How to Make Homemade Cereal Bars

Cereal is an ingredient for a tasty bar.

Cereal bars can provide nutrition and a mini-meal when you haven't time for a traditional breakfast. They can also act as a good pick-me-up snack during the day when your energy starts to flag. However, many times the commercial bars available tend to taste relatively bland or are loaded with sugars and salt. When you make your own homemade cereal bars, you can control the amount of sweetness and salt and put together a tastier version.

Things You'll Need

• Square pan, 8-inch or 9-inch
• Parchment paper
• Large bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Saucepan
• Knife
• 1½ cups puffed rice or puffed wheat cereal
• 1½ cups traditional rolled oats, not instant
• ½ cup Grape-Nuts cereal
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup salted sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
• Dash of cinnamon
• 3½ tbsp. almond butter or peanut butter, creamy or chunky
• 3½ tbsp. brown rice syrup
• 3 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a square pan with a long piece of parchment paper. The ends of the paper should extend over the pan once the mixture is set inside it.

2. Mix the cereals, cranberries, seeds and cinnamon in a large bowl.

3. Place the almond or peanut butter, brown rice syrup, honey, brown sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan. Gently heat to melt the ingredients, stirring all the while.

4. Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients in the bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined.

5. Spread the mixture into the square pan. Press it down with the back of the spoon. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the mixture is golden brown.

6. Remove the pan from the oven and press the mixture down flat with the back of the spoon. Allow the mixture to cool.

7. Grip the ends of the parchment paper and lift the mixture from the pan. Set it on a cutting board. Cut it into bars or squares with a knife.

Tips & Warnings

• To store the bars, wrap the individual pieces in aluminum foil and place them in a zip-lock bag. Keep them at room temperature. Feel free to substitute other cereals, dried fruit or seeds.

References

• BrownEyedBaker: Crunchy Good-for-You Granola Bars
• Best Ever Cookie Collection: Cereal Bar Recipes