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Mom’s Special K-Bars, well kind of. These are the healthier version, but they’re actually so much more delicious. Think crisp, chewy, sweet, and peanutty cereal base topped with semi-sweet salted chocolate. All made with simple, wholesome ingredients: organic corn flakes, honey, pure maple syrup, natural peanut butter, chia seeds, vanilla, and dark chocolate. These bars are heavy on the peanut butter and chocolate, with a nice salty-sweet combo. They’re also gluten-free, vegetarian, and even no-bake too! Every last bite is truly delicious.
Anyone whose known my mom over the last 30 years knows about her K-bars. They’re everyone’s favorite dessert. Chocolate peanut butter chewy goodness. Yes, my mom was known for these bars. Especially in the summer because she’d make them for all the birthday parties, family dinners, and every last summer picnic.
Her bars were very retro, old school, and oh, my gosh, very addicting. Actually, now that I think about it, they really weren’t her bars, my Nonnie used to make them too. Ask any of my older siblings, k-bars and chocolate chip cookies were part of the weekly rotation of sweets back when we lived in Cleveland.
We all loved them.
The weird thing is that once we moved to Colorado, they just never tasted quite the same. Still good, but almost dry and just not as special. Slowly she stopped making them and when we all started to cut down more on the use of sugar, we kind of cut these out.
But I’m here to announce that they are back, and quite possibly better than ever.
The details are extra, extra simple
I used the very same process as my mom, I just used better-for-you ingredients.
The first step, grab some corn flakes. Use gluten-free if needed. I get mine at Whole Foods or there’s a Thrive Market link to some in the recipe. Add the corn flakes, ground chia seeds, and natural creamy peanut butter to a super large bowl. The ground chia seeds are totally optional, but they add a nice vanilla flavor and additional health benefits (healthy omegas and lots of fiber).
Then, boil together some honey and maple syrup. I use honey + maple in place of the white sugar and Karo syrup that mom’s original recipe calls for. Boil the mix for 2 minutes, then pour over the bowl full of cereal and peanut butter. Mix everything together until all is evenly coated.
Spread the mix out into a baking dish, then throw it in the fridge while you melt the chocolate.
For the peanut butter – simply use peanut butter. As in just peanuts and sea salt. No Jiff or any other kinds of no-stir peanut butter that contains oil and/or sugar. You just want a natural peanut butter. This will give you the best flavor and texture.
But I mean, of course, if all you have is Jiff or Skippy, it all works!
Finish them up
Melt the chocolate with a little peanut butter to keep the chocolate from getting too hard. Then spread the mix out over the peanut cereal layer.
And then you’re done. And trust me, you might want to double the batch because these disappear fast. Everyone from my mom and dad to (very picky) Asher is obsessed with these. Asher has asked me to make them twice this week alone.
Lastly, if you’re wondering why they’re called Special K-Bars? It’s because back when my Nonnie used to make them she used Special K cereal. Over the years my mom switched to corn flakes. They really are a family favorite. It’s that combination of chewy, salty, sweet, chocolate, and peanut butter. It’s magically delicious!
Looking for easy summer desserts? Here are a few ideas:
Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Twix Bars
Caramel Butter Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting
Retro-Style Chocolate Sheet Cake
Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Cake
No Churn Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
6 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake.
Lastly, if you make my Mom’s Special K-Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Mom’s Special K-Bars
Servings: 24 bars
Calories Per Serving: 215 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups organic corn flakes
- 1/4 cup ground chia seeds (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup plus 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 12 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine the corn flakes, chia seeds (if using), and 1 cup peanut butter.3. In a pot, combine the honey, maple syrup, and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and pour the mix into the corn flake/peanut butter bowl and stir well. Spread the mixture out onto the prepared pan, packing it in tightly. Place in the fridge for 15 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, melt together the chocolate and 1/4 cup peanut butter in the microwave. Spread the chocolate over the corn flake mix. Return to the fridge to set, about 15 minutes, then slice. The chocolate will not be totally set, but slicing is easier this way. Keep in the fridge.
A classic. I love when my Mom makes these
Right?!! The best!! Let me know if you try this recipe Cynthia!
Delicious summer easy dessert. Made with special K as I had it already. I also used 5 cups 1 tsp vanilla extract and no chia seeds as I don’t have a grinder.
Hi Melissa!
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! So glad to hear it was enjoyed:) xTieghan
How do you grind the chia seeds? Can you use vanilla extract? Can’t wait to try these?
Hi Francine,
You can purchase the chia seeds already ground at your local grocery store. You can use 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hey Tieghan!
First I want to say that it is so sweet of you that you answer comments so well. It tells us that you really care! I think a lot of internet celebs/bloggers forget this! You are so sweet!
But I was wondering about any ideas of what to do if you can’t use a nut butter… can you think of anything else that might work, may seem like a silly question. I’d love if you could post some no bake/easy recipes that don’t require nuts because so many do!
Hey Kat,
Thanks so much for your kind message! What about a sunflower seed butter? That would work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Do the chia seeds need to be ground? Or can they be whole?
Hi Tara,
For this recipe you will want to use ground chia seeds. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I just made these to take to a family farm trip this weekend. The sample that I nibbled was delicious, thanks for a quick sweet treat that feels so perfect for summer!
Hey Melissa!
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback and making this recipe! Hope you’re off to a great weekend! xTieghan
Can’t wait to try these! I wish you could post a video of how you make those beautiful swirls, or explain in detail how it is done. So pretty! Can’t thank you enough for the amazing food joy you have added to our lives!!
Hi Michelle,
You can checkout the video on IG today, but I just take a toothpick to the chocolate and swirl it around:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xx
Hi! In the write up there isn’t a mention of the vanilla bean powder, but I see it in the recipe as optional. Can you please state the difference between the powder vs 100% vanilla extract. I’m also assuming the extract can be used. Thank you!
Hey Jessica,
The vanilla bean powder just gives a more intense vanilla flavor, you could also use vanilla extract as well:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
This looks delicious! I’ve made your original version but with rice krispies but will definitely make this with the added peanut butter in the topping!
Thanks so much Shelagh! I hope you love the recipe!!
Do you take a toothpick and swirl the chocolate on your special k bars? They look beautiful!
Hi Jaynie,
I sure do! Thanks so much:) Let me know if you try the recipe! xTieghan
Can’t wait to try this healthier version of K-bars. Can you share how you get the beautiful swirls of chocolate on top?
Hi Paula,
I just used a toothpick to make the swirls in the chocolate:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
If your Mom’s did not taste the same in Colorado you may have to make an altitude adjustment. Just a thought.
Thanks Sarah, it wasn’t that, just a few things that needed adjusting:) xx
Could I use rice crispies instead?
Hi Amy,
Sure, that will work for you! I hope this recipe turns out amazing, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Can you use Nutella instead of peanut butter?
Hi Susan,
Sure, the flavor profile will obviously be different, but yes that will work! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Oh my gosh I am excited to try this. We have had special k bars at every family gathering that I can remember (and I’m in my 40’s!) I still ask my mom to make them when I go home. I love the honey/maple substitution for karo. Admittedly, I always feel a little dirty using that lol! (We know better… but dang those chemicals taste like childhood) Definitely freaked out by the chia, but you haven’t steered me wrong yet woman… can’t wait to try. Thank you for the share!
Hey Charlene,
Awe I love this story about the special k bars, thanks so much for sharing! I know, the maple/honey makes me feel so much better that using the kart! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx