These no-bake Honey Nut Cheerios Protein Bars give you a little energy boost. You can make this delicious Cheerio Snack Recipe in 10 minutes with a few simple ingredients like peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips.
The busy life of a mom is made easier by simple things like an effortless and delicious recipe that curbs your (or your kids') hunger and is made with nutritious ingredients you likely have on hand!
These chewy Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars are perfect anytime, especially when you need a little energy boost or great grab-n-go Cheerio Snacks for the gang.
This healthy recipe is easy, like our Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars and Blueberry Protein Smoothie.
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Why You'll Love These Bars
These Breakfast or snack bars are easy to make and help your busy family eat nutritiously when things get a little hectic.
- QUICK & EASY. You can whip these bars together in about 10 minutes and then chill them in the fridge until ready to eat.
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS. No pre-packaged, hard-to-pronounce preservatives here. You can feel good about eating these bars since they contain nutritious ingredients.
- GRAB-N-GO. These bars are great when you need a quick breakfast or snack or are headed out the door.
Ingredient Notes
This Honey Nut Cheerios recipe is quite simple. With just a few ingredients, you have a delicious little snack.
- Creamy peanut butter - We prefer using all-natural peanut butter, but you can use your favorite brand.
- Honey - Honey gives the bars a slight sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cereal and peanut butter.
- Vanilla protein powder - protein powder ups the protein in the recipe for sustaining energy. Any clean brand you prefer will work.
- Shredded Coconut - Rich in fiber and MCTs, coconut adds nutrition and texture to the recipe.
- Ground flax seed - Ups the nutritional value because they're high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal - Cereal is the base of the recipe and is loved by both kids and adults.
- Mini Chocolate Chips - A little chocolate adds a new dimension and a bit of sweetness.
Substitutions
The other great thing about the homemade protein bar recipe is you can substitute it with what you have on hand.
- Peanut Butter - a great substitute is almond butter, and if you have allergies, use sun butter.
- Flax Seeds - a great substitute is hemp hearts that are packed with omega 3s.
- Chocolate chips - you can use peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips. We find that mini chocolate chips work best, but regular size will also do the trick.
How To Make Honey Nut Cheerio Bars
STEP 1 - Grab a large bowl and place the peanut butter, honey, protein powder, flax seeds, and coconut inside. Mix thoroughly and then add your Honey Nut Cheerios and chocolate chips and mix again.
STEP 2 - Place in a pan lined with parchment paper and then press them down. If you want a little extra chocolate, throw a few more chocolate chips on top. Place in refrigerator for ABOUT 30 MINUTES until solid.
STEP 3 - Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- PEANUT BUTTER: Natural Peanut Butter works best in the recipe, but any brand of creamy peanut butter will do.
- STORAGE: To keep them firm, these protein bites are best kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- BEST TASTE & TEXTURE: This recipe is best if eaten within a few days of making it.
Recipe FAQs
You can use a different variety of Cheerios. Or other cereals that work well for peanut butter bars that produce a different flavor are plain Special K, Honey Bunches of Oats, Reese's Puffs, or Coco Pebbles.
You can freeze these homemade cereal bars for up to 1 month. Simply wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and store in the freezer. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
More Snack Recipes
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Printable Recipe
Honey Nut Cheerios Protein Bars Recipe
Equipment
- large bowl
- Spatula or cooking spoon
- 8x8 inch pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (I prefer natural)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (about 4 tablespoons)
- ⅓ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, honey, protein powder, shredded coconut, and ground flaxseed. When fully combined, mix in Cheerios and chocolate chips.
- Press into a lined pan and add a few more chocolate chips to the top if desired.
- Refrigerate until firm. Slice into 16 squares. Store in refrigerator until ready to eat.
Video
Notes
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- PEANUT BUTTER: Natural Peanut Butter works best in the recipe, but any brand of creamy peanut butter will do. You can substitute almond butter or sun butter.
-
- STORAGE: To keep them firm, these protein bites are best kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
-
- BEST TASTE & TEXTURE: This recipe is best if eaten within 3-5 days of making it.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on May 11, 2018.
jess says
I love some good cherrios recipes and this is one of my favorite protein bars to make from home!
Erin Henry says
Yes! An easy snack to make at home!
Kristen says
I am always snacking on food so these were great for me and they tasted amazing.
Erin Henry says
So glad you liked them! A great mid-day snack for sure!
Kristyn says
My kids love these!! They are the perfect bar for breakfast or a snack & great for grabbing on the go! They taste so good!!
katerina @ diethood.com says
My new favorite snack! These are amaaaazing!
Erin Henry says
A great snacking option for busy days. Just make a batch and you're golden!
Valentina says
These delicious and EASY honey nut cheerios bars are so good! The kids love these recipes.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
These sound SO good! I love the healthy twist with protein powder in these. That's a great sale too-- time to go shopping!
Erin says
Yes! A little protein goes a long way to giving you energy. I added the flax too for a little fiber and extra nutrients. It's a recipe all my kids love 🙂
Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake says
These bar sound awesome and they look so easy to make!
Erin says
Easy is exactly right, Rebecca! No-bake is the way to go this time of year.
Courtney says
love these protein bites! So quick and easy to make, and full of great flavours - peanut butter and chocolate is always a winning combo!
Erin says
Yes! My husband says they taste like a peanut butter cup, but are way healthier 🙂
Chrissy says
The addition of protein powder in here is brilliant! I have a very similar recipe I make but never thought to add protein powder to boost the pro content. I love this!
Erin says
The protein and flax seed give you plenty of energy to keep you filling full and ready to tackle your day! Thanks for stopping by, Chrissy!
thewimpyvegetarian says
My grandkids love cheerios, and I always get a big box when I know they're coming to visit. They would love this snack / dessert!!! Saving for when they visit this summer!!
Erin says
Perfect! If you buy now, you can give a box to a friend for free! How great is that!
Danielle says
These look like a tasty snack, and I bet my daughter would love them too!
Erin says
Yes, kids and grownup like them. With the whole grains, they are a nutritious snack for the kiddos.
Erin says
Yes, kids and grownup like them. With the whole grains, they are a nutritious snack for the kiddos.