fruity Pebbles Cookies
- Lucky Charms Hot Chocolate
- Honey Nut Cheerio Treats (from Evolving Table)
- Peanut Butter Cocoa Pebbles No Bake Dessert (from Crazy for Crust)
These are the most perfect decadent snack and the next best way to enjoy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios, if you're not doing so out of a bowl with milk.
I'm happy this is one box that won't be clogging up my snack cabinet (yes, I have a snack cabinet and yes, it's always packed full and is a disorganized mess), though I mostly see myself eating the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios as dessert or a snack over breakfast.
Or in bar form when I need a little bit of a pick-me-up.
But don't worry because the Cheerios are actually pretty low in sugar considering (8 grams), are packed with whole grains (15 grams), and are made with real cocoa and peanut butter.
Now, excuse me while I go shove handfuls of Cheerios in my mouth with one hand and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Granola Bars with the other. Don't judge.
Have you tried Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios yet and are you in as much love as I am?
If you're looking for another fun Cheerios recipe, check out my Pumpkin Cheerios Marshmallow Treats 🙂 And I really want to try these Honey Nut Cheerios Cupcakes from Bakerita!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios
- 2 cups quick cooking oats
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup peanut butter chips
- 3 Tbsp peanut butter (natural if possible)
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 oz. melted milk chocolate for drizzle (optional)
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 baking pan with foil and lightly grease.
- In a large bowl, mix together Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios, quick cooking oats, mini chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, and salt. Let mixture come to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for about 2 minutes.
- Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients and stir well to coat well.
- Pour mixture evenly into the prepared pan and using fingers, press down.
- Place pan in refrigerator for at least one hour to allow granola bars to cool and harden.
- If desired, drizzle melted milk chocolate over the top of the granola bars before slicing.
- Remove to cutting board and cut into 8 bars.
Pretty says
wow, these look so good! I love anything peanut butter and think these would really hit the snack spot!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
Chocolate peanut butter cereal sounds like something that should have existed a long time ago, and makes one wonder what took them so long.
Your granola bar recipe sounds really delicious, and so easy to make. Ideal for a mid morning treat with coffee. I do love making tasty treats from cereal.
chris says
'I’m the kind of person who has 93023 types of cereal in my cabinet at all times.' - literally could not relate to that opening line anymore. Those chocolate peanut butter cheerios are going to be a nice accompaniment. Recipe looks delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Deanna says
Ohh this looks soooooo yummy!!!!!!!
Jane says
Ha, that's so cool! I am the exact opposite of you, I only allow myself to buy a new box of cereal once the old one is emptied. Too many boxes = too much carby temptation in my world!
satyakam says
Nice..! these looks sooooo yummy!! i can't wait make this. Thanks for sharing..!
[email protected] says
The perfect snack! We road trip a lot up north...these will make for a fun trip!!
Natalie says
I love these! It looks so easy and delicious ♥
Reeni says
Pb and chocolate is the BEST combo! I want to carry these around in my purse too! Super yummy!
Jason says
Great recipe. Thanks for sharing!