No-Bake Rice Krispies Granola Bars

These No-Bake Rice Krispies Granola Bars are a perfect bite for breakfast on the go. Soft, crunchy, and slightly sweet, they’re made with Rice Krispies cereal, Simple Truth Orange Blossom Honey, Simple Truth Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, oats, peanut butter, and coconut. Grab one of these homemade granola bars as you’re heading out to work, pack it into your kids’ lunch boxes, or enjoy one as a mid-morning snack or in the afternoon!

I have to admit that I’m a lover of all things breakfast, and homemade granola bars are no exception. Now that I’m older and more mindful of what I eat, I prefer this easy granola bar recipe over store-bought granola bars. These are easy to make with simple ingredients, and they still satisfy my sweet tooth!

Tips for Making These No-Bake Rice Krispies Granola Bars

I’ve got some tried and true tricks to help make sure your granola bars turn out perfectly every time!

When measuring the honey and the peanut butter, be sure to spray your measuring cups with some cooking spray FIRST. That way you’ll have more of those ingredients in the final product instead of left in the utensils. Makes for an easy clean up, too!

Measure out the chocolate chips first and place them in the freezer. This will help them to not entirely melt when added to the warm cereal mixture.

When mixing the warmed honey and brown sugar into the Rice Krispies and oats, I strongly recommend that you use a wooden spoon or other sturdy utensil sprayed lightly with cooking spray. I began with a soft spatula and quickly exchanged it for a wooden spoon.

I’ve found that it’s best to refrigerate any leftover bars. It keeps them cool and prevents the chocolate from melting, especially if you’re working in hot summer temps!

Ingredients for Homemade Granola Bars

You only need a handful of ingredients for these delicious bars. Here’s what you need:

2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats

½ cup light brown sugar, packed

½ cup Simple Truth Orange Blossom Honey

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¼ cup Kroger Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

½ cup Simple Truth Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, chilled

How to make No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars

You can make this easy recipe quickly in just a few simple steps!

First, spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the Rice Krispies and oats.

In a small saucepan, stir together the brown sugar and ½ cup honey, then heat over medium heat until just boiling.

Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until well combined.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients in the bowl and mix with a wooden spoon until well coated.

Mix in the coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and press into the pan with a silicone spatula until it is evenly distributed.

Use a sharp knife to slice your granola bars into the desired size and place the pan in the refrigerator to chill until firm. Then you can remove it from the fridge and serve as desired!

How to store Leftover No-Bake Rice Krispies Granola Bars

Wrap leftover granola bars individually in plastic wrap, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Then you can grab one for the road, for your lunch, or just for a perfect snack when you’re going about your day. They will keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks!

Additions and Substitutions

I like this combination of flavors in my homemade granola bars, but don’t be afraid to mix it up! Here are some ideas of things you can do to make these granola bars fit your personal tastes:

Substitute agave nectar or maple syrup for the honey

Add toasted nuts or dried fruits for more flavor and texture

Throw in some sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or pumpkin seeds.

Use chunky peanut butter instead of the creamy variety. You can also use natural peanut butter.

Try almond butter instead of peanut butter for a different flavor.

Try peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips instead of semisweet.

Can you use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?

Old-fashioned oats are larger and firmer, requiring more cooking time to break down. That’s why quick oats are better for this no-bake recipe. If you only have old-fashioned oats and don’t want to make a run to the grocery store, try pulsing them in a food processor first and they should work just fine!

More Grab-and-Go Breakfast Ideas

I love having breakfast items on hand that I can make on my way out the door.

Scones are perfect for a quick breakfast! Make a batch of Blueberry Cream Cheese Scones or these Cranberry Macadamia Scones so you can just heat one up when you need it. These Peach Scones might be my favorite!

Another quick option is muffins. Strawberry Cream Muffins are delightful, as are these Cinnamon Streusel Muffins. These Dairy Free Pumpkin Muffins are perfect for fall, just like these Apple Streusel Muffins.

If baked goods aren’t your thing for mornings, try a quick smoothie! Whip up a Berry Blast Green Smoothie, a Pineapple Mango Smoothie, or my favorite, this Orange Vanilla Smoothie.

What are you making for breakfast?

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This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Kroger and DiMe Media. However, all opinions expressed are my own. 
It was originally published April 16, 2018. It has been updated in format and with pictures on April 12, 2024.

The post No-Bake Rice Krispies Granola Bars appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.