I’m always looking for grab and go breakfast options to keep the kids well fueled in the morning such as egg muffins and breakfast burritos. Cereal bars are one of their favorites, these bars make a great after school snack too! Looking for more kid friendly recipes? Be sure to check out my list of 30 Kids Breakfast Ideas!
Trying to get three kids out the door in the mornings is no easy task. I try and be as organized as possible so that no time is wasted, and part of that means preparing breakfast in advance. I created these cereal bars as a grab-and-go option for the days when there’s just no time to sit around the table and have a leisurely meal.
How do you make cereal bars?
These no-bake cereal bars start with a blend of old fashioned oats, crispy rice cereal, and wheat germ. Peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup are added to the mix for sweetness and to help bind everything together. The cereal mixture is pressed into a pan, then topped with candy coated chocolate chips for a fun finishing touch. Chill your bars, then slice and serve!
Tips for cereal bars
Wheat germ can be found in the breakfast or baking aisles of most grocery stores. It’s also often available in the bulk bins. Be sure to use rolled old fashioned oats, not quick oats in this recipe. You can use smooth or crunchy peanut butter, I typically use smooth. The candy coated chocolate chips are sold in little bottles in the baking aisle with the sprinkles. If your store doesn’t carry them, feel free to substitute miniature chocolate chips or a different type of sprinkles.
Are cereal bars healthy?
These bars contain oatmeal, wheat germ and peanut butter, which are all nutritious foods. The bars do contain sugar to add some sweetness. If you’re looking to make the bars a little healthier, you can reduce the amount of sugar to 1/3 cup, and substitute honey or brown rice syrup in lieu of the corn syrup.
How long do cereal bars stay fresh?
These cereal bars will stay fresh for up to one week. I prefer to store my bars in the fridge, as they may soften at room temperature if it’s a warm day. You can also freeze your bars. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then store in a resealable freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then enjoy.
Breakfast bar variations
This is a basic bar recipe, and you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
Raisins Toasted Coconut Chopped Nuts Protein Powder Cinnamon Freeze Dried Fruit
These no-bake breakfast bars are a great way to feed your family in a hurry. The peanut butter adds a nice dose of protein and healthy fat to keep everyone full all morning long and the cereal is full of vitamins and minerals, making this a breakfast choice you can feel good about giving your kids. These bars are not just for the kids, my husband also likes to grab one on his way to work!
More easy breakfast ideas
Baked Oatmeal Cups Ham and Egg Cups Breakfast Sundaes Breakfast Egg Muffins Healthy Blueberry Muffins
This post was originally published September 10, 2015 and was updated on June 26, 2019 with new content.
