March 7 is National Cereal Day and to pay homage to this annual food “holiday,” we’ve gathered 10 recipes from savory to sweet that use cereal as a main ingredient. Cereal sure isn’t just for breakfast anymore! While you’ve probably heard of using Corn Flakes as a crust for chicken before, have you ever tried cheesecake crusts made with Cinnamon Toast Crunch? How about meat loaf made with Shredded Wheat? Cap’n Crunch cookies? Hit the cereal aisle and get creative with these unique recipes that elevate breakfast cereal to star status!
Fool-Proof Chicken Cordon Bleu with Corn Flakes
Chicken wrapped around layers of ham and Swiss cheese is just about as comforting as it gets. This version from Tastes Better From Scratch gets a modern makeover by using crushed Corn Flakes as the coating instead of breadcrumbs. A simple sauce of mayonnaise with a dash of mustard complements the chicken perfectly.
Fudgy S’mores Brownies
Who doesn’t love brownies and s’mores? This recipe from Taste of Home puts everyone’s two favorite desserts together into one. Bake a pan of brownies and then sprinkle mini marshmallows and Golden Grahams cereal on top. Then simply place the whole pan under the broiler for about 45 seconds until the marshmallows are toasted. Yum!
Easy Mexican Fried Ice Cream
What’s better than Mexican fried ice cream? How about Mexican fried ice cream without the frying? This simple recipe from House of Yumm starts with frozen ice cream balls. Next, toast breakfast cereal with some butter and cinnamon – Corn Flakes or Cinnamon Toast Crunch work great! Roll those ice cream balls in a cinnamon sugar mixture, then coat with the toasted cereal for a makeshift Mexican “fried” ice cream dessert that’s just a wee bit healthier than the fried version.
Rice Krispie Hash Brown Sausage Casserole
Cereal is a go-to breakfast for people of all ages. But why not change up your cereal game altogether by including it in a savory breakfast casserole? This casserole from Dancing Through the Rain has it all – cheese, veggies, sausage, eggs, and a crispy topping of toasted Rice Krispies cereal. It’s the perfect weekend brunch dish!
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cheesecake Bites
These cereal-based superstars from Shared Appetites are a sleek addition to any soiree. The base of these beautiful mini cheesecakes is made with Cinnamon Toast Crunch. The cinnamon sugar cereal crust is covered with a dreamy mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar and cinnamon, then topped with a cute Cinnamon Toast Crunch as a garnish. Bon Appetit!
Fried Fish with Corn Flake Crust
Head to H-E-B and grab your favorite white fish for this deep-fried feast from The Seasoned Mom. Haddock or cod both work great but any sturdy mild, white fish will do. The breading for this fish consists of equal parts breadcrumbs and crushed Corn Flakes. The Corn Flakes give the texture an extra crispy crunch you’ll love.
Cap’n Crunch Cookies
Taking a cue from celebrated dessert chef Christina Tosi, the founder of Milk Bar in New York City, these cookies from Culinary Cool replace some of the flour in the mix with cereal – in this case, good ol’ Cap’N Crunch. This cereal is corn-based and that’s what makes these cookies so great. Corn adds depth and interest to otherwise average cookies – don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! Make sure you brown the butter and use cake flour in this recipe for the ultimate end result.
Shredded Wheat Meatloaf
Can we please just call this one Shredded Wheat-loaf? While it doesn’t sound like the most appetizing dish, never fear. This recipe from Food.com uses coarsely crushed Shredded Wheat in the mix instead of oats or bread. That substitution adds a whole new flavor profile and packs a punch when it comes to fiber! We’re all for anything that makes meatloaf more exciting!
White Chocolate Lucky Charms Cookies
These playful white chocolate cookies from The Recipe Rebel are jazzed up with Lucky Charms. The secret to these chewy flavor bombs is in the cookie base. Instead of just flour, you’re replacing some of the flour with finely ground Lucky Charms cereal (but without the marshmallows). Don’t worry – you’ll still get a hit of those ever-popular dried marshmallow bits. You’ll stir them in at the final stage of mixing. A fun tip: You can replace part of the flour in most cookie recipes with finely ground cereal to explore a whole new world of flavors!
Grape Nut Custard Pudding
Grape Nut pudding is a classic New England dessert and if you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time! This beloved dessert dates to the early 1900s. It’s a creamy egg custard with cinnamon and nutmeg, combined with Post Grape Nuts cereal. The Grape Nuts are first soaked in scalding milk, then mixed with the custard mixture. That dreamy concoction is then baked in a water bath and voila! A treasured dessert that has stood the test of time!
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