🥣 How to Save Money: Make Your Own Cereal Instead of Buying Expensive Brands
If you love starting your morning with cereal or granola, you’re definitely not alone. But buying brand-name cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Pops or Froot Loops every week can quickly add up.
👉 The good news: Most cereals are incredibly easy (and fun!) to make at home.
👉 By making your own, you can save $15–$30 a month per person, eat cleaner ingredients, and customize everything to your taste.
💰 Why Homemade Cereal Saves You Money
| Product (Brand) | Store Price (12–14 oz) | Homemade Price | Savings per Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon Toast Crunch | $3.70 | $1.28 | $2.42 |
| Cocoa Pops | $3.49 | $1.60 | $1.89 |
| Froot Loops | $4.50 | $1.83 | $2.67 |
| Crunchy Granola | $3.99 | $1.94 | $2.05 |
| Chocolate Granola | $4.59 | $2.16 | $2.43 |
👉 Monthly savings (6 boxes): $15–$30 per person
👉 Yearly savings: up to $360 per person
And you get full control over sugar, flavor, and quality.
🧑🍳 10 Homemade Copycat Cereal Recipes
Each recipe yields about 12–14 oz (around 375 g). Store in airtight jars for freshness.
1. 🌀 Cinnamon Toast Crunch Copycat
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp cold butter (cubed)
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Rub in butter, then add milk to form dough.
- Roll out, cut into small squares.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes.
💵 Cost: $1.28 → instead of $3.70
2. 🍫 Cocoa Pops Copycat
4
Ingredients:
- 2 cups puffed rice
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions:
- Warm cocoa, syrup, and oil.
- Pour over rice and stir.
- Spread on a tray and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10 min.
💵 Cost: $1.60 → instead of $3.49
3. 🌈 Froot Loops Copycat
4
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp oil
- ¼ cup milk
- Natural food colors (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix dough and color if desired.
- Shape into loops.
- Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.
💵 Cost: $1.83 → instead of $4.50
4. 🥥 Coconut Crunch Cereal
4
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients.
- Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 20 min until golden.
💵 Cost: $1.48 → instead of $3.50
5. 🍪 Cookie Crunch Cereal
4
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Make dough, shape tiny cookies.
- Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
💵 Cost: $1.55 → instead of $3.79
6. 🥜 Peanut Butter Pops Copycat
4
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups cornflakes or puffed corn
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions:
- Melt peanut butter & honey.
- Stir into cornflakes.
- Let cool and harden.
💵 Cost: $1.62 → instead of $3.89
7. 🍯 Honey Loops Copycat
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions:
- Form dough and shape loops.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
💵 Cost: $1.30 → instead of $3.49
8. 🍫 Chocolate Granola Deluxe
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups oats
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp oil
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Mix everything well.
- Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 20–25 min.
💵 Cost: $2.16 → instead of $4.59
9. 🫐 Berry Granola
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups oats
- ½ cup dried berries
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp oil
Instructions:
- Toast oats with honey & oil.
- Stir in berries after cooling.
💵 Cost: $1.94 → instead of $3.99
10. 🍎 Apple Cinnamon Muesli
Ingredients:
- 2 cups oats
- 1 apple (dried or finely diced)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions:
- Toast oats with honey & oil.
- Stir in apple & cinnamon.
💵 Cost: $1.60 → instead of $3.49
🧾 Pro Tip: Make It in Bulk
- 🫙 Store in airtight jars to keep it fresh for up to 4 weeks
- 🪙 Buy ingredients in bulk for bigger savings
- 🧼 Reuse glass jars → sustainable & budget-friendly
📊 Your Savings at a Glance
| Homemade Cost (avg) | Store Price (avg) | Savings per Pack | Monthly (6 packs) | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.72 | $3.99 | $2.27 | $13.62 | $163.44 |
👉 For a family of 3: up to $490 saved per year!
✨ Extra Tips for Flavor & Health
- Use less sugar for a cleaner breakfast
- Choose organic ingredients
- Add superfoods like chia seeds, flax, or nuts
- Fun shapes for kids = less junk cereal
📢 Final Thoughts
Homemade cereal doesn’t just save you money — it also tastes better, is healthier, and gives you full control over what you eat.
👉 Just 1 hour of prep on a Sunday can cover your whole week.
👉 No more overpriced boxes, no more hidden sugars.
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