These no-bake s’mores cereal bars are one of those simple farmhouse desserts that feel a little special without being fussy. They have everything we love about traditional s’mores; that milk chocolate, marshmallow gooey goodness, and buttery graham flavor—made easy enough for everyday life.
No campfire, no oven, and no complicated steps. Just a warm saucepan, a large bowl, and a little patience while they set at room temperature.
They’re gooey, chewy, lightly crunchy, and honestly, the best part is how well they come together with ingredients you can find at most grocery stores. This recipe is a great reminder that sometimes the only thing you need for a good dessert is a handful of pantry staples and a 9 x 13-inch pan.
Why These S’Mores Bars Work So Well
Instead of layering like cookie bars or fussing with a top crust, everything is gently melted and stirred together to form an even layer. The butter mixture, milk chocolate, and mini marshmallows coat every piece of cereal, creating a soft but sturdy bar.
Unlike baked s’mores cookies or chewy cookie bar recipes that rely on large eggs, brown sugar, or a full flour mixture, these bars skip the oven altogether. Perfect for warm weather or busy days.
No-Bake S’mores Cereal Bars Recipe: Gooey Goodness
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 Cups Mini Marshmallows
- 1 ½ Cups Milk Chocolate Chips
- 5 Tablespoons Butter cut into pieces
- ¼ Cup Corn Syrup See the Notes section below for an easy corn syrup substitute using sugar and water.
- 7 Cups Golden Grahams Cereal
- 1 Cup Mini Marshmallows stirred in at the end for extra gooey bites or sprinkled on top
Instructions
- Lightly butter or grease a 9×13-inch pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine 5 cups of marshmallows, milk chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup. Place over low heat and stir gently with a rubber spatula until everything is melted and smooth. Take your time here. Low and slow prevents scorching.5 Cups Mini Marshmallows, 1 ½ Cups Milk Chocolate Chips, 5 Tablespoons Butter, ¼ Cup Corn Syrup
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately add the Golden Grahams cereal along with the remaining 1 cup of mini marshmallows, or save them to top with. Stir until everything is evenly coated. The mixture will be sticky and thick.7 Cups Golden Grahams Cereal, 1 Cup Mini Marshmallows
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Using the back of a spatula,or the bottom of a measuring cup. Gently press it into an even layer. Tip. Lightly greasing your utensil helps keep it from sticking.
- Let Them Set. Allow the bars to rest at room temperature for about 60 minutes, or until fully set. Once firm, slice into squares with a sharp knife and serve.
Notes
Helpful Tips for Success
- Keep the heat low. High heat can scorch the chocolate or cause the mixture to separate.
- Move quickly after melting. Once the cereal goes in, the mixture starts to firm up fast.
- Press gently. Packing the mixture too tightly can make the bars dense instead of soft and chewy.
- Golden brown finish. For a toasted look, add extra marshmallows on top. And do a quick pass with a kitchen torch over the whole top. It adds that classic campfire feel.
Corn Syrup Substitute
If you don’t have corn syrup on hand, you can easily make a substitute using pantry staples. In the saucepan, replace the corn syrup with ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon hot water. Add it to the butter, chocolate, and marshmallows and melt everything together over low heat as directed. This works well to bind the bars and keeps them soft and chewy.Nutrition
Recipe Ingredient Variations
This recipe delivers that familiar graham flavor thanks to Golden Grahams cereal. This recipe is a great base for experimenting.
- Marshmallow fluff version. Replace corn syrup with marshmallow fluff or marshmallow creme for extra softness.
- Chocolate lovers. Add a second chocolate layer on the top of the bars using more milk chocolate or a mix of chocolate chips.
- Extra flavor. Stir in a splash of vanilla extract.
- Mini marshmallows (plus more for extra gooey bites), You can even swap in regular marshmallows if that’s what you have on hand—just chop them up first.
- Milk chocolate chips (use your favorite type of chocolate)
- We used Golden Grahams cereal, but you can swap out for any graham cracker tasting cereal.
- You can substitute crushed graham crackers mixed with melted butter for part of the cereal, but Golden Grahams give a lighter crunch without needing a food processor.
Storage & Make-Ahead Notes
Store these s’mores bars in an airtight container at room temperature for best texture. Refrigerating can make them too firm.
They travel well, making them a favorite for potlucks and sharing with co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family. This is one of those desserts everyone recognizes.
A Simple Treat Worth Keeping on Repeat
These S’mores Cereal Bars are proof that you don’t need a complicated recipe to make something comforting and memorable. They’re easy to customize, quick to prepare, and always disappear fast. Whether you’re serving them warm-weather style or tucking them away for later, they’re a keeper. Definitely one to make again next time you’re craving s’mores without the smoke.
My family loved this!