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Home » Recipes » Dessert

Modified: Sep 24, 2022 | Categories: Dessert

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

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Chocolate-dipped peanut butter cereal bars: simple 6-ingredient cereal bars with wholesome ingredients.

Put together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil and Cheerios and dip them in dark chocolate.

I can't imagine a more delicious snack!

Overhead shot of one Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bar
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How to make chocolate-dipped peanut butter cereal bars

Ingredients Needed

  • Peanut butter. I use the natural kind but not with the oil on top (think JIF or Skippy Natural).
  • Coconut oil. Other vegetable oils will not work because they are liquid at room temp.
    • You need a saturated fat like coconut oil (butter might work, too) because once they are chilled, the coconut oil holds the bars together.
  • Maple syrup and honey. You can use one or the other, or both!
  • Vanilla extract. For the flavor, of course!
  • Cheerios. I use the multigrain variety.
  • Dark chocolate. You can use chips, chunks or chop your own from a bar.
Overhead shot of all ingredients in separate glass bowls

Equipment Needed

  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • An 8x8 baking dish.
  • Parchment paper to fit the baking dish.
  • A glass bowl for mixing together the cereal bars.
  • A microwave or stove to melt the chocolate. Plus, you'll need it to melt the coconut oil.
  • A spatula to stir everything together.
  • Another small bowl for chocolate dipping.
  • A cutting board and knife to chop into bars.
  • A storage container.
Overhead shot of cereal

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Line a large sheet of parchment paper in an 8×8 baking dish. Set aside.
  2. Place the peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and honey in a large microwaveable bowl.
  3. Microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until coconut oil is melted, about 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes total.
  4. Add the vanilla extract and salt and stir to thoroughly combine.
  5. Add the Cheerios and stir to combine.
  6. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press until mixture is evenly distributed and flat.
  7. Refrigerate at least 30 minute or until set.
  8. Grab the edges of the parchment paper and transfer the bars to a cutting board. Cut into 18 small squares.
  9. Place the chocolate chips in a small microwaveable bowl.
  10. Microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted, about 1 minute 30 seconds.
  11. Dip the bottom of each bar in the chocolate and transfer back to the parchment paper.
  12. Let sit until somewhat hardened, about 30 minutes.
  13. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill at least 2 hours.
  14. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a week.
Overhead shot of Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars in baking pan prior to being cooked

Recipe Substitutions & Alternatives

  • Peanut butter: Try these with any nut butter like almond or cashew or with sunflower butter.
  • Coconut oil: I wouldn't sub another oil or fat for this. You could try doing half and half coconut oil and butter, but vegetable oils will not work.
  • Maple syrup and honey: You could try it with granulated or brown sugar (I haven't tested this).
  • Cheerios: You can use any cereal you wish!
  • Dark chocolate: You can also make this with milk or semi-sweet chocolate.
Angle shot of Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

Other back to school recipes:

  • Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
  • Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Rainbow Veggie Pinwheels
  • Oat, Coconut and Walnut Bars
  • Broccoli Cheese Egg Muffins
Stack of three Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Print

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
Print Recipe

8-ingredient chocolate-dipped cereal bars made with peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, honey, vanilla and salt.

  • Author: Julie Andrews
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: Makes 18 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Microwave, No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
  • 3 cups multi-grain Cheerios
  • ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Line a large sheet of parchment paper in an 8x8 baking dish. Set aside.
  2. Place the peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and honey in a large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until coconut oil is melted, about 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes total. Add the vanilla extract and salt and stir to thoroughly combine.
  3. Add the Cheerios and stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press until mixture is evenly distributed and flat. Refrigerate at least 30 minute or until set. Grab the edges of the parchment paper and transfer the bars to a cutting board. Cut into 18 small squares.
  4. Place the chocolate chips in a small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until chocolate is melted, about 1 minute 30 seconds. Dip the bottom of each bar in the chocolate and transfer back to the parchment paper. Let sit until hardened, about 30 minutes.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

Substitution Tip: Feel free to add mix-ins, like peanuts, tree nuts, chocolate chips and/or shredded coconut.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 122
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 74mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 13g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0g

Keywords: easy, quick, party treats, kid friendly, family friendly, no bake, naturally-sweetened desserts

Did you make this recipe?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cara says

    August 19, 2021 at 10:53 pm

    My kids love peanut butter and cereals! So this recipe is just perfect! Surely making it this weekend. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      August 20, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      I bet your kids will love these, Cara!! They're SO good.

      Reply
  2. Martha says

    June 26, 2022 at 8:07 pm

    I would love to try this recipe! Can you taste the coconut oil in this recipe at all? If yes, what can I substitute for it?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Julie Andrews says

      June 29, 2022 at 2:09 pm

      Hi Martha, you should not be able to taste any coconut! There isn't a great substitution for the coconut oil in this recipe, so I'd just give it a try!

      Reply

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chef, registered dietitian & mom
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*formerly the gourmet RD*

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