These no bake Cheerios bars are the perfect fun kid-friendly whole grain easy school snack idea for busy active kids on the go.
Like most families, the summer time is very go-go-go for my little family of four. Whether it’s packing up for a weekend at the cottage, a playdate, the playground – you name it. Which means that I need to have easy nutritious snacks at the ready any time I hear “mommmm I’m hungry”. So when I have a surplus of Cheerios hanging around the house and the boys are over the milk and Cheerios combo, I make these no bake Cheerios bars. These bars are easily one of my favourite balanced whole grain snacks to have in the house because they are no bake and made perfectly handheld in little silicon muffin cups.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
Plain and simple – whole grains. I’m a big fan of getting whole grains for everyone in the family since consuming more whole grains helps promote heart health, regularity, satiety and blood sugar management. Canada’s Food Guide also recognizes whole grains as one of the four essential parts of a balanced diet, and recommends choosing whole grains first before other types of grains and starches. These cheerio bars are also a perfect snack because they
- Require no baking
- Are a great way for kids to get involved in the kitchen
- Super customizable for different flavor pairings
- Double as a balanced snack for both kids AND adults
Key Ingredients
Cheerios (original yellow box): when you’re looking at an ingredient list, always look for the words “whole grain” at the top of the list. Cheerios, for example, is made with “whole grain oats”, making it one of my family’s go-to breakfasts and snacks.
Freeze dried banana chips: The perfect way to sneak in some extra nutrients is to make your own banana “flour” for this recipe by pulverizing the freeze-dried bananas until they turn into a powder.
Hemp hearts: My holy grail. I swear I add hemp hearts to almost every recipe, including these cheerio bars. It’s the perfect way to add in healthy fats, fiber, and some plant-based protein into your snack or meal.
Agave or Honey: Either ingredient makes for the perfect sweetener to make these cheerio bars even more delicious.
How To Make this Recipe
Step 1: In a small food processor, pulverize the banana chips until they reach a powder-like consistency. Transfer to a bowl and add in the Cheerios, and hemp hearts.
Step 2: In a small sauce pot, heat the honey and sunflower seed butter until its gently simmering and bubbling, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and transfer to the bowl with the Cheerios. Stir until all of the cereal is well coated and mixed.
Step 3: At this point you can add in the sunflower seeds if using. Take a small handful and stuff it into a muffin mold. Repeat with the remaining cereal. Allow to cool completely.
Step 4: Once cool, carefully remove from the muffin mold and drizzle with chocolate, if using. And enjoy!
Expert Tips
I like using silicon muffin holders for this so I make these cheerio bars into easy to transport cups, so I pack them in tight and let cool. If you want to make them extra fun, you can finish them off with a little drizzle of dark chocolate on top.
Curious about whole grains? Grains are made up of three distinct parts – the bran, the endosperm and the germ. The germ and bran are where the fibre, B vitamins and minerals (like iron) are often living. Refined grains, in contrast, generally have the germ and bran removed so they’re lower in these beneficial nutrients. Whenever possible, I try to choose foods, like these cheerio bars, made with whole grains for myself and my sons to ensure we’re getting the full health benefits of the food.
Recipe FAQs
These bars will last on the counter in an air-tight container for about 5 days so you can easily prepare them on a weekend for the week ahead. Trust me, though, they won’t last that long.
No problem! You can easily make cereal snacks these either in regular muffin liners in a muffin tin (until set) OR, you can press the mixture into an 8×8 square tin lined both ways with parchment paper and then cut into squares.
My toddlers loved them! I would suggest for new eaters that you avoid adding the chocolate or sunflower seeds, and just remember that babies under 1 year should not have honey or a lot of added sugar.
I think these easy no bake Cheerios bars would be a fun, colourful, and balanced treat for bringing to a kid-friendly bake sale or potluck!
Other Recipes You May Like
If you’re looking for other great kid-friendly snack and treat ideas like these cheerio bars, heck out some of the following links for some other great ideas!
Now tell me, what are some of your family’s go-to kid-friendly no bake snack and dessert recipes? What are some of your favourite ways to make sure you’re getting enough whole grains? Have you tried these delicious cheerio bars yet? Leave me a comment below!
No Bake Cheerio Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup freeze dried banana chips
- 3 cups Original Cheerios
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- 1/3 cup honey or agave
- 2/3 cup Sunflower seed butter
- ¼ cup Colourful candied sunflower seeds optional
- 1 oz dark chocolate melted
Instructions
- In a small food processor, pulverize the banana chips until they reach a powder like consistency. Transfer to a bowl and add in the Cheerios, and hemp hearts.
- In a small sauce pot, heat the honey and sunflower seed butter until its gently simmering and bubbling, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and transfer to the bowl with the Cheerios. Stir until all of the cereal is well coated and mixed.
- At this point you can add in the sunflower seeds if using. Take a small handful and stuff it into a muffin mold. Repeat with the remaining cereal. Allow to cool completely.
- Once cool, carefully remove from the muffin mold and drizzle with chocolate, if using.
Nutrition
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Kathleen says
Can you use something other than the banana chips?
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
THese are so pretty and fun! Love how you used cheerios. Such a classic and tasty choice.
Abby Langer says
My girls would loooove these!
Deborah Brooks says
I love this idea! Healthy and tasty I would love one of these
Rachel says
These are adorable. Thanks for sharing!
Kate Scotth says
These look so yummy!! Definitely something my kids (and me!) would enjoy!
Abbey Sharp says
Yay! Yes they are definitely kid approved