Peanut Butter Chex Bars Recipe

These chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Bars are crunchy, sweet, salty, and incredibly easy to make. Made with Rice Chex cereal, creamy peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, melted chocolate, and pretzel pieces, they are the kind of simple homemade snack you will want to keep in the fridge or freezer at all times. They are great for weekly meal prep, lunchbox treats, road trips, hikes, parties, or a quick afternoon bite with coffee.

If you grew up eating chewy cereal bars, this recipe will feel familiar in the best way. These peanut butter Chex bars have that nostalgic cereal-treat texture, but the flavor is richer and more satisfying thanks to the creamy peanut butter layer, a touch of cinnamon, and a smooth chocolate topping. The pretzel pieces add a salty crunch that balances the sweetness and makes every bite more interesting.

The process is simple. First, warm the peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and cinnamon until the mixture is glossy and easy to stir. Then fold it with the Chex cereal, press everything firmly into a lined pan, and cover it with melted chocolate. Finish with crushed pretzels and chill until the bars are set. Once firm, slice them into squares and enjoy.

Peanut Butter Honey Chex Bars – What You’ll Need

• All-natural drippy peanut butter: Peanut butter gives these bars their rich, nutty flavor and helps coat the cereal. Use an all-natural, unsweetened peanut butter with a pourable texture for best results.
• Honey: Honey adds sweetness and helps bind the cereal mixture together so the bars hold their shape after chilling.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil helps smooth the peanut butter mixture and also makes the melted chocolate glossy and easier to spread.
• Cinnamon: A small amount of ground cinnamon adds warmth and depth without overpowering the peanut butter and chocolate.
• Rice Chex: Rice Chex creates the crisp, crunchy base of these peanut butter cereal bars.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Melted chocolate forms a rich top layer that makes these bars feel extra special.
• Pretzel pieces: Pretzels add a salty crunch and help balance the sweetness of the peanut butter and honey.

Tasty Swaps + Additions

You can easily customize these peanut butter Chex bars depending on what you have in your pantry. Keep the base method the same, then switch up the cereal, chocolate, or toppings for a new version each time.

Rice Chex: Rice Chex works beautifully, but you can use another Chex variety if you prefer, such as corn Chex, wheat Chex, or chocolate Chex.

Chocolate chips: Semisweet chocolate gives the bars a balanced chocolate flavor, but milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips can also be used.

Toppings: Pretzel pieces are delicious, but chopped nuts, extra cereal pieces, or mini marshmallows can be added for more texture and flavor.

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Peanut Butter Cereal Bars

If you enjoy these Chex bars, peanut butter cereal bars are another easy cereal-inspired snack to make ahead.

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Batter too thick?

If the peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and cinnamon mixture is not thinning out as it warms, stir in one additional tablespoon of coconut oil. Keep the heat low and stir until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. This makes it easier to coat the Chex evenly without crushing the cereal.

Do I have to refrigerate these bars?

Yes, these Chex bars need to chill long enough for the peanut butter layer and chocolate topping to set. The refrigerator works well, but if you are short on time, you can place the pan in the freezer until firm. The most important step is pressing the cereal mixture firmly into the pan before adding the chocolate. If it is packed too loosely, the bars may crumble when sliced.

How to Store Peanut Butter Chex Bars

Store peanut butter Chex bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeping them chilled helps the chocolate stay firm and keeps the bars from becoming too soft.

How do we store them? — in the freezer!

For longer storage, freeze the bars after they have fully set. Slice them into squares, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat them, thaw the bars in the refrigerator before serving.

Peanut Butter Chex Bars Recipe

These peanut butter Chex bars are crunchy, chocolatey, and easy to prepare ahead of time. Store them in the fridge or freezer so you always have a sweet and salty snack ready when a craving hits.

By: Emily Richter

Prep: 2 hrs 15 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 2 hrs 30 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Layer

• 2 cups all-natural drippy peanut butter
• ¾ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 cups rice Chex

Chocolate Layer

• 1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• ½ cup pretzel bits

Instructions

• Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
• Add the peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and cinnamon to a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring often, until the mixture is melted, smooth, and glossy.
  
• Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the Chex cereal to a large bowl, pour the peanut butter mixture over the top, and gently fold until the cereal is evenly coated.
  
• Transfer the cereal mixture to the prepared pan. Press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan so the bars hold together after chilling.
  
• Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is melted and glossy.
  
• Pour the melted chocolate over the Chex layer and spread it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the pretzel pieces over the chocolate.
  
• Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours, or until the bars are fully set.
  
• Slice into squares and serve chilled.
  

Tips & Notes

• Rice Chex works well, but any type of Chex can be used.
• If the peanut butter mixture is too thick, add one extra tablespoon of coconut oil.
• Press the cereal mixture firmly into the pan so the bars stick together.
• Let the bars chill long enough to fully set before slicing.
• Add extra toppings if desired, such as chopped nuts, cereal pieces, or mini marshmallows.

Nutrition

Calories: 408 kcal,
Carbohydrates: 40 g,
Protein: 9 g,
Fat: 26 g,
Fiber: 3 g,
Sugar: 23 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.