This recipe is the best way to use any leftover cereal at 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.

No-bake cereal bars drizzled with chocolate and wrapped in white paper with a black and white string.

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), is filled with plant-based protein and uses both leftovers AND pantry ingredients. This just might be a dream recipe for parents and busy people!

This homemade cereal bar recipe takes 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.

It easily replaces a packaged bar I might buy from the grocery store and is one of my favorite no-waste recipes using an ingredient that otherwise wouldn't get eaten! I love when I have these in the freezer, knowing I can pull them out on a hectic morning for an instant filling and nutritious option.

Homemade cereal bars stacked on each other with another leaning against them with a white background.

Why You'll Love Making Your Own Cereal Bars

Easy recipe with simple ingredients
Use leftovers from any box of cereal
Delicious
Nutritious
Kid-approved - perfect snack for school lunches or a quick breakfast

Ingredients

This original recipe uses ALL pantry ingredients, making it an easy one to whip up any time you're looking for a filling and tasty snack. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.

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 such as peanut butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. 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 the amount of maple syrup.
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 this no-bake treat!
Any cereal - I like to do a combination of O's and brown rice crisp cereal, although I've also used quinoa puffs with great results. Feel free to use your favorite cereal. 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.

How to Make Homemade Cereal Bars

1. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Prepare the cereal mixture. 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.

Almond butter mixture in a glass bowl with a white marble background.

Cereal and oats in a glass bowl atop almond butter mixture with a white marble background.

3. Press it down. 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.

Cereal bar mixture in a square baking pan lined with parchment paper.

Using the bottom of a glass and parchment paper to flatten cereal bar mixture in a square baking pan.

4. For the optional chocolate drizzle: To melt the chocolate, place it in a microwave-safe measuring cup and heat for 1.5-2 minutes. Stir well and drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars.

Drizzling melted chocolate over homemade cereal bars.

Cereal bar mixture with melted chocolate drizzled overtop in a square baking pan.

5. Freeze. Place pan in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Use a sharp knife to cut into 10 rectangular bars and serve.

Cereal bars with chocolate drizzled overtop with a white background.

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.

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!

Homemade cereal bars stacked on top of each other with a white background.

Homemade cereal bar with melted chocolate drizzled overtop with a white background.

Homemade cereal bar wrapped in white paper with a black and white string.

Healthy cereal bars on white parchment paper.

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.

My Favorite Gluten-Free Products & Resources

Homemade cereal bars individually wrapped with white paper and a white and black string.

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 delicious cereal 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.

Homemade cereal bars with a white background.

More Nutritious Snack Bars

No-Bake Cereal Bars (Use Any Leftover Cereal!)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 5 reviews

Author: Elaine Gordon
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 10 bars 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

This recipe is the best way to use any leftover cereal at 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.

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.