Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars.
These Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars might just be the easiest dessert bar that anyone can bake up. Chex cereal, tossed with salty pretzels, nuts, and sweet cinnamon sugar, toasted in the oven, then tossed with peanut butter. The mix is then pressed into bars or cups and topped with a thick layer of sweet chocolate. They’re fun to make and so DELICIOUS, and most importantly…everyone loves them! They’re the perfect sweet treat for your Thanksgiving dessert table, yet equally great for Christmas and holiday gifting too!
I’ve really been leaning into the recipes I love most lately. The cozy comfort foods, the sweet and easy desserts, and even sharing some homemade cheesy snacks. Whenever I get a little too busy, and a little too overwhelmed (as I have over the past few weeks), I tend to share out my very favorite recipes.
Why are they my favorite? Because I don’t overthink them. When time is an issue…and the daylight hours are very, very short, I go with my first instinct or my gut. Those who know me closely, know this is not the easiest thing for me to do. I’ve said it many times, but I’m a second guesser, always doubting myself. I’m trying to be better, but it can be difficult.
The point is, when I don’t have any time to second guess, I make better decisions.
Enter these sweet chocolate cinnamon bars – snickerdoodle bars! These have me way too excited for the upcoming holiday season…anything snickerdoodle makes me think Christmas. I’m holding back on Christmas talk for now, but I feel like it will be coming a bit earlier this year. I’m already way too excited.
As you’ve probably guessed, these bars are easy, but they’re also delicious and so fun.
Growing up Chex mix was our special Christmas Eve treat, and it was always made savory, never sweet. My mom’s Chex Mix is a holiday favorite and it would not be Christmas without it. We love it! But at some point, I discovered that sweet Chex mix was also a thing. Years back, I made a version of these bars and really fell in love with the salty, sweet combination.
They are DELICIOUS. The peanut butter combined with the sweet cinnamon…the classic flavor within a snickerdoodle cookie, is really the perfect pairing. The peanut butter creates the chewiest bar, but that cinnamon sugar and chocolate coating are what really seal the deal.
The quick and simple details.
First up, toss everything together. It’s a mix of Chex cereals, pretzels, and salted nuts, blended with butter and cinnamon sugar (the snickerdoodle component). Toast this mix up in the oven.
While that’s happening, melt together some peanut butter and honey. The honey is the sweetener and acts as a really nice “glue” to hold the bars together. Once the Chex mix is toasted, toss it with the peanut mixture, then spread everything out in a baking dish.
You can make these into bars or you can make cute little cups using paper cupcake liners. Bother versions are just as delicious, but the cups make for a nice handheld dessert!
Once you have your bars/cups assembled, top with a thick layer of chocolate and chill until set.
And that’s it. Simple…but yet not. There are so many deliciously sweet flavors throughout these bars….sweet cinnamon, nutty peanut butter, salty pretzels, and chocolate.
What would these bars be great for?
Honestly, they’re great for all occasions, but personally, I’m really excited to serve them over the holidays.
I already have plans to have them paced about on Thanksgiving Day for snacking. And I’m definitely including them in this year’s holiday cookie box. The options for these sweet treats are endless. If you’re looking for a quick and easy gift, these would be perfect to wrap up in a cute box. They’re certain to cheer up anyone’s day. And they’re a great gift to give friends and family that you might not be able to see over the holidays.
And then? Well, these also make for a pretty darn delicious Friday night dessert. I highly recommend making a double batch. A batch for tonight and a batch for a friend…or maybe just for the week ahead. Oh, and stopping with just one bar? Well, that’s almost impossible. Trust me, you’ll be making batch after batch of these easy bars – so good!
Looking for other easy desserts? Here are my favorites:
Swirled Chocolate Butterscotch Bars
Slice n’ Bake Salted Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies
5 Ingredient Triple Decker Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Lastly, if you make these Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Mix Bars
The easiest dessert bar, and perfect for the holidays. Double up though, these bars are a hit!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Corn Chex
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups bite size pretzels
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup honey
- 3-4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional)
Instructions
-
1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or line 24 cupcake molds with paper liners.
2. On a rimmed baking sheet, combine the butter and vanilla. Add the Chex cereals, pretzels, and nuts. Sprinkle over the sugar and cinnamon, then toss well to coat. Spread the mix in an even layer. Bake 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until toasted.
