No-bake M&M pretzel granola bars are a delicious, simple snack, endlessly adaptable, and a great way to involve young kids in the kitchen!

Getting kids involved in the kitchen is great, no doubt about it. Obviously it’s good for them to help out and learn what goes into preparing the food that everyone eats.

What’s more, I’ve been consistently impressed by how much my son and his friends can do with basic instruction and supervision – even at two years old, I think most kids can help pour in ingredients, stir, whisk, etc.

For me, I’m sure it helps that my son was genuinely interested in what I do in the kitchen and in “play” cooking, right from the start. Even at his daycare and now preschool, they observe the same thing I do at home – his favorite things are the play kitchen, plus all the trucks. šŸ™‚ And, lucky me, heā€™s the type to try earnestly not to make a mess – which helps a lot!

After all, look at all this goodness – M&Ms, rolled oats, Rice Krispies, and chopped up pretzels. We don’t want too much of that good stuff landing on the floor!

The dry ingredients for M&M pretzel granola bars, in a white mixing bowl ready to be stirred.

Granola bar mix all combined and ready to be pressed into the pan.

Still, there are limits to what Iā€™m willing to attempt in the kitchen with him helping or near at hand. Because, let’s be honest, even if he is engaged in another toy or project, itā€™s only a matter of minutes until he appears with pleading eyes and says ā€œdo together, mama?ā€

So, easy recipes are the best. Easy no-bake recipes are even better.

Easy no-bake recipes with M&Ms, pretzels, and peanut butter? Better still.

Flat-lay of freshly-cut M&M pretzel granola bars.

This is such a sweet little project for you and your little, I just had to share it here, even though the recipe is SO simple. Since Valentineā€™s Day happens to be this week, and my mom was kind enough to send us a bag of red, pink, and white M&Ms (thanks, Mom!) we made this batch cutesy pink for the holiday.

Obviously, you could use regular multi-colored M&Ms or any other combo as you desire. Green and white for St. Patrickā€™s Day ā€¦ red and green for Christmas ā€¦ black and orange for Halloween ā€¦ team colors for a post-game snack ā€¦ you get the idea.

A slate tray filled with M&M pretzel granola bars.

So, without further ado, here is the recipe! Enjoy!

5 from 6 votes

No-Bake M&M Pretzel Granola Bars

No-bake M&M pretzel granola bars are a delicious, simple snack, endlessly adaptable, and a great way to involve young kids in the kitchen!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (198 grams) old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup (28 grams) puffed rice cereal Rice Krispies or similar
  • 1/2 cup (20 grams) pretzels chopped
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) M&Ms plus more for sprinkling
  • 1-2 tablespoons flax seeds optional
  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons, 57 grams) butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup (68 grams) peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup (53 grams) brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Line an 8x8 or 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper; set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the oats, rice cereal, pretzels, 1/4 cup of the M&Ms, and flax seeds, if using. Set aside.
  • In a medium-sized saucepan, melt together the butter, honey, peanut butter, and brown sugar. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequenty. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  • Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon. Everything should be evenly coated and well-combined.
  • Scrape mixture into the prepared pan, and press firmly to pack it evenly across the bottom. When the bars still have a little give to them, sprinkle the remaining M&Ms on top, then pressĀ  again lightly to help the M&Ms adhere and pack everything else in very tight.
  • For the best consistency, refrigerate the pan for 30 minutes before lifting out the parchment, cutting, and serving. Bars keep best stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Confections of a Confectionista.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 191 kcal, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 9 mg, Sodium: 93 mg, Potassium: 89 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 14 g, Vitamin A: 120 IU, Calcium: 23 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then snap a quick picture and tag @nourishandfete on Instagram so I can see it!

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