Are you looking for a perfect sweet treat that can be made quickly and requires no baking? These easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars combine the deliciousness of chocolate and peanut butter with everyone’s favorite Chex cereal, for a dessert that can be enjoyed in just a few minutes!
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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.
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Why You'll Love These No Bake Cereal Bars
Who has time to bake a dessert? Especially when it’s hot outside and you just want something sweet and cool to eat! It can be tough to find time to bake a dessert, especially when the weather is hot. And sometimes you just don’t want to turn on the oven.
This easy recipe for No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars are the perfect solution! The crunchy bars only take a few minutes to make, and require no baking. Plus, they combine two of everyone’s favorite flavors – chocolate and peanut butter! For another easy treat, try these No Bake Rice Krispie Cookies.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bar Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Light Corn Syrup: Light corn syrup is used in this recipe as the “glue” that holds the bars together. I like to use light corn syrup as oppose to dark because it has more of a neutral flavor.
- Sugar: This recipe uses sugar to sweeten the bars. You could use a different type of sugar, like brown sugar, but I find that white sugar works best.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: I recommend using a creamy peanut butter for this recipe so that it is easy to mix together with the other ingredients. But crunchy peanut butter can add an interesting texture as well.
- Salt: Just a little bit of salt is used to enhance the sweetness and flavor of these bars.
- Chex Cereal: As I mentioned before, you can use any variety of Chex cereal for this recipe.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: I like to use milk chocolate chips for these bars, but you could also use semisweet chocolate chips or even dark chocolate if you prefer.
- Butter: Butter is used in the chocolate peanut butter topping. You could also use margarine if you prefer.
How to Make No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars
[Step 1] Begin by greasing a 13 x9-inch pan or a jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray. You can also line the bottom with a sheet of parchment paper, if desired.
[Step 2] Combine the corn syrup and sugar in a large microwavable bowl and microwave on high for 2-2 ½ minutes. You can also combine them together on the stove in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
[Step 3] Once the sugar has dissolved into the corn syrup, stir in the salt and 1 cup of the creamy peanut butter with a silicone spatula.
[Step 4] Add the cereal to the melted peanut butter mixture in the large mixing bowl and stir until the cereal is completely covered.
[Step 5] Press the cereal mixture into the baking dish or jelly roll, making the top as flat as possible.
[Step 6] To make the chocolate topping, add the chocolate chips, ¼ cup of peanut butter, and butter to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave chocolate chips for 1 minute, then stir until the mixture is smooth.
[Step 7] Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the cereal bars, then refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
No Bake Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use light corn syrup for this recipe because it has a more neutral flavor. However, you can use dark corn syrup if that is what you have on hand.
- You can use any variety of Chex cereal for this recipe. My family tends to always have Honey Nut Chex on hand, but feel free to use whatever you have.
- I like to use milk chocolate chips for this recipe, but you could also use semi sweet or even dark chocolate if you prefer. Use a high quality chocolate, because it tends to melt better.
- Store these No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Line your pan with parchment paper to remove the bars easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Chex flavor to make peanut butter chocolate bars? The great thing about these no bake bars, is that you can use any variety of Chex cereal that you want. My Family tends to always have Honey Nut Chex on hand, because that is one of our favorites, but really, you can use what ever you want including Rice Chex, Chocolate Chex or Corn Chex Cereal.
- Does this recipe use graham cracker crumbs? No, this recipe does not use graham cracker crumbs. Instead of using graham cracker crumbs like other recipes, this recipe has Chex cereal as its base.
- Can I substitute the corn syrup in this recipe? Yes, you can substitute the corn syrup in this recipe for honey or agave nectar. However, keep in mind that this will change the flavor of the recipe slightly.
- Can I use a natural peanut butter? Yes, you can use a natural peanut butter in this recipe. However, the consistency of the bars may be slightly different since natural peanut butters are not as smooth as regular peanut butter.
- What is the best way to store these no bake bars? These No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Final Thoughts
No matter what the occasion, these No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars are sure to be a hit and will become a favorite treat in your family! They’re easy to make, require no baking, and can be made ahead of time. Plus, they’re customizable so you can make them your own.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Classic Muddy Buddies
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Churro Cereal Treats
- Christmas Crack Chex Mix
- Fruity Pebbles Treats
- Lucky Charms Treats
- Churro Cereal Treats
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Easy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 ¼ Cups Creamy Peanut Butter divided
- 6 Cups Chex Cereal
- 1 Bag Milk Chocolate Chips
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
Instructions
- Begin by greasing a 9x13 baking dish or a jelly roll pan. You can also line the bottom with a sheet of parchment paper, if desired.
- Combine the corn syrup and sugar in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 2-2 ½ minutes. You can also combine them together on the stove.
- Once the sugar has dissolved into the corn syrup, stir in the salt and 1 cup of the creamy peanut butter.
- Add the cereal to the mixture and stir until the cereal is completely covered.
- Press the cereal mixture into the baking dish or jelly rolls, making the top as flat as possible.
- To make the chocolate topping, add the chocolate chips, ¼ cup of peanut butter, and butter to a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute, then stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Spread the chocolate mixture over the top of the cereal bars, then refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
