Today I am sharing an old school snack, one I grew up on in the 70s and 80s – Fried Cheerios, also know as Hot Buttered Cheerios. A fun, tasty throwback for Thursday!
Fried Cheerios (aka, Classic Hot Buttered Cheerios)An old school classic snack – buttery, crunchy, salty goodness that’s ready in about 5 minutes! Simple to make, so good. Skip the popcorn and give this recipe a try!
CHECK OUT MY MINI DOUGHNUT FRIED CHEERIOS POST
Yesterday afternoon, I grabbed a small bowl of dry Cheerios for a snack and had a flashback – I remembered my mom making hot buttered cheerios as a kid. I haven’t thought about them in decades.
Last night during dinner, I asked my husband if he grew up with them…he hadn’t. Our daughter said one of her friends was just talking about them, that she and her family make them all the time – they love them. Of course, my husband couldn’t wait to try them so I made a batch today.
For today’s batch, I fried the Cheerios in butter on the stove with a little sea salt. So good! A crunchy, salty winner!
These fried Cheerios are addictive!! Not the least bit healthy, but a great cure for a crunchy, salty craving. The next time we have movie night, I’m whipping up a batch of these instead of popcorn.
I have to admit, these taste so much better as an adult than they did as a kid. I’m pretty sure my mom used margarine instead of butter. I don’t remember a lot of real butter in the house growing up, unless it was the holidays. I also think she made them in the microwave so they were not super crispy, often a little wet and soggy. So if you want to give them a try, skip the margarine and microwave.
Fried Cheerios (aka, Classic Hot Buttered Cheerios)
- 4 cups Cheerios
- 1/4 cup butter (salted butter)
- salt to taste
Directions
Instead of salt, season with seasoning salt (like Lawry’s Seasoning Salt). Add a little Worcestershire (1/2 teaspoon) to the butter for extra flavor.
Here are three new twists on this classic recipe (from Betty Crocker, click links below for the recipes):
Mini-Doughnut Hot Buttered Cheerios
“A sweet sugar-cinnamon mix that tastes just like everyone’s favorite fair food!”
Apple Pie Hot Buttered Cheerios
“A great snack for when an apple-pie craving hits – try it with Apple-Cinnamon Cheerios for even more apple flavor.”
Garlic Toast Hot Buttered Cheerios
“This savory spin is a perfect alternative to movie-night popcorn!”
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cheers!
On my blog you will find my favorite recipes along with tried and trues from cherished cookbooks and admired sites and magazines.
What state did you grow up in. Curious about where this originated. I grew up in Oregon this is the first I’ve heard of fried cheerios. We made chex mix at Christmas.
I grew up in Michigan. They had a commercial for the recipe too, in the late 70s or early 80s.
My husband introduced me to fried Cheerios in the early 70’s. The whole family loves them. Recently, I ran out of a full recipe with regular Cheerios and used half of the multi-grain ones. It is now my favorite combination!
Oh my!! I used my wok. Made it easy to stir. I used some Mrs Dash Garlic & Herb & little Butter Buds to season. My mind is running through season possibilities. Crazy good! Thanks for sharing.
I grew up in the 70’s eating buttered Cheerios. For some strange reason we always ate them out of paper bags. I make them still, but in the microwave, I’ll have to try making them in a pan next time. We also ate saltine crackers crumbled with sugar mixed in with them.
In all of my 42 yrs, I have never heard of buttered Cheerios. While they sound gross, I may have to try it!
Sprinkle some nutritional yeast on them! Tastes slightly cheesy and it’s good for you.
I grew up in the 1950s and my mom always made this treat for us.
I’ve never known anyone outside of my family who makes these! Try adding a little parmesean cheese after cooking instead of the salt. It takes it to the next level!
I bet these would be good sprinkled with ranch and Tony’s too!
I have also done this with Corn Chex and Rice Chex, and added a bit of garlic powder to the butter. Just pour over and stir quickly so as not to get soggy.
Your website has lots of old recipes…my mother n law used to make something she called blueberry huckle buck..which was a dough rolled with blueberries and wrapped n cheesecloth and boiled…ahes passed and i cannot find a recioe for this…do u happen to know it?? Thanks
Hi Linda – The recipe sounds like fruit dumplings – I think this may be what you are looking for, please let me know if this is it.
https://suburbangrandma.com/steamed-fruit-dumplings-recipe-and-technique/
My dad used to make these when I was a kid. I make them all the time!!
😆🥰😀 I was so tickled to see The Cheerios. I thought we were the only ones that made them As a matter of fact I made some last night!!! You made my day posting this.
Here it is 2:30 am needed a snack-what popped into my mind Fried Cheerios! Wow what a treat, great snack. Thanks and also for all the alternate recipes too. Hope others give this a try. Made mine with sea then sprinkled cinnamon/ sugar