Description
These homemade cereal bars are a delicious and wholesome snack option, combining crispy rice cereal and rolled oats with a natural sweetener and nut butter binder. Easy to make and customizable with chocolate chips or dried fruit, these bars are perfect for a quick breakfast or an on-the-go treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups crispy rice cereal or mixed whole-grain cereal
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips or dried fruit
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some extra paper over the edges for easy removal of the bars later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the crispy rice cereal and rolled oats. Set aside this mixture until ready to combine with the wet ingredients.
- Heat Wet Ingredients: Place honey (or maple syrup) and peanut butter (or almond butter) in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and well blended. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt to enhance flavor.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the cereal and oats. Stir gently but thoroughly until all dry ingredients are evenly coated. If using, fold in the mini chocolate chips or dried fruit carefully to avoid breaking them up.
- Press the Mixture: Firmly press the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish using the back of a spoon or a spatula, making sure to create an even and compact layer to help the bars hold together.
- Chill Bars: Place the dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour or until the mixture is firm and set. Once firm, lift the mixture from the dish using the overhanging parchment paper and cut into 12 equal bars for serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- You can customize the bars by adding nuts, seeds, or dried fruits of your choice for extra texture and flavor.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week for best freshness.
- For a sweeter bar, increase honey or maple syrup by 2 tablespoons if desired.
