Cereal can be so many things: nourishment, comfort, a quick fix, nostalgia, even art. It can also transcend meal times, and not just in the way that eating a bowl doused in milk is occasionally an acceptable—even necessary—supper. There are other, far more inventive guises in which to consume cereal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and dessert, and there’s no better day than National Cereal Day on March 7 to try one of these cereal recipes.
Admittedly, the sweet options far outnumber the savory, but there are several dinner-worthy cereal applications too, primarily using cornflakes, but sometimes Shredded Wheat or even Cheerios (Honey Nut breaded pork chops, anyone?). When it comes to the sugary end of the spectrum, though, there’s much more flexibility, so if you practice cereal monogamy, swap in whatever childhood breakfast treat still has your heart.
Just leave the bowl in the cabinet for a change, and try something a little different, like some of the cereal recipe ideas below. And while Netflix food shows, their Hulu equivalents, or food podcasts may be more your speed these days, feel free to cue up some Saturday morning cartoons for old times’ sake!
1. Fruity Pebble Baked Vanilla Donuts
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Happy Monday! Normally we spend his holiday weekend up at a family cabin for a snowy getaway (and eat our weight in junk food), but we had to skip this year due to sketchy weather. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ •⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ •⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So instead of eating my weight in all things sugar and dessert up there, I’ll just be doing it today,beginning with these Fruity Pebble Donuts. 🍩🍩 A holiday well spent if you ask me. 😉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ————————————————————————⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Link in profile @michelle_alattefood⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Recipe: https://www.alattefood.com/fruity-pebble-baked-vanilla-donuts/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ————————————————————————⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #recipe #breakfast #instayum #f52grams #donuts #huffposttaste #dessertstagram #foodblogfeed #thekitchn #instagood #foodstagram #instayum #buzzfeedfood #myallrecipes #tastingtable #bhgfood #foodstyling #dessertoftheday #marthafood #eeeeeats #todayfood #brunch #easyrecipe #foodphotography #goodeats #foodiesofinstagram #foodie #foodsofinstagram #desserttable #dessert @thefeedfeed @huffposttaste @thekitchn @beautifulcuisines @tastingtable @food52 @foodblogfeed @thefeedfeed.baking @buzzfeedfood
A post shared by Michelle Verkade @ ALatteFood (@michelle_alattefood) on Feb 18, 2019 at 5:45am PST
Why not start the day off with doughnuts? They’re perfect topped with cereal of all sorts; you can simply use it as a garnish on basic yeast doughnuts to lend color, crunch, and extra flavor, or if you prefer cake donuts, these easy baked beauties have a batter infused with cereal milk that matches the topping of choice. Get the Fruity Pebble Baked Vanilla Donuts recipe. (What better way to wash them down than with cereal milk lattes?)
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2. Crunchy Cereal Crusted French Toast
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This cereal-crusted French Toast will liven up any breakfast this weekend! Ready in about ten minutes, you have to see this recipe! {on the blog, under breakfast}
A post shared by Jessie Van Slyke| Kitschen Cat (@jessievanslyke) on Dec 1, 2017 at 6:43pm PST
Try crusting your French toast with cereal for extra texture. Pretty much any kind should work (Cap’n Crunch is a classic and Cinnamon Toast Crunch would be deliciously meta), but this version uses Honey Bunches of Oats and eschews syrup for a drizzle of golden honey. Get the Crunchy Cereal Crusted French Toast recipe.
3. Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Banana Crumb Cake
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Still working on a name for it. It’s a crumb cake with a malted banana peanut butter chip bottom and topped with Peanut Butter Captain Crunch Crumb topping. Any ideas?
A post shared by Peabody Johanson (@bakerpeabody) on Aug 31, 2017 at 1:20pm PDT
This straddles the line between indulgent breakfast and light-ish dessert (not to mention the ever-mutable line between banana bread and banana cake), but either way, it sounds like a perfect match for coffee. Get the Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch Banana Crumb Cake recipe.
