No-Bake Chocolatey Trail Mix Cereal Bars (Gluten and Dairy Free)
I was inspired by a recent batch of trail mix cookies and some cheerios bars recipes I'd come across. When I searched for bars or bites, I noticed most recipes included honey as the sticky sweetener. But, with a toddler who refuses to be left out of the treat share, I knew I needed to find a treat that he could eat too. So, I got to work and came up with this chocolately trail mix cereal bar that is free of gluten, dairy, and honey, yet perfectly delicious for the whole family!
Ingredients
- 1.5 C O's cereal of choice I use Nature's Path Gluten Free Whole O's
- 1/4 C dried cranberries
- 1/4 C Sunflower seeds
- 1/4 C chocolate chips I use Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips mini-morsels
- 1/3 C Maple Syrup
- 1/3 C Nut butter of choice I prefer peanut butter for the extra flavor, but any will do
- coconut flakes Optional. Dried, unsweetened was my choice
Instructions
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Dump the first 4 ingredients in a bowl
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Heat maple syrup and nut butter over high heat and stir until it begins to bubble
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Turn to low (or off if you want to use residual heat) and stir until well blended and nice and hot
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Immediately pour this into your bowl of dry ingredients and stir. It will melt the chocolate morsels.
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Cut parchment paper at the corners to fit into an 8x8 baking pan
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Pour the mixture into the parchment-lined pan.
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Press the mixture with some pressure to completely cover the bottom of the pan. I use a spoon, but you could use your hands if you don't mind getting them messy.
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Sprinkle the top with coconut flakes if desired.
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Place baking dish into freezer for at least 30 minutes (I usually leave it about an hour)
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Once chilled, I pull out the pan, removing the parchment paper and cereal bars, then cut into individual squares or rectangles. I do about 1/2 inch to 1 inch squares. The smaller the better for tiny tots.
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Place the food on the parchment paper back into the pan. Keep in the refrigerator for storage.