Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch

This copycat Cinnamon Toast crunch recipe is deliciously sweet, perfectly spiced and somehow FAR more appetizing than the ultra-processed store version. This Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch Recipe is made with fresh milled flour to create a whole wheat, lower sugar option that still feels just as special. Making cinnamon toast crunch cereal from scratch needs to be on your 2026 bucket list, so let’s get started!

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My kiddos take after their mom in that we are all HUGE breakfast people. Any type of toast, muffin or pancake is very popular in our home. Some of my kids favorites are sourdough poptarts, sourdough banana bread, and sourdough apple cider donuts. This cereal might be their new #1!

Easy Homemade Cereal Recipe

When I was pregnant with my third baby, I craved one and only one thing… Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. I mean, we are talking jumbo, family sized boxes gone within 1-2 days. Now that we eat a very healthy diet, I’m HORRIFIED that I ate that insane amount of sugar, not to mention ultra-processed flour!

This recipe is made with fresh milled flour and is SUCH a better alternative! The dough itself is sweetened with maple syrup instead of sugar which is incredible. There is a light dusting of sugar on the outside to give it that authentic cinnamon crunch cereal vibe, BUT that is totally optional.

Why You’ll Love Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch:

• Fast + Easy breakfast option
• Lower sugar with maple syrup in dough
• Still crispy like the real thing
• Whole grain goodness with fresh milled flour

Over the last several months I have been working on converting many of my favorite go-to recipes to work with fresh milled whole wheat flour. I’ve done a deep dive on all the benefits that whole grains have to offer and it feels SO important for us to return to baking with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat! Fresh milled flour does have a bit of learning curve but once you get started, it becomes much easier!

Join our Facebook Group community and get support from others learning to bake with whole grains!

Tips and Tricks for Making Cinnamon Toast Cereal

• Roll the dough out really thin if you want the ultra crispy cereal like you’re used to from the box.
• If you are going for a sugar free version, skip the sugr coating and just sprinkle some cinnamon
• Double this recipe! You’re kiddos will thank you.
• Try this recipe with ancient grains like einkorn or khorasan for extra nutrients and digestion benefits!

Why Mill Your Own Flour?

After understanding the processing of store-bought flour that removes the most nutrient-rich parts of the grain, it’s pretty obvious that milling your own flour at home is the way to go.

Here are a few reasons I think milling flour at home is SO beneficial:

1. Health Benefits: Freshly milled flour retains essential nutrients found in whole grains, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, that are lost in the milling process of commercial flour. Whole grain flour is an excellent choice for boosting the nutritional content of your homemade bread and other baked goods.
2. Flavor: Fresh flour has a rich, nutty flavor that’s missing from pre-packaged flour from the grocery store. Whether you’re making sourdough bread, rye bread, or whole-grain bread, the taste difference is noticeable. You can also create your own unique flavor profiles by combining various types of grain as we will discuss below.
3. Customization: Milling your grains allows you to experiment with different types of grains, such as hard red wheat, soft white wheat, durum wheat, and even gluten-free grains like millet, rice and quinoa
4. Cost-Effectiveness: While there’s an upfront investment in equipment, buying bulk grains from sources like Azure Standard, local farmers, or Amish stores can save you money in the long run- especially if you are currently purchasing organic flour from the store.
5. Sustainability: I think Covid opened all of our eyes to how quickly supply chains can break down and leave us in a situation where it’s hard to find and purchase healthy foods! Whole grain berries can be stored long-term and are a great solution if you are looking to bolster your pantry for a rainy day.

Download my FREE Guide for getting started with Fresh Milled Flour!

Instructions:

1. Combine flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large bowl. Dice cold butter into
   cubes and cut into flour with a pastry cutter. When the mixture is grainy and
   evenly distributed add 1/2 cup of maple syrup. Mix until dough forms. It is a soft
   dough but shouldn’t be overly sticky. If it is still super sticky, add a little extra
   flour.
2. Chill dough for about 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. In the mean time melt butter. Combine 3 teaspoons of cinnamon and 6 TBSP sugar in a bowl.
   
4. Rip 2 large sheets of parchment paper. Remove dough from refrigerator and cut in
   2 sections. Take one section and place between sheets of parchment paper. Use a
   rolling pin to roll dough VERY thin. It won’t get crispy like cereal if its too thick.
   
5. Remove the top sheet of parchment paper and lightly brush dough with melted
   butter using a pastry brush. Sprinkle top with cinnamon and sugar. Using a pizza
   cutter, cut dough into squares.
6. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.
   Bake in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. The dough should be
   crispy around the edges and starting to brown. Allow cereal to cool completely
   and then break apart.
7. Serve like cereal over milk or use as chips for fruit dip,
   cannoli dip, or with cottage cheese! Enjoy!

Enjoy this Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch Recipe!

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