Easy Homemade Cereal Bars Recipe (Vegan)
Oct 08, 2024 • Updated Nov 22, 2024
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These cereal bars are the perfect healthy snack prepped in just 10 minutes using simple pantry ingredients! Held together with creamy almond butter and naturally sweetened with maple syrup or brown rice syrup, these bars are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and delicious flavour. This easy recipe makes a great treat for the whole family, whether you need a quick breakfast, school lunchbox addition, or post-workout fuel.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cereal Bar Recipe
There’s something so nostalgic about enjoying cereal any time of day – breakfast, snack, or even dinner. These cereal bars offer that same satisfying crunch but with wholesome ingredients and none of the hidden sugars found in store-bought granola bars.
I use Nature’s Path Organic Whole O’s for a crunchy, nutritious base, but you can easily swap in your favourite cereal—like Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s for a seasonal touch or Kashi Go’s Peanut Butter Crunch for a nutty twist. Combined with almond butter, maple syrup, and warm spices, this no bake treat delivers all the flavour without the processed ingredients – making it a healthy alternative you can feel good about.
What makes these bars truly special is their flexibility – swap the almond butter for peanut or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version, or use any cereal to change up the flavour. Customize with add-ins like pecans, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to create a delicious snack that’s tailored to your cravings and dietary needs!
If you’re all about making healthy swaps for classic snacks, don’t miss my gluten-free chex mix recipe, these healthy cheez-its, or these healthy nutter butters, all plant-based, satisfying, and perfect for snack time!
Ingredient Notes
Cereal Bars
- box of cereal of choice: I use Nature’s Path Organic Whole O’s! Cereal provides the base texture and crunch. You could also use whole grain cereals like Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s or Kashi Go’s Peanut Butter Crunch.
- almond butter: Almond butter helps bind the bars while adding creaminess. It supports heart health and keeps you fuller for longer. Swap it for cashew butter, peanut butter, tahini, or any other nut or seed butters you prefer!
- brown rice syrup or maple syrup: Provides a sticky base to hold the bars together and adds natural sweetness. Brown rice syrup offers a thicker texture, while maple syrup lends a warm, sweet flavour.
- coconut oil: Helps the bars set and adds a touch of moisture.
- pecans: Adds crunch and a buttery, nutty flavour. Pecans bring in healthy fats and a bit of texture contrast.
- vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness with a subtle, vanilla note. Vanilla bean paste will add a more intense vanilla flavor.
- pumpkin pie spice: A warming blend of spices (like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves) that brings cozy fall flavours to each bite. This spice blend is a mix of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves.
How to Make Cereal Bars
Here’s what you need to make this healthy cereal bars recipe. See the printable recipe card below for the full recipe and ingredient amounts!
Step 1: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together almond butter, brown rice syrup, coconut oil, pumpkin pie spices, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Add dry cereal and pecans to the large bowl and gently toss to coat all of the cereal pieces.
Step 2: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and gently press down using a spatula. Let set in the freezer for about an hour. When ready to enjoy, slice into bars.
Secrets to Success
- Starting with fresh cereal ensures that your bars stay crunchy. Soggy or stale cereal will make them feel heavy and they’ll fall apart easily. Check the expiration date before using—crispness is key!
- Set out and measure your ingredients before mixing. It makes the process smooth, especially since the syrup and nut butter mixture can firm up quickly. Less time scrambling means more time enjoying!
- Gently fold the cereal into your wet ingredients—overmixing can crush the cereal and impact the texture. Mix just until everything is evenly coated.
- Always line your pan, even if it’s non-stick. This makes removing the bars easy and keeps them from sticking to the edges. You can also lift the whole batch out to slice more neatly.
- When transferring to the pan, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture down evenly. Don’t press too hard—you want them compact but not smashed.
- If you’re short on time, pop the bars into the freezer for 10–15 minutes instead of letting them set in the fridge. This speeds things up without affecting the texture.
- Feel free to get creative! Mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or coconut flakes can add fun texture and flavor. Just be sure not to overload the mixture to keep the bars intact.
Recipe Variations
- For a version of these cereal bars that isn’t pumpkin spice, omit the pumpkin spice and just use cinnamon.
- You can use any of your favorite cereal mixtures for this recipe. I obviously use a vegan cereal but if you aren’t vegan, you can use any cereal you like!
- Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the wet ingredients and mix in some vegan chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate on top before setting. A dash of espresso powder can give it a mocha twist!
- Use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of almond butter. This makes the bars school-friendly and allergy-safe, without compromising on flavour or creaminess.
- Add a scoop of your favourite vegan protein powder to the wet mixture. If it becomes too thick, loosen it with a bit more syrup or a splash of plant-based milk.
Storage Tips
- If you’ll be enjoying your cereal bars within a few days, store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature out of direct sunlight. They should stay fresh for about a week this way.
- For longer shelf life, store the bars in the fridge. Place them in an airtight container or wrap each bar individually with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This method will keep them fresh and ready to eat for up to 2 weeks.
- To freeze, wrap them individually or separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. Store them in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag, for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature for a few minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Cereal bars can be healthy when made with whole ingredients like nut butter, oats, and natural sweeteners, providing energy, fiber, and healthy fats. Homemade versions are often more nutritious than store-bought ones, which can contain hidden sugars and additives.
Using crisp cereal is essential for maintaining texture. Avoid overmixing to keep the cereal intact. Store bars in the fridge or freezer to prevent them from becoming too soft at room temperature.
Yes! Substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter, tahini, or another seed butter to make them safe for those with nut allergies.
Maple syrup, agave, or even date syrup can work, though brown rice syrup tends to hold the bars together better due to its thicker consistency. If substituting, you may need to add slightly more sweetener to achieve the right texture.
More Snack Recipes
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Easy Homemade Cereal Bars Recipe (Vegan)
Equipment
- baking pan, 8×8
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 4 cups cereal of choice unsweetened
- 3/4 cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup brown rice syrup or maple syrup
- 3 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla bean
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or spices listed below
Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond butter, brown rice syrup, coconut oil, pumpkin pie spices, vanilla and salt until smooth.
- Add dry cereal and pecans to the bowl and gently toss to coat all of the cereal pieces.
- Transfer the mixture into the lined baking dish and gently press down using a spatula. Let set in the freezer for about an hour. When ready to enjoy, slice into bars. Best stored in the freezer in an airtight container.
Notes
- Starting with fresh cereal ensures that your bars stay crunchy. Soggy or stale cereal will make them feel heavy and they’ll fall apart easily. Check the expiration date before using—crispness is key!
- Set out and measure your ingredients before mixing. It makes the process smooth, especially since the syrup and nut butter mixture can firm up quickly. Less time scrambling means more time enjoying!
- Gently fold the cereal into your wet ingredients—overmixing can crush the cereal and impact the texture. Mix just until everything is evenly coated.
- Always line your pan, even if it’s non-stick. This makes removing the bars easy and keeps them from sticking to the edges. You can also lift the whole batch out to slice more neatly.
- When transferring to the pan, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture down evenly. Don’t press too hard—you want them compact but not smashed.
- If you’re short on time, pop the bars into the freezer for 10–15 minutes instead of letting them set in the fridge. This speeds things up without affecting the texture.
- Feel free to get creative! Mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or coconut flakes can add fun texture and flavor. Just be sure not to overload the mixture to keep the bars intact.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
