Chocolate Cereal (Homemade Cocoa Puffs)

by he on 11. February, 2023 | give feedback. This post may contain affiliate links*. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This healthy chocolate cereal contains only 4 ingredients and is gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, made with simple, healthy pantry staples. Kids and adults alike will love these homemade cocoa puffs!

Easy and healthy homemade chocolate puff cereal

As a long-term gluten-free, vegan who avoids overly processed ingredients and refined sugar, I’m no stranger to childhood favorites that no longer fit into my diet. That’s why I’m happily spending time in my kitchen coming up with diet-friendly, healthy versions of all my favorites, e.g. Bounty bar, sticky carry, Ferrero RocherAnd 3-ingredient chocolate. This time, though, I’m coming for you, Cocoa Puff Cereal!

Store-bought cereals are often loaded with sugar, chemicals and other nasty ingredients that many health-conscious adults aim to avoid. And, though I enjoy it with pleasure Healthy Granola Bars, Nut-free granola With yogurt, and Banana Baked Oatmeal Again, some days I really want chocolate cereal for breakfast! Luckily, I’ve cracked the code to gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, homemade cereal chocolate balls.

Best of all, this chocolate puff cereal treat only requires 4 simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, it’s easy enough to make that you can even get your kids involved, it’s firm and slightly crunchy, and it stores for up to a week!

material

You only need four pantry staples to prepare this healthy chocolate cereal recipe.

• Job: (certified gluten-free if necessary) or grind rolled oats into flour.
• Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder (the latter is less processed and loaded with antioxidants and several vitamins/minerals, but is more bitter).
• Maple Syrup: Or another liquid sweetener such as agave, brown rice syrup, or sugar-free syrup (keto-friendly!) Date paste can work too.
• Nut/Seed Butter: This is the mandatory ingredient for DIY Chocolate Ball Cereal. You can use any seed or nut butter, such as peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.

You may like to add a small pinch salt To balance the sweetness and enhance the cocoa flavor in the chocolate cereal and/or a small amount (1/2 tsp.) Vanilla extract For extra flavor depth.

for Full ingredient list, measurements, full recipe method, and nutrition information, Read the recipe card below.

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Cereal Balls

• First, grind the oats into flour (if you don’t have oat flour). Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir with a spoon. Then use your hands to mix the dough.

If it’s too dry, add more maple syrup or nut/seed butter. If it’s too wet, add more oat flour, a teaspoon at a time.

• Next, preheat the oven to 320 °F/160 °C and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Meanwhile, divide the dough into four pieces and roll into a rope about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
• Using a knife, cut the ropes into small pieces, about ½-3/4-inch thick, then roll each of the pieces into balls with your hands. This cocoa cereal recipe should make between 120-140 balls.

• Transfer the prepared cereal balls to the baking sheet, leaving space in the middle and bake for 10 minutes. Then let them cool completely.

Homemade cocoa puff cereal will be soft right out of the oven but will harden as it cools. Be careful not to overbake them, as they can and will burn.

• Enjoy chocolate cereal bites for breakfast with your choice of dairy-free milk (and optional fruit)!

Storage instructions

Allow the healthy chocolate cereal to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing at room temperature. 5 days or in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

I don’t think they freeze very well, but let me know in the comments if you try it.

FAQs

Are cocoa puffs vegan?

Although none of the main ingredients are non-vegetarian, the vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin D3) used to fortify store-bought cereal are often derived from animals, making it non-vegan-friendly. Luckily, this DIY cereal is 100% vegetarian, though.

Are Cocoa Puffs Gluten-Free?

Unfortunately the store-bought version often isn’t. However, luckily, this DIY cereal!

What is the texture of Homemade Cocoa Puffs Cereal?

When they first come out of the oven, they are fairly soft and chewy, but as they cool, they become firmer and crunchier. Although they’re harder than regular store-bought cereal, they’ll soften a bit once you add milk. Use warm milk to soften the chocolate ball cereal.

Can you substitute oat flour?

You may be able to use millet flour or fine almond flour in its place, although I haven’t tried it.

Recipe notes and tips

• For Smooth Choco Cereal Balls: After grinding the oats, put them through a sieve and if there are many, grind the remaining large pieces again. Or use store-bought oat flour.
• Change shape/size: That is, make healthy chocolate cereal squares (flats) or small balls. Adjust the baking time (ie, smaller balls only need 7-8 minutes).
• Adjust the texture: For example, homemade cereal balls will be softer if you underbake them.
• Enjoy them as a snack: They don’t need to be eaten only with cereal. You can also enjoy them as a dry snack. I sometimes eat a raw mix for breakfast!

More healthy vegan breakfast recipes

If you try this homemade chocolate cereal recipe, I’d love to have one Comment and ★★★★★ Recipe rating Down below. Also, please don’t forget Tag me in a re-creation on Instagram or Facebook with @ellavegan #Elvegan– I love to see them.

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