Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a nostalgic, crispy, and perfectly sweet cereal that you can make right in your own kitchen. Made with simple pantry staples and coated in a delicious cinnamon-sugar mix, these golden squares are just as addicting as the store-bought version—but with better ingredients and no preservatives. Whether eaten as a cereal or snack, they’re an irresistible treat any time of day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This homemade version of Cinnamon Toast Crunch is fun to make, deeply satisfying, and customizable to your taste. You get that signature crunch and sweet cinnamon flavor without any artificial additives. Plus, making your own cereal is a great way to involve kids in the kitchen or create a unique breakfast from scratch. It’s vegan-friendly, dairy-free, and you’ll be amazed at how close it tastes to the real thing.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the dough:

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
• Vanilla extract
• Cold water or milk (dairy or non-dairy)

For the topping:

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Melted butter or neutral oil (optional for extra crispness)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add vanilla and cold water or milk gradually, stirring until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness.
5. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and use a pizza cutter or knife to cut small squares. Prick each square with a fork if desired for texture.
6. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar for the topping. Brush the dough lightly with melted butter or oil, then sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar.
7. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden and crisp. Let cool completely—they will crisp up more as they cool.
8. Store in an airtight container once fully cooled.

Servings and timing

Serves: 6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 12–15 minutes
Cooling time: 15 minutes
Total time: approx. 45–50 minutes

Variations

• Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for a spiced twist.
• Use brown sugar instead of granulated for a deeper molasses flavor.
• Make it gluten-free with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze for a dessert version.
• Shape into larger rectangles for a snack bar style treat.

storage/reheating

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For maximum crispness, keep in a cool, dry place. If the cereal softens over time, re-crisp it in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Not recommended for freezing.

FAQs

Does this really taste like Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

Yes! It’s crisp, sweet, and cinnamon-forward with a buttery base that closely mimics the boxed version—but better because it’s homemade.

Can I make this without butter?

Yes, coconut oil or vegan butter substitutes work just as well for a dairy-free option.

How do I keep the squares uniform in size?

Use a ruler and a pizza cutter for clean, even cuts before baking.

Can I eat this as cereal with milk?

Absolutely. Once cooled and crisp, it holds up well in milk, just like the original.

Why is my cereal soft after baking?

It may need a bit more bake time, or it wasn’t fully cooled before storing. Pop it back in the oven to re-crisp.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Very! Kids will enjoy helping roll out, cut, and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar. Plus, they’ll love eating the final product.

Can I sweeten the dough more?

Yes, feel free to increase the sugar slightly if you prefer a sweeter base. The topping adds most of the sweetness.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just divide the dough into two portions and bake in batches or on two sheets.

What’s the best way to serve this?

Serve with milk for breakfast, dry as a snack, or even as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

Yes, but it will yield a heartier, slightly denser texture. Mix with all-purpose for balance.

Conclusion

Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a delicious way to bring your favorite childhood cereal into your home kitchen with wholesome ingredients and unbeatable flavor. Crispy, cinnamon-sweet, and easy to make, this recipe will quickly become a breakfast staple or all-day snack. Try it once, and you may never go back to the box.

Print