How to Upgrade Cheerios for a Delicious and Nutritious Meal

Over 40 million U.S. households purchase Cheerios every year. Many seek to enhance their breakfast. Learn how to upgrade Cheerios into a flavorful experience.

Quick Summary

Explore creative and simple methods to improve a bowl of Cheerios, offering a range of options from fruit to savory seasonings. It provides ideas to enhance both flavor and nutritional value, for various tastes and dietary needs.

Key Points

• Incorporate natural sweeteners to elevate flavor.

• Add protein and healthy fats to make your Cheerios more nutritious.

• Use Cheerios as a base for savory snacks.

• Transform Cheerios into portable cereal bars or simple clusters.

• Boost vitamin, mineral, and fiber content.

Elevate Your Breakfast with Cheerios Upgrades

Cheerios can be a great breakfast base. Adding a few ingredients can change the flavor and nutritional content. Toppings are an easy way to get a big impact.

Sweet Upgrades: Boost Natural Flavor

• Fresh or Frozen Berries: Add blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries for natural sweetness, antioxidants, and fiber. Frozen berries chill the milk and release juices.
• Sliced Banana: Bananas add creaminess and potassium. Try a sprinkle of cinnamon or drizzle of honey.
• Dried Fruit: Raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, or apricots add texture and sweetness.
• Yogurt: Stir in Greek or low-fat yogurt for a creamy mix that is high in protein.
• Sweet Spices: Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract for warmth and complexity.

Protein and Texture: Making it More Substantial

• Nuts and Seeds: Add chopped almonds, walnuts, cashews, or pecans for crunch, healthy fats, and protein. Add chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp seeds.
• Nut Butter: Add peanut butter or almond butter for a nutty flavor and protein.
• Protein Powder: Add a scoop of protein powder to your milk.

Savory Options: Unexpected Flavor

Cheerios also work well in savory dishes and snacks.

Hot Buttered Cheerios

This snack, popular since the 1980s, turns Cheerios into a buttery, crunchy treat.

1. Melt Butter: Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add Worcestershire sauce for flavor.
2. Add Seasonings: Add garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt. Ranch seasoning or nutritional yeast are also good.
3. Toss the Cheerios: Add Cheerios and toss to coat. Cook for a few minutes until golden brown.

Savory Cheerio Snack Mix

Use Cheerios as a base for a Chex mix-style snack. Combine with nuts, pretzels, and bagel chips. Coat with melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt. Bake until crispy and let cool.

Creative Cheerio Recipes

Cheerios can be an ingredient in recipes.

Homemade Cheerio Bars

Use Cheerios for a healthier alternative to Rice Krispie treats. Melt marshmallows and butter, then add Cheerios and mix-ins.

Cheerio Clusters

Combine Cheerios with peanut butter and honey. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper and chill.

Comparison Table: Cereal Upgrades

Upgrade Method	Best For	Flavor Profile	Pros	Cons
Fresh Berries & Nuts	Quick breakfast, added nutrition	Sweet, fresh, crunchy	Adds vitamins, fiber, protein; minimal effort	Can make cereal soggy quickly; seasonal ingredients
Flavored Yogurt	Creamy, filling meal	Tangy, sweet, rich	Boosts protein, provides probiotics, prevents sogginess	Requires refrigeration; may contain added sugar
Hot Buttered Cheerios	Savory snack, movie nights	Buttery, salty, savory, crispy	Delicious savory alternative; simple to make	Not suitable for a bowl with milk; higher in fat
Cheerio Snack Mix	Party mix, long-lasting snack	Customizable, salty, crunchy	Perfect for meal prepping; highly customizable	Takes more time to prepare; savory, not a breakfast
Homemade Cereal Bars	Portable breakfast, dessert	Sweet, chewy, nutty	Great for meal prep and grab-and-go; portion control	Higher in sugar if using marshmallows; requires cooling time

Conclusion

Cheerios are a versatile pantry staple. These upgrades can boost the flavor and nutritional value of Cheerios. The classic cereal can become more exciting and satisfying than ever before.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I add to plain Cheerios to make them taste better?

Add fresh fruit, cinnamon, honey, or peanut butter.

How can I make Cheerios a more filling meal?

Add protein and healthy fats. Suggestions include high-protein milk, Greek yogurt, nuts, seeds, or nut butter.

What is the viral hot buttered Cheerios hack?

The hack involves melting butter, adding seasonings, then tossing the Cheerios to toast.

Are there any vegan ways to upgrade Cheerios?

Yes, use plant-based milks, add fruit, cinnamon, maple syrup, chia and flax seeds.

Can I use Cheerios to make snack bars?

Yes, they are a great alternative to Rice Krispies for no-bake snack bars.

How do I make a savory Cheerios snack mix?

Combine Cheerios with pretzels and nuts. Melt butter with Worcestershire sauce and spices and bake until crispy.

What's a good way to use Cheerios with yogurt?

Layer Cheerios with yogurt and fruit. It adds protein and probiotics while preventing sogginess.