Name: Hot Buttered Cheerios: The Ultimate 10-Minute Sweet & Salty Snack
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups Cheerios (Original toasted oat cereal); ½ cup Salted Butter, sliced; ¼ cup Granulated Sugar; 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon; 1 ¼ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract; ¼ teaspoon Table Salt

Jump to Recipe

Have you ever stared into your pantry late at night, craving something that hits both the sweet and salty notes, but you don’t have the energy to bake? Enter Hot Buttered Cheerios. It might sound like an unusual concept if you haven’t tried it—frying breakfast cereal in butter? But trust me, this is one of those culinary transformations that feels like magic.

Contents

Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create the Spice Mix
Step 2: Melt the Butter Base
Step 3: Toast the Cereal
Step 4: Coat with Sweetness
Step 5: Cool and Crisp

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of cereal?
Q2. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Q3. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Q4. Can I make this in the microwave?

Hot Buttered Cheerios: The Ultimate 10-Minute Sweet & Salty Snack

Description
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

This recipe takes a humble box of toasted oat cereal and elevates it into a gourmet-tasting snack that rivals the best movie theater popcorn or kettle corn. By toasting the cereal in salted butter and vanilla, the texture changes from airy to satisfyingly crisp, while the caramelized cinnamon sugar coating adds a warmth that feels like a hug in a bowl.

Whether you are looking for a quick after-school snack, a unique holiday party appetizer, or just a comfort food fix, these Hot Buttered Cheerios are the answer. In less time than it takes to preheat an oven, you will have a batch of golden, buttery deliciousness that is almost impossible to stop eating.

Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You likely have every single one of these items in your kitchen right now.

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Cheerios Cereal	4 cups	Original toasted oat cereal works best
Salted Butter	½ cup	Sliced; provides the savory base
Granulated Sugar	¼ cup	For that crystallized crunch
Ground Cinnamon	1 teaspoon	Adds warmth and spice
Pure Vanilla Extract	1 ¼ teaspoon	Use real vanilla for best flavor
Table Salt	¼ teaspoon	Enhances the sweet-salty contrast

Timing

This is a high-reward, low-effort recipe. It comes together incredibly fast, making it dangerous for late-night cravings!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes (about 80% faster than making a batch of cookies)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create the Spice Mix

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon table salt. Ensure the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar so you don’t get clumps of spice later.

Tip: If you enjoy a festive twist, add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to this mixture for an autumn vibe.

Step 2: Melt the Butter Base

Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ½ cup of sliced salted butter. Allow it to melt slowly. Once fully melted and slightly bubbling, stir in the 1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract.

Note: Be careful when adding the vanilla; the moisture might cause the hot butter to sputter slightly.

Step 3: Toast the Cereal

Pour the 4 cups of Cheerios directly into the skillet with the butter mixture. Use a silicone spatula to stir constantly. You want every single piece of cereal to get coated in that rich, buttery liquid. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Visual Cue: You are looking for the cereal to darken slightly to a golden brown and for the smell to become nutty and aromatic.

Step 4: Coat with Sweetness

Remove the skillet from the heat immediately to prevent burning. Sprinkle your prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture over the hot cereal. Toss or stir vigorously to ensure the sugar adheres to the buttery surface of the Cheerios. The residual heat will help the sugar stick and slightly caramelize.

Step 5: Cool and Crisp

Spread the coated cereal out onto a baking sheet or a large piece of parchment paper. Allow the coated cereal to cool completely before serving.

Why wait? As the butter and sugar cool, the texture transitions from soft to incredibly crispy. If you eat them hot, they might feel slightly chewy; cooling locks in the crunch.

Nutritional Information

While this is a cereal-based recipe, the added butter and sugar move it firmly into the “treat” category. Here is an estimation per serving (based on 1 cup serving size):

Calories: ~360 kcal
Fat: 24g (Saturated: 15g)
Carbohydrates: 34g
- Sugars: 16g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 350mg

Data Insight: Original Cheerios are fortified with vitamins and iron, so you do get a micronutrient boost alongside the indulgence!