3. Meanwhile, melt together the honey and peanut butter in a large pot over low heat, until melted smooth, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat. Stir in the toasted Chex mix, tossing to combine. Spread the mix out into the prepared pan. Alternately, you can spoon the mixture evenly among 24 cupcake molds lined with cupcake liners.
4. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in the microwave until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the bars, spreading in an even layer. Chill 1 hour, until set. Top with salt, if desired. Let the bars sit at room temp 15-20 minutes before cutting, then cut into bars. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
Our Favorite Recipes
Sleepy Hollow Cocktail.
So creative and clever, Tieghan! I love the pb/karo/brown sugar sauce. It’s the best glue for krispy treats of any sort and look at these – so fun! Chex mix, in a cup, with snickerdoodle flavors, with chocolate. Pinned!
Thanks so much for pinning, Averie!! I love this combo of pb/karo/brown sugar sauce too! It reminds me of when I was a kid!
Happy November 1st! They look so good, perfect for Christmas snacking. Love the flavour combinations, I bet they are delicious.
Thanks Laura!! The flavors are so good and yes, they are perfect for Christmas snacking!
You did it again! You created something out of the ordinary that works.
Thanks Norma!!
All I can say is WOW!! Thanks
Thank you, Anna!
omg soooooooooooooooo good!
Thank you!
I need more idiot-proof recipes in my life! These are so cute, Tieghan! Love it.
PS. I think we gain an hour! Hope I just shared the best news of your life! 🙂
Haha! We do and that I love! Thanks!!
Thanks so much, Laura! It is always good to have a couple handfuls of idiot proof recipes around this time of year! 🙂
I know. I can’t believe it’s November already. I have to agree. I am not liking the shorter daylight hours. It was so nice being able to shoot up until 8pm. Makes me want to cry!
Agree!! Need those daylight hours!!
Thanks Melanie!
What a nice decadently delicious treat!
Thanks Kevin!
What a great way to eat chex mix! I love this recipe, thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Ali!! Oh and I watch your video. So awesome and cute! I loved it! 🙂
These are PERFECT for the holidays!! Makes me want to whip up a batch. So easy! I bet I would eat these so quickly haha
They really are the perfect thing for the holidays!! And yes, they went quickly! LOL!
Thanks so much, Julie!
These look so cute and delish!!! Love!!!
Thank you so much, Robyn!
I LOVE how super easy these are to make! YAY!
Thank you, Sophia! 🙂
Love these! I like that they’re already pre-mini-sized. Maybe I could show some restraint that way. Probably not, but still.
Haha! thanks Jennifer!
Your pictures are always so gorgeous!!!
thanks so much, Bridget!! I am having fun with them, but oh my gosh they can be really hard sometimes!
Tommy and I made your coconut curry chicken last night. OMG it was unbelievable!!! Next time I will double the batch! It truly melted in your mouth!
Thanks Cathy!! So happy you guys liked it!!
I love it when things are Todd proof!! 😛
Haha! Thank you!
These are for me!!
Hope you love them!
I’m so not psyched about losing an hour of daylight too. It’s a damn shame for us food bloggers! Your snickerdoodle chex mix bars are bangarang! I love your fully-loaded treats!
Thanks Julia!
These are such a fun snack, T! And I totally agree; life is flying by TOO freaking fast. Waah!
Thanks so much, Ashley!
I just saw these creep across my twitter feed and haaaaad to see them for myself. They called to me! I just went grocery shopping but I think I might have to go back out to get stuff to make these!!! PS I hate the lack of light already! On top of the changing season, it has been gloomy and rainy all week so I have taken like zero pics! Ugh! Bring back summer…. Well maybe summer lighting with fall colors!
HAha!! So happy to see you comment Stefanie!! Thanks so much!!
These look so darn good, and easy to make. I want to make them for my grandchildren and put a smile on their beautiful faces. Could you please let me know how much of the chex, nuts, etc. you used. I so want to make these. Thank you.
Hey Ree! Thanks so much!! The amounts are listed in the recipe on my page. Let me know of you have any problems and I hope you love these! Thanks!
Yes, yes I will be making these!! Thanks for another great treat recipe Tieghan!
Thanks so much, Kathy! Hope you love these!
Tieghan, did you use a standard muffin tin or a mini muffin tin? Making these tonight!!
Standard! Hope you love them, Kathy!
So fun. I love this easy treat!
Thanks Katrina!
These are absolutely darling!!
Thanks Cathy!
Holy COW Tieghan! These are fabulous!
Thanks Dorothy!
