I am always looking for quick and easy snacks that will keep my kids satisfied until the dinner hour. I am also looking for things that require no time baking and that can be whipped up on a moment’s notice. Lucky for me, I happened upon a fun little recipe that would be just that.
This recipe is perfect for using up what is in your pantry because the possibilities are endless. I had tried a similar recipe (which I can no longer find on the blog) and I loved that cereal bars were a great way to use up a cereal that bombed for a morning breakfast that could get a shiny new face lift and become an instant favorite snack.
Will my children eat bran flakes or tons of high fiber cereal? No! Will my children eat this cereal cleverly disguised between a little honey and peanut butter? Well, of course! I choose a box of Bran Flakes from Aldi, but you can choose whatever cereal you need to use up in your pantry and you can incorporate peanuts in it, if you would like a nuttier bar. One of our favorites has been the cereal with honey & oats in it. Use what you have or choose something with high fiber that will keep your kids fuller longer.
Whatever you do, be sure to keep an eye on it when it is on the stove. Don’t run downstairs to answer a telephone call or you will have a burnt honey mess on your hands. Cleaning that pot will end up not saving you any baking time in the long run and will frustrate you to no end… You may just have to trust me on that one!
Oat-y or Bran-y Cereal Bars (adapted from All Recipes)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups any kind of cereal (or 4 cups cereal if you skip them peanuts like I did)
1 cup peanuts
Grease a 9×13 inch pan. In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar and honey. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter until well blended. Stir in the cereal and if desired, stir in the salted peanuts. Press into the prepared pan. Allow to cool until firm, then cut into bars.
Moms can never have enough after-school snack ammunition! What are some of your kid’s favorite quick and easy snacks? Feel free to share your tips, suggestions, or recipes here!