Cereal is my everything. Right up there with my baby and husband (of course I meant to say those two first). It’s that all-consuming love that’s never failed since I was a kid. There’s a reason they make it in BOXES rather than cute jars or small cartons. It satisfies every craving imaginable and I swear it’s addictive. So when I need my cereal fix but don’t want to completely sabotage my healthy eating habits, I make this gluten-free sweet potato cereal.
When I was a kid and I stayed at grandma’s, I used to RUN to her cereal cabinet to see what boxes she bought just for me. And it was always the MECCA in child sugar eats – Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Count Chocula, Cookie Crisp, and of course my personal fav, Smorz (which is sadly discontinued – RIP my first love).
Children of the 90’s I know you get it…everyone ate cereal disguised as candy. It was our norm, it was our truth. It was crazy entertaining commercials and must-have-it toys in the bottom of the boxes. It was fishing out the marshmallows for that last epic bite and sucking down all that sweet rainbow-colored milk to finish off the culinary adventure.
Growing up sucks. It’s all “go to work” and “be responsible” and “drink kale smoothies”. Ugh. All the adult rite of passages. But you know what? I miss cereal (and my pink Huffy, the Skip-It, and Pogs).
I tend not to even buy it anymore. Not only is it hard for me to practice self control, but even the most basic brands still have a lot of junk in ’em that I just know better not to eat. But hot-diggity-dog let me tell ya, when I MAKE my own cereal, it’s like I’m a kid all over again.
Put your Tamagotchi down for a sec and listen to me. You CAN make your own healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar free cereal at home, and it’s NOT HARD. Like not even close to Oregon Trail crossing-the-river hard.
Made with simple ingredients like sweet potatoes and oat flour, this gluten-free sweet potato cereal is the perfect way to channel your inner child while still being that responsible, uber healthy adult.
To start, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat one large sweet potato in the microwave anywhere from 6-8 minutes, making sure to poke holes in the spud before heating. Once it’s soft, let cool slightly and scrape out all the insides. You should have about 1 1/2 cups of mashed sweet potato.
Combine the oat flour, gluten-free flour, cinnamon, and baking soda, then add to the mashed sweet potato. Pour in the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and the whisked egg white and mix well.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the sweet potato mixture on the paper and spread thinly and evenly, making sure the center isn’t thicker than the outsides. Note – the thinner you spread the mixture, the faster it will bake and the crunchier it will be, but don’t spread it too thin, as it could burn.
Place the spread sweet potato mixture into the oven and bake for 25 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn. Take it out of the oven and using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into vertical strips, then flip the strips over. Place back into the oven another 5-10 minutes, enough to fully cook the mixture (you may need more time if your dough is particularly thick).
Let the strips cool then cut into small squares. Store in an open container for 4-6 days. Serve with your choice of milk!
The thicker the mixture is spread upon baking, the chewier the texture will be. It is difficult to get uniform consistency so the center may be thicker than the outsides. If so, simply take the outside strips off the baking sheet once they are done and keep baking the middle strips, flattening them as much as you can.
Now for my last little note (of this novel post)…if you expect a super crunchy cereal this is not it. Think of it as a mix between cereal and oatmeal once you dowse it with cold (or you can serve with hot) milk. It’s the perfect breakfast to keep you full and powered all the way up to lunch!
What was your favorite childhood cereal brand?
