Easy Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal Copycat Recipe
If you’ve ever wished you could make Cracklin’ Oat Bran cereal at home, this homemade copycat recipe is for you. It combines oats, oat bran, coconut, flaxseed, cinnamon, and nutmeg with maple syrup and molasses for a sweet, crunchy breakfast cereal inspired by the Kellogg’s classic.
This homemade version isn’t an ingredient-for-ingredient replica of the cereal in the box, but it captures many of the flavors I love about the original. It also gives you more control over the ingredients and can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats and oat bran.
Serve it with cold milk, sprinkle it over yogurt, or snack on it straight from the container. I’ve even turned the mixture into breakfast bars when I wanted something I could grab on the way out the door.
Cracklin’ Oat Bran has long been my favorite cereal. Between the oats, coconut, cinnamon, molasses, and hint of nutmeg, it has a flavor all its own. Apparently, I’m not alone in my devotion – there’s even a subreddit dedicated to the cereal.
That love of the original is what sent me looking for a way to make something similar at home. My version uses oats, oat bran, coconut, ground flaxseed, warm spices, maple syrup, and molasses to create a homemade cereal with plenty of texture and that familiar cinnamon-oat flavor.
Each serving also contains 5 grams of dietary fiber.
Homemade Cracklin’ Oat Bran vs. Store-Bought
This recipe is inspired by Cracklin’ Oat Bran rather than an exact replica. The current boxed cereal contains ingredients that aren’t used in this homemade version, including wheat bran, wheat starch, palm oil, corn syrup, malt extract, and soy lecithin.
My version uses oats, oat bran, coconut, ground flaxseed, coconut oil, maple syrup, and molasses. That means the flavor and texture won’t be exactly the same as what comes out of the box – and I don’t want to pretend otherwise – but it makes a tasty homemade alternative when you want to make your own cereal from scratch.
Want to make it gluten-free? Use oats and oat bran that are specifically labeled or certified gluten-free. The store-bought version of Cracklin’ Oat Bran contains wheat and is not gluten-free.
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 flaxseeds
- 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 into a thin, even layer. Keeping the thickness as uniform as possible will help the cereal bake more evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 25, or until the cereal is baked through and beginning to brown. Keep an eye on the edges, which may brown more quickly than the center.
- Cool and Break: Remove the pan from the oven and let the cereal cool completely. It will firm up more as it cools. Once cool, break it into pieces and transfer it to an airtight container.
If you want pieces that look a little more like the original cereal, gently score the mixture into small rectangles while it is still warm. To make a hole in the center, insert the pointed end of a chopstick into each piece and gently move it around. Let the cereal cool and firm up completely before breaking the pieces apart.
How to Enjoy Homemade Cracklin’ Oat Bran
While it’s delicious with cold milk, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this homemade cereal:
- Serve with fresh berries and sliced bananas.
- Pair it with almond, oat, or dairy milk.
- Sprinkle it over Greek yogurt.
- Use it as a topping for smoothie bowls.
- Crush it over vanilla ice cream.
- Mix it into homemade trail mix.
Tips for Making Homemade Cracklin’ Oat Bran
- Spread it evenly. Try to keep the cereal mixture at an even thickness so the edges don’t finish baking long before the center.
- Watch the edges. Because the mixture is spread fairly thin, the outside edges may brown more quickly.
- Let it cool completely. The cereal will firm up as it cools, so don’t judge the final texture immediately after it comes out of the oven.
- Adjust the spices. If you’re a cinnamon lover, add a little more. You can also increase the nutmeg slightly for a warmer spice flavor.
- Make cereal or bars. Break the baked mixture into cereal-sized pieces or cut it into larger bars for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Troubleshooting Homemade Oat Bran Cereal
Why is my cereal soft after baking?
Let it cool completely before deciding it needs more time in the oven. The mixture will firm as it cools. If it is still softer than you’d like once cool, you can bake it a few minutes longer the next time you make it.
Why did the edges get too dark?
The mixture was probably thinner around the edges than in the center. Spread it as evenly as possible before baking and begin checking it before the full baking time has elapsed.
Why is my cereal falling apart?
Make sure the wet ingredients are thoroughly processed into the dry ingredients. The mixture should be moist and hold together before you spread it onto the baking sheet.
Do I have to make the holes?
Not at all. The holes are purely for fun and make the pieces resemble Cracklin’ Oat Bran a little more closely. Breaking the cooled cereal into irregular pieces tastes just as good and involves considerably less poking cereal with a chopstick.
How To Store Homemade Cereal
Allow the cereal to cool completely before storing it. Trapping warmth inside a container can create condensation and soften the cereal.
Transfer the cooled cereal to an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry pantry. For the best texture and flavor, I recommend enjoying it within about one week.
If the cereal begins to smell stale or the coconut oil develops an off or rancid odor, it’s time to toss it.
Substitutions and Variations
- For gluten-free cereal: Use certified gluten-free oats and certified gluten-free oat bran. Regular oats may be exposed to wheat during growing or processing.
- Adjust the sweetness: You can experiment with slightly reducing the maple syrup or molasses, although changing the liquid sweeteners may also affect how well the mixture holds together.
- Add more spice: Increase the cinnamon or add a small pinch of ginger for a different flavor.
- Add-ins: Once the cereal has baked and cooled, mix in raisins, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or other favorite cereal additions.
- Make breakfast bars: Instead of breaking the mixture into small cereal pieces, cut it into larger bars while it is still warm and allow them to cool completely.
If breakfast is your love language, you’ll want to keep the morning momentum going with a few more classics from my kitchen. Try my Blueberry Buckle for a fruity, old-fashioned favorite that pairs perfectly with coffee. Or go all-in on indulgence with Caramel Sticky Buns – they’re worth every gooey bite. And if you’re craving something quick and comforting, you can’t go wrong with a stack of Fluffy Pancakes fresh off the griddle.
Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal Clone (Gluten-Free Recipe)
Ingredients
Method
- 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.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cracklin’ Oat Bran gluten-free?
No. The store-bought cereal contains wheat ingredients. This homemade version can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats and oat bran.
Does homemade Cracklin’ Oat Bran taste exactly like the original?
Not exactly. This is a copycat inspired by the flavor of the original rather than an ingredient-for-ingredient recreation. It has oats, oat bran, coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses, but the homemade ingredient list is different from the commercial cereal.
Can I make this without a food processor?
A food processor makes it much easier to combine the ingredients and create the right consistency. If you haven’t tested another method yourself, I wouldn’t promise readers that a blender or mixer will give the same result.
How long does homemade oat bran cereal last?
Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and enjoy it within about one week for the best flavor and texture. Make sure the cereal is completely cool before putting it into the container.
Can I turn this recipe into breakfast bars?
Yes. Instead of breaking the baked mixture into small cereal pieces, score or cut it into larger bars while it’s still warm. Let the bars cool completely before separating them.
Last Bite
If you make this Cracklin’ Oat Bran clone, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below, share this recipe with your favorite breakfast crew, and let’s keep the homemade cereal revival going one bowl at a time.
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!