These M&M Cheerio Treats are the easiest no-bake dessert you'll make! My mom made these Cheerios bars for Christmas when I was growing up; they are soft and chewy with a little crunch from the Cheerios and M&Ms. They come together in minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients.
Recipe Overview
Time: 35 Minutes
Ingredients: Mini marshmallows, peanut butter, Cheerios, M&M's, butter.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Mini Marshmallows - Use mini marshmallows so they melt quickly and evenly. If you're using jumbo marshmallows, cut them into quarters before melting.
- Smooth Peanut Butter - Creamy peanut butter works best, but natural peanut butter is fine too. You can also use chunky if you like bits of peanuts in your treats.
- Cheerios - Either Plain or Honey Nut Cheerios work great. You can even swap in other cereals like Rice Krispies, just keep it to 5 cups total.
- M&M's - Use regular or mini M&Ms. I use red and green for Christmas, but you can choose any colors to match a holiday, party, or occasion.
- Butter - Either butter or margarine will work here; use what you have on hand.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make M&M Cheerio Treats
Melt
Melt your butter. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until smooth.
Mix
Remove from the heat and mix in peanut butter. Mix in Cheerios, then gently fold in M&M's.
Form
Press the Cheerio treats evenly into the prepared pan. Let cool and cut into squares.
Tips
Don't overcook the marshmallows: If the heat is too high, your marshmallow mixture can get hard once it cools. Keep the heat low and stir constantly until just melted and smooth.
Prep your ingredients: Measure out your Cheerios, peanut butter, and M&M's before starting the recipes. Once the marshmallow starts melting, it moves fast.
Speed Up Cool Time: To firm up the bars faster, place the pan in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Don't leave them longer than that, or they can get too hard to cut.
Common Questions
Can I use a different cereal?
Rice Krispies, Cornflakes, or even Honey Nut Cheerios work great. Just keep the total amount to about 5 cups.
How do I store M&M Cheerio Treats?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If stacking, place a piece of parchment or wax paper between layers to keep them from sticking.
Can I skip the peanut butter?
You can! The bars will still hold together with just the marshmallow mixture, but they'll be a little less rich and chewy.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Cheerio Bars with M&Ms
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 10.5 oz bag mini marshmallows
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 5 cups Cheerios
- 1 cup red and green M&M's + more for decorating
Instructions
- Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. It takes about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter until fully combined.
- Add the Cheerios and gently stir until evenly coated, then mix in the M&M's.
- Using a greased spatula or a piece of plastic wrap, press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle a few extra M&M's on top while the mixture is still warm and press them in gently.
- Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into squares.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!