Peanut butter and jelly. Peanut butter and chocolate. Peanut butter and bananas. Peanut butter and cereal.
Wait, what? I’ve got your attention now, don’t I? Ha ha!
If “Peanut Butter and…” always go great together, why not mix it with other things? My grandmother even ate peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches <shudder>, but who am I to judge? I mean, there’re already peanut butter-flavored cereals out there, but do they REALLY taste like the real deal? You miss that creamy texture, that luxurious feeling when it hits your taste buds. Admit it, you know you’re missing something with those fake “treats”.
That’s where these no-bake Peanut Butter Cereal Treats come to the rescue!
When I was younger, my mom–like so many other mothers out there–used to trade recipes with the parents of kids I went to school with. My grade school was pretty small (only one room for each grade, and one hallway for the whole school). As a result, the families were pretty close. Parents were always sending snacks and treats for some social event or party. And back then, no one specified food allergies or other dietary needs (boy, things have changed!), so these particular treats were OK to send to school.
On my mom’s handwritten recipe card (yes, back then people actually WROTE recipes down on index cards!), she put the name of the parent who she got the recipe from. In fact, she did that for many recipes in her recipe box, including recipes from neighbors, family members, or other sources. It’s a bit of a lost art, IMHO.
OK, enough reminiscing and on to the TREATS!
I’m sure you’ve had Rice Krispie Treats with marshmallow as the binder. Well, this is just a variation with a different cereal, “sticky sauce”, and flavor profile, but the concept is the same. Limited ingredients, a quick prep time, no baking required, and you wind up with happy people who get to dive in to these delicious squares of peanut-y goodness. Yay!
Peanut Butter Cereal Treats are a childhood favorite, and a grown-up splurge that I still enjoy. “Treat” yourself to these goodies–I dare you not to fall in love with them like I did when I was a kid!
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 15 treats | 10 minutes |
| Passive Time |
| 1 hour |
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I love peanut butter. I love it so much that I've been known to keep a jar in my desk drawer and grab a spoonful as an afternoon protein-pick-me-up. These treats have the same impact for me--tasty, handy, and simple to make and take to the office. Simplicity sometimes score points when I need a nosh, and these no-bake Peanut Butter Cereal Treats certainly score BIG!
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- 6 cups toasted oat dry cereal
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- Spray a 9x13 glass dish with cooking spray.
- Add peanut butter, brown sugar and corn syrup to a sauce pan.
- Heat over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, or until the ingredients begin to meld together. Stir to incorporate until a creamy and smooth texture is created.
- Carefully pour the peanut butter sauce over the dry cereal.
- Mix cereal and peanut butter sauce thoroughly until fully incorporated.
- Pour cereal mixture into pre-sprayed dish and spread out evenly with a spatula. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Remove from the refrigerator and slice into 15 squares. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Ah, childhood. When a treat as simple as these Peanut Butter Cereal Treats could bring so much joy when my mom brought them out for me and my friends. And I have to admit, this joy extended into my early adulthood, and my friends still loved them. Basically, I'm a big kid when I make these, and I love sharing them with others, too.
Given the simplicity of the recipe, what adaptations would YOU make for your own crowd? Tell me your ideas and thoughts in the comments here! Maybe we can all have a cereal treat swap--everybody's happy then, right?
This is a perfect dessert to make with the kids! They love cereal treats!
They are super popular, and so easy to customize!
Who can resist the taste of peanut butter? Such a great addition in these snacks!
I love PB in just about anything, so these are always on the horizon in my house!
Love your mom’s handwritten recipe! I have a few of my dad’s handwritten recipes, and I cherish them! What a fun treat, too! Love the peanut butter here 🙂
I love the handwritten ones. My grandmother’s are the best since we have to guess sometimes at what she meant by “add cinnamon” or other ingredients that she didn’t list amounts for. :o)
I have a hand-written recipe card exactly like that, with the same recipe on it! It was seriously our fave, growing up. Thank you for the memory.
Love that these simple and delicious recipes make their way into so many childhoods!
These are perfect for lunchboxes!! Pinning to try this one for sure!
Lunchboxes, after school treats. summer road trips–they are great for just about any day!
You know I’ve been kinda craving some homemade cereal bars! Must make!
They are a bit addictive, I admit! Hope you enjoy!
Dee Dee- this looks delish. And with two kids, I have no shortage of cheerios for this recipe. I love your profile picture with you and the crawfish- looks like we could be real life friends. Cheers and keep the great recipes coming. xo
That picture was taken by a friend while we were at a crawfish festival. It really does capture my “big personality”. LOL
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I have only made the ones with melted marshmallows. I have switched up the cereal and made them with Lucky Charms and Frosted Flakes, etc. But I have never made them with the caramel sauce! Thanks for a new twist on it!
I’ve been on such a peanut butter kick lately and have TONS of cereal to use up. It’s crispy rice and flakes, but I’m sure they would work well in this awesome recipe.
Alisa, I think any dried cereal would work here. Let me know how it turns out!
How much I love peanut butter. These look amazing!
Sooo happy no one in my family has a peanut allergy because I just love desserts like this! So easy, and I would throw in chocolate chips 🙂 PS. Love the hand-written recipe 🙂
I find that the peanut butter cereals never taste right, but these treats sound perfect!