Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

These Cereal Bars are made with the perfect combination–chocolate and peanut butter! These are a family favorite and make a great healthier dessert for kids.

Where are all of my chocolate + peanut butter lovers? You guys are going to LOVE these cereal bars!

I do want to make one thing clear. These are totally meant to be a dessert, not a snack or breakfast bar. DESSERT. Healthier than your standard dessert? Sure. Still dessert.

I’m not saying I’ll judge you if you eat one at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and call it a snack. I’ve made three batches of these within one week. I may have done that. But I just want you to know I created this recipe with a bit more sugar than I would consider to be a great breakfast or snack option on the regular.

But these cereal bars are a great real food dessert option! They are made with minimally processed ingredients, like rolled oats, one-ingredient puffed rice cereal, and peanut butter.

They taste AMAZING. There’s nothing better than chocolate+peanut butter. Am I right? They are chewy with a nice crunch from the cereal. And then the frosting! It’s similar to this vegan chocolate ganache, but it’s thicker from the get-go. I melted a bag of dark chocolate chips (this brand) and then added 1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk. It’s soft at first, but hardens when you store these in the fridge.

Tim actually said he preferred the hard topping using just chocolate chips provided, but I preferred more of a soft frosting. I won since it’s my blog. But just keep that in mind; you can leave the coconut milk out and you’ll get a hard chocolate topping like in these granola bars.

Let me show you how easy it is to make these cereal bars! Did I mention they are no bake?!

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Step 1:

In a large bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey, sucanat or coconut sugar, and salt until smooth.

Step 2: 

Add in the rolled oats and rice cereal and mix until well combined.

Step 4:

Press the mixture into a greased 8″ by 11″ baking dish. Place it in the fridge while you make your frosting.

Step 4: 

Using a double broiler, melt the dark chocolate chips. When the chips are almost completely melted, stir in the coconut milk. Remove from heat, and continue to stir until it is smooth. Allow the frosting to cool for a few minutes.

Step 5: 

Spread the frosting over the cereal mixture evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.

Here is the printable recipe for these cereal bars! I hope your family loves them as much as mine does.

Print

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

• Author: Maryea Flaherty | Happy Healthy Mama
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes (chill time)
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup peanut butter*
• 1/2 honey**
• 1/4 cup sucanat or coconut sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
• 2 1/2 cups puffed brown rice cereal
• 9 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey, sucanat or coconut sugar, and salt until smooth.
2. Add in the rolled oats and rice cereal and mix until well combined.
3. Press the mixture into a greased 8″ by 11″ baking dish. Place it in the fridge while you make your frosting.
4. Using a double broiler, melt the dark chocolate chips. When the chips are almost completely melted, stir in the coconut milk. Remove from heat, and continue to stir until it is smooth. Allow the frosting to cool for a few minutes.
5. Spread the frosting over the cereal mixture evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars. These can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge. They will be softer at room temperature, firmer when stored in the fridge. ENJOY!!

Notes

*I have only tested this recipe with natural peanut butter, no sugar or oil added.

**Strict vegans may substitute brown rice syrup.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 235
• Sugar: 13 grams
• Fat: 13 grams
• Carbohydrates: 25 grams
• Protein: 6 grams

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