Umm yum!!!! All Chex cereal was on sale at the grocery store today — I picked up four boxes. Ha! Know what I’ll be making besides chex mix now…. 🙂
Thanks Nicole!! let me know if you make these. I really hope you love them! 🙂
So yummy! And I’m already geeking out about Christmas even though it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, so if you need to talk about it, I’m here for you. 😉
I noticed in Step 6 of the instructions it says to melt only half of the chocolate chips. Does the other half belong in the mix itself or are you just melting the chocolate chips half at a time?
Sorry! This is a typo! You need to melt all the chocolate at once. I will fix the recipe now.
I’m mourning the loss of light too but these bars are just what I need!
You would love them! Thanks Laura!
Loving that pour shot of the peanut butter caramel! Give me a bowl of that with a spoon and I’m one happy girl.
Thanks Mallory!
A combination of salty and sweet gets me every single time. Add chocolate and I’m drooling all over my shoes.
Thank you!
Thanks so much, Christy!
I cannot wait to make these (well, I can – but only because I know if I make them right now I’ll eat them right now, so I’m going to force myself to wait a little bit so I can scoop them all up and take them somewhere with me) – yum, looking forward to it!
Ha! Thanks Rachel!
Excuse me… how did you resist eating all of that ooey gooey chocolate and peanut butter sauce? Stuff looks like Crack.
Trust me, it was hard!! 🙂
These are adorable. And I think November snuck up on all of us! I love chex mix, and this is such an inventive way to enjoy it. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
uh…….yum.
Thanks Julie!
For such a lover of candies as I am, these candies are really a shock. They contain everything I adore: caramel, chocolate and crisps. What can be better? I am already going to cook it today! I`m sure that it is tasty.
Thank you so much, Maria! I hope you loved these!
Not only do these sound great, I love how you made them in mini muffin pans!
Thanks Carla! 🙂
Oh my YUM!!!! They look absolutely heavenly!
Thank you, Erin!
These are to die for and came together in a snap. Can’t wait to share them! I made them ahead of time for a party tomorrow night. When should I take them out of the fridge? I’m worried they’re going to turn into teeth-breakers. Thank you!
Hey Marissa! So sorry my reply is SO late!! I would have taken them out about 30 minutes or so before the party, but I am sure whatever you dod was fine! Hopping everything went awesome with the bars!! Thanks for making them!
That’s exactly what I did. They came out perfect! Huge hit at the party. Thanks for sharing!
These are a great snack to bring to holiday parties. Thanks for sharing! (and, hey, it’s never too late to talk about Christmas!)
Thanks so much, Tess!
Hi Tiegham, I am going to use mini muffin pans, but I only have two. While they are chilling in the frige, will the remaining chex mixture get hard? Thanks!
Hey!
Since you only have two, I would put the remaining mix in an 8×8 inch baking dish and then just make the rest into bars. I do think the mixture will get kind of hard and not very easy to use if you let it sit too long. Hope this helps and I hope you love these! 🙂
I made these last night to take to my cousins for Thanksgiving today. I started to make these in a mini-muffin pan but because I couldn’t find any really small pretzels, it didn’t work well. I moved the the mix to a 9×13 baking dish and although not as pretty as your pictures, it tasted wonderful! I’m not even a big fan of Snickers. Because of your the picture you posted on pinterest, I had to try these. I’ll be posting my pictures, a credit to you and a link to your site on http://www.whiteriverkitchen.com
SO happy you loved them, Angie!! Thanks!!
Soooooo your recipes are OMG and food photos are beautiful! I’ve already bookmarked potluck, Christmas, baking, teachers day treats recipes of yours What is Karo syrup and what could I sub in? YUM. Thanks. Lisa, Calgary, AB
Thank you, Lisa!! Do you not have Karo Syrup were you live?
I do not typically like to sub anything for the karo syrup, but you can sub in honey. The honey will not work as well for binding the ingredients together, but it should do the trick. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions!
I love this! It combines everything I love – chex, caramel and chocolate. genius:) These will definitely rock for Christmas day treats. Happy Holidays.
Thanks so much, Lisa!
Merry Christmas!
Can you put cupcake liners in the cupcake tins or will it stick to the paper?
Hmm, I am not sure. I think thy would stick a little, but I also think you would still be able to peel them away. Hope that helps!
Oh Lawd!! 🙂 Two of my favorites: chocolate and peanut butter. It looks very tasty.
