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No Bake M&M Granola Bars

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A pan of these No Bake M&M Granola Bars can be on your counter in minutes. These homemade granola bars are so easy to make, and you can use different mix-ins every time you make them.

Two M&M granola bars on wax paper with another standing up straight against them

We are under an extreme heat advisory here in Florida. So, no bake recipes are on repeat all week long. 

I decided to clean out the pantry and make some granola bars with whatever I found. Our kids eat granola bars like they are going out of style, so I decided that making my own is cheaper and better than the processed ones I have been feeding them.

I’m not sure if I will ever buy another box from the store again! These were so delicious and easy to make!

An overhead picture of ten M&M granola bars on wax paper and a red towel

Usually when I’m craving something sweet and no bake, I make these Skinny Peanut Butter Granola Bites. They never last long either. But this week I was on a mission for homemade granola bars.

I love being able to throw whatever I have in my cupboard at the time for new varieties!  I’m thinking a peanut butter cup version needs to happen ASAP! Right?

I had fun digging through the baskets in our pantry for goodies to use up. I came out with mini M&M’s, mini chocolate chips, and mini marshmallow bits!

You really can use just about anything though.

Granola Bar Mix-ins:

  • Dried Fruits – cranberries, raisins, banana chips,
  • Freeze Dried Fruits – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
  • Cookies – Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, Nutter Butters
  • Nuts & Seeds – walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pepitas, sunflower seeds, chia seeds
  • Candy – Reese’s Pieces, peanut butter cups, M&M’s
  • Spreads – peanut butter, Biscoff, Nutella, almond butter
  • Others – toffee bits, pretzels, caramel bits

These homemade granola bars were fantastic, and I can’t wait to make more versions.

Four pictures collaged together showing how to make no bake M&M granola barsAn overhead picture of a pan of M&M granola bars on a red towel with candies scattered around it

How to make No Bake M&M Granola Bars:

  1. Stir together the oats and cereal in a large bowl and set aside. (full recipe at bottom of post)
  2. Heat butter, brown sugar, and honey in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir until melted and mixture begins to bubble.
  3. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
  4. Pour over oat mixture and stir until everything is coated. Let cool 5-7 minutes.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips, mini marshmallow bits, and mini M&M’s.
  6. Press firmly in a buttered 8×8 pan. Use wax paper to press it down firmly.
  7. Sprinkle the top with additional toppings and press in. Let cool completely.
  8. Place pan in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours; remove and cut into 10 bars.

How do homemade granola bars keep their shape?

  • Use a piece of wax paper and press down on the mixture very firmly. The harder you press them into the pan will help them stay firm later.
  • Let the mixture cool completely before cutting it into ten even bars. Store in a tightly sealed container on the counter or in the fridge.

These are a soft granola bar if you keep them out on the counter.

PRO TIP: If you would like a harder granola bar, keep the pan of bars in the refrigerator.

Two M&M granola bars on wax paper with another bar leaning against them

More no bake granola bar recipes:

Other baked granola bars that you may like:

Four M&M granola bars stacked on top of each other with more M&M's scattered around them

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No Bake M&M Granola Bars

No Bake M&M Granola Bars

Yield: 10 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

A pan of these No Bake M&M Granola Bars can be on your counter in minutes. These homemade granola bars are so easy to make, and you can use different mix-ins every time you make them.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups quick oats
  • 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup mini M&M’s
  • 1/2 cup mini marshmallow bits

Instructions

  1. Butter an 8x8 pan.
  2. Combine the oats and cereal and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar and honey. Stir over medium heat until melted and the mixture begins to bubble.
  4. Reduce heat and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the vanilla.
  5. Add the oats mixture and stir until coated. Let cool for a 5 minutes before stirring in all the mix-ins.
  6. Press into the prepared pan. Use a piece of parchment paper to press it down so everything sticks together.
  7. Let cool on the counter for 2 hours. Refrigerate 1-2 hours before cutting into 10 bars.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 251Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 2gSugar: 26gProtein: 3g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Jocelyn @ Inside BruCrew Life
Cuisine: American / Category: Granola Bars & Bites
Two pictures of no bake M&M granola bars collaged together with a brown text box

*The post for No Bake M&M Granola Bars was first published June 25, 2012. The photos and post were updated and republished June 25, 2020.

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Comments

  16. Avril says

    Jocelyn the way you set up your food and photograph it is just gorgeous! I am always so impressed with your pic’s 🙂 I am also impressed with the looks of these granola bars. Yummieeeeee!!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn says

      That’s what makes these granola bars so cool…you can totally add whatever you have in your cupboards and they will still be great!!! I hope you like making them!!!

      Reply

  19. amy (fearless homemaker) says

    Hmm, i think my previous comment may have gotten eaten by the internet, so I’m going to try again. =) YOU are the bomb, my friend! thank you SO much for your kind, sweet words – reading your post totally made my day! =) I’m thrilled that these granola bars turned out great for you – they look absolutely gorgeous + your pictures are divine as always. Yay for the SRC + I’m so glad you got me this month!! =D

    Reply

    • Jocelyn says

      I loved going through your blog! You have so much fun stuff! Thanks for the sweet comments on your own creation:-) I am so thrilled to have found you through SRC!!!

      Reply

  24. Sarah E. says

    S’mores cheesecake?! I die too!

    I love that these are no-bake. That’s a big plus for making them during the summer 🙂

    Gave you a stumble and a pin – happy reveal day!

    Reply

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