Today, my toddler and I decided to take over the snack world with Healthy Cheerio Bars. As a mom, I’m always looking for quick, easy, healthy snacks for my kids. And, a HUGE bonus is when it’s easy enough that my toddler can help me make it. He loves to help me cook and do his “little stirs” after I do my “big mommy stirs” in the bowl 🙂
These Healthy Cheerio Bars are always a hit with my toddler.
First, most toddlers that I know have this odd obsession with Cheerios. I think it has something to do with their shape, and maybe the fact that they taste pretty boring. Toddlers seem to like boring food usually, and that doesn’t always fly so well in our house, since I don’t like to make boring food!
So I wanted to take something classic like Cheerios and add some pizzazz.
Coconut, oats, flax seeds, and walnuts amp the health factor of the cheerios up with:
- Flavor
- Fiber and anti-oxidants (flax seeds)
- Heart and brain health benefits (walnuts, coconut)
- Digestion (oats)
Those are just a FEW of the benefits, I think I could go on and on…
Instead, I’d like to talk about peanut butter and honey.
Peanut butter and honey are two of my favorite things, and they’re what take these Healthy Cheerio Bars over the top. Don’t forget about the dash of cinnamon too that compliments the peanut butter and honey perfectly. All three add a pop of flavor to these creamy, dreamy bars.
Along with the crunch of the cheerios, you have a creamy, crunchy, sweet, delicious snack.
Looking for an easy, healthy, snack for your kids?
I implore you. Make these bars. While your at it, lick the bowl after your done mixing everything together and putting it in your pan. You wont regret it 🙂
- 1 1/2 cups cheerios
- 1/2 cup coconut, shredded
- 1/4 cup flax seed
- 1/4 cup oats, certified gluten-free
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
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Prepare a 9x9 pan with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cheerios, coconut, flax seeds, oats, and walnuts.
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In a small pan, on medium low heat, melt the peanut butter and honey together until well incorporated.
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Take off the heat, and add the vanilla and salt.
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Pour the peanut butter/honey mixture over your dry ingredients and stir together well until it is blended throughout.
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Pour into your 9x9 pan, and press down so that the top is even.
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Put your pan into the fridge for at least one hour for the bars to chill and set.
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Cut and enjoy!
Tip: After pouring the ingredients into the 9x9, to get the bars to lay flat I like to spray a spatula with cooking spray and use that to press the food down into the pan.
I don’t put in a pan, just dump on wax paper and let cool. Then put in container to grab a handful and go!
i believe this is not completely sugar free, as plain cheerios still contain a small amount of sugar. i know this because i can’t eat them for health reasons. if there’s a sugar free brand of cheerios pls let us know!
Hi Chantal. Yes, I did say this recipe is “refined sugar free,” but I’m sure the cheerios have sugar in them as well, that’s true. You might want to look into trying Three Wishes cereal instead. It’s like a healthier version of cheerios (grain free, no sugar, etc). I’ve had it before and I thought it was a decent substitute. Hope this helps!
Love the flavour, but the squares are so limp. Any suggestions to firm up? Add more cereal?
Hi there. They won’t be entirely firm ever with this recipe, but some of it depends on the type of peanut butter that you use. If you use a more natural, oily peanut butter they may tend to fall apart more. A thick peanut butter would help them hold together better. Keeping them in the fridge for at least an hour will help too. I hope this helps a bit!