Addictive Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

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Need something for a picnic or party? Or just need treats stashed in the freezer for a chocolate craving ’emergency’? These 5-ingredient peanut butter Cheerio bars take mere minutes to make. And no, they aren’t just for kids!

Two peanut butter cheerio bars stacked on top of each other, with others in the background

Not just for kids and… ingredients

When I asked Mr. Scrummy to taste test these peanut butter Cheerio bars, he said: “They’re good, but aren’t they a kids’ thing?”

Er, nope. I’ve certainly never yet met an adult who turned one down.

And why would they? Just look at the list of ingredients:

  • Cheerios cereal: I like to use the ones made of wheat, oats and rice, but whichever type you like.
  • melted butter: I like salted which I think adds something to the final taste, but unsalted is just fine too.
  • peanut butter: I use natural and crunchy, but again, your favourite brand is fine.
  • melted marshmallows: Pink, white or pink AND white are fine.

Leftover marshmallows? You’re in luck! I wrote this list of 74 easy marshmallow recipes.

  • melted chocolate: I always prefer dark chocolate, but milk or even white is fine too.

All the melty things. Nothing to argue with there. Essentially this is a 5-ingredient recipe.

Other than the fact that they’re

  • buttery
  • subtly chewy
  • very satisfyingly crispy
  • peanut buttery
  • sweet but not too sweet
  • altogether delicious

what I particularly like about these peanut butter Cheerio treats is that they take mere minutes to make.

These make a perfect little lunchbox, picnic or party treat. They’re also a grab-one-every-time-you-open-the-fridge sort of thing, which could be a problem.

How do you make them?

You’re just a few very quick and simple steps away from peanut butter Cheerio treats heaven:

Step 1: Melt butter, peanut butter and marshmallows in a saucepan over a gentle heat. No need to add more sugar, or corn syrup or even honey for that matter. They’re sweet enough with just the marshmallows!

Ingredients for making peanut butter Cheerio bars in a pan from above
Remember to melt on a low heat!
The caramel mixture for making peanut butter cheerio bars in a saucepan with a wooden spoon
You end up with a smooth peanut butter caramel that smells amazing!

Step 2: Stir through huge amounts of Cheerios, then press into a big pan WITH WET FINGERS (this part is highly advised if you want to avoid a terribly sticky situation!).

Closeup of the mixture for peanut butter cheerio bars in a pan from above
The top surface of peanut butter cheerio bars from above without chocolate on

Step 3: Melt chocolate and spread over the top, then pop in a cool place to set.

Peanut butter cheerio bars in the pan from above

Step 4: Cut into bars and try to eat just one before stashing the rest away in the freezer!

Pro tips

  • The biggest advice I have for you is to make sure you melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows ON A LOW HEAT. If you heat them too vigorously, the caramel will be too sticky. You want to end up with softly chewy crispy treats, not a trip to the dentist with a broken tooth!
  • As mentioned above, when you press the Cheerios down into the pan, use slightly wet fingers to stop the mixture sticking. Work quickly and confidently and all will be well!
  • You might not need as much chocolate as you think. I put just 200 grams or 7 ounces of chocolate on the top of my peanut butter bars. There may be only a thin layer of chocolate on the top, but some of it oozes into the gaps on the top of the bars. When you bite into your delicious crispy peanut butter marshmallow treats, some bites are surprisingly more chocolaty than others. Yum!
Closeup of someone eating a peanut butter cheerio bar

More things to know (FAQs)

Can you freeze Cheerio bars?

Yes, yes, yes! In fact I like to store these chocolate peanut butter Cheerio bars in the freezer in Ziplock bags. They don’t exactly freeze, but they stay nice and crispy and chewy this way.

If they’re a little too chewy when you first take them out of the freezer, just wait a few minutes before devouring. I usually can’t wait, but this is my official advice!

How long do they last if you don’t freeze them?

If you don’t put them in the freezer, they last well for a couple of days in an airtight container. After this they’ll still taste good, but the Cheerios will start to go a little soft.

