Easy, no-bake Raspberry Coconut Cereal Treats for a healthy snack or dessert. Gluten-free, vegan, and sweetened with maple syrup.
For as commercialized as it is, I have always been a big fan of Valentine's Day. Those pink and red hearts that pop up around this time of year are like sprinkles for the soul.
A day dedicated to celebrating the people we love can't be a bad thing, and it's probably something that needs to happen more often.
The idea for these raspberry coconut cereal treats came to me in the middle of Target. (Don't all the best ideas?)
With a bag of shredded coconut in hand for a completely different recipe, I rushed home to experiment with what I hoped to be a take on berries and cream cereal bars—hold the cream.
With an 8-ounce bag of unsweetened shredded coconut, coconut oil, gluten-free O's cereal of choice, maple syrup, and freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries, you've got yourself a healthier cereal treat.
Using shredded coconut to make your own coconut butter is easy and way less expensive than store-bought. Once you make your own coconut butter, you'll never go back.
A couple of tips that will make these easy treats that much easier:
- Only use unsweetened shredded coconut, not flaked. A new bag will yield the best results. Shredded coconut that has been opened previously may be too dry to properly create coconut butter.
- Make sure you line all four sides of your pan. When set, the coconut butter-maple syrup mixture will stick to the pan.
- When you transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, pack it down firmly.
Make a Salted Plains recipe? I’d love to see! Tag your creations on Instagram with #saltedplains!
Raspberry Coconut Cereal Treats (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 2 ⅔ cups unsweetened shredded coconut (NOT flaked - I like Let's Do Organic Brand) 8oz
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup maple syrup room temperature
- 4 cups gluten-free O's cereal such as Nature's Path, Love Grown, Honest O's, Cheerios
- 1 ½ cups freeze dried raspberries or strawberries
Instructions
- Grease an 8x8 baking pan. Line with parchment so that all sides are covered.
- In a food processor, add the shredded coconut and process until smooth, stopping occasionally to wipe down sides of bowl with a spatula (about 3-5 minutes). This may take longer than 5 minutes, just stop periodically and stir with spatula. Once the coconut becomes a smooth butter consistency (it doesn't have to be extremely smooth), add melted coconut oil and vanilla extract and process once again until coconut oil and vanilla are combined.
- In a large microwavable bowl, combine maple syrup and ¾ cup of the coconut butter (the rest will be used later). Microwave mixture on high for 1 minute. Whisk. Microwave for 1 to 1 ½ minutes again. Mixture should have liquefied a bit. Whisk well.
- Add cereal and 1 cup of the freeze dried berries to the mixture. Stir with a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan. With an extra piece of parchment paper, press the mixture into an even layer. Pack down the mixture. Sprinkle remaining half cup freeze dried berries over the top, crushing some if desired. Drizzle remaining coconut butter over the top. Refrigerate for an hour or freeze for half an hour until set.
- Using parchment, remove from baking pan and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice into bars.
- Store treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Melanie Ford
This is a good recipe and nearly exactly the way my Abuela from Zihuatanejo causes it to be I'm excited to try out some of the additional recipes Kristin! I really like your answers how everyone has gaps in their own kitchen and that you aren't scared to step outside the box. Keep this up! For your"women" who bashed; pity you! What happened to others!
Sherrie
I love Valentine's Day too. There's something about it I can't resist. Also these bars - very irresistible.
Tessa
I know just what you mean. And these bars - probably should have been named the magical disappearing cereal treats. I've had more than I'd like to admit! xo
Willow | Will Cook For Friends
This is the most genius cereal bar recipe I have ever seen! I had no idea you could make homemade coconut butter from shredded coconut, and I love the idea of using that instead of some kind of dairy in these. And I bet the pops of freeze dried raspberries taste incredible with the coconut, too. I'm not the biggest fan of valentines day treats, but I am totally making these! Pinning!
Tessa
Thank you, Willow! I think coconut butter is the easiest 'butter' to make. The raspberries + coconut are like a match made in heaven! Hope you are having a lovely week!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
These are so beautiful, lady! I love the pops of pink! And I never knew about making homemade coconut butter before. I gotta try it for sure! Thanks for the inspiration. And these photos are gorgeous!
Tessa
Aw, thank you!! You definitely have to try making your own. You will be hooked! xo
Denisse | Le Petit Eats
Ok, stop it- these are so cute and festive! I've never made coconut butter before but after seeing these yummy treats I can't wait to try.
Tessa
Thanks, Denisse! I love a recipe that is fun AND easy! I think you'll like making your own coconut butter - once you do, there are so many things to use it with!
rebecca | DisplacedHousewife
Yum!!!!! These sound and look so good Tessa!!!! xoxo
Tessa
Thanks, Rebecca!! Coconut butter does magical things! :) xoxo
Jennifer Farley
I'm currently the emoji with hearts for eyes. I've never thought to make bars like these... pure brilliance.
Tessa
Aw, thank you! I think they've become one of my favorites.
bella
I just love the simplicity of this! It looks and sounds amazing...I look forward to trying your recipe!
Tessa
Thank you, Bella! It is simple and so satisfying! <3
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I'm a big Valentine's Day fan Tessa! Always have been! These look totally delicious. I happen to have some freeze dried strawberries on hand and tomorrow is going to be a snow day! I know what I'll be making!
Tessa
Yay! It's just so fun, isn't it? I love these with freeze dried strawberries and can't wait to try them with freeze dried blueberries at some point!
amanda paa
girl. i went to pin these and then checked to make sure i had all the ingredients. all i need are the raspberries, and i'm soooooo excited to make. and so fun for valentine's day!
Tessa
You are so close to cereal treat goodness! They make me feel like a kid, minus the corn syrup. ;) Hope you love them! xo
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
So so into these! I love when those ideas strike, I just only hope I make it home in time before I forget them :) I need to nab a bag of dried raspberries, they make this so pretty! xo
Tessa
Haha, I know! Ideas can be fleeting sometimes! Hope you love these!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
The best ideas come at the most unexpected times! My last, in a dream that woke me up.. setting straight up in the bed. OMG. That's why I always say, creativity cannot be rushed! I looove Let's Do Organic too. These treats are such a delight for Valenties Day Tessa... those raspberries are so bright and the crunch? THE CRUNCH! It's been too long since I had cereal Os. I'm on the fence with VDay. It is over commercialized for sure.. my way of celebrating is buying my own flowers (Tulips are appearing here from local greenhouses) and making chocolate anything for Rob... A pasta dish is always made too - it feel extra indulgent!
Tessa
Haha, you need a notebook next to your bed!! I think chocolates and pasta sound like a wonderful and cozy way to celebrate! xo