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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 don’t have whole wheat. Just all purpose and almond flour. Can I substitute??
Hi Abby,
You can use all AP flour. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These are fantastic! I did butter and cinnamon/sugar both sides of dough and then bake-:)
Thank you so much Kathleen! xTieghan
two comments:
1. I’d wrap the dough and let it rest for 30 min-1 hour in the refrigerator to hydrate the flour which will make it easier to roll out.
2. Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment; peel off the top sheet and proceed. Then repeat. Sure you’re using 3 sheets of parchment, but just save it for the next time you need a sheet of parchment.
Thank you so much Rosemary!! I am so glad this turned out well for you and glad you shared! xTieghan
I don’t see water listed? How much is added?
Hi Ellen,
Like stated in step 2, you are doing to add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until the dough comes together, but no more than 1/2 cup. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I love your creativity! This is my favorite food blog for sure! My favorite cereal was Honey Nut Cheerios! And I also loved frosted mini wheats! My go to breakfast other than cereal was French toast bagels slathered in peanut butter! Are you able to make these sometime and post it? Yummy
Thank you so much Esti!! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, i guess this is an older recipe that you revamped? (just reading through older comments) So best to follow latest version? No brown sugar or coconut oil? Can’t wait to try them! Thanks!
Hi!
Yes, that is correct! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Love this! Such a healthier choice. You sold me with the picture of the cereal in a cup! This brought back many childhood memories for me. Thank you, you are the best!
Thank you so much!! xTieghan
Always fascinated by your creativity, Tieghan !! I aspire to it for sure
Thank you so much Sam! xTieghan
This looks like too much fun, definitely want to do this with my 6 year old! Does the WW flour need to be pastry flour, or do you think I can get by with regular WW? Thank you!
Hi Nicole,
Regular whole wheat flour will do just fine. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Love these.. That’s a lovely recipe..
Thank you Arpita! xTieghan
Wow this looks amazing! I cant wait to try it. Would it work with canola oil?
Hi there! I would recommend using butter over canola oil. It will create a better result. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
The calories that you wrote down is that for the whole recipe or per bowl?
Hey Michelle, The calories are per serving. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Merci beaucoup pour cette recette
I hope you love this recipe! Thank you Celine!
I’M SO EXCOTED TO TRY THIS!!! But wondering if I can substitute the buttermilk with whole milk?
Whole milk should be great. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Can I use a dairy free milk like hemp milk or even coconut milk ?
Sure! That will be great!