Easy, Kid-Friendly Breakfast Recipe: No-Bake Breakfast Bars Two Ways

For another easy, kid-friendly recipe idea, check out these Low-Sugar Apple Oat Muffins.

Want a kid-friendly breakfast idea that the kids can actually help make? These No-Bake Breakfast Bars are just the thing! With filling, nutrient-dense ingredients and no oven required, these crunchy, dense, and delicious bars are great for meal prepping with the kiddos.

We’re serving up these kid-friendly breakfast bars two different ways: first, with apple, cinnamon and cardamom for a sweet way to expose kids to new spices, and second, with coconut flakes, lime, and your favorite seed butters for a uniquely tropical taste that’s also super filling. Choose your own breakfast bar flavor adventure, or make both varieties and freeze a batch for next week’s breakfast!

Apple Cinnamon Cardamon No-Bake Breakfast Bars With Tahini

Yield: 8 bars
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups puffed rice cereal (or another unflavored, crunchy cereal)
⅓ cup dried apples, finely chopped
3 tablespoons dates, chopped (or raisins)
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
2 teaspoons chia seeds
½ cup tahini (or almond butter)
⅓ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cardamom
Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine cereal, chopped dried apples, chopped dates or raisins, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds. Mix and set aside.

In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the tahini and honey, stirring constantly until fully mixed, smooth and pourable. It is important to not let it reach a boil. (Note: If using thick almond butter, stir in 1-2 teaspoons coconut or avocado oil to help it melt and mix evenly.)

As soon as it’s warmed and combined, remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom and a pinch of salt.

Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Fold quickly and thoroughly until everything is coated and combined evenly.

Press mixture firmly into a lined pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 – 2 hours, then slice into 8 bars.

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Mango Coconut Lime No-Bake Breakfast Bars With Sunflower Seed Butter

Yield: 8
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2½ cups puffed rice cereal (or another unflavored, crunchy cereal)
1 teaspoon lime zest
⅓ cup dried mango, finely chopped
3-4 tablespoons peanuts, chopped
3-4 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
2 teaspoons chia seeds
½ cup sunflower seed butter (or peanut butter)
⅓ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions:

Line an 8”x8” pan with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cereal, mango, coconut flakes, peanuts, chia seeds and lime zest. Mix and set aside.

In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm sunflower seed butter and honey, stirring constantly until fully combined, smooth and pourable. Be careful to not let it reach a simmer or boil. (Note: If you’re using thick peanut butter instead of sunflower seed butter, stir in 1-2 teaspoon coconut or avocado oil to loosen it up slightly.)

As soon as the wet ingredients are warmed and combined, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.

Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Fold quickly and thoroughly until everything is coated and combined evenly.

Press mixture firmly into a lined pan. Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, then slice into 8 bars.