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These bars kind of make me feel like a kid again.
Not that I was ever a big Cheerios eater, but I did love those Cheerio breakfast bars with the “milk” in the middle that was really just pure sugar.
They were really more like a dessert, which is probably why I never actually had them for breakfast.
I was so close to trying to recreate those bars, and maybe someday I will, but I kind of wanted something a little lighter.
Something still sweet and crunchy, but somewhat healthy too.
Enter these super simple, eight ingredient bars (yes, ingredients that you can actually pronounce). Unlike almost all the store-bought snack bars that have about a bazillion ingredients that you cannot even read, or at least I can’t.
I will be the first to admit that I am not the best reader, but I mean come on? Some of those words have to have been made up by a chemist. Thiamine mononitrate, disodium inosinate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, do we really want to put that in our bodies? I know I sometimes post some seriously indulgent food around here, but at least I know what the heck is in it. That’s better than the unknown any day.
These bars are still sweet, but not overly so. They’re perfect for breakfast, snack or dessert. Well, dessert for normal people, but around here these little guys are a snack. It’s pretty much always chocolate around here when it comes to dessert. If by chance I make a non-chocolate dessert, that only means it will most likely need to be served with a side of chocolate.
Speaking of chocolate, can I just say that I am so excited for Easter? Because I am. The other day my brain just started throwing out Easter treats like crazy. I am praying all the ideas work, but if they do, oh man! Chocolate sweets galore. Let’s hope all goes well.
The one thing about these bars is that if you leave them in a warmish area the honey tends to get a little melty and the bars come undone. If you want to avoid this, try keeping them in fridge. I did not have any problems with my first batch because I cooked them just right, but I undercooked the second batch and they were a little loose. So just make sure to cook them properly and don’t freak if the honey bubbles up over the Cheerios while baking because it’s totally a good thing.
Oh, and if they do end up crumbling a bit. These are milk’s best friend.
Honey Nut Cheerio Bars.
Ingredients
- 4 cups original cheerios, use gluten free cheerios for a gluten free version
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup roasted salted cashews
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add the cheerios and cashews to a large mixing bowl.
- In a microwave safe bowl add the honey, coconut oil and brown sugar. Microwave the mixture on 30 seconds interval, stirring until melted and smooth. This took me about 1 minute. Once the honey mixture is melted and easily pourable stir in the baking soda, salt and vanilla. Pour the honey mixture over the cheerios and toss well. Pour the cheerios out into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until the top of the bars are golden brown. This mixture may bubble up a bit, but this is fine.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, about 2-4 hours before cutting into bars. Once cool cut in bars and wrap in plastic wrap for easy snacking. If bars end up crumbling use as you would cereal or granola.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Ok, so maybe milk’s best friend is a warm chocolate chip cookie, but these could easily come in second.
Honey nut cheerios bar is a great idea! By the way, what is the purpose of adding baking soda?
Thanks so much, Cindy!! I think it helps keep the bars together.
I love homemade cereal bars, especially these ones! My kids love honey nut Cheerios, so I’m betting they would devour these! 🙂
Thanks Jocelyn!
Yum! We make a version of these, but I can’t wait to try your recipe.
I bet your recipe is awesome!! 🙂
Yummy and so much fun! Our youngest daughter loves her honey nut cheerios AND cashews. I need to make these for a lunchbox treat!
Thanks so much!!
There’s a General Mills plant in town and whenever they are toasting the Honey Nut Cheerios, it’s the best smell on earth. These look like a must-make for my cereal-obsessed brother!
No way!! That is pretty cool!!
Thanks Laura!
I have honey nut cheerios on hand at home…is it ok to use h.n.c. and add less honey?
Hey Sally, I would still use almost all the honey as it helps the bars stick together. Maybe just use a scant 3/4 cup honey.
Hope you love these!! And let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks!
These sound and look like such a delicious snack! And then the shot of them in the cereal bowl? It may almost be midnight here but I’m ready for breakfast!
Thanks Sarah!
I’ve been on a serious cereal binge lately and definitely dreamed about making cereal-treat bars out of all the remnants of cereal in the half eaten boxes on top of our fridge…then, you make these! It’s basically a dream come true.
Haha! What is it about cereal? It’s SO good!! LOL!
Thanks Cindy! 🙂
These are perfect for breakfast-on-the-go! And I concur with the other gals….drizzle in chocolate, these would be dangerous!
Thanks Nicole!
Love the idea to crumble them up in milk if they start falling apart. They look great… like you I’m a chocolate person, so I’d probably drizzle some on top!
Thanks Megan! And do the chocolate!
As a big time Cheerios fan (the multigrain ones are my favorite), these sound so good!
Thanks Amanda!
Mine were totally burnt on the bottom after the 25 minutes. I don’t get it, the tops were way way way darker than these photos, and the bottoms were completely singed. There must be something different in how she made the ones in the photos. Don’t recommend this recipe as written.
Every time I see that little cutting board I swoon. Some time I hope you’ll share its history with us. I just know it has one. The Cheerio bars look great.
Thank you so much, Maralyn!!
I wish I had an awesome story to tell, but I actually bought it online. Sorry! Kind of a bummer.
befor i read what you had written, i saw the photos and felt a huge nostalgia. cheerio bars are a great childhood memory! x
Haha! Yay!
Thanks Trisha!
I’ll never outgrow Cherrios! Sounds and looks delicious.
Thank you!
Love these! They seem like the perfect snack. I love that shot of them all crumbled up in a bowl of milk. 🙂
Thank you so much, Beth!