If you love nostalgic, no-bake desserts that come together in minutes, you’re in luck. This Lucky Charms cereal bar recipe is the GOAT (take that, Rice Krispie Bars!!!). They’re crunchy, gooey, and packed with everyone's favorite colorful marshmallows. This treat is perfect for after-school snacks, birthday parties, or for when you just need something magically delicious (literally every day, if you're like me).
But, if you're a Rice Krispie treat purist, I also have that recipe available for you.
Watch The How-To Video
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Why You’ll Love This Lucky Charms Cereal Bar Recipe
Super Quick – Only 15 minutes of prep time!
No-Bake – No need to turn on the oven.
Kid-Friendly – Fun to make and eat. Get the kiddos involved, they'll love it!
Customizable – Add sprinkles, drizzle white chocolate, or mix in extra marshmallows.
What You’ll Need to Make This Cereal Bar Recipe
- 6 cups Lucky Charms cereal – The star of the show, bringing that nostalgic crunch.
- ¼ cup butter – Adds richness and helps create a smooth marshmallow mixture.
- 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows – The glue that holds everything together!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet depth of flavor.
- Optional: White chocolate for drizzling or dipping – Because who doesn’t love an extra touch of sweetness?
Step-by-Step Guide to Making These Lucky Charms Cereal Bars
Prepare the Pan: Line a 9x9-inch pan (or a 9x13-inch pan for thinner bars) with parchment paper or grease it with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Melt the Marshmallow Mixture: In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until fully melted and smooth. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for extra flavor.
Mix in the Cereal: Remove the pot from heat and quickly fold in the Lucky Charms cereal. Mix gently until the cereal is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
Press into the Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Lightly grease your hands, or I prefer to use a piece of parchment paper to gently press the mixture into an even layer. Avoid pressing too firmly to keep the bars soft and chewy.
Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour. Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut them into squares or rectangles.
Optional White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Drizzle or dip the cereal bars as desired. Let the chocolate set before serving.
Tips for the Best Cereal Bars
Use fresh marshmallows – Stale marshmallows won’t melt as smoothly.
Low heat is key – Melting marshmallows over high heat can lead to tough bars.
Don’t overpack – Lightly press the mixture into the pan to keep the bars soft and chewy.
Storage Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days.
- Avoid refrigerating, as this can make the bars too hard.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Chocolate Chips – Stir in some mini chocolate chips before pressing into the pan.
- Peanut Butter – Melt in ¼ cup peanut butter with the marshmallows for a nutty twist.
- Sprinkles – Add fun, colorful sprinkles on top for an extra festive touch.
FAQs
Can I use different cereals? Yes! Try Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, or Rice Krispies for a fun variation.
Can I use marshmallow fluff instead of mini marshmallows? You can, but the texture might be a bit softer and gooier.
How do I make these dairy-free? Use dairy-free butter and marshmallows.
Other Kid-Friendly Desserts...
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Printable Recipe
Lucky Charms Cereal Bars
Equipment
- Rubber spatula
- microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 6 cups Lucky Charms Cereal
- ¼ cup butter
- 10- ounce bag of mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: White chocolate for drizzling or dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line a 9x9-inch pan (or a 9x13-inch pan for thinner bars) with parchment paper or grease it with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Melt the Marshmallow Mixture: In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until fully melted and smooth. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Mix in the Cereal: Remove the pot from heat and quickly fold in the Lucky Charms cereal. Mix gently until the cereal is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Press into the Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Lightly grease your hands, or I prefer to use a piece of parchment paper to gently press the mixture into an even layer. Avoid pressing too firmly to keep the bars soft and chewy.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour. Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut them into squares or rectangles.
- Optional White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Drizzle or dip the cereal bars as desired. Let the chocolate set before serving.
Video
Notes
- This is a great made-ahead recipe!
- When pressing the mixture into the pan, avoid packing it down too tightly, or the bars can become too dense and hard.
- Add a handful of extra marshmallows (from the cereal) to the top of the bars before pressing them down for more colorful bites!
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. Avoid refrigerating as it can make the bars too hard.
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