This healthy no bake version of classic peanut butter chews taste even better than the original! Ready in 20 minutes or less-it will be the star after school snack.
Originally published January 2014, now updated with new photos, step by step instructions and tips.
Peanut butter cereal bars are one of my favorite snacks. I rarely make them because most recipes call for low fiber cereal, corn syrup,etc. After experimenting some with the basic recipe, I found a few ways to add in more nutrients while maintaining the distinctive flavor and texture. The most recent time I made these, I used a brown sugar substitute with great results!
Kids love crunchy snacks and this is a great way to get more nutrients in! Check out our list of after school snacks for more ideas. If you'd like more baking ideas, try Small Batch Cornbread, Sour Cream Blueberry Banana Bread with Streusel Topping or our Diabetes Friendly Holiday Recipe Ideas.
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What are peanut butter cereal bars?
Remember the awesome peanut butter cornflake bars from grade school (also called cornflake chews)? These are the home made version! Most recipes contain low fiber refined cereal, corn syrup, peanut butter and sugar but we can do better than that! Let's look at peanut butter chews 2.0.
Comparison of classic recipe versus updated ingredients and why this recipe works:
- Natural peanut butter versus regular peanut butter eliminates some sugar.
- Brown sugar substitute versus granulated white sugar eliminates even more sugar and carbs.
- Whole grain cereal versus corn flakes- means added fiber and a wider range of vitamins and minerals. Crunchy cereal keeps the original texture we love.
- Honey versus corn syrup- provides extra antioxidants and amino acids found in honey.
- Flaxseed added for multiple health benefits including blood sugar regulation.
- No bake means even younger kids can help!
🥘 Ingredients
- Whole Grain Cereal-choose your favorite
- Flaxseed
- Sweeteners- honey, brown sugar or brown sugar substitute
- Peanut Butter- lower sugar types are available
- Chocolate Chips-optional
🔪 Instructions
- Start with mixing flaxseed and cereal. Photo 1
- Melt peanut butter, honey and brown sugar in sauce pot. Photo 2
- Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal. Photo 3
- Mix well. Photo 4
- Scoop servings and place on parchment paper to set up. Photo 5
💭 Top tips
- Lightly grease your pan to help make cleanup easy.
- Leave the cereal uncrushed to make your chews crunchier.
- Be sure to use ground flaxseed rather than whole seeds to get the most health benefits.
Frequently asked questions:
Each serving of peanut butter cereal bars has about 27gm carbs.
Store these bars in a sealed container on the counter for freshness.
We recommend whole grain cereal , but feel free to use your favorite type.
Of course!
Make this recipe and you will love how it kicks cereal up a notch!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave your star rating and comment below!
📋 Recipe
Recipe
Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole grain cereal, coarsely crushed
- 2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- ⅓ cup brown sugar substitute
- ½ cup honey
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Combine cereal and flaxseed meal in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan, stir together brown sugar and honey over medium heat until combined well and sugar is dissolved. Add peanut butter and stir until melted and smooth.
- Pour over cereal mixture and stir to combine.
- Press evenly into 8 X 8 pan and allow to cool.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate if desired.
Notes
- Lightly grease your pan to help make cleanup easy.
- Leave the cereal uncrushed to make your chews crunchy.
- Be sure to use ground flaxseed rather than whole seeds to get the most health benefits.
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