Easy Trail Mix Bars
If you need a quick homemade trail mix bars recipe for busy days, this one is always a win. These chewy granola bars are packed with crunchy cereal, peanuts, and a little chocolate for that sweet finish. It’s a great way to make a delicious snack the whole family will grab again and again. Perfect for lunch boxes, after-school treats, or a quick bite on the go. And the best part, no baking required!
Yes! Swap in maple syrup instead of corn syrup and add flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for a more wholesome option.
Absolutely. Try dried fruit like dried cranberries, coconut flakes, or different nuts depending on what your family likes.
Peanuts: Use cashews or almonds for different nuts
Corn syrup: Swap with honey or maple syrup
Butter: Coconut oil works great
Chocolate chips: Try dark chocolate chips or white chocolate
Nut-free option: Use sunflower seed butter and skip the peanuts
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Ingredient Notes:
- Cheerios: Adds crunch and structure to the bars
- Peanuts: Brings protein and a salty balance
- M&M’s: Adds sweetness and color kids love
- Chocolate chips: Melty bites that make these feel like a treat
- Pretzel sticks: A salty crunch that balances flavors
- Brown sugar: Helps bind and adds rich sweetness
- Corn syrup: Keeps the bars chewy and holds everything together
- Butter: Adds flavor and smooth texture
Easy Trail Mix Bars
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease a prepared pan. In a large bowl, combine cheerios, peanuts, M&M’s, and broken pretzel sticks. Do not add chocolate chips yet.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine corn syrup, butter, and brown sugar. Stir until melted and bubbling. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Pour over the cereal mixture and stir gently to combine.
- Press ⅓ of the mixture into the pan, sprinkle ⅓ of the chocolate chips, and repeat layers until everything is used. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Remove, slice on a cutting board, and enjoy your homemade bar!
Easy Trail Mix Bars
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Ingredients
- 4 cups cheerios
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1 cup M&M’s
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup pretzel sticks broken into pieces
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease a prepared pan. In a large bowl, combine cheerios, peanuts, M&M’s, and broken pretzel sticks. Do not add chocolate chips yet.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine corn syrup, butter, and brown sugar. Stir until melted and bubbling. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Pour over the cereal mixture and stir gently to combine.
- Press ⅓ of the mixture into the pan, sprinkle ⅓ of the chocolate chips, and repeat layers until everything is used. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Remove, slice on a cutting board, and enjoy your homemade bar!
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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