No-Bake Honey Nut Cheerios Snack Bars
User Reviews
4.4
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
3 mins
-
Total Time
13 mins
-
Servings
1 8-by-8-inch pan, 12 snack bars
-
Calories
411 kcal
-
Course
Baked Goods
No-Bake Honey Nut Cheerios Snack Bars
Description
The recipe blends melted butter, honey, and brown sugar heated to a bubbly caramel-like stage, then incorporates vanilla extract before folding in Honey Nut Cheerios and optional ingredients such as raisins or nuts. The mixture is pressed firmly into a prepared pan and optionally topped with sunflower seeds and salt to cut the sweetness. Setting chilled allows the bars to solidify into a chewy, crunchy texture combining the sweetness of honey and brown sugar with the nutty cereal.
This no-bake method is straightforward and avoids oven use, making it quick to assemble. Versatility in add-ins lets you customize textures and flavors with raisins, honey-roasted peanuts, almonds, trail mix, or chocolate-covered sunflower seeds. The inclusion of a pinch of salt enhances the flavor profile and balances sweetness.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter half of one stick, creamy
- ¼ cup honey light-colored corn syrup may be substituted and will keep the bars firmer at room temp than using honey
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
- 1 cup raisins optional (1 cup honey-roasted peanuts, 1 cup chopped almonds, or 1 cup trail mix may be substituted)
- sunflower seeds optional (I used Trader Joe’s, chocolate-covered, about 1/2 cup
- pinch sea salt optional, or Kosher salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, and heat on high power for 1 minute to melt.
- Stop to stir. Mixture will be on the granular side, this is okay.
- Return bowl to microwave and heat for 1 more minute on high power. Stop to stir
- Return bowl to microwave and heat for 1 more minute on high power. Stop to stir. On this third and final burst, mixture will become quite bubbly and foamy; use caution when removing from micro because this is boiling hot caramel and can cause burns.
- Stir in the vanilla using caution because mixture could bubble up.
- Stir in the cereal.
- Stir in the optional raisins (or nuts).
- Turn mixture out into prepared pan, packing it down firmly with a spatula and smoothing the top.
- Optionally, sprinkle evenly with sunflower seeds and salt (the salt cuts some of the sweetness and I recommend it).
- Cover pan with a sheet of foil (to prevent fridge smells), and place pan in fridge to set up for at least 2 to 3 hours, or overnight, or until bars are completely set before lifting out with foil overhang, slicing, and serving.
- Bars will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I recommend storing them in the fridge rather than room temp because they soften and get loose.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 18-by-8-inch pan, 12 snack bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 411 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 411kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 21g | 124% |
| Cholesterol | 12mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 801mg | 33% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 23g | 46% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
You'll Also Love
