Description
Have you ever stared into your pantry late at night, craving something that hits both the sweet and salty notes? 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. 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. Perfect for after-school snacks or holiday appetizers.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 cups Cheerios (Original toasted oat cereal)
- 1/2 cup Salted Butter, sliced
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 1/4 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 teaspoon Table Salt
Instructions
- Create the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, and table salt. Ensure the cinnamon is evenly distributed to prevent clumps.
- Melt Butter Base: Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced butter and melt slowly. Once bubbling, stir in the vanilla extract. (Be careful, it may sputter).
- Toast the Cereal: Pour the Cheerios into the skillet. Stir constantly with a silicone spatula to coat every piece in the butter. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the cereal darkens slightly and smells nutty.
- Coat with Sweetness: Remove skillet from heat immediately. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the hot cereal and toss vigorously to coat. The residual heat will help the sugar stick.
- Cool and Crisp: Spread the cereal onto a baking sheet or parchment paper. Allow to cool completely. This step is crucial: cooling transitions the texture from chewy to incredibly crispy.
Notes
- Cooling is Key: Do not skip the cooling step! If you eat them hot, they will be chewy. Letting them sit for 10 minutes locks in the signature crunch.
- Spice Variations: For a festive autumn twist, add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to the sugar mixture.
- Butter: Use salted butter for this recipe; it provides the necessary savory contrast to the sugar.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cooling Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
