How to Make Your Own Breakfast Cereal

Many people wake up and pour themselves a bowl of cereal for breakfast. It is a fast and easy meal that is convenient for our busy schedules. The cereals found in grocery stores are generally expensive, and many of them are unhealthy. Those that are healthy are usually more expensive than the cereals filled with sugar. A cheaper alternative is to make your own breakfast cereal. Making cereal also allows you to choose how healthy or unhealthy you want your cereal to be. You can easily alter any recipe to meet your personal cravings.

Gather Your Ingredients and Utensils

Before any cooking can take place, all of the ingredients must be obtained and utensils gathered. Basic ingredients include 3 cups of oats, 6 tablespoons of brown sugar, 6 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. White sugar can be a substitute for the brown sugar, and maple syrup can be substituted for honey. You can choose to not use any cinnamon, and you can also choose to add vanilla or almond extract.

Once you have all of your desired ingredients, you will need tools. Some kitchen utensils you may need include a large bowl, a small bowl, a baking sheet, and a spoon. It is also a good idea to use some sort of non-stick spray or oil for the baking sheet. The oven should be preheated to 250 degrees so it is heated when your cereal is ready to bake.

Mixing Your Ingredients

The oats can go into the large bowl and be set aside. In the small bowl combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, vegetable oil, cinnamon, and salt. Use the spoon to mix the ingredients in the small bowl. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry oats, and make sure everything is mixed together well.

Baking Your Cereal

When you are done mixing all of your ingredients, coat the baking sheet in non-stick spray or oil. Then spread the oat mixture evenly onto the baking sheet. Put the baking sheet into the oven, and leave it in there for about an hour or until the cereal is golden brown. You should occasional stir the cereal, but make sure it is evenly dispersed on the cooking sheet when you put it back into the oven. Once golden brown, you can remove your cereal and let it cool down.

Pouring a Bowl of Cereal

When your cereal has cooled, you can choose to add ingredients such as fruits, raisins, dates, nuts, or coconut. Serve hot or cold. All leftover cereal should be kept refrigerated in a sealed container because it does not contain preservatives like cereals you buy from the store. Each batch of cereal should last around two weeks if kept in a properly sealed container.

photos by amichiganmom

Posted by Bailey Harris on April 7 2011. Filed under Contributors.
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