No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cereal Bars {15 Minute Recipe}
No bake cereal bar treats featuring an iconic flavor combination of peanut butter and chocolate are a sure hit. Either gluten-free or regular cereal may be used to accommodate dietary needs.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 5 minutesminutes
Total Time 15 minutesminutes
Servings 302-1/2 inch by 1-1/2 bars or 51 1-1/2 inch by 1-1/2 inch bars
¼cupUnsalted Butter, cut roughly into ¼ tablespoon pieces
1 16-ounce package large Marshmallows(the equivalent volume of mini marshmallows may be substituted)
10cupsPeanut Butter ball cereal such as Captain Crunch Peanut Butter Cereal; I used Enviro Kids Panda Puffs which are gluten-free
1 ½cupsSemi-Sweet Mini Chocolate Chips
2ouncesSemi-Sweet Chocolate(may be chips) to melt for the top drizzle
Instructions
Butter or spray with non-stick spray an 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish. Set aside.
In a large glass mixing bowl, combine the marshmallows and butter. Melt in the microwave for 2-4 minutes on high. Check part way through and stir to combine with a silicon mixing spoon sprayed with cooking spray (keeps the marshmallows from sticking to the spoon).
In a second mixing bowl or container large enough to hold the cereal, combine the cereal and mini chocolate chips. Toss to mix together.
Pour the melted marshmallow mixture into the cereal and stir quickly (again with a silicon mixing spoon sprayed with non-stick spray) to fully combine. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and press down with the spoon.
Place the 2 ounces of chocolate into a small glass mixing bowl and heat in the microwave for 1 ½ minutes on 50% Power. Stir, and repeat for 1 ½ minute at 50% power until fully melted (or if almost melted at 1 ½ minutes, decrease the time for the second phase after stirring).
Using a dining spoon, hold a spoonful of the melted chocolate over the cereal bars and gently shake the spoon from side to side while moving it over the bars to make a light drizzle. Repeat until the bars are covered to your liking. Allow the chocolate drizzle to cool and harden before cutting (note: if made in warm temperatures, the pan may be refrigerated to hasten the chocolate hardening).