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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
Carissa Nelson | Spoonful of Easy says
Yum! I love recipes that take all the delicious things and put them together so we can enjoy all the flavors in one bite. Can’t wait to try these!
Pam says
These look fun and delicious. I make a similar snack using popcorn mixed with peanut butter M&Ms and whatever kind of nuts I have in the house. I have a tip which helps me when I make it. I put the M&Ms or chocolate chips in the freezer way before I begin the recipe. I cook the “sticky” mix and then pour it over the dry ingredients and toss a bit. Then and only then do I add the frozen M&Ms and/or chocolate chips and toss a bit more to coat all the pieces. This avoids melting the M&Ms and chocolate chips which tend to look like squished bugs when they are melty and mixed.
Karly says
That’s a great tip!!
Wowguy says
I like the bahama vacation and of course you are NOT a dork. But I don’t do chex mix. I wonder of ganola would work
Juli Pelletier says
YUM! I’m making these for a post-t ball game snack!
My kids will love this!
Luv What You Do says
Those bars look so amazing!
I will definitely have to make a batch!
Katie @ OhShineOn says
Oh wow, these look totally delicious!
Kristin says
Using wax paper in the oven sounds like something I would do! Hahaha, so funny! Thanks for re-sharing!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
I bet these would be wonderful to travel with. This looks like my favorite travel snack mix, made into a bar! My kids would be SO happy if I made these!! Maybe they could help me make them next time they have a day off school.
Henweigh says
…you probably already figured this out, but parchment paper is the way to go under cookies. Perfect every time! ๐
Colleen - @amadisonmom says
Hey!!!! I was just in the Bahamas!!!!
Oh…. and those look ridiculously yummy. Not as yummy as fruity tropical drinks… but still yummy.
natalie (the sweets life) says
enjoy your trip!!
i made these and LOVED them! ๐
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Looks wonderful and EASY. And I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this floating around Pinterest, too. Gotta love how it breathes new life into forgotten gems.
shelly (cookies and cups) says
you own my heart.
Cookbook Queen says
I loooove no bake desserts and these look perfect!!!
Blog is the New Black says
Want, want, want!