Thank you!
Hi, quick question for you: I made these this weekend and they were DELICIOUS. I was wondering, though, what should the final consistency be? They never really set up or hardened or dried at all; even a few days later, they’re still gooey. Is that correct? I’m thinking I may not have cooked the peanut butter mixture long enough.
Hmmm, my guess is you just need to cook the Peanut butter mixture a little longer. Also, adding more cereal mite help too. Let me know how it goes.
Thanks!
Hi… Your recipe is making the rounds on Facebook. Did you use the clear or dark Karo syrup? Also, have you tried them without the cinnamon?
Hey Julie!
I use clear and yes, they are great with or without cinnamon. Hope you love these!
If I was to make them today how long will they stay fresh? what is the protocol to keep them for up to Christmas and they will taste as good?
Hey Chantal, I would say these are good for up to a week. So do not make them yet if you want to serve them at Christmas.
Thanks!
Hello! These look unbelievably good — exactly the kind of thing go crazy for.Just curious: 1. did you use salted mixed nuts? and 2. this seems like an obvious “yes” but would peanut butter m&ms be good here!? Thank you for the amazing recipe!
Hey Amy!
Yes, I used salted mixed nuts and yes M&M’s would be awesome in these! Enjoy and happy holidays!
YUM. I cannot wait to make these. I foresee my first batch as trial and error so I will have to eat them all, then the second batch I will share (maybe). Thanks for posting this recipe!!
Haha! I like your thinking! Thanks so much and hope you love these!! 🙂
What could you recommend as a substitute for the peanut butter? Thank you.
Can you use another nut butter like almond or cashew? If so, any nut butter would be great. Hope that works!
You are just a couple of ingredients away from adding these to your gluten free recipes. I used gf chex, puffed quinoa, Glutino pretzels and some gf cereal I had in the cupboard. Doubled the nuts instead of using the popcorn. They are fabulous!! Thanks for the inspiration.
I was also wondering what Karo syrup was but a quick google search told me that corn syrup would be a good substitute. Love the variety of ingredients! Sure to be a massive hit in my house. Thanks for sharing and it is now pinned on my board.
My niece and nephew need some sweet treats from their ‘favorite’ Auntie this week… These are gonna be a big hit! Thanks!
Thank you so much, Michele!!
Hello, have you made these without nuts? Could I just increase the cereal a little?
Thank you so much
Hi Amber,
I have personally not made these without the nuts, but I think leaving them out is fine. I do not really think you have to increase the cereal, but you can if you feel like there is too much peanut butter mixture. Hope you love these!
Hey, I reviewed these on my blog! The kids and I made them for Santa and our whole family, they’re so good!
First and foremost I love your recipes! I saw this one today on your Instagram, there it calls for honey, here for Karo. I’m fine using either just wondering if the honey gives the same sticky hold as the Karo? I want to use this as holiday gift goodies in the office and individually bag, will they hold?
Hey Janet! Thank you so much!! I like using honey best. Sorry for the confusion this is an older recipe that I updated for the video. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love these! 🙂
These cookies have everything my family loves…peanut butter, chocolate and snickerdoodles!
Ah yay, so happy you all like them!
Just made this for dinner. It was super easy and very tasty. Thank you!
Thank you so much Jordan! xTieghan
Looks like a perfect treat at Xmas, Tieghan! Question..is it 3-4 cups of chocolate chips, or 3/4 cups of chocolate chips?
Hey Colleen,
It is 3-4 cups of chocolate chips! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Just a question before I make these the pic makes them look like they’ve been made in small muffin cups yet the recipes says cut into bars? Is this and either or recipe thanks thanks for all your beautiful and delicious recipes!
Hey Cici,
As stated in step 1, you can use a 9×13 baking sheet or line 24 cupcake molds:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Good morning Tieghan,
I want to make these treats and as I was reading through the reviews I saw multiple times the mention of Karo syrup but it’s not listed in the ingredients.
Could it be that Karo syrup was an ingredient in a different recipe?
Thanks very much and have a great weekend!
Susan
Hey Susan,
I used karo syrup in the old version of this recipe. You can follow the recipe as is:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Haven’t tried these yet but they’re on my Christmas gift list. I can picture children saying but “Mom/Nana they have cereal”. My youngest Grand Daughter did something similar with a container of Cool Whip many years ago 🤣
Amazing! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Pixie! xTieghan
These look so yummy, Tieghan! I cannot wait to make them this weekend. I also really identify with overthinking EVERYTHING. That tendency has definitely stunted me in many ways. I just picked up a book by another of my favorite bloggers — it’s called “Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life” by Anne Bogel and i highly recommend. I’ve already seen shifts in my life and I’m only halfway through! Check it out!
