This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy
Snack Mix Bars are the gooey, peanut butter-y treat that my kiddos request again and again. These crunchy sweet and salty bars are loaded with all our favorite things!
My oldest son, who is now somehow 18 years old, has always been the biggest fan of my food blogging career.
He’s always happy to taste test whatever creation I set in front of him and the kid doesn’t mind being honest with his opinions either. 😉
I first made these no bake bars back in 2012 and he STILL asks for them regularly. They made an impression and they quickly became a favorite around here.
If you like rice krispies treats or my Christmas Crunch Bars, you’ve really got to try these snack mix bars.
They’re so gooey and chewy and crispy and crunchy and peanut buttery and chocolaty. Basically all the good things.
How to make snack bars:
To start, grab a whole bunch of goodness and dump it in a bowl: Chex cereal (whatever variety you prefer, I like Rice), small pretzel sticks, chocolate chips, and m&m candies.
Next, you’ll add some butter and peanut butter to a large pot and stir well until melted and creamy.
Stir in some marshmallows and let those melt. This mixture is heaven and I could eat it with a spoon.
Pour that goo over the cereal goodies and start stirring.
Spread the mix into a 9×13 pan. I recommend using a piece of greased parchment paper to press this all into the pan with your hands. It’s really the easiest method.
These do need to set up for a couple of hours to let all that goo meld everything together, but that’s it. You’re done!
Who wants to dig into one of these right now?
Snack Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups pretzel sticks snapped in half
- 2 1/3 cups chex cereal any variety
- 2 cups m&ms any variety
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips any variety
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 5 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine pretzels, cereal, m&ms, and chocolate chips. Set aside.
- In a large sauce pan, melt together the butter and peanut butter over low heat. Stir in the marshmallows and continue to cook over low heat until the marshmallows are melted.Pour over the snack mix and toss to coat.
- Press mixture into a 9x13 pan lined with wax or parchment paper. Firmly press mixture together to ensure that the bars stick together when they have cooled. Refrigerate until the mixture is completely cool and firm. Cut into bars and serve.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Adapted from Inn Cuisine
Barbara K Bosse says
I had a terrible time when I poured the melted ingres over the other ingred. There was no “tossing”, tried to mix….not so good. Finally dumped all into dish and smashed it down. It’s in refrigator at the moment. I hope I didn’t waste all the ingreds.
Karly says
You definitely need to combine everything while it’s hot as marshmallows cool quickly, just like with rice krispies treats. Hope they turned out for you.
Camille says
These look awesome! (and would be Perfect for leftover halloween candy I’m desperately trying to get out of my house!) 🙂
averie @ averie cooks says
Cereal bars of any kind, salty and sweet, Rice Krispies Treats, all of it is so up my alley! Plus no bake. LOVE it!
Willa Stanley says
Is there anyway to make this without peanut butter…I have to have a peanut free snack on hand. It looks delicious. But no peanuts. Not savvy to recipe changes on my own. 🙁
Karly says
I haven’t tried this without peanut butter, but maybe doubling the butter and marshmallows would do the trick?
katy says
You can sub Sunbutter, it will work the same!
Kathy Hornsby says
This was so yummy! The only thing was all the chocolate chips melted when I poured the mixture on dry ingredients.
Kelly | Foodtasia says
YUMMMMM! The perfect combination of salty and sweet, crunchy and gooey! My kids would love these too! So sweet how your son is your biggest fan. I have a son the same age and he’s my biggest support. Always encouraging me!