Are they good for you?

Hmmm. I might have to leave it up to you to decide whether these crispy treats are good for you or not.

These aren’t exactly healthy Cheerio bars, but they aren’t too bad either. I figure you’re eating fairly healthy cereal without the milk + protein full peanuts + a bit of sugary marshmallow + a smattering of chocolate. I can think of worse – and better. 😉

I sometimes treat myself to one of these after dinner and trick myself into thinking it’s the equivalent to a bowl of cereal. A-hem.

If you’re looking for healthier snacks, take a look at this 50+ healthy sweet snacks that don’t taste boring!

How many calories are in them?

I’ve calculated that there are about 177 calories in each bar, depending of course on how big you slice them.

So… not too bad, really!

Are Cheerio bars gluten free?

Cheerios recipes can easily be gluten free. Just check the type of Cheerios you use. Also check that the marshmallows you use are gluten free – some are, but others aren’t.

Addictive peanut butter Cheerio bars stacked - image from above
Perfect squares of peanut buttery, chocolaty deliciousness!

Variations

I love these Cheerio treats exactly as they are, but there might just be ways to make them even yummier.

Here are just a few ideas:

  • Add chopped chunks of your favourite chocolate bars/candy e.g. Snickers, peanut butter cups, M&Ms.
  • Replace around half a cup of the Cheerios with a combination of nuts, coconut and/or dried fruit.
  • Replace the milk chocolate on top with white chocolate.
  • Try replacing the Cheerios with another kind cereal such as Rice Krispies or Cornflakes.
  • Adapt for the occasion. Put Cadbury mini eggs on the top for the perfect chocolate Easter treats. Blue or pink sprinkles for a baby shower. Crushed candy canes for Christmas. You get the idea!

Completely mad about peanut butter? You just have to try this banana and peanut butter cake with chocolate chips. Great for birthdays! Your friends will want you to make it again and again. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

More crispy treats

Since these cheerio bars have proved to be so popular, I created another version made with cornflakes. I hope you give these cornflake bars with peanut butter a try, too!

If you like these yummy Cheerios bars, you’ll also love these marshmallow and swirly chocolate crispy squares. They’re similar taste wise, but made with Rice Krispies and made to look veeeery pretty so you can give them as a gift!

More really easy desserts

If it’s super easy you’re looking for, check out this list of 5-minute no bake desserts. Or see all my quick and easy desserts.

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Two peanut butter cheerio bars stacked on top of each other, with others in the background
5 from 33 votes

Addictive Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

Need something to take to a party? Or just need treats stashed in the freezer for an emergency? These 5-ingredient peanut butter Cheerio bars take mere minutes to make. And no, they aren’t just for kids!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 20

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 ounces butter, (about 3 tablespoons)
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 10 ounces marshmallows
  • 6 cups Cheerios, (use 5 cups if using UK cups)
  • 7 ounces chocolate, milk or dark

Instructions 

  • Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with baking paper.
  • Melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows together slowly on a low heat.
    2 ounces butter, ½ cup peanut butter, 10 ounces marshmallows
  • Combine with a wooden spoon, then stir in the Cheerios.
    6 cups Cheerios
  • Press the mixture into the pan with damp hands to stop the mixture sticking.
  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 90 seconds, then pour over the Cheerio mixture, spreading right to the edges.
    7 ounces chocolate
  • Let the Cheerio bars set in a cool place for a while (the fridge is fine), then cut into bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze in Ziploc bags.

