Homemade Cereal Bars Recipe
User Reviews
5
Homemade Cereal Bars Recipe
Description
The Homemade Cereal Bars Recipe relies on melting together salted butter, almond butter, and agave nectar heated long enough to thicken into a syrup that can bind dry cereal pieces securely. A bit of salt balances the sweetness. Lemon juice and vanilla extract are stirred in to add tang and warmth. When poured over the cereal and mixed gently, the mixture coats every piece without breaking the cereal.
After pressing the coated cereal into a parchment-lined pan, the bars chill for at least 45 minutes to set firmly. This results in bars that are chewy with a slight stickiness from the syrup. Optional mini chocolate chips can be added after the mixture cools to keep distinct chocolate bits or earlier to melt slightly and darken the bars.
These bars serve well as a grab-and-go snack or a kid-friendly treat, combining nutty almond flavor with honey nut cereal sweetness. They can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for several days without losing texture.
Note that heating the almond butter mixture enough is crucial to ensure bars set properly; if too thin, additional heating with the cereal can thicken the syrup. Avoid stirring too vigorously to keep cereal pieces intact. Salted butter sharpens the flavor slightly over unsalted, complementing the sweetness.
Ingredients
- 2½ tablespoons butter salted
- ½ cup almond butter
- ⅔ cup agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips optional (see note)
Instructions
- Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a skillet set over medium-high heat, melt the salted butter.
- Add in the almond butter, agave nectar, and salt. Heat the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring continuously over medium-high heat.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Place the cereal in a large bowl and pour the syrup mixture over the cereal. If adding mini chocolate chips, let the mixture cool for 10 minutes before adding in the mini chocolate chips (optional) and stir until well combined.
- Pour and press the cereal into the parchment-lined pan. Place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store the cereal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- For distinct mini chocolate chips, wait until the mixture cools before adding them; add earlier if you prefer them melted and integrated into the bars.
- If the bars do not set and are too soft, heat the combined cereal and syrup mixture for an additional 4-5 minutes to thicken the binding syrup.
- Stir gently when mixing cereal with syrup to avoid breaking cereal pieces and preserving texture.
- Using salted butter adds a balanced saltiness that complements the sweetness compared to unsalted butter.
- Chill the bars for at least 45 minutes before cutting to ensure they hold shape well.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 253 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 253kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 377mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 188mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 469IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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