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These protein cereal bars are made with 4 key ingredients and NO baking needed. Each one packs over 15 grams of protein!
Need more high-protein snacks that ACTUALLY taste good? Try my cookie dough protein bars, protein balls, and cinnamon protein bars next.
If you enjoyed my cereal bars but need to meet your protein goals, my protein cereal bars are the answer.
With the same sweet flavor and crunchy texture, all that’s different is that I snuck in a little extra protein. Not that anyone would notice!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- 4 key ingredients. Like protein granola bars, each one can be customized, so you never have to have them the same way twice.
- Diet-friendly. Easily make these bars gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, or sugar-free if needed.
- 15 grams of protein per bar. Making them a no-brainer for a pre or post-workout snack.
- Cheaper than store-bought. Packaged cereal bars can be pretty pricey nowadays, and don’t even get me started on store-bought protein bars! These bad boys come in at pennies on the dollar in comparison.
Ingredients needed
- Dry cereal. I used Whole O’s Cheerios, but any type of cereal will work. Use gluten-free cereal if needed.
- Vanilla protein powder. Since protein is a major component in these bars, pick a protein powder you enjoy the taste of.
- Nut butter. Any smooth, drippy nut butter works, like almond butter or peanut butter. I went with peanut butter because that’s what I had on hand.
- Brown rice syrup. I tested a few different liquid sweeteners and preferred the texture of brown rice syrup. You could use honey or agave if you prefer, but add 1 extra tablespoon since they’re not as sticky.
- Chocolate chips. Optional, but it works great in these bars!
How to make protein cereal bars
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2- Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cereal and protein powder.
Step 3- Mix wet ingredients. In the microwave or stovetop, melt the nut butter with brown rice syrup, then pour it into the cereal mixture. Stir to combine.
Step 4- Refrigerate. Pour the bar mixture into the baking pan and press firmly into place. Top with chocolate chips if desired, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Alternatively, freeze for 10-15 minutes. Then, slice into bars.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use a sharp knife. Otherwise, you’ll make a sticky mess trying to cut these bars. Ask me how I know!
- Make them nut-free. Use seed butter like sunflower seed butter or tahini instead.
- Cut the carbs. Use keto maple syrup, keto cereal, and sugar-free chocolate chips.
- Avoid overmixing. The more you mix, the more the cereal can get crushed, so only mix until it’s fully combined.
- Experiment with other mix-ins, like mini marshmallows, chopped-up candy, nuts, or dried fruit.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the fridge for up to two months.
To freeze: Wrap leftover bars in foil (so they don’t stick together) and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months.
More no bake protein treats to try
- Snickers protein bar
- Protein cookie dough
- Protein crunch bars
- Protein ice cream
- Protein pudding
- Or my homemade protein bars
Protein Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry cereal I used Whole O’s- Cheerios would work if not strictly gluten free
- 2/3 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup peanut butter I used peanut butter
- 1/2 cup brown rice syrup can sub for honey or agave, but add 1 extra tablespoon
Instructions
- Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix your cereal with your protein powder until combined.
- In the microwave or stovetop, melt your nut butter with your sticky sweetener and then pour the mixture into the protein cereal mix and stir until fully combined.
- Pour mixture into the lined baking tray and press firmly into place. Top with chocolate chips if desired and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Alternatively, freeze for 10-15 minutes.
Love these. I don’t have much time for cooking and this is an easy/quick healthy snack. I use dark chocolate which really makes these yummy. Thanks.
Thanks Joy!
Delicious! I actually just subbed a splash of maple syrup. Thanks!!
😀 YUM!!
Love your recipes! Easy no bake vegan treats, finally! Just wondering if you have any nutritional breakdowns for the recipes e.g. calories per serve for this one? 🙂
Thanks Daniella! For sure! If you go to myfitnspal and add the ingredients, it will give you a full breakdown! Enjoy!
Where do I find the nutritional value?
Hi Kourtney! If you go to myfitnesspal or another calorie calculator, it will provide it for you 🙂 Enjoy!
Oh these look delicious and reminded me of the cereal I used to eat when I was a little child – fruit loops 🙂
🙂 LOVE fruit loops!!
I wanna make these with honey nut cheerios and pour honey all over them.
YES DO IT!
Another winner, thank you!
🙂 you are so welcome, Pamela!
I would love to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. I think one thing why I don’t order salads at a restaurant here is because they are always so boring. And they defnitely never own you. Yet after this salad mountain I wouldn’t have been able to eat cheesecake. Time for the dessert take-away 😀
I am horrible at packing. I just don’t have a system and so I play bloody tetris for forever. But I am the biggest worst procrasti-unpacker!
Omg. Hi from LAX!!!!!
I lost my jumper somewhere and the only stores here are GUCCI, BURBERRY AND FRED SEGAL. WTF!!!! I AM FREEZING
I am actually a little unhealthily obsessed with the texture of these bars. Like, what is this beautiful caramel coating?!?! I wish I could sink my teeth into these right now haha.
Hi Stephanie! It’s the combination of nut butter and brown rice syrup- It does look caramel like!
I don’t think it’s possible for me to go back to normal cocoa powder now, dark cocoa powder is a life-changer so I understand why you stoked up on that bae. I have a lonely box of cheerios sitting in my pantry from a few months ago just waiting to be eaten. So I think These cereal bars are happening soon plus maybe i’ll add some dark cocoa powder too bc the obsession continues <3
Haha love it.
I’m scared they might take it out of my suitcase…maybe I should have hid it under my towels.
After last week’s success with the 3 ingredient brownies…I need to try more of your recipes! Add this one to the list!
😀 Thanks Dani!
In middle school, I was a hardcore fan of Honey Nut Cheerios and Fruity Cheerios! But I like Love Grown Foods’ Power O’s as a substitute 🙂 anyways, I love that you’ve made such a healthy recipe with this cereal! The bars look so gooey and delicious! And I’ve been owned by plenty of salads before–wayyyyy too many for me to be able to count!
🙂 Thanks buddy! Hope YOU enjoyed these 🙂
These look WAYYY better than those cheerio cereal bars you can buy! Bravo!
😀 Thanks so much, Sarah!
These look really tasty Arman! Did you know that the General Mills Cheerios are all gluten free now? (I’m not sure if the chocolate are, but the rest are!!!) We were SO excited about that!
Hi Emily! That’s correct, although some gluten free folk are still a little suspicious so I used a brand which is strictly GF 🙂