Cheerio Cereal bars
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This easy Cheerio cereal bars recipe is the perfect way to turn your favorite cereal into a delicious snack bar using simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, afternoon snack, or something to toss in a lunch box for school snack time, these homemade cereal bars check all the boxes. No baking required and just a few minutes to prep.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses basic ingredients
- Easily customizable with your favorite cereal
- Great for the whole family – even picky eaters love these salty-sweet cheerios
- Perfect for meal prepping – store in an airtight container at room temperature
- Less expensive than store-bought granola bars from the grocery store
- Kid-approved!
I love to use multigrain cereal, but this works with other oat cereals. I also prefer to use cereal with less sugar because then I feel the bars are too sweet, but what is great is that you can experiment with your favorite cereal. You can also use specialty organic cereal or wheat-free cereal to make these bars.
Ingredients for homemade cereal bars
- Butter or margarine
- Mini marshmallows
- Round oat cereal
- Your favorite square cereal
- Raisins
How to make Cheerio bars
It’s really just a matter of gathering some favorite cereals, dried fruits and even nuts if you wish, and putting them together.
Prepare a 9″ x 11″ baking pan by coating the bottom and sides with butter, margarine, or cooking spray.
Melt butter and marshmallows over medium heat in a saucepan.
Remove from heat and slowly combine the cereals and raisins.
Pour mixture into prepared pan and press down into the pan.
Let cool 15-20 minutes before cutting into squares. Makes about 15 small bars.
These are a tasty and filling snack and great for an after-school (or after-work) treat. You can even cut them up and serve them as a dessert!
Don’t forget to pin this for later.
Tips for the Best Results
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan using wet fingers or a spatula to prevent sticking.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing into smaller pieces – this helps them stay firm and crunchy.
- For best texture, avoid overpacking the cereal when pressing into the pan.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap honey nut cheerios with plain cheerios, apple cinnamon cheerios, or your favorite flavor
- Add a chocolate drizzle using milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips once the bars have cooled.
Mix in dried fruit or chia seeds for nutrition.
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FAQs About This Cereal Bars Recipe
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also wrap them individually in plastic wrap for grab-and-go convenience.
Yes. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temp before enjoying.
Yes. These delicious cereal bars are a great option for school snack time, lunch boxes, or even as a perfect snack after school. Kids love the sweetness, and you’ll love how easy they are to make.
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- Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe – The best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever.
- Lunch Box Snack Ideas – Fun snack ideas to include in a lunch box.
- Homemade Granola – A delicious topping for yogurt or fruit.
Homemade Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 2 cup mini marshmallows
- 2 cups round oat cereal
- 2 cups favorite square cereal
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Prepare a 9" x 11" baking pan by coating the bottom and sides with butter or margarine or cooking spray.
- Melt butter and marshmallows over medium heat in a saucepan.
- Remove from heat and slowly combine the cereals and raisins.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan and press down into the pan.
- Let cool 15 – 20 minutes before cutting into squares. Makes about 15 small bars.
Nutrition
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Want to streamline your weekly meals? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning book on Amazon.
What is your favorite cereal?
If you are not yet subscribing to my newsletter, you can subscribe here. I share a few things that I don’t share here and I email you only once a week. I know how valuable your time is and respect that tremendously!
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on Organized Island, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! To see what I am up to, check out my stories on Instagram and let me know you are following. It would bring me much joy!
Want to streamline your weekly meals? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Meal Planning book on Amazon.
A fun twist on classic Rice Krispie Treats… add marshmallow to anything and I’m game 😉
They are really good Jamie, and I used a smaller marshmallow to cereal ratio to reduce the sugar.
I love these! And I hate how expensive they are when you buy them.
My favorite cereal was always Lucky Charms but now that I’m older I like the Trader Joe’s version of Rice Krispies. And I like to add a little cream to the milk! So sinful.
Oooh I love Lucky Charms! I will have to try putting them into bars sometime. I will have to check out the TJ Rice Krispies too.
My boys would absolutely LOVE these. I like the cereal combo you used.
Thank you Debbie! I love to change the cereal combinations and really like this one. Happy weekend!
I think my girls would love these made with regular Cheerios! (Although I might eat them all myself!)
Yes I am sure they would be good with regular Cheerios too! Thanks for stopping by Ginny!
These look delicious.
Debi
Thanks Debi – they are a hit with our family.
What tasty looking cereal bars! I’m sure they’re better than the store-bought kind! I’d be thrilled if you’d link up at this week’s Off the Hook!
Thanks Lauren!
These look so yummy and love how easy they are to make! Definitely making some for my grandson *wink* *wink* Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at the Talk Of The Town party. Pinned 🙂
Thanks so much Marie! 🙂