4. Cornflake Chicken Tenders
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I make these cornflake chicken tenders for the kids, but truth is, the adults love ’em too 😍. Recipe link is in my bio @dinneratthezoo
A post shared by Food & Recipes • Sara Welch (@dinneratthezoo) on Mar 21, 2016 at 8:21pm PDT
Using cornflakes as a crust on fried or baked chicken is a time-honored tradition, and probably the most common savory cereal move. The principle works on all sorts of other proteins (for instance, our Breakfast Sausage and Cornflake Scotch Eggs), but for a classic, easy dinner, these perfectly crunchy chicken tenders are great. Bonus points if you pair them with more breakfast food and make chicken and waffles. Get the Cornflake Chicken Tenders recipe.
5. Whole Wheat Cheddar Garlic Snacks
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Simple, wonderful Whole Wheat Cheddar Garlic Snacks. Get your crunchy on! #linkinprofile #foodiewithfamily #snacks
A post shared by Rebecca Lindamood (@foodiewithfam) on Sep 15, 2014 at 5:02am PDT
If you’re looking for more of a snack but still skewing savory, you can use Shredded Wheat for a twist on the usual Chex Mix. (It can also serve as coconut shrimp coating, zucchini fritter binder, and streusel topping for squash, but this turn is a bit more familiar.) Crispy, buttery, cheesy, and garlicky, you may end up eating enough of these for it to count as a meal anyway. (And then of course, you can always use more Chex in puppy chow for dessert!) Get the Whole Wheat Cheddar Garlic Snacks recipe.
6. Honey Nut Cheerios Milk Punch
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Adulting is having a cereal and milk cocktail for breakfast instead.
A post shared by Supercall (@supercall) on Jan 25, 2017 at 9:44am PST
When you’re ready to unwind with a drink at the end of the day, cereal can come into play again. Cereal milk martinis and similar cocktails abound, so you can definitely find a way to drink your fave, but this milk punch infuses the booze itself: Honey Nut Cheerios are steeped in rum, to be exact, then shaken with honey syrup, milk, and pie-inspired bitters. Get the Honey Nut Cheerios Milk Punch recipe.
7. Lucky Charms Milkshake
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 💚💚Which means it’s perfectly acceptable to have this Lucky Charms milkshake for breakfast! . This milkshake is made with Lucky Charms cereal milk, creamy vanilla ice cream, and colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows! Top it all with homemade whipped cream and even more marshmallows for a fun treat perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, or any day! . In other news. What do y’all do for St. Patrick’s day? I don’t really do much. I was going to make corned beef, but ya know 😷 still sick. . #huffposttaste #foodstagram #foodblogger @thefeedfeed #feedfeed #buzzfeedfood #beautifulcuisines #buzzfeast #bhgfood #foodwinewomen #thekitchn #f52grams #foodgawker #houseofyumm #foodphotography #foodstyling #texan #texasfood #TODAYfood #dmagazine #saveur #dmag #foodie #dallas #dfwblogger #texas #madeintexas #gloobyfood #stpatricksday #luckycharms #milkshake
A post shared by Serene Herrera | Texas Recipes (@houseofyumm) on Mar 17, 2019 at 6:30am PDT
If you require something even richer, these Lucky Charms milkshakes are just the ticket, and if you’re only serving them to adults, feel free to slip in a little booze for good measure. They won’t let you do that at Burger King (actually, we don’t think they even sell cereal shakes there anymore, but you can still get your fix). Get the Lucky Charms Milkshake recipe.
8. Trix Krispies Treats
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Trying something new everyday! #trixtreats #ricekrispies
A post shared by TwoWhoLoveFood😍 (@twowholovefood) on Dec 3, 2014 at 7:53pm PST
We all know and love Rice Krispies Treats, and while they still hold up, they do start to seem a little boring next to these rainbow-bright confections. The semi-recently revived, artificially neon-colored, original-recipe Trix is the most striking choice for these treats, but you can use the same formula to showcase any kind of not-just-for-kids cereal you can’t get enough of. Get the Trix Krispies Treats recipe.
9. Grape-Nut Pudding
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Grapenut Pudding video coming soon to @yankeemagazine! #newenglandfood #grapenutpudding
A post shared by Aimee Tucker (@aimee.e.tucker) on Feb 25, 2016 at 11:42am PST
On the other end of the color spectrum, there is this endearingly beige Grape-Nuts pudding, which is actually a classic New England dessert, and ultra comforting even if you’re not normally a fan of the much-maligned grain-pellet cereal. If you’ve never tried it, you’ll just have to trust us—and generations of Yankees. Get the Grape-Nut Pudding recipe.
