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Once you learn how easy it is to make my protein cereal at home, you’ll NEVER buy it at the store again! Made with 4 ingredients, it’s crispy and crunchy, and each bowl packs over 20 grams of protein!
Need more high-protein breakfast recipes? Try my protein oatmeal, protein pancakes, coffee protein shake, and protein waffles next.
Protein is having its moment right now, and I couldn’t be happier.
There are so many brands of high-protein breakfast cereal lining the cereal aisle. Being a bit of a cereal aficionado, I can safely say I’ve tried most of them. Not to throw shade, but most lack imagination…and texture…and taste. But not my homemade high-protein cereal!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- A perfect crunchy treat. Whether you need a snack to meet your protein goals or struggle to get with eating enough at breakfast, you’ll love this recipe.
- It’s healthy. It’s low-sugar, gluten-free, grain-free, and easy to make vegan.
- Made with a shortlist of ingredients. Compared to packaged cereal, mine has no artificial ingredients or ‘natural flavor’… whatever that is.
- High fiber and high protein. Each serving packs over 20 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber!
- So much cheaper. I’m seeing protein cereals run for over $10 bucks a box! That’s plain train robbery if you ask me.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“I make your protein cereal at least once a week- it’s just so good” – Haleem
Ingredients needed
- Oat flour. For fiber and protein. Any store-bought variety works, though it’s easy to make your own with my homemade oat flour.
- Protein powder. I used vanilla soy protein powder, but you can use any flavor you prefer. As for the type of protein powder, I’d recommend soy, brown rice, or pea protein concentrate. I wouldn’t recommend whey protein, which makes for a sticky batter.
- Peanut butter. I used smooth peanut butter, but it will work with any smooth nut or seed butter. This holds everything together and adds some healthy fats (and satiety!).
- Maple syrup. Adds a touch of sweetness and helps hold the cereal together.
- Cocoa powder. Optional, but I love to divide half the dough and fold in cocoa powder for a chocolate flavor.
How to make the best protein cereal
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
Step 2- Mix the dry and wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the oat flour and protein powder. In a microwave-safe bowl, add the peanut butter and maple syrup and microwave until combined.
Step 3- Combine. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a thick dough remains. Divide the dough into two and place one portion in a separate mixing bowl. Add cocoa powder to one of the bowls and mix to combine.
Step 4- Shape. Using your hands, roll small balls of dough and place them onto the lined baking tray. Bake the cereal for 10-12 minutes until the edges are slightly firm.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Cut the carbs. Use blanched almond flour and keto maple syrup to make high protein, low carb cereal.
- Add flavoring. A little sea salt, cinnamon, or vanilla extract adds flavor with zero extra calories.
- Pack in more protein. Serve your cereal with high protein milk (like Fairlife), blend extra protein into regular milk, or serve your cereal over Greek yogurt.
More ways to add protein to cereal
If you don’t have a cereal that has added protein in it, here are ways to increase the protein content/
- Skim milk. A one-cup serving of skim milk provides 9 grams of protein.
- High protein plant milk. On average, a cup serving provides 10 grams of protein.
- Protein powder. Mix one serving of protein powder with water and replace your milk with the cereal. By doing this, you can add 20-25 grams of protein.
- Greek yogurt. Make a yogurt bowl by adding Non-fat Greek yogurt to the base then stirring through your favorite cereal. One cup serving of yogurt provides 21 grams of protein.
- Nuts and seeds. A two-tablespoon serving of peanuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, and pepitas can add 6-10 grams of protein.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover cereal in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
To freeze: Transfer single-serve portions of cereal to freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Catalina Crunch comes out on top with 22 grams per cup.
Either casein protein powder or brown rice protein powder works best for homemade cereal. Avoid using whey protein powder.
More high protein recipes to try
- Protein donuts
- Protein cookies
- Protein cinnamon rolls
- Protein banana bread
- Or any of these protein powder recipes
4-Ingredient Protein Cereal
Video
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1 cup protein powder * See notes
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or any nut or seed butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup ** See notes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your oat flour and protein powder and set aside. In a microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter and maple syrup and microwave until the peanut butter has melted. Whisk into the maple syrup until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a thick dough remains. Divide the dough into two and place one portion in a separate mixing bowl. Add cocoa powder to one of the bowls and mix together until combined.
- Using your hands, roll small balls of dough and place them onto the lined baking tray. Bake the cereal for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are beginning to firm up.
- Remove the oven from the oven and let the cereal cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published April 2022, updated and republished June 2024
How “small” should the pieces be rolled so that I can get the baking time to be accurate? Thanks! I’m thinking of rolling the dough into snakes and chopping into small pieces to save time
Hmmm I’d say 1/8-inch
Have you given the recipe a shot yet, with (or without) powder peanut butter? I had similar thoughts with PB2 or PBFit.
Nope, but you are welcome to experiment and see
OMG I’m a cereal addict. Thank you for posting. I’m definitely going to try this. Question…have you ever tried powder peanut butter (it would reduce the fat a little).
I haven’t- Feel free to experiment and see!
I am looking forward to trying these. I have an recently renewed love of cereal and am going through way too much of a popular O brand. So I am hoping to replace those with these.
I am event thinking I might try an alteration to see how it works. Maybe…subbing applesause for the peanut butter and adding cinnamon for an Apple Cinnamon version ? I will try to remember to come back and post if it is a success 😉
Can I get these ingredients in South Africa
Hi Desiree- Try iherb, they do international delivery!
I haven’t prepared them as yet but I already love them yet