Need something for a picnic or party? Or want treats stashed in the freezer for a chocolate craving emergency? These 5-ingredient peanut butter Cheerio bars come together in minutes and are addictive for adults and kids alike.
Not just for kids and… ingredients
When I asked someone to taste-test these peanut butter Cheerio bars, they joked: “Isn’t that a kids’ thing?” The answer is no — they’re a grown-up favourite too. Crunchy cereal, nutty peanut butter, gooey marshmallow and a chocolate topping: what’s not to love?
Ingredients you need
- Cheerios cereal: Use the variety you prefer — wheat, oats and rice work well.
- Butter, melted: Salted or unsalted is fine; salted adds a little extra depth of flavour.
- Peanut butter: Natural and crunchy or your preferred brand will do.
- Marshmallows, melted: Any colour or mix of marshmallows is fine.
- Chocolate, melted: Dark, milk or white chocolate, depending on how sweet you like it.
With these simple staples you’ll make a treat that’s sweet, crunchy, peanut-buttery and perfectly portable. They’re essentially a five-ingredient recipe that’s quick enough for last-minute entertaining.
- Buttery
- Subtly chewy
- Satisfyingly crispy
- Peanut buttery
- Sweet but not too sweet
Best of all, they really do take only minutes to put together and then a little time to set. They’re perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, parties or keeping in the freezer for an emergency treat.
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?
Follow these quick steps to make peanut butter Cheerio bars:
Step 1: Melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows together in a saucepan on very low heat. Stir gently until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture is smooth. There’s no need to add extra sugar — the marshmallows provide enough sweetness.
Step 2: Stir a generous amount of Cheerios into the melted mixture until the cereal is well coated. Transfer and press the mixture into a lined 9 x 13 inch pan using slightly damp hands so the mixture doesn’t stick.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate and spread it evenly over the top of the pressed Cheerio mixture. Place the pan somewhere cool so the chocolate and base can set.
Step 4: Once set, cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two, or freeze for longer storage.
Helen’s Top Tips
- Keep the heat low while melting the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows. High heat can create an overly sticky caramel instead of the soft, chewy texture you want.
- Press the mixture into the pan with slightly wet fingers to avoid sticking and to get an even layer quickly.
- You don’t need a huge amount of chocolate. A modest layer will seal the top and fill gaps, giving a nice chocolate hit in some bites without overwhelming the peanut butter flavour.
More things to know (FAQs)
Yes. These bars freeze well in airtight bags or containers. They maintain a satisfying crisp-chewy texture straight from the freezer. If they feel a little firm when removed, leave them at room temperature for a couple of minutes before eating.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they stay best for a couple of days. After that the cereal may soften, though they remain tasty.
You can make these gluten free by choosing gluten-free Cheerios and checking that the marshmallows (and any other added ingredients) are gluten free.
Variations
These bars are lovely as written, but you can personalise them with simple changes:
- Add chopped pieces of your favourite chocolate bars or candies such as peanut butter cups or small chocolate pieces.
- Replace up to about half a cup of the Cheerios with a mix of nuts, shredded coconut and/or dried fruit for extra texture and flavour.
- Top with white chocolate instead of milk or dark chocolate for a sweeter finish.
- Swap Cheerios for other cereals like Rice Krispies or cornflakes for a different crunch.
- Adapt for occasions: mini chocolate eggs for spring, coloured sprinkles for showers, or crushed candy canes for the holidays.
More crispy treats
- Cornflake bars with peanut butter are a great similar option to try.
- Chocolate-covered rice krispie bars offer a classic twist if you prefer rice-based cereal.
- No-bake peanut butter crunch bars make a richer, peanut-forward alternative for peanut butter lovers.
Addictive Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
Easy five-ingredient bars made with Cheerios, peanut butter, marshmallows, butter and a chocolate topping. Ready in minutes, set in the fridge and keep well in the freezer.
Prep: 5 mins • Cook: 10 mins • Total: 15 mins • Servings: 20
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (about 3 tablespoons) butter
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 10 ounces marshmallows
- 6 cups Cheerios (use 5 cups if using UK cup measure)
- 7 ounces chocolate (milk or dark)
Equipment
- 9 x 13 inch baking pan (lined with baking paper)
- Small saucepan and wooden spoon
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with baking paper.
- Melt the butter, peanut butter and marshmallows together slowly over low heat, stirring until smooth.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the Cheerios until evenly coated.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan using damp hands to prevent sticking.
- Melt the chocolate and pour it over the top, spreading to the edges.
- Let the bars set in a cool place or the fridge, then cut into squares or bars.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze in sealed bags for longer keeping.
Notes
* If using UK cup measurements, 5 UK cups of Cheerios is about 240–250 g. Exact precision isn’t necessary — aim for a well-coated cereal mix.
* Keep the heat low while melting to avoid creating an overly chewy caramel texture.
* For extra crunch, replace ½ cup of Cheerios with ½ cup of peanuts or chopped nuts if you like.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 177 kcal • Carbohydrates: 23 g • Protein: 3 g • Fat: 9 g • Sugar: 14 g