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Easy Homemade Cereal Bars Recipe (Vegan)

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.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Snack
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

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 8x8 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.