Reese’s Puffs Cereal Bars

Chocolate and peanut butter cereal is mixed with melted marshmallows and more peanut butter to make easy and delicious homemade Reese’s Puffs cereal bars.  

Reese’s Puffs Treats Recipe

My kids go through a lot of cereal.  They eat it for breakfast, snacks and just before bedtime. They both love taking a box of cereal and making cereal bars for a special treat and as a snack.   We mix these up no-bake treats for family parties, school parties, team snacks and a poolside snack at the neighbor’s house.

The chocolate and peanut butter combination in the cereal is really amped up with melted mini marshmallows and some additional peanut butter. The real reason to add peanut butter is the extra flavor, but it adds protein to the kids’ diet too.  

We began making cereal bars with Rice Krispies in the Halloween Party Treats and Valentine’s Day Party Treats.  Then learned Lucky Charms make fun St. Patrick’s Day Treats and these Buckeye Rice Krispie Treats are a must for football season (Go Bucks!).  It’s fun to have some easy seasonal celebrations with simple recipes.   

Our Captain Crunch Crunch Treats have become an everyday favorite and the Oreo Krispie Treats make a great dessert.  

We’ve been making various cereal bars at home for years and I love how much money we save compared to buying them at the store.  It’s also fun to make variations that catch kids eyes and make them feel special.  

Reese’s Puffs Cereal Treats Recipe

1. Melt half a stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in marshmallows; once they are about half melted add peanut butter and stir.
3. When peanut butter is melted turn off heat and quickly stir in cereal.
4. Quickly spread cereal mixture out in a lightly greased pan. Allow about 20 minutes to set-up before cutting and serving.

Tips for Making Cereal Bars

• Always use fresh cereal and marshmallows, I’ve tried to use up cereal that’s been open before and the bars are disappointing 
• Make sure marshmallows are mostly melted before stirring in peanut butter 
• Measure out all ingredients and grease pan before melting marshmallows, once they melt the steps need to be done fairly quickly before the bars set up
• Use clean, wet hands to smooth out the top of the cereal bars in the pan
• Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 – 4 days
• Bars can be frozen in an airtight container or bag, but the cereal flavor will change a bit during the freezing and thawing process

How to Make Reese’s Puffs Cereal Bars

Measure out peanut butter, have cereal close by and lightly grease a 9 x 13 dish before turning on the heat.  

Over medium low heat melt butter in a large saucepan.  When butter is over half way melted stir in mini-marshmallows

Once marshmallows are mostly melted add peanut butter and stir well.

Keep stirring until there’s a beautiful marshmallow and peanut butter swirl.

When rounded marshmallows are no longer visible remove from heat and stir in cereal.

Stir quickly and pour into a 9 x 13 inch pan or two smaller square pans. Once the cereal treats are in the pan wet hands or butter the back of a tablespoon to level out the marshmallow, peanut butter and cereal mixture.

Other Quick and Easy Snacks

• Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins add a little whole grain and fruit into a delicious snack
• Black Bean and Corn Dip is fun to eat with scoop-shaped tortilla chips
• Pizza on a Stick makes a quick and easy snack or a delicious family meal
• Cinnamon Crescent Rolls make a sweet and easy breakfast of afternoon snack
• Cheerio and M&M Cereal Bars – why not mix some candy into your Cheerios?