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    Home » Recipes » Cookies/Bars

    Apple Cinnamon Cheerios Cereal Bars

    By Nancy Mock December 14, 2018 Updated August 2, 2022 3 Comments

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    Cheerios and apple fruit bars on a wood board

    Cheerios plus plenty of apples and spice make sweet bars: perfect for fall or any time of year. They're Apple Cinnamon Cheerios Cereal Bars!

    Wood cutting board with an apple and cheerios bar
    → Jump to Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    This recipe first came to be when I was testing out a box of seasonal Pumpkin Spice flavored Cheerios. I couldn't help but try them... some years I get pulled in by the pumpkin spice craze.

    Box of pumpkin spice flavor cheerios

    The PS craze is really just a symbol of that relief we feel come fall - after a summer spent roasting in the sun and gadding about in next to nothing. It's a relief to cozy up in soft leggings and chunky sweaters, close up swimming pools, buy a potted mum.

    The bad news is that the pumpkin spice version of Cheerios was just okay, a bit artificial tasting.

    The good news is that these Cheerios and Apple Bars taste delicious with regular ol' Cheerios, and they're a great treat to make when you want a little taste of fall.

    Red and white oblong dish filled with cheerios

    Why you'll love this recipe

    It's a great way to enjoy freshly-picked apples if you happen to be in the middle of apple season. And if not, that's okay because apples at any time of the year are delicious in these bars.

    Cheerios create a flavorful, crunchy base that holds a thick layer of sweet, spiced apples. The bars are a perfect treat perfect for after dinner or mid-afternoon with a cup of coffee or tea!

    Freshly picked apples on a coarse cloth

    🔪 How to make this recipe

    Step 1: Cook the apples

    Sliced apples in a bowl, tossed in brown sugar and spices.

    Peel and slice the apples into chunks. Simmer the apples with cider, brown sugar, and spices in a pan on the stove. Cook the apples into a thick sauce.

    Step 2: Make the cereal mixture

    Layer of cheerios mixed with butter spread in the bottom of a pan

    Combine the Cheerios with the other dry ingredients and melted butter. Press most of this mixture into a prepared pan, and bake it until browned.

    Step 3: Layer in the apple

    Dark apple filling with cheerios spread over the top

    Spread the cooked apple mixture over the browned Cheerios layer in the pan.Spread the remaining Cheerios-butter mixture over the top. Bake again until the top is lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool.

    Step 4: Slice and serve

    Long pan with cheerios spread over a dark fruit filling

    Once cool, slice it up into 9 pieces. Enjoy!

    White and red cloth with wood cutting board, apples, and fruit bar.

    Notes:

    • You can spice up plain Cheerios in this recipe with a little pumpkin spice - the real stuff that you can pick up in the store. It brings a little extra fall flavor to enjoy! See the recipe below for this option.
    • Try other flavors of Cheerios in these bars if you'd like: perhaps their seasonal Pumpkin Spice variety, if you want to give them a try. Apple-Cinnamon, Maple, or Frosted Cheerios are also good contenders for these bars.
    Cheerios and an apple on a board next to apple bars

    The recipe for these delightful, appley bars is below. And a few more recipes that you should also give a glance!

    How To Make Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup
    Don't spend all your money on drive-through pumpkin spice lattes and drinks. Here's how to make pumpkin spice coffee syrup at home: - easy, fast, and perfect for your coffees, lattes and tea.
    Take me there
    Clear brown syrup in a mason jar
    Irish Blackberry and Apple Crumble
    Easy Irish Blackberry and Apple Crumble, with juicy fruit under a buttery, crumble topping, is delicious any time of year. Inspired by a visit to Dingle, Ireland, a Delectable Destination.
    Take me there
    apple blackberry crumble with cream
    Cheesy Tomato Egg Strata
    Savory, comforting, and ideal for entertaining. Cheesy Egg Tomato Strata is a cinch to assemble and delicious any time of day.
    Take me there
    Square baking dish with baked egg casserole

    💬 Click the stars to rate this recipe, and leave a comment for me below!

    Cheerios and an apple on a board next to apple bars

    Apple Cinnamon Cheerios Cereal Bars

    Nancy Mock
    Cheerios plus plenty of apples and spice make sweet bars: perfect for fall or any time of year. They're Apple Cinnamon Cheerios Cereal Bars!
    5 from 3 votes. Tap stars to vote
    Print it! Pin This Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 55 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 25 mins
    Course Brownies/Bars, Dessert, Fall Dessert, Fruit Dessert
    Servings 9 servings

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 6 or 7 medium apples (McIntosh are my favorite)
    • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    • ½ cup Boiled Cider (or apple cider)
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 3 cups Cheerios cereal, divided (Use original, or try a flavor like Pumpkin Spice, Apple-Cinnamon, Maple, or Frosted)
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour, unbleached
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup butter, unsalted - melted

    Instructions
     

    Cook the apples:

    • Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks. 
    • In a large saucepan, combine the chopped apples with ½ cup of the brown sugar, boiled cider (or water,) nutmeg, ground cloves and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
    • Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 13 minutes: the apples will be soft and the mixture should also be thickened. Remove the pan from heat.

    Prepare the cereal mixture:

    • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8-inch x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray. 
    • In a large bowl combine 2½ cups of the Cheerios, the flour, the remaining ½ cup of brown sugar, the baking soda and salt. Add in the melted butter and mix until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Set aside ½ cup of the mixture. 
    • Press the remaining 2 cups of this mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 23 minutes until the crust has browned. Remove the pan from the oven. 
    • Spread the apple mixture over the top of the crust, to within a ½-inch of the edges.
    • Sprinkle the remaining Cheerios-butter mixture over the apple layer.
    • Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of dry Cheerios over the apple layer as well.
    • Return the pan to oven and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, until it is lightly browned. Remove from oven and place pan on a cooling rack.
    • Once cooled lift it by the paper out of the pan. Use a sharp knife to cut into 9 bars.

    OPTION: Add pumpkin spice

    • You can add pumpkin spice flavor to these bars by stirring the spices into the plain Cheerios mixture: while combining Cheerios with flour and brown sugar, add in ¾ teaspoon of pumpkin spice blend. You can find this in the spice aisle at the store.

    Notes

    • You can add pumpkin spice flavor to these bars by stirring the spices into the plain Cheerios mixture: while combining Cheerios with flour and brown sugar, add in ¾ teaspoon of pumpkin spice blend. You can find this in the spice aisle at the store.
    • Use original Cheerios, or try a flavor like Pumpkin Spice, Apple-Cinnamon, Maple, or Frosted

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 376kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 219mgPotassium: 222mgFiber: 4gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 622IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment, tell me what you think!

    Originally published in October 2016.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ben Grounds

      April 29, 2021 at 11:17 am

      Great article

      Reply
    2. Tracy | Baking Mischief

      October 16, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      These look amazing. I have total heart eyes on my face right now over that thick apple layer. Wish I had a box of cheerios in my cupboard so I could make a batch of these right this second!!

      Reply
    3. Heidi

      October 15, 2016 at 6:29 am

      5 stars
      These look good, Nancy! I'll have to try them!

      Reply

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