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Better than store-bought Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Yes, you can make cinnamon toast crunch at home. It’s way easier than you think, and yes, it will be better than store-bought cereal, so much better. This homemade cereal is extra crunchy, has a touch of butter, is flaky, perfectly sweet, and heavy on the cinnamon. Every bite is roll your eyes back good. It’s best enjoyed any time of day…with milk, as an ice cream topping, or simply by the handfuls.

Well, this is an exciting Tuesday. We’re making homemade cinnamon toast crunch and it’s truly one of my best recipes yet.
You guys? This homemade cereal recipe is so good. It brings back all the best childhood memories. And honestly, it’s not only a million times better than the boxed stuff, but it’s also simple to make. If you can roll out pie dough, you can bake up your own homemade cinnamon toast crunch cereal. Plus…it’s going to be so fun!

cinnamon toast crunch before baking

There was a lot of inspiration from different places for this recipe, so let me walk you through it all.
First and foremost, as a kid cinnamon toast crunch was my favorite cereal (then Cheerios, but I was never that into any other cereals). I’m really not sure how one could not love cinni toast crunch…it’s one of the best cereals out there. If the boxed stuff wasn’t so bad for me, I’d probably still eat it regularly. I’ll forever love anything cinnamon toast.
Two, after making homemade Twix bars, homemade Chocolate Fudge Pop Tarts, and then, homemade Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts, I was left wanting to create more homemade versions of my childhood favorites. Something about quarantine life has left me wanting all the nostalgic foods from my past. Is that weird? I don’t know, but I sure am having a lot of fun creating (and improving) on the boxed foods we all ate (and loved) growing up.

Next, most everyone is home right now. Many of you are home with your kids and they are bored. I don’t personally have kids, but I have my little sister, Asher, visiting me often…and she is bored. Asher’s favorite cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch…though she’s never had the boxed kind. My parents just don’t buy that stuff anymore (correction – Asher says she has had it at her cousins in Cleveland). But I’ve made this homemade version before and Asher has always loved it. When I told her what I was making on Sunday, her eyes widened with excitement and we had a lot of fun baking this together. So, my point? This is a great recipe to bake up if you have bored kids at home.
And finally, with summer so close, I feel like a bowl of homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch would be the perfect lazy summer morning breakfast. No cooking, just add cold milk…a chill laid back morning with a bowl of sweet, crunchy breakfast cereal.

Pretty darn close to perfect, right?
PS. dying to know what everyone’s favorite cereal was/is? Are you all about Cinnamon Toast Crunch? What’s your favorite? Please…do share.

This cinnamon toast crunch cereal is simple. As I mentioned, if you can roll out pie dough, you can make cinnamon toast crunch. It’s a very simple mixture of whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, butter, vanilla, and a touch of sugar too. Just seven ingredients. All of which you can find in your pantry and fridge.
At least that’s my hope.
The cinnamon adds flavor directly to the dough. The butter creates a flaky bite, the vanilla adds flavor, and the sugar sweetens it all up. Start by mixing together the cinnamon and sugar. See, super simple.

Now, mix up the dough. I like using the food processor to easily mix the dough and create the flakiest, crunchiest cereal, but you can simply use your hands as well in a large bowl. Once the dough is mixed, it’s time to roll it out.
The key is to roll the dough pretty thin, I’m talking about the thickness of a quarter. This will give you the crunchiest cereal.
Once the dough is rolled out, I then transfer it to a sheet of parchment paper, brush with butter, and sprinkle with that cinnamon sugar. At this point, cut the dough into little tiny squares.

Next, transfer the parchment paper to a baking sheet and separate the squares, spacing them apart. After a lot of testing, I find the method of cutting the dough first and then transferring to a baking sheet to be the easiest, and to work the best.
Finally, you bake. No chilling needed, just bake for a little over ten minutes, the smells are wonderful. You can eat warm, but these are best once cool. As they cool they become crunchy and so delish.
And that’s pretty much it. Could not be simpler, and the end result is roll your eyes back good.

