This recipe is the best way to use any leftover cereal in the bottom of the box! It's a nutritious, vegan and gluten-free No-Bake Cereal Bars Recipe that's easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
There are so many things about this recipe that I love! It's got my favorite treat combination (almond butter and a drizzle of chocolate), it's filled with plant-based protein, and it uses both leftovers AND pantry ingredients. This just might be a dream recipe for parents and busy people! This No-Bake Cereal Bars Recipe take any kind of leftover cereal and mixes it with oats and almond butter to create a satisfying and absolutely delicious snack. Eat it throughout the day or pair it with a smoothie for a perfect breakfast combo! This is also a really fun bar to make with little ones. It's no-bake, so they can help you measure, pour, mix, press into the pan, and freeze! They turn out perfect even if the measurements aren't perfect, so you really cannot mess it up.
Ingredients: No-Bake Cereal Bars Recipe
This recipe is ALL pantry ingredients, making it an easy one to whip up any time you're looking for a filling and tasty snack. It's a no-waste recipe that replaces a packaged bar I might buy at the store, using ingredients that otherwise wouldn't get eaten! I love when I have these in the freezer and I know I can pull them out on a hectic morning for a filling and nutritious option.
- Almond butter - Use unsweetened, raw, and creamy almond butter for the smoothest mixing and best results! You can use any nut or seed butter in this recipe. I've found that a new jar works best since you want it as runny as possible!
- Pure maple syrup - I like using this because we don't usually have cereal with added sweeteners in the house! If your cereal is heavily sweetened, I would recommend reducing this amount.
- Coconut oil - Make sure your coconut oil is at room temperature or warmer so it's totally liquid. You can also use melted vegan butter!
- Vanilla and salt - Just a little bit of each perfectly complements the other flavors in these No-Bake Cereal Bars!
- Any cereal - This is the perfect way to use up any cereal left at the bottom of a box! I like to do a combination of O's and brown rice crisp cereal, although I've also used quinoa puffs with great results. Yum!
- Quick cooking oats - Quick-cooking oats are my preferred type, but if you only have old-fashioned or rolled oats, you can pulse them once or twice in a food processor to break them down a bit.
- Chocolate drizzle - This is optional, but no one ever complains about a bit of chocolate on top! I love Hu brand vegan chocolate chips.
All About Almond Butter
"How do you get PROTEIN?!" just might be the most common question vegans get asked. As a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) through the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), I'm passionate about making informed, evidence-based additions to my plant-based diet.
Luckily, there are actually SO many sources of natural, animal-free protein...and one of my favorites is almonds! They are low in carbohydrates and high in protein as well as a good source of fiber, healthy fats, vitamin E and magnesium.
Almonds even provide iron and calcium! See my complete guide on almonds for everything you need to know about almonds, including nutrition facts, health benefits and almond recipes.
You can also add hemp seeds, which add even more plant-based protein and healthful fats. This recipe has up to 8 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber with the hemp seeds added in!
The Best Gluten-Free Cereal
I love using RealCereal! It's a total favorite in our house. I am seriously so impressed by this company (and kind of wish I'd thought of this concept first--it's genius!). RealCereal lets you build your own bag of cereal with your favorite ingredients, and they're all totally organic and free of added sugars and unnecessary ingredients. I love their brown rice crisps in this Cereal Bars Recipe!
Quick-Cooking Oats
I use quick-cooking oats in many of my gluten-free recipes! They create an awesome texture and add great nutrients. Oats are full of soluble fiber, and they're higher in protein and healthful fats than most other whole grains. That means these carbohydrates keep you full longer and give you a nice boost of energy in a nutritious way! If keeping your bars gluten-free is important to you, double check that your oats are certified gluten-free.
I hope you love this easy No-Bake Cereal Bars Recipe! My whole family loves them and I've been making a new batch as soon as the last bar gets eaten. They're perfect for snacking and we love pairing one with a smoothie for breakfast! If you make these bars, tag me on Instagram so I can cheer you on in your kitchen adventures! You can also leave a review below, which is a super helpful way to support my business and ongoing recipe creation.
More Nutritious Snack Bars
- No-Bake 5-Ingredient Homemade Granola Bars (vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free)
- Freezer-Friendly Easy Vegan Oat Bars
- No-Bake Almond Butter Chocolate Crunch Bars
- Super Seed No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars (vegan + gluten-free)
- Easy No-Bake Frosted Vegan Rice Crispy Treats (refined sugar-free)
- Protein-Packed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Raw, Vegan Chocolate Filled Snack Bars (gluten-free and nut-free)
No-Bake Cereal Bars (using any leftover cereal!)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup runny unsweetened, unsalted creamy raw almond butter (or any nut or seed butter) [a new jar works best here]
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup [reduce slightly if your leftover cereal is heavily sweetened]
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (or melted vegan butter)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt
- 2 cups any cereal (I like to do a combination of O's and brown rice crisp cereal - I sometimes use quinoa puffs too)
- 1 cup quick cooking oats (gluten-free if desired)
- optional nutrition boost: ¼ cup hemp seeds
- optional chocolate drizzle: ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips, melted
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the almond butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined, about 1 minute. Next stir in the oats and the cereal until well combined. Add the hemp seeds if using and stir well.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan, and use a spatula to flatten the top so it is even and well compact. For best results, place a new sheet of parchment paper overtop the bars and then use the bottom of a glass to press the mixture down. The parchment paper will prevent the bars from sticking to the bottom of the glass.
- For the optional chocolate drizzle: To melt the chocolate, place the chocolate in a microwave safe measuring cup and heat for 1.5-2 minutes. Stir well and drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars.
- Place pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Use a sharp knife to cut into 10 rectangular bars and serve.
- The cereal bars can be stored covered in the freezer for up to one month. The bars will soften slightly at room temperature within 15-20 minutes but should stay together. I prefer eating them straight out of the freezer.
Equipment
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vegan chocolate [ELAINE20 for 20% off]
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- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Snack or Breakfast
- Method: Freezer
Keywords: no-bake vegan cereal bars
Lucy says
These are so good!! Easy to make and all members of my household loved them. One of my kids said he gives them a 10/10.
Elaine Gordon says
Aw thank you so much, Lucy! I really appreciate that! So happy to hear you all have been enjoying them! Thrilled with the perfect score from one of your boys! Best, Elaine
Sylvia says
I made them with “healthy”, low sugar, cereal that no one seemed to want to eat. 😂 It was very easy to make and a great way to not waste food. I thought they were very tasty. My family ate them for a snack but they would be great for a quick breakfast.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Sylvia! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one and that it helped prevent food waste in your household. Best, Elaine
Meredith says
This recipe is so good! I make it all the time, the bars freeze well and everyone in my house loves them! Also less sugar/sweetener than most other recipes for cereal bars I've found. Love love love!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Meredith! I love that you all love them! Thank you for taking the time for the five star review and comment 🙂 Best, Elaine
Marta says
Made these today and they are so yummy! My husband, 5-year-old daughter, and I all loved them. Thank you!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Marta! I'm so happy to hear you all enjoyed these so much! Best, Elaine