Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Cereal Made with Brown Puffed Rice

Healthy Delicious Cereal without the junk!

If you’ve ever wished that Cinnamon Toast Crunch came in a healthier, whole-grain form without all the additives and refined sugars, this recipe is for you. This homemade cinnamon sugar cereal is crisp, sweet, and packed with the nostalgic flavor you love—only it’s made with brown puffed rice instead of heavily processed flour squares.

Whether you’re looking for a kid-approved breakfast option, a fun snack, or a better-for-you cereal alternative, this easy recipe hits the mark. Best of all, it’s oven-baked, gluten-free, refined sugar optional, and made with just a few pantry staples.

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 in large mason jars or reuse other large jars we have around. These mason jar lids are perfect for storage!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Cereal

This puffed rice cereal has the addictive cinnamon-sugar crunch of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but it’s made with whole grain brown rice and can be naturally sweetened. It’s perfect in milk, as a yogurt topper, or by the handful as a snack. Plus, it’s:

Naturally gluten-free-free of preservatives and artificial flavors. Customizable with dairy-free, vegan, or refined sugar-free options.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this cinnamon sugar cereal dream a reality:

• Rice Puffs Cereal: We use Nature’s Path Organic Rice, we actually buy it by the case here.
• Coconut oil or unsalted butter
• 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!
• Cinnamon
• Coconut Sugar: Or other granulated sweetener, raw organic cane sugar works well too!
• Sea Salt

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Cereal with Brown Puffed Rice

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Since puffed rice is delicate, baking at a gentle heat helps it crisp up without burning. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even toasting. I get precut parchment sheets to make it an even faster process.

Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Coating

In a large bowl, combine your melted coconut oil or butter with maple syrup. Stir in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, your sweetener of choice, and a pinch of salt.

Step 3: Coat the Puffed Rice

Add the brown puffed rice to the bowl and gently toss it with the cinnamon mixture. Be careful not to crush the rice—you want every grain to be lightly coated but still airy.

Step 4: Spread and Bake

Spread the coated puffed rice evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Pop it in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, two or three times during baking to ensure even cooking. Your kitchen will start to smell like a cozy breakfast cafe.

Step 5: Cool to Crisp

Let the cereal cool completely on the baking sheet. As it cools, it will crisp up even more. Don’t skip this step—cooling is key to maximum crunch! Serve with with milk or your favorite dairy-free alternative or sprinkled over Greek yogurt with sliced bananas. You could also mix into trail mix for a sweet and spicy twist. We will even eat it by the handful for a crunchy afternoon snack

Pin it for later, share with your cereal-loving friends, and tag @TheGoodStuffBakeShop if you make it—I’d love to see how you serve yours!