Well, I don’t know for sure. It’s been a while since I had my last bowl of cinnamon toast crunch, but this cereal does taste really, really good. And if my memory serves me correctly, yes these taste just like cinnamon toast crunch. But Asher says…better. You can really taste the real cinnamon with undertone flavors of vanilla and sweet butter.
And everyone’s second question…can you enjoy this cereal with milk? YES, you can. And it’s beyond GOOD. It’s also great by the handful or when served atop ice cream or even yogurt. The options are endless, but for me, it’s best with cold milk or just by the handful for snacking. What’s your pick?
And guys, that’s about it. This cereal is the simplest to make and every single ingredient is a pantry staple. Meaning you have zero excuses to not bake these up this week. Promise it will be fun, and yes, so delicious!

Looking for other homemade favorites? Here are a few…
Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts
Homemade Healthy Samoas Cookies
Lastly, if you make this homemade cinnamon toast crunch cereal, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

I am wondering if i could roll flat between parchment paper, then either cut the individual squares and then sprinkle on cinnamon sugar mixture, or leaving whole , sprinkling mixture, then slicing squares. but then leave them on the lower parchment paper to easily transfer to baking sheet to bake
Hi Jessica, I am not really sure I totally understand what you are asking? I think you should be able to do both the options you listed.
Sorry. . . I guess my expectations were too high. . . Tasted like a soggy bowl of graham crackers. . .
Oh man, I am so sorry! I guess we all have our own taste buds, but thank you so much for trying the recipe!
I can’t believe you made your own cereal! Oh my gosh! I am seriously impressed 🙂
And my kids would love to live with you… they pick out all the marshmallows!
Haha! No way! I thought I was the only person who did that! LOL!
Thank you so much, Kristen!
OH MY GOSH. I just saw this on Pinterest. This is stinking amazing. I am so making this.
Cereal is one of the best snacks ever, isn’t it? And I’m with you–I can’t stand bowls of sugar for breakfast. (unless it’s sugar in blueberry form. xD)
You totally got me at the whole wheat and coconut oil.
LOVE THIS!! 🙂
Yes, cereal is the best snack! Thanks Abbie!
Yay for homemade cereal! I am so impressed by this! Cereal was always my after school snack too. I’d eat Cap’n Crunch Berries with my baby sitter. I recently bought a box after over a decade and they brought me right back.
Thanks Laura! The homemade version is so much better. Trust me!
Seeing this put a huge smile on my face! I remember begging my Mom to buy that cereal when I was a kid (a reeeeaaallly long time ago!), but she only bought it once in a while. I cannot wait to give this a try!
Oh man!! You will love this!! Hope it gives you that fix you are looking for!
Thank you so much, Caroline!
This is genius!! I’ve thought of making homemade dry cereal before and I’m like nah that can’t be done (other than like granola) – and you did it! This looks way better than the store bought stuff and healthier/preservative free. Awesome post!!
Hehe!! Thank you so much, Jaclyn!! That means so much!
I am wondering how this would be with a whole grain gluten free flour, maybe a buckwheat-teff blend? I may try it out and let you know 🙂
Oh I hope it works so well!! You may need to add more buttermilk to keep the dough moist. Let me know how is works!
Wow, that is amazing that you made your own cinnamon toast crunch cereal. It also looks so very pretty!
Thank you so much!
No way did you just make your own cereal! This rocks! Loved that cereal as a kid.
Haha! Thank you, Leah!
Brilliant! You are so innovative! These sound insanely yummy!
Thank you so much, Sue!
Awesome! This is one of my kids fav cereal snacks, I could even make these with them…
Ha! I think it is everyones favorite! Thanks Gerry!
Tieghan I want to go on vacation in your brain LOL – I’m loving this.
Haha, I am pretty sure you do not want to do that!!
Thank you, Cherie!
Love this! Cinnamon toast crunch was one of my favorites as a kid, haven’t had it for so long! Must definitely make this sometime.
(Love your blog, by the way!)
Thank you so much!! I am so happy you like my site!
Good gracious, lady, you make the most DELICIOUS things! I love this idea so much!
Thank you, Stephaine!