Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars
An easy no-bake treat that your kids (and everyone) will love! Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars are chewy, delectable, and take just minutes to make.
The other day my kids were requesting Rice Krispie treats, but when I discovered we were out of Rice Krispies, I came up with these delightful bars. We had Cheerios on hand, so I decided to give them a try. My kids weren’t too sure about the Cheerios at first, but soon they weren’t talking, they were just eating! This recipe is a crossover between Rice Krispie treats and O’Henry bars (some call them Scotcharoos), and it’s the perfect mix of the two. A peanut marshmallow Cheerio mixture, with melted chocolate and butterscotch on top…YUM! I will say, they should come with a warning, because it’s awfully hard to eat just one!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
You’ll love how quick and easy these come together–literally less than 10 minutes from start to finish. If you’re in a pinch and need to make something in a hurry, or if it’s a busy day and you still want whip something up, these are the perfect answer. And even if you have plenty of time, you can make these and use the extra time for something else! They freeze beautifully, making it easy to have something on hand when you need it.
great for school lunches & After school snack
They’re great for tucking into school lunches, setting out for an after school snack, taking to a gathering or party, or bringing into work to share with colleagues. It’s not just kids that love these!
This is what you’ll need to make them…
- Marshmallows
- Peanut butter
- Butter
- Cheerios
- Milk chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips
Only five ingredients! Simple and yummy.
FAQ
- Can you freeze these bars? Yes! Cut them into squares, then place into freezer safe bag or container. They should last for a couple of months–if they last that long!
- How long do they last? They’ll be good for a couple of days in an airtight container, and then they tend to lose some of their chewiness. I also keep mine in the fridge, because we like them cold!
- How many bars does this recipe make? This answer really depends on how large or small you cut the bars. I cut mine on the smaller side, so I can usually get at least 15 bars out of a 9×13 pan.
- Are they gluten-free? If you use plain gluten-free Cheerios, and double check that your marshmallows are gluten-free, then they can be a yummy gluten-free treat!
TIPS
- Just like Rice Krispie treats, they are super sticky going from the pot into the baking dish. I like to butter my hands to pat the mixture down firmly–then they won’t stick to the bars, and the butter just adds to the flavor. If I need the top to be more smooth, I’ll take a piece of lightly buttered wax paper to press it down evenly.
- Don’t press the mixture too firmly into the pan–it makes for a harder bar once they cool.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
Ingredients
- 2 10 oz. bags mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 10 cups Cheerios cereal
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
Instructions
- Butter a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
- In a large saucepan or pot over low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows, then stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
- Remove from heat, and stir in the Cheerios cereal.
- Press the Cheerios mixture into the baking dish evenly.
- In a microwave-safe glass measuring cup or dish, melt the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips for 30 seconds. Stir, then continue to microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the mixture is melted. Stir until smooth. (Be careful not to leave it in too long–it can burn the chocolate and cause it to crumble.)
- Pour the the combined chocolate on top of the Cheerios mixture, and spread evenly across the top. Let set until firm.
Recipe Equipment
