The best gluten free rice puff cereal that is so good, with no guilt!
This Easy Rice Puff Cereal is what happens when you want something sweet and crunchy in the morning (or let’s be honest—at any time of day) but don’t want all the food dyes and weird ingredients hiding in store-bought cereal.
Made with just a handful of simple ingredients and naturally gluten-free puffed rice, this cereal is crispy, golden, and just the right amount of sweet. It takes only a few minutes to mix together and a quick bake in the oven to get that perfect crunch. A light, toasty homemade gluten free cereal that actually tastes like real food.
We like it with cold milk, almond milk, coconut milk—really, anything you’ve got in the fridge. You can dress it up with fresh berries, banana slices, or a sprinkle of cinnamon, but honestly, it’s great just as it is. And if you’re the kind of person who eats cereal by the handful straight from the container, you’re in good company.
It’s a great pantry staple, a fun kid-friendly snack, and a sneaky way to bring a little joy into your breakfast bowl—without the usual sugar overload. And if you’re on the hunt for more fun cereal ideas, check out our other Homemade Healthy Cereals like Easy Wheat Puff Cereal, Strawberry Walnut Cereal or Cinnamon Blueberry Cereal for more crunchy, wholesome goodness. I like to store homemade cereal is large mason jars or reuse other large jars we have around. These mason jar lids are perfect for storage!
Ingredients for Homemade Rice Puff Cereal
- Rice Puffs Cereal: We use Nature’s Path Organic Rice, we actually buy it by the case here.
- Honey: We like to buy local!
- Avocado oil
- Maple Syrup: We buy local when we can, otherwise this is also a great affordable option!
- Vanilla: Be sure to get pure vanilla, this is a great option from Amazon, not imitation vanilla. Homemade Vanilla is even better!
- Salt
What Is Puffed Brown Rice Cereal (and Why It’s Worth Keeping Around)?
Rice Puff Cereal is made by heating whole brown rice grains until they puff up into light, crispy bites. It’s usually just one ingredient—no sugar, no preservatives, and no weird additives—which makes it a clean, naturally gluten-free base for all kinds of homemade cereal blends. Since it’s made from whole grain brown rice, it holds on to more of the good stuff than white rice does. We’re talking small amounts of fiber, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins, plus complex carbs that digest more slowly than refined grains. And if you’re just looking for something crunchy, clean, and customizable—this stuff checks all the boxes.
Why we love honey and maple syrup!
We love using honey and maple syrup in homemade cereal because they offer a sweet touch and a few health perks you won’t get from refined sugar. Both are natural sweeteners with a little extra nutrition baked in. Honey contains antioxidants and trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, and it may even help support digestion and immunity—especially if it’s raw and local. Maple syrup is rich in manganese and zinc, which play a role in energy production and immune health.
They’re also lower on the glycemic index than regular sugar, meaning they don’t spike your blood sugar as quickly. That makes them a better choice for keeping energy levels more stable—perfect for a breakfast food like cereal.
In recipes, honey and maple syrup do more than just sweeten. They add depth of flavor, and give that golden, toasty finish—all without the need for artificial ingredients or high-fructose corn syrup.
Using them is a great way to start the day. They’re sweet, simple, and naturally nourishing—which is exactly what homemade cereal should be.
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Directions
- Preheat oven to 300′ F.
Combine all of your ingredients into a large mixing bowl and then spread on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You want a fairly thin layer. You can always use 2 pans if your sheet pan isn’t large enough. I get precut parchment sheets to make it an even faster process.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 300′ stirring every 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely before storing. They will crisp up more as they cool. Serve immediately or store for later use! I like to store in mason jars or reuse other large jars we have around. These mason jar lids are perfect for storage!
So Simple and Delicious Rice Puff Cereal- Gluten Free!
🥣 Healthy, Delicious Cereal Without the Junk! 🍓
Who says cereal can’t be both delicious and good for you? This homemade cereal is so simple and easy to make, you’ll never feel guilty about serving it—even for supper! Packed with wholesome ingredients, it’s the perfect way to stock your pantry with a nutritious option the whole family will love.
For a fun twist, we love adding fresh fruit when serving to make it even more satisfying. It’s a quick, tasty, and guilt-free breakfast (or dinner!) that’ll keep your kids happy and fueled for whatever comes their way.
Ingredients
- 6 oz puffed rice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 6 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp of salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
- Spread in thin layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If it's too thick of a layer you can bake in 2 batches or divide between 2 pans.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 300'-stirring every 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely before storing.
Enjoy with milk or as a yogurt topping. You can also add fresh fruit when serving. We love adding blueberries, strawberries or diced bananas!
Notes
Add cinnamon, nuts or seeds to change it up! You can also mix freeze dried fruit in after it's done baking.