Video

Notes

*Note about measuring the Cheerios: If you’re using UK cups (slightly larger than US cups), use just 5 cups of Cheerios (about 240 – 250 grams). Don’t worry about being super precise – it won’t ruin the recipe!
Remember to melt your butter, peanut butter and marshmallows ON A LOW HEAT. You don’t want it to boil up into a super chewy caramel!
If you like, you can replace ½ cup of the Cheerios with ½ cup peanuts (I use unsalted but salted may work well too!).
These peanut butter Cheerio treats stay crispy for a day or two in an airtight container, but not too much longer. If you want to keep them longer, store in the freezer in Ziploc bags.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 99mg, Potassium: 111mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 280IU, Vitamin C: 1.3mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 2.5mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Helen Schofield

Don't expect to find anything fussy or complicated here. Just QUICK, EASY & (mostly!) HEALTHY recipes from the Mediterranean and beyond. ENJOY!

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22 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this recipe using Honey Nut Cheerios. It was very yummy. Thanks for the recipe!
    If you don’t mind, I’d like to offer a few suggestions.
    1) I initially used a cup (8oz) of dark chocolate chips but needed to use more as it didn’t cover as much as the recipe said.
    2) Adding in the instructions about stopping to stir the chocolate chips so they don’t burn would be good.
    3) 90 second on high wasn’t long enough to melt the chips.

    Again, thank you!

    1. Hello Amanda, so happy these turned out well for you, and thank you so much for the helpful suggestions. I’ll add them as notes to the recipe 🙂

  2. Can I use 1 cup peanut butter to make more flavorful? I liked the recipe, but my daughter was disappointed the peanut butter wasn’t a stronger flavor. I like that it’s a simple recipe and don’t really want to switch to the “corn syrup and sugar” version (which does have 1 cup peanut butter) (oddly enough, versions with honey or maple syrup usually only use 1/2 cup as well!). If I use more peanut butter, any idea if I need to use more butter or less marshmallows?

    1. Hi Kimberly! I haven’t tried adding more pb, but I think you could get away with increasing the amount a little without it really impacting the consistency too much. The other thing I sometimes do is add a few peanuts into the mix, and of course that adds more peanut-y flavor and also crunch!

    1. Hi Renee! Does it say ‘7 ounces of chocolate, milk or dark? I’m just wondering if there was an ad covering it or something? I seem to be able to read all the ingredients.

  3. Hello, Helen

    I haven’t made the receipe yet, but was just wondering how long these rice crispy treats can be in the freezer for before they go bad?

    Thanks,

    Val

    1. Hi Val! I don’t know exactly how long they’d be OK for, but I think it’s quite a long time! We’ve got some in the freezer right now that have been in there for at least a couple of months and they are still absolutely fine. I’d say you’re safe with 3 months!

      1. How long do they last when you take them out of the freezer? Can I take them on a hike with me?

      2. Hi Tori! Oh yes, definitely! They are just a bit harder when just out of the freezer, that’s all. Enjoy the hike!

  4. 5 stars
    We seemed to have an overabundance of cheerios in our pantry (pandemic over-stocking by keen shopping husband), so I looked around for an easy recipe and found this one. I made it last night. The result was intensely yummy! Thank you! Next, it’ll be the easy magic lemon pudding. Cheers. Sue from Canada.

    1. Hi Sue! Thank you so much for reporting back! We love these too. I have to hide them from my toddler in the freezer though! I hope you enjoy the lemon pudding too. Do you like chocolate? If so you HAVE to try the 6-ingredient Swedish chocolate cake. It’s an absolute winner too!

  5. 5 stars
    Great recipe! Thanks for sharing. I melted my sticky stuff in a microwave safe bowl for about 2 1/2 minutes. My family loved them. We’ve made 3 batches!

    1. Hi Jessica! Great idea to melt all the stickyness in the microwave. Now why didn’t I think of that?!

  6. 5 stars
    My kids really enjoyed these, thank you! I used plain cheerios because that was all that we had on hand. Turned out perfectly.

    1. Hi Jessica! Thank you so much for the lovely feedback! It’s totally fine to use any kind of Cheerios you happen to have! 🙂

  7. 5 stars
    I was so excited to find this quick easy recipe! And the best part? I had all the ingredients on hand to make these scrumptious PB Cheerio bars. Mmmm….I just wish I doubled the recipe!