10. No-Churn Nutella Swirl Ice Cream Cake with Cocoa Puffs Crust
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no-churn NUTELLA swirl ice cream cake with COCOA PUFFS crust!!!!!! 🍫🍨🎂🍥 sometimes caps are necessary, ya know? Xo . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.wrytoasteats.com/no-chrun-nutella-swirl-ice-cream-cake-w-cocoa-puffs-crust/ #eeeeeats #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #f52grams #foodandwine #wrytoast #icecream #BHGfood #foodcoma #eatingfortheinsta #devourpower #fwx #marthafood @foodblogfeed #foodblogfeed #imsomartha #eatfamous #foodielife #foodforfoodies #foodiegram #foodstylist #foodiesofinstagram #howisummer
A post shared by WRY TOAST | Christine (@wrytoasteats) on May 31, 2018 at 6:04am PDT
Creamy, Nutella-swirled vanilla ice cream plus a crunchy, chocolatey cereal crust is a genius equation; the addition of fresh hazelnuts classes it up but it’s still so fun (and easy!). Get the No-Churn Nutella Swirl Ice Cream Cake with Cocoa Puffs Crust recipe. And to really drive home the theme, try a cereal milk ice cream too—the brilliant idea started with Christina Tosi, but has since been adapted by countless other cooks; here’s a Cocoa Pebbles Ice Cream recipe for proof. Try our Chocolate Rice Krispies Ice Cream Cake recipe too, or swap in whatever your favorite cereal may be.
11. Snickerdoodle Crunch Pudding Cookies
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There’s a secret ingredient in my SNICKERDOODLE CRUNCH PUDDING COOKIES! https://www.crazyforcrust.com/snickerdoodle-crunch-pudding-cookies/ Tap @crazyforcrust and click the link in my profile for links to ALL RECIPES! #crazyforcrust #foodblogfeed #eeeeeats #food52grams #foody #foodinspiration #foodbaby #food52 #foodgawker #buzzfeedfood #bhgfood #buzzfeedfood #huffposttaste #beautifulcuisines #recipes #recipeoftheday #instagood
A post shared by Dorothy Kern | @crazyforcrust (@crazyforcrust) on Dec 2, 2018 at 6:35pm PST
Basically super-easy snickerdoodles with crunchy cereal bits that complement the soft crumb, these call for Cinnamon Pebbles, but you could also use Cinnamon Toast Crunch. You’re probably gonna want milk with these, but at least it’ll be in a glass for a change. Get the Snickerdoodle Crunch Pudding Cookies recipe.
12. Cereal Killer Cheesecake
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Cereal cheesecake! Nilla wafer crust with a fruity pebble cheesecake and a frosted flake top. It’s delicious, fun, and very colorful! On the blog. Link in bio. #gygieats
A post shared by Orson Gygi | Est. 1945 (@orsongygi) on May 6, 2016 at 11:00am PDT
Puns and pretty colors? Not to mention a no-bake cheesecake filling and the always-satisfying contrast of creamy and crunchy textures? This is a legitimately adorable dessert. Get the Cereal Killer Cheesecake recipe.
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13. Apple Jacks Cereal Milk Ice Cream Sandwiches with Applejack Caramel Swirl
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Apple Jacks cereal milk ice cream w/ Applejack apple brandy caramel swirl, sandwiched between 2 ginger molasses cookies…quite a mouthful (literally). Today on YUM! Link in profile 🍪
A post shared by Karen Chan (@honestlyyum) on Sep 3, 2015 at 7:33am PDT
These are a mouthful in every which way, but who would have thought Apple Jacks (which, as every commercial obnoxiously reminded you, don’t actually taste like apples) could ever be so sophisticated? The addition of a very grown-up applejack brandy caramel swirl, and the chewy ginger-molasses cookies that sandwich the cinnamon-scented ice cream make it clear that this is cereal that has gone way outside the box. Get the Apple Jacks Cereal Milk Ice Cream Sandwiches with Applejack Caramel Swirl recipe.
Related Video: Cornflakes Make These Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Bites Extra Crunchy
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