Oh my!! These could be dangerous. But hey, I’m perfectly fine with dangerously good treats. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you Linger! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
We used dark chocolate chips and they are so yummy!
Thank you Sarah! xTieghan
Made these in a baking dish last night and they’re incredible! I will definitely make them again, but maybe use 1/2 or even 1/4 less chocolate. I used 3C like the recipe called for. While it coats the top of the bars nicely, it makes it really hard to eat/way too thick. My husband and I have been sawing off the chocolate just to get to the chex mix.
Hi Hannah! I am sorry about that! I hope these turn out better with less chocolate next time! xTieghan
I made these and they were delicious but cut the honey in half because and they were absolutely sweet enough! A delicious Halloween treat!
Thank you Katie! xTieghan
Wow these look amazing, I’m wondering if they would freeze well?
Hey Cassy,
I probably would not recommend freezing these. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I have been following you for quite awhile and never posted…although, I have made and loved many of your recipes. I really enjoy and look forward to your recipes. I did make these bars and decided to comment because these are so good and really so simple. Thanks again for what you do!
Thank you Sandy!! I am really happy this recipe turned out so amazing for you! xTieghan
AMAZING!!! I used GF pretzels and just rice Chex because I am not a cereal person and would end up throwing out the rest of the boxes. I ran out of honey so subbed maple syrup. Wowwieeee these are unbelievable. Bringing some to my coworker tomorrow to share and know it’ll make for a happy Friday! My mom and sister want to make them now too 🙂
I am so happy you all have been loving this recipe! Thank you for trying these, Sarah!! xTieghan
These look amazing!!!! We have a peanut allergy in our family. How would you adjust the recipe to avoid peanut butter? Just leave it out or substitute with Almond butter? Trying to make sure I get the consistency right. Thank you for such delicious, fun ideas!!
Hey Lisa,
I would give almond butter a try! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi. Can you use all rice Chex? Thanks
Hey Melanie,
Sure, that will work! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Knowing most Half Baked Harvest recipes are quite sweet, I reduced both the sugar and the honey- the sweetness still overpowered the rest of the flavours.
Coating the crunchy ingredients with wet ones made them a bit soggy- more nuts would have helped to remedy that.
Hi Kathy! I am sorry these did not turn out as expected. If there is anything I can help with, please let me know! xTieghan
Making these for the holidays! Has anyone tried to freeze them? I would live to make them ahead but was worried the Chex and pretzels would lose their crunch? Thanks!
Amazing!! Should these be kept in the fridge ? And how long will they last ? Hoping til company comes for the holiday 🙂 And can they be frozen ?
Hey Martha,
You can keep these in an airtight container on the counter for up to 1 week. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These were such a hit! Made them in several molds- loaf pans and cut, mini muffins, and regular muffin size. The flavors are so delicious together and so crunchy! Can’t wait to make these again for Christmas.
I am really glad these turned out so well for you, Maria! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Hi!
Can you freeze the bars if there is too much?!
Hey Charlotte,
Yes, that would be fine to do. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can you freeze these ??
Hey Margaret,
I’ve never frozen these, but I don’t see why not! I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Do you have any photos of these made in a 9×13 pan?
Hey Ginny,
Sorry I do not. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
There came out so good. The kids had fun making them and eating them (I hid a stash for myself in the fridge).
Love that!! Thank you for trying these, Renee! xTieghan
I see in the comments people asking about karo syrup, but i don’t see it as in ingredient. Did i miss something. Definitely making these as soon as I get confirmation
😉
Hey Toni,
That was an old version of the recipe, the recipe is up to date and you can follow it as is. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These turned out so good! Next time I’m doing more cinnamon, it didn’t come through for me. Thanks!!!
Hey Tayler,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These are okay, but I feel like it would have been way better with the Karo syrup and brown sugar mixture that is referenced in the comments below. That is not what is listed in the recipe…just honey! Mine weren’t as pretty, either. Did you use a mini-muffin pan, rather than full size?
Hey there,
Sorry you did not enjoy the recipe. Yes, I used a mini muffin tin. I prefer the updated version, but you could certainly try this with the old ingredients. Happy Holidays! xTieghan