Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal is a fun, crispy, homemade breakfast treat made with sourdough discard and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. These tiny crunchy squares bake up golden and addictive, perfect for enjoying with cold milk or as a sweet snack straight from the bowl. It’s a creative and delicious way to use leftover sourdough starter while making something nostalgic and comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough discard
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Preparation Steps
Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the dough
In a bowl, mix sourdough discard, flour, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Roll the dough thin
Roll dough very thin (about ⅛ inch) on a lightly floured surface to get crisp cereal texture.
Step 4: Cut cereal squares
Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut tiny square pieces.
Step 5: Bake until crisp
Spread squares on baking sheet and bake 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway for even browning.
Step 6: Coat with cinnamon sugar
While still warm, toss cereal pieces with melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture.
Step 7: Cool completely
Let cereal cool fully to become extra crunchy before serving.
Variations
- Add a touch of vanilla powder or extract for bakery flavor.
- Sprinkle a little nutmeg or pumpkin spice for fall version.
- Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for deeper caramel notes.
- Make chocolate version by adding cocoa powder to dough.
- Drizzle light icing for dessert snack style.
- Mix with nuts or dried fruit for homemade cereal blend.
Cooking Notes
- Rolling dough thin is the key to crispy texture.
- Cereal continues to crisp as it cools.
- Stir halfway during baking to avoid burnt edges.
- Store in airtight container to keep crunch.
- Works great as topping for yogurt or ice cream.
- Sweetness level can be adjusted easily.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with cold milk for classic cereal breakfast.
- Sprinkle over smoothie bowls or oatmeal.
- Use as crunchy topping on baked apples.
- Pack in snack jars for kids or travel.
- Add to dessert parfait layers.
- Mix into trail mix for sweet crunch.
Tips
- Cut pieces evenly for uniform baking.
- If cereal softens, re-bake few minutes to crisp again.
- Let dough rest 5 minutes if sticky.
- Use silicone mat for easier handling.
- Double batch because it disappears fast.
- Try maple cinnamon coating for new flavor.
Prep Time / Bake Time / Total Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutritional Info (Approx.)
Calories: 160 per serving
Carbohydrates: 24g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 1g
FAQs
Can I air fry this cereal?
Yes, cook in batches at low temperature and shake often.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour blend, texture may vary.
How long does homemade cereal last?
About 1 week stored airtight at room temperature.
Does sourdough taste strong?
No, flavor is mild and slightly buttery.
Can I make it less sweet?
Yes, reduce coating sugar easily.
Conclusion
This Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal is crispy, cozy, and irresistibly snackable. It’s a creative sourdough discard recipe that feels nostalgic yet homemade and wholesome — perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert toppings.