Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars (no bake!)

These super healthy bars can be made a variety of different ways. Once you get the base blended together (coconut oil, cocoa, honey, and peanut butter, or any nut or soy butter), you can fold in any cereal you want. I added Cocoa Puffs because it's a whole grain cereal that offers fun and crunch  It's was the crunch I was going for. You can also use puffed rice cereal, another whole grain cereal and granola too. I also added oats for their wholesomeness. Bars make an excellent breakfast-on-the-go, so make a batch in advance and you're set for the week!

Want a vegan version? Use pure maple syrup instead of honey and fold in any vegan cereal you want. 

Chocolatey fingers: Since the chocolate mixture is made with coconut oil, the bars will start to melt in your hand if you wait too long to enjoy them. Don't wait! 

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Bars (no bake!)

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup honey or pure maple syrup

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

2 1/2 cups cereal (I used Cocoa Puffs, but any cereal works!)

1 cup oats, regular or quick-cooking 

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with 2 pieces of parchment paper (overlap the paper in opposite directions to cover the bottom and sides, with extra paper hanging over the sides - you'll use the extra paper to lift the bars out with ease). 

Combine the coconut oil and honey in a small saucepan and set the pan over medium-low heat. Heat until the coconut oil melts, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in the cocoa. Whisk until the mixture is blended, smooth and glossy. Whisk in the peanut butter and vanilla. 

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and fold in the cereal and oats. Press the mixture into the prepared pan and refrigerate until firm, about 30 to 40 minutes. 

Cut into bars and serve. Refrigerate leftovers until ready to serve. 

Makes 16 bars