Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal Copycat
Start your day off with the unforgettable flavor of homemade Cracklin’ Oat Bran. This oven-baked oat cereal is a delightful blend of whole grain oats, coconut flakes, and a touch of warm cinnamon that’s both wholesome and delicious. With every bite, you’ll enjoy the satisfying taste of coconut flakes, complemented by a dusting of nutmeg and a hint of molasses. Unlike the store-bought versions, this homemade cereal is free from corn syrup, soy lecithin, and palm oil, offering you a cleaner, healthier option to start your day.
Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran is my favorite cereal. Made with whole-grain oats, a touch of warm cinnamon, and a dusting of nutmeg, it’s good stuff! I am not the only one – in searching the internet for recipes, I found the word “crack” used a few times to describe how addicting it is. I am sharing with you my Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal Clone recipe so that you can make a healthier version in your own kitchen. There’s even a subreddit devoted to this crunchy treat.
You can make a healthier version of Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal in your own kitchen. This Cracklin’ Oat Bran Clone recipe is a delicious take on the popular high-fiber, whole-grain breakfast cereal and is made with oats, flakes of coconut, flax, and spices. Each serving has 5 grams of dietary fiber.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients
To make this tasty breakfast cereal, you need the following ingredients:
- 1½ cups oats
- 1 cup oat bran
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch of nutmeg
- ⅓ cup coconut oil, in a liquid state
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
How To Make Cracklin’ Oat Bran
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C).
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large food processor, add the oats, oat bran, brown sugar, coconut flakes, flax seeds, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Pulse 5-6 times until the mixture is well combined.
Add the Wet Ingredients: Pour in the coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla extract. Process on high until the mixture is moist and holds together.
Spread on a Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly. Aim for a thin layer to help it bake evenly and develop that irresistible “crackle.”
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until golden.
Cool and Break: Once the cereal is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. Break it into pieces and store it in an airtight container.
Alternatively, after you remove the cereal from the oven and while it is still warm, gently cut (score) it into small rectangles, but don’t separate it. If you want to try to replicate the hole in the middle, insert a chopstick point into the middle of each piece and lightly move it around. The cereal will be soft and pliable while it is still hot. Allow it to cool and harden, then break it into pieces.
Tips for Perfect Cracklin’ Oat Bran
- Achieving the Perfect Texture: For the ultimate taste experience, spread the mixture thinly on the baking sheet. This ensures even baking and that satisfying crunch.
- Customizing the Recipe: Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding less molasses or maple syrup. For a spicier kick, increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of ginger.
- Shaping Options: While traditional Cracklin’ Oat Bran comes in O-shaped clusters, you can cut your cereal into squares or bars for a quick breakfast on the go.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this cereal with dairy milk, almond milk, or even as a tasty snack right out of the container. It also pairs perfectly with a homemade trail mix recipe for a wholesome time snack.
- Allergen Notice: This recipe contains tree nuts and coconut. Be mindful of this if you’re preparing it for someone with allergies.
How To Store Homemade Cereal
Storing homemade cereal is a breeze and ensures your delicious creation stays fresh for extended enjoyment. After preparing your batch, allow it to cool completely to prevent moisture buildup. Then, transfer the cereal into an airtight container, ensuring it’s sealed tightly to prevent moisture from sneaking in. Store this container in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or kitchen cupboard.
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free oats and oat bran to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Sweetener Alternatives: Swap out the brown sugar for coconut sugar or honey to suit your dietary preferences.
- Adding Extras: Incorporate dried fruits like raisins or cranberries, or add a handful of chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Enjoy the joy of delicious eating with this homemade Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal. It’s a good source of fiber, free from artificial colors, and provides an unforgettable flavor of golden oats. Whether you’re a fan of the original Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran or just looking for a healthy, satisfying breakfast cereal, this recipe will surely become a favorite at your breakfast table.
Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal Clone (Gluten-Free Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups oats
- 1 cup oat bran
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup sweetened coconut
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch of nutmeg
- ⅓ cup coconut oil in liquid state
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Add all of the dry ingredients to the well of a large food processor and pulse 5-6 times.
- Add remaining ingredients and process on high until mixture is moist.
- Spread mixture onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Break granola into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
The homemade version won’t have those perfectly shaped in the cute little “O’s” like Kellogg’s. At least we know exactly what is in our cereal and just how fresh it is.
If you find yourself always in a hurry in the mornings, consider cutting the cereal into bars instead. Then you will have a delicious grab-and-go breakfast treat ready to go when you are.
Ready to try this homemade Cracklin’ Oat Bran recipe? Give it a go, and share your delicious creations with us! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media to show off your breakfast masterpiece. Enjoy!
This recipe is seriously addicting! It’s a staple in our house now. I don’t eat flax, so I use ground hemp seeds. (I did try ground chia seeds once but that turned out really gross.) Anyway, thank you for this wonderful recipe that makes me so happy! 😁
Your comment makes my heart happy! Thanks for stopping by to let me know that you enjoy the recipe.
To much sugar, and Carbs sorry but thanks.
Any ideas on how to omit the flax seed?
Being that the flax seeds are there for added nutrition and not for any other purpose, you should be able to omit them.
This is brilliant and exactly what I was looking for.