Healthier Alternatives

If you want to enjoy the flavor of Hot Buttered Cheerios with a lighter nutritional profile, try these modifications:

Cut the Saturated Fat: Swap half the butter for coconut oil. It adds a lovely tropical undertone and reduces the dairy content, though the flavor will be less savory.
Lower the Sugar: Use a granulated sugar alternative like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol. These substitutes caramelize well and can significantly drop the calorie count.
Boost the Fiber: Try using Multigrain Cheerios or a similar high-fiber oat bran cereal base to increase satiety.
Vegan Option: Use a high-quality plant-based butter block. Since original Cheerios are generally considered plant-based (check the Vitamin D source on your box to be sure), this makes the recipe easily vegan-friendly.

Serving Suggestions

While perfect on their own by the handful, there are many ways to serve this snack:

The Party Mix: Mix these with pretzels, pecans, and M&Ms for a sweet and salty holiday trail mix.
The Breakfast Topper: Sprinkle a handful over vanilla Greek yogurt or oatmeal for a decadent crunch.
Ice Cream Garnish: Use these instead of sprinkles on top of a scoop of salted caramel ice cream.
Gift It: Place the cooled cereal in a mason jar with a ribbon. It makes an affordable and thoughtful edible gift for neighbors or teachers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

This stovetop recipe is simple, but a few small errors can ruin the batch.

Burning the Butter: Butter solids burn quickly. Solution: Keep your heat at medium or medium-low and never walk away from the skillet.
Soggy Cereal: If the cereal feels chewy rather than crisp. Solution: You likely didn’t cook it long enough in the butter to toast it, or you didn’t let it cool completely. The cooling step is essential for the “crunch factor.”
Uneven Coating: Finding clumps of cinnamon sugar at the bottom of the bowl. Solution: Sprinkle the sugar mixture gradually while tossing, rather than dumping it all in one spot.
Using Honey Nut Cheerios: This makes the dish extremely sweet. Solution: If using pre-sweetened cereal, eliminate the added sugar in the recipe and just use cinnamon and salt.

Storing Tips

Because of the butter content, storing this snack correctly is vital to maintain freshness.

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container (like a Tupperware or Ziploc bag) on the counter for up to 3 days.
Avoid the Fridge: Do not refrigerate! The humidity in the fridge will soften the caramelized sugar and make the cereal soggy.
Reviving: If they lose their crunch after a day, you can pop them on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to crisp them back up.

Conclusion

Hot Buttered Cheerios are proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to create something spectacular. With just a skillet, some butter, and a box of cereal, you can create a snack that is buttery, crispy, and utterly addictive. The combination of savory toasted oats and sweet cinnamon sugar hits every craving at once.

We hope you enjoy making and savoring this dish as much as we do. Try it out and let us know in the comments how it turned out for you! Did you add any extra spices? We’d love to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe to our blog for more delicious, quick, and easy recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of cereal?

Yes, absolutely. While oat rings work best because of their surface area and texture, this technique works well with Chex cereal (Rice or Corn) or even Life cereal. Just be mindful that softer cereals might toast faster.

Q2. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

You can, but it is not recommended for the best flavor. Real salted butter provides the rich mouthfeel and distinct flavor that defines this recipe. Margarine often has a higher water content, which can lead to soggier cereal.

Q3. Is this recipe gluten-free?

Original Cheerios are labeled gluten-free in many countries (always check your specific box to be safe). If you ensure your vanilla extract and spices are also certified GF, this is a fantastic gluten-free snack option.

Q4. Can I make this in the microwave?

While the stovetop method is superior for even toasting, you can do it in the microwave. Melt the butter in a large bowl, toss in the cereal to coat, and microwave in 60-second intervals, stirring in between, until toasted (about 2-3 minutes). Add the sugar mix after heating.