Thanks to these no-cook cereal bars, breakfast (and snack time) has never been easier. Simply combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, fold in naturally sweetened nut butter, and then chill and cut into bars. That's all there is to it!
This recipe is also easy enough for kids to make — with adult supervision, of course. Kids can help choose and measure the ingredients, stir everything together, and press the mixture into the dish. Once the cereal mixture sets, an adult can cut it into bars.
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What's more, you won't have to turn on the oven to make these bars, so it's perfect for summer. Ready to make this kid-friendly recipe? Read on for the full step-by-step tutorial plus ideas for customizing the snack.
Video: No-Cook Cereal Bars for Breakfast or Snack Time
Quick Recipe Overview
SERVINGS: 9 cereal bars
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
CHILL TIME: 3 hours
TOTAL TIME: 3 hours 10 minutes
Things You'll Need
1 1/2 cups cereal
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
3/4 cup cashew butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
1. Mix the dry ingredients
Line a square baking dish with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, oats, coconut flakes, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds. Stir well.
2. Prepare the wet ingredients
Scoop the cashew butter into a bowl, making sure to include the oils from the jar. This will help thin the cashew butter.
Tip
If needed, heat the cashew butter in the microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each time. Avoid heating the cashew butter for too long, as it can burn.
Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir to combine.
Tip
If the cashew butter begins to thicken, use a large fork to mix it.
3. Form the cereal bar mixture
Add the sweetened cashew butter to the bowl of dry ingredients. Fold to combine, using a spatula to evenly disperse the cashew butter. The mixture is ready once all the ingredients clump together.
Transfer the cereal mixture to the square dish, pressing it into an even layer. For best results, use a piece of parchment paper and press the mixture with your fingers. You can also use a spatula.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Tip
For a sweet touch, drizzle melted chocolate on top of the cereal mixture before chilling it. You can melt chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stovetop. However, if you'd like to make this recipe truly no-cook, you can add chocolate chips to the cereal mixture instead.
4. Cut and serve the bars
Once the cereal mixture has set, remove it from the dish. Use a large knife to cut it into 9 squares or 6 rectangles. Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
No-Cook Cereal Bars Variations
These cereal bars are so easy to customize. Simply swap out the ingredients with the following ideas:
- Cereal: Rice crisps, rice squares, corn flakes, fruity cereals
- Dried fruits: Chopped dried mango, apricots, dates
- Seeds: Hemp seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds
- Add-ins: Chocolate chips, chopped nuts
- Nut butter: Peanut butter, hazelnut butter, sunflower seed butter (for a nut-free version)
- Sweetener: Honey, agave syrup