Peanut Butter And Fruit Bars
Sweet and chewy peanut butter and fruit bars combine honey, dried fruits, and crunchy cereal for a wholesome snack perfect for lunchboxes or afternoon treats.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 2-quart saucepan, combine honey and brown sugar.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking and stirring for one minute longer.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in peanut butter, raisins, and mixed dried fruit until well combined.
- Add rice cereal and mix until cereal is coated.
- Press mixture evenly into a buttered 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan; cool.
- Cut into 2 1/4 x 1 1/2-inch bars.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, try using creamy peanut butter instead of chunky. You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan option, and if you don't have raisins, any dried fruit like cranberries or apricots works well. Make sure to stir constantly while cooking to prevent burning, similar to making Butter Krunchies.
Serving Suggestions
These Peanut Butter and Fruit Bars make a great on-the-go snack or a healthy dessert. Pair them with a glass of milk or your favorite nut milk for a satisfying treat. They can also be served alongside a fruit salad for a balanced meal, making them perfect for a picnic or lunchbox. Browse more American recipes for similar snacks.
Storage & Reheating
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for up to two weeks. If you want to freeze them, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Peanut Butter And Fruit Bars contains roughly 46 calories, with 1g protein, 7g carbohydrates, and 2g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of dried fruit?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, or even coconut flakes. The key is to ensure they are chopped into smaller pieces for even distribution throughout the bars.
How do I make these bars vegan?
To make these bars vegan, you can replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Additionally, ensure that the peanut butter used is free from added sugars or animal products to maintain the vegan integrity of the recipe.
What can I add for extra crunch?
For added crunch, consider mixing in some chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts. You can also include seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds, which not only add texture but also boost the nutritional value of these bars.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).