I used to enjoy this cereal as a kid before the recipe change in 1989. Due to pressure from “public health advocates,” Kellogg removed the coconut oil. Saturated fat was considered evil at the time, and they replaced it with far worse soybean and cottonseed oils.
I occasionally wonder why a healthier alternative isn’t offered today to capitalize on the popularity of trends like organic foods and coconut oil.
@Nate,
Coconut oil is as unhealthy as always. It’s popular because of marketing that cast it against the (even worse, but now mostly gone) trans fat. America loves unhealthy food backed by clever spin, such as coconut…and bacon.
I finally made this recipe today. It turned out very good. I did make a couple of changes: I substituted 1 cup of almond flour for the cup of oat bran; substituted 1/2 cup coconut sugar for the 1/2 cup brown sugar; omitted the nutmeg. Also, I mixed the dry ingredients in a large bowl until well blended, then mixed all the liquid ingredients together, made a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and poured it in, mixing well with a wooden spoon. I used an 11″x 15″ stoneware bar pan lined with parchment paper, pressed it out flat and baked it at 325*for 25 minutes as directed. When it cooled, the edges were crispy and the middle was somewhat soft. So you may need to bake it longer if you want it to be crispy all the way through. My daughter and I think this is better than the Cracklin’ Oat Bran. We crumbled half of it to use like cereal and cut the other half into bars. An excellent recipe and not hard to make variations. Raisins would be a nice addition. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for sharing your version – I am so glad you enjoyed it!
My family and me LOVE Cracklin’ Oat Bran but those skinny expensive boxes of cereal never last long enough! Pinterest came to the rescue again. I compared several copycat recipes and decided this one looked like the one to try. I(we) we’re not disappointed! It’s very close to the right flavor. My kids all agreed! As some others commented, I’d cut back the brown sugar slightly next time. I also baked it long and slow like I do my other granola recipes rather than the way the recipe instructed here. 250 degrees for 1 1/2 hours without stirring. Then stir and crumble it to bite sized chunks as soon as it’s out of the oven. Gets crispy, crunchy as it cools. Turned out perfectly!
Thanks for sharing your tips!
This recipe is fantastic! I made it last night. Everyone in the family loved it. Super tasty. Next time I’m going to cut the sugar dramatically. It seems with the brown sugar and syrup it’s a similar amount of sugar to the real COB, or more :(. Still, this is yummy and I don’t want to knock what you’ve done here. It’s awesome, and I think will be a little healthier with a reduction of the sugar.
Please come back and let me know how it works with the reduction in sugar. I would love to scale back on it, too. Thanks!
I love this recipe! I use about 1/4 cup brown sugar and omit the baking soda and it works fine!
So glad to hear that!
This looks like a fantastic way to get more fiber! Bran is SOOOO good for your gut! Thank you for the recipe!
Oh yum! I remember eating this as a kid – I had no clue you could make it at home!
That sounds amazing! I love anything that doesn’t have soy!! 🙂 Definitely going to look for it, next time I go shopping.
DELICIOUS! Thank you for your GF version of Cracklin Oat Bran. A member of my family has Celiac and trying to make GF substitutes for his favorite things has been frustrating at times. This is very close, if not better in taste, and the whole family LOVES it. Mostly we eat it in the shape of small granola bars for snacks but its great crumbled up in milk too. I don’t have a ‘food processor’ but I used my Ninja Master Prep large pitcher to process it in and it worked great. Thank you, thank you thank you for posting your recipe!
I am so glad you like it. More often than not, I often roll it out into one large rectangle, bake it, and then slice it into bars, too!
I cannot TELL you how many times I’ve made your recipe the last 2-3 years. I always loved the store bought version but hated the ingredients! This is SO much better in taste and quality! I make it for my entire family, and the fact that it is gluten free and dairy free allows everyone to enjoy it! So good at any time of day! Thank you so much for sharing! I usually quadruple the recipe and it still doesn’t last! I make it so often that I have it memorized. Thank you!!
Wow! It makes my heart so happy to hear that. <3
I’m recently GF bc I was getting rashes from gluten products suddenly, and I’m a big cereal eater, but also like to eat cleanly and from scratch as much as possible. I found this recipe and made it (and ate some in raw milk) and it’s a home run!!! I also used to love Cracklin’ Oat Bran as a child, but this is way better! Thank you!! Delicious:)
You’re welcome. Thank YOU so much for taking the time to leave a message – you made my day. I am glad that you like the recipe. 🙂
cracklin oat bran was my all time favorite cereal. this recipe is soo good. on its own dry it doesnt taste like cracklin oat bran much to me but with milk it is very very close and satisfies my craving for it. it is so addictive its hard not to have two giant bowls back to back!
Thank you for taking the time to comment. It is quite delicious, isn’t it?
I stumbled upon this recipe and I had everything in my pantry so I made it. It’s REALLY good! It’s high in fiber and filling. I divided it into 12 servings so I could be “reasonable” about eating it! I sprayed the back of a silicone spatula with coconut oil spray which helped me spread it out. I baked mine on silicone mats and it worked fine. Thanks!
Can’t wait to try this recipe. I plan to make it with my four year old as Reindeer feed. Just add a couple shakes of magic (sparkling cake topping flakes) and we’re all set. And tasty as granola bars for her as well. Thanks for sharing.
How sweet! I love what you are going to do. I hope that the holidays are magical for both of you!