Six ingredients. No oven. These are too simple and delicious NOT to make! Seriously, I whipped these up in 20 minutes this morning in my pj’s with no caffeine whatsoever in my system. Make this homemade sweet treat for everyone and then relax through the heat wave New England is expecting knowing you did something good 🙂
Yes, there is plenty of sugar in these babies — they definitely qualify as dessert. However, there is a decent dose of fiber from the Cheerios as well as good old-fashioned protein via the peanut butter. You could go a little wild and try some other nut butter if you like — I promise the corn syrup will ensure everything sticks together nicely.
According to my 11-year-old, these are “super good” and hit the spot after a morning of chores, packing for vacation, and some extended quality time with his iPod touch 🙂
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Makes ~24 bars
Adapted from Taste of Home
6 cups Cheerios or other oat cereal
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
Directions:
Grease a 9×13 cake pan well, bottom and sides (Stick butter or margarine will work better than spray oil in this case).
Measure the cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Heat the corn syrup and sugar over medium heat in a large saucepan until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter. Combine until smooth.
Add peanut butter mixture to the cereal, and stir until well combined. Press immediately into prepared pan.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips together. Microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring well between each interval. This should take no longer than 90 seconds to melt completely. Do not overcook. Pour chocolate mixture over the cereal mixture and spread with a spatula. Add sprinkles if desired. They make everything more fun 🙂
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow bars to set. Cut into 24 portions, then store in airtight container.
🙂 CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP 🙂
Have you tried substituting the corn syrup with honey? I live overseas and in my current country there is no such thing. So I am looking for a solution!
Thanks for the input
I have not tried it with honey, but it will likely work just as well – in addition to adding the sweetness, the corn syrup adds the much-needed stickiness so everything stays together. Try it at first with just 3/4 cup – I believe honey is actually sweeter than corn syrup.
funny story- so my little man is now munching on cheerios. I sent my husband to the grocery store with a short list.. he came home with 4 boxes of plain cheerios ( not even on the list!) “they were buy on get one free.. the little man will grow strong!” he said. It took all i could do not to giggle. anyhow.. I hit your blog first looking for a cheerio recipe. The girls pratically made his themselves (minus the stove part). Enjoyed by all!
So great!! Ironically, I also took advantage of the B1G1 deal on Cheerios this week! Glad everybody enjoyed them. It’s definitely that time of year to start looking for other quick/easy and sort-of healthy treats for the kids. Hope to post another soon. Thanks for sharing that cute story 🙂
Making these 2nite for trev’s bday…to share with teammates after practice tomorrow morning