If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, you may remember Hot Buttered Cheerios as a simple but unforgettable snack. Crispy, toasty, a little salty-sweet, and packed with buttery cinnamon flavor—this recipe takes an everyday cereal and turns it into something you can’t stop snacking on.
Hot Buttered Cheerios Ingredients
I’ve tested and re-tested this version in my kitchen to make sure it comes out perfectly every time, with the right balance of butter, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Ingredients Needed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup salted butter, sliced
- 1 ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups Cheerios cereal
Ingredient Notes
Using salted butter eliminates the need to balance salt later—something unsalted butter plus added salt doesn’t always achieve as smoothly.
You can use flavors like Honey Nut Cheerios. Just remember that flavored Cheerios will change the overall taste of the recipe by adding extra sweetness.
The Simple Steps to Buttery, Cinnamon Goodness
1-Melting butter slowly over medium heat keeps it from browning too quickly, which can overpower the delicate flavor of the cereal. Stirring in vanilla at this stage (while the butter is still warm) blooms the extract—releasing aroma and making the final snack more fragrant.
2-Toasting directly in a skillet (instead of oven-baking) is what gives these Cheerios their nostalgic crisp. Constant stirring is crucial—without it, you risk scorching some pieces while leaving others pale. Through testing, we found three to five minutes is the sweet spot: enough to intensify flavor, but not long enough to soften the cereal.
3-By whisking together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt before cooking, you ensure even flavor distribution. If you add them separately while the cereal is hot, the cinnamon tends to clump and the salt can pool. This pre-mix guarantees every Cheerio gets a balanced coating.
Adding the sugar mixture slowly while tossing ensures an even coat. Dumping it all at once can create sticky clumps that don’t adhere properly. This gradual toss mimics the method used in professional snack-coating (think kettle corn).
4-Letting the cereal cool allows the butter-sugar mixture to firm up, locking in crunch. Skip this, and you’ll end up with soggy, sticky Cheerios that clump together. I’ve made this mistake early on.
Serving Ideas
Family Game Night: Serve a big bowl of hot buttered Cheerios as an easy homemade snack to share between games. Pair with a fun, non-alcoholic drink like a Shirley Temple.
Casual Movie Night: Swap the usual popcorn for hot buttered Cheerios, served in a large bowl for easy munching. Pair this cozy snack with a warming Hot Chocolate.
Holiday Snack Table: Add hot buttered Cheerios to your holiday snack spread alongside other sweet and savory treats. For drinks, Gingerbread Cocktail is a festive match that complements the cinnamon sugar flavor.
After-School Snack: Serve hot buttered Cheerios to kids after school and pair it with a glass of Strawberry Lemonade.
Storage Instructions
Serve immediately for the best texture. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature and reheat briefly in a skillet to restore crispness.
Avoid storing them in the fridge—it makes them soft and sticky instead of crisp.
Hot Buttered Cheerios
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup salted butter, sliced
- 1 ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups Cheerios cereal
Instructions
- Add the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon and salt to a small bowl and stir until well combined.
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once fully melted, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the Cheerios to the skillet, stirring constantly for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the Cheerios are nicely toasted. Remove from heat.
- Sprinkle the toasted Cheerios with the cinnamon sugar mixture and stir, or toss, to completely coat the Cheerios.
- Allow the coated cereal to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Cinnamon is the classic, but you can also add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a cozier flavor, especially during colder months.
- You could also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a sweet and spicy kick.
Nutrition
Comments
Amy TS says
Really easy – had never heard of this recipe before but tried it and snacked on it all day! Cinnamon sugar is one of my favorites!