PrintGluten-Free Sweet Potato Cereal
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1/3 cup oat flour
- 1 cup gluten free flour blend
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 egg white, whisked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- Wash and pat dry the sweet potato, then using a knife, carefully poke spears into the potato then microwave on high for 6-8 minutes until the inside is soft
- Let the sweet potato cool, then cut open and scoop out the insides, discarding the skin
- Pour 1/3 cup rolled oats into small blender or food processor and pulse until you get a fine oat flour
- Combine the oat flour, gluten free flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Combine with the mashed sweet potato
- Add the apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, and whisked egg white. Mix until well combined
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- Pour the sweet potato mixture on the paper and spread thinly and evenly, making sure the center isn’t thicker than the outsides. Note – the thinner you spread the mixture, the faster it will bake and the crunchier it will be, but don’t spread it too thin, as it could burn
- Place the spread sweet potato mixture into the oven and bake for 25 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn. Take it out of the oven and using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into vertical strips, then flip the strips over. Place back into the oven another 5-10 minutes, enough to fully cook the mixture (you may need more time if your dough is particularly thick)
- Let the strips cool then cut into small squares. Store in an open container for 4-6 days. Serve with your choice of milk
- *Note – the thicker the mixture is spread upon baking, the chewier the texture will be. It is difficult to get uniform consistency so the center may be thicker than the outsides. If so, simply take the outside strips off the baking sheet once they are done and keep baking the middle strips, flattening them as much as you can
I think we all know my feelings on cereal 😉
You know what ones I’m obsessing over now? KIX! Just plain old kix! (Gluten-free and vegan and perfect)! I forgot how much joy they bring 😉 They honey ones are good too!
I love Kix too. Love love love!
We’re a house full of cereal lovers, too. Our pantry is STOCKED (with the store-bought stuff)! 🙂
It’s never even occurred to me to try to make my own, but this looks delicious. I wish I could grab a bite right off the screen!
It’s soooo hard not to buy! My hubby loves cereal too. Surprisingly though, my son totally preferred this to his normal Cheerios. WIN!
Such a great idea! I’ve got to try this!
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Thanks Natalie! I hope you do 🙂
What a cool idea! I love sweet potato! I also used to eat cereal all the time as kid but rarely buy it anymore.
Thanks Becky! It’s nummy and nutritious, so why not right?!
OMG THIS IS ABOVE AND BEYOND genius!!! I should totally try and re-make fiance’s favorite cereal!
Thanks girl!! You already got a ring, but maybe you can get some other goods if you can serve him a healthy version of his fav 😉 wink wink
omg yes!! I grew up with cocoa puffs captain crunch and the whole shebang! Eating those things on a daily basis was the norm! This looks amazing and i have to eat a gluten free diet now so i am one happy lady! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
RIGHT?! I swear everyone’s childhood revolved around those goodies. I hope you love this version Heather!
Oh I need this in my life!!! PINNING and MAKING!! I am wondering if it would work with pumpkin??? 🙂
Oh my gosh that’s a fantastic idea! I may try that in the fall! Give it a whirl – ya never know?!
this is everything. i am with you, cereal is my favorite thing ever, but when I started eating paleo, all cereal went out the window!! You have saved my life. I’m pinning this to make this weekend!!
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SAME! Like, bye bye old trusted friend. But now it’s BACK!!! Glad I could save your life (and mine). Praise the cereal Gods once again!!
Shut up! This is way too good to be true and I’ve never made anything like this! It’s officially on my spring bucket list to make! I’m so obsessed with ALL of your recipes.
Seriously! It’s for realz!!! Ahhh Margaret you made my day. Thanks so much friend!
I’ve never made my own cereal! What a cool idea!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
It’s fun right?! Thanks Kari!
I love this recipe so much! I love sweet potato for breakfast. My husband and old roommates used to think I was weird, but I’m Mexican. We ate sweet potato for breakfast all the time growing up. I’m pinning this and trying it this weekend! Thank you.
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Sweet potato in the morning is weird?! Welp, then weirdos unite because I have them almost every morning with sautéed kale and fried eggs! I love that sweet/starchy fix! Thanks so much Maggie. I hope you love this healthified cereal!
This seriously looks like gluten free cinnamon toast crunch. I’m so glad that God saw fit to make so many different kinds of food so gluten free or dairy free or ___ (fill in the blank) can have cereal too! 🙂
Cereal should never be a food someone can’t have. THAT would be a shame!!! Mmmm Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Always a classic!
Yum! That looks delicious!
Thanks Brittany!
Girl – you are a GENIUS! This is such a good idea!! Need to try !
Genius is a STRONG word friend! I’m just a cereal addict. That’s all 😉
Wait. Totally YUM. This could so easily be made vegan too, if you sub an egg for flax seed, which is perfect because my family is vegan. Awesome recipe! Pinning
Oh my gosh Annie, I was TOTALLY contemplating using flax ‘egg’ for this recipe. Great minds think alike!!
This is kind of blowing my mind right now. I never thought you could actually make your own cereal. I mean I make granola but that is totally different. This looks super delicious.
Mmmm granola is always a winner but sometimes straight up CEREAL is where it’s at! Thanks so much Lauren!
Oh my goodness, so yummy!
YES! Yummy is correct-o! Thanks Alicia!
This is the coolest recipe! I have never made homemade cereal but I am for sure making this!
Thanks Shannon! It’s a great recipe for some DIY crack (I mean, cereal) 😉
sweet potatoes cereal…WHAT!!! Mind Blown.
YES! It’s for real girl – believe it!
It looks awesome! What a great fix for those of us that for sure crave this cereal from our childhood! Yum!
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Those childhood loves will never, ever go away. An that’s ok 😉 Thanks Heather!
This is so so cool! I would have never thought to make homemade cereal! You’re a genius!
It’s not something you’d traditionally think of but CHAAAAA and it’s so easy!
This is brilliant! Pinned!
Thanks Nicole! And I appreciate the pin love!
Woah I seriously want to add this cereal to everything! This would be amazing in my yogurt and smoothie bowls!!
Oh my gosh YES! I never thought of that! Dooooo it!!!
What a great idea! I use sweet potato in so many other things – dessert brownies are awesome! – but never thought about extending it to cereal. Thanks for opening up my tastebuds to new possibilities!
Me too! It’s SUCH a versatile ingredient. I hope you love this cereal Bree!
I haven’t eaten cereal in years! Well except for granola, is that cereal? Anyway, this looks great and something I would serve my family (since we don’t do artificial colors and refined sugars). Isn’t it funny, I would never think to make cereal…Love this, will have to try it out! Thanks for sharing.
That’s a good question. I am sure there is some major debate about granola being cereal somewhere…I love me some granola, but sometimes that old cereal ‘feel’ just hits the spot!
This is seriously one of the most creative and delightful recipes that I have seen all week. Sweet Potato Cereal? Is this for real? I love sweet potatoes AND cereals. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks!
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Oh wow, thank you so much Aarika! It’s FOR REAL and super yummy too!
you know what would make a great topping to this cereal? ………. coconut marshmallows! OMG I DIE! heaven
DUDE you stop that right now! I’m still dreaming of your coconut marshmallows. I could eat those on top of dirt!
WOW. I think I may have found something new to be obsessed with! This looks amazing! Pinning this for later.
I’ll happily have one of my recipe become your obsession Emma! Thanks girl 😉
This cereal is awesome! I never thought that you could make your own flakes from sweet potatoes! Genius!
Thanks Bethany! Sweet potatoes are so versatile. Hence why I totally love ’em 😉
Oh my gosh Chrissa, this post is everything. From your grandma’s cereal cabinet (MINE WAS THE SAME) to “Put your Tamagotchi down…” But literally my mom wouldn’t buy Lucky Charm’s so I always asked my Nana to 😀
Such a fun easy, recipe!
Oh our grannies would get along AWESOME. Midwest, grand-daughter, cereal-lovin’ grandmas. I LOVE IT! (and I love you) 😉
Yum! This looks so delicious!!
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Thanks Amanda!
Can an egg replacer be used in place of the egg white? My son is allergic to egg (along with a whole host of other foods) and this cereal would be perfect for him! Thank you!
Ugh the worst!! You could absolutely try a flax egg in this to bind it (1 tablespoon ground flax with 2 tablespoons water – let sit at least 10 minutes before adding to the recipe). That, combined with the flour should be enough to get all to stick. Let me know if you try and it how it turns out Amy!