Name: Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 cups corn flakes; 1 cup corn syrup; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup peanut butter smooth or chunky; 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Jump to Recipe·5 from 3 reviews

If you’re craving that classic, nostalgic sweet treat that’s both delightfully crunchy and perfectly peanut buttery, you’ve got to try this Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe. It’s a fan-freaking-tastic blend of simple ingredients that come together quickly and taste absolutely amazing. Whether you want a quick snack, a kid-friendly dessert, or a homemade holiday treat, this recipe has you covered with that unbeatable combination of buttery, sweet, and crispy perfection. You’ll love how easy it is to pull together and the way it makes your kitchen smell like a cozy candy haven.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples that are easy to find and budget-friendly.
Perfect Texture: Combines crunchy cornflakes with creamy peanut butter for an irresistible bite.
Fast & Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, ideal for last-minute sweet fixes or fun kitchen projects with kids.
Customizable: You can easily switch up peanut butter types or add fun toppings to suit your taste.

Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy, easy peanut butter candy, crunchy cornflake treats, homemade holiday candy, no-bake peanut butter snacks - The image shows a white bowl filled with golden brown no-bake cookie clusters that have a rough, lumpy texture with visible oats and a shiny glaze. In front of the bowl, there are four cookie clusters arranged on a white marbled surface, surrounded by blue and teal sparkly paper snowflakes for decoration. The clusters look slightly irregular in shape, each made of many overlapping layers of oats coated with a sticky caramel-colored syrup. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe lies in how these basic ingredients come together to create something much greater than the sum of their parts. Each component plays a key role in both flavor and texture, and I’ll give you a few tips so you pick the best versions in your store.

Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy, easy peanut butter candy, crunchy cornflake treats, homemade holiday candy, no-bake peanut butter snacks - Flat lay of a crisp pile of golden corn flakes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy amber corn syrup, another white bowl containing fine white granulated sugar, a small white bowl holding smooth creamy peanut butter, and a tiny white bowl with clear vanilla extract, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Corn flakes: Look for classic cornflakes with a sturdy crunch that won’t turn soggy too fast when mixed.
Corn syrup: This liquid sweetener helps bind everything and adds that classic chewy texture without crystallizing.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and caramelizes slightly during cooking, balancing the peanut butter’s richness.
Peanut butter: Smooth or chunky works, but I prefer smooth for an even melt—choose natural or your favorite brand.
Vanilla extract (optional): Adds a subtle warming note to round out the flavors beautifully, but it’s totally optional.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe is so open to personalization—you can adjust textures, sweetness, and even add extras to make it your own. Over the years, I’ve had fun playing around with different ways to jazz it up without losing the classic charm.

Add Chocolate Chips: I often mix in some mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra layer of indulgence—kids go wild for it!
Go Nutty: Try swapping half the peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a new flavor twist.
Sprinkles or Jimmies: If you’re making these for a birthday party or holiday treats, add fun sprinkles right after scooping to make them festive.
Make It Vegan: Use a vegan-friendly corn syrup alternative and natural peanut butter to keep things plant-based.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Ingredients

Before you get cooking, spray your baking sheet lightly with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper or non-stick foil. This step really saves you from sticky messes later—trust me, the cleanup is much easier! Measure out your cornflakes and have everything ready because once your peanut butter mixture is ready, you want to move fast.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Syrup Base

In a small saucepan, combine the corn syrup and granulated sugar over medium-low heat. Stir gently as the sugar melts and becomes smooth. This part is crucial—keep the heat low so your sugar doesn’t scorch or crystallize. When it’s smooth and gently bubbling, stir in your peanut butter (and vanilla if using). Keep stirring until the peanut butter melts completely and the mixture looks homogenous. This luscious, warm syrup is what brings all the cornflakes together.

Step 3: Combine Quickly with Cornflakes

Once your syrup is ready, turn off the heat but keep the saucepan on the burner (off, but still warm). Add the cornflakes to the pot and quickly fold them in using a spatula so everything is coated evenly. You want to move fast here because the mixture will start to set as it cools. If it begins to stiffen up before you’re done, gently return the pot to very low heat for a few seconds to soften it again.

Step 4: Scoop and Cool Your Candy

Using two spoons or a cookie scoop lightly sprayed with cooking spray, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. I find that keeping those spoons greased prevents the sticky candy from clinging and helps shape the clusters neatly. Let these cool completely and set—about 10 minutes is usually perfect. Once cooled, you’re ready to dig in or store them!

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Pro Tips for Making Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe

Prep Ahead: Measure and prep everything before heating; the mixture sets quick once off the heat.
Keep Spoons Oiled: Spraying your scooping spoons with cooking spray keeps candy from sticking and makes clean scooping smooth.
Use Low Heat: Avoid scorch flavors by keeping the syrup mixture on medium-low and stirring gently.
Cleanup Trick: Save your pan by scraping excess candy, then soak in hot water before washing to avoid sticky residue.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe

Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy, easy peanut butter candy, crunchy cornflake treats, homemade holiday candy, no-bake peanut butter snacks - A white bowl decorated with green pine tree patterns and white dots holds five round clusters of a golden-orange snack with a sticky, shiny texture and small visible flakes in each cluster. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface scattered with large, glittery turquoise and teal snowflake shapes. The clusters look thick and uneven with rough edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with this candy, but when I want a little flair, I sprinkle mini chocolate chips or festive colored sprinkles right after scooping. If you’re making these for holidays or kids’ parties, those little touches add personality without complicating things.

Side Dishes

These candies stand out so well on their own, but if I’m serving them at a casual gathering, I pair them with a cold glass of milk or even alongside some homemade popcorn for a crunchy snack medley everyone loves.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or special occasions, I like to layer these candies between sheets of parchment in a pretty tin or box tied with a ribbon. They also work beautifully as edible “cupcake toppers” by placing one candy cluster on top of frosted cupcakes—for a crunchy surprise!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy in an airtight container between sheets of wax paper or parchment to keep them from sticking together. Kept at room temperature, they stay fresh and crunchy for about 4-5 days—perfect for midweek treats or surprise snacks.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this candy for up to a month without loss of texture—just layer the candies with parchment in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them at room temperature before serving, and they’re practically as good as fresh!

Reheating

You typically don’t need to reheat these candies, but if you want to reshape or soften them, microwave gently in 10-second bursts while stirring in between. Be cautious not to overheat or they may become too sticky.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter in the Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a nice extra texture and nutty bits to the candy. If you love even more crunch, feel free to swap smooth for crunchy—it won’t affect the binding process but will offer a slightly different mouthfeel.
What’s the best way to prevent the candy from sticking to the spoons?

Spraying your spoons or cookie scoops with a bit of cooking spray before scooping helps tremendously. It creates a non-stick surface, making it easy to drop the candy clusters neatly onto your baking sheet.
How long does Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy last?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these candies stay fresh and crunchy for about 4-5 days. Beyond that, they might start to soften or lose their ideal texture.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

Definitely! Adding mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even little candies is a fun way to customize this recipe. Just fold them in quickly when mixing the cornflakes to get even distribution.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy Recipe is one of those sweet treats I always reach for when I want something quick, satisfying, and totally comforting. It brings back so many memories of childhood and holidays, and it’s just as fun to make as it is to eat. I hope you’ll give it a try and add your own personal touches—because honestly, once you get this down, it becomes the candy you crave again and again. Trust me, sharing it with friends or family feels like giving them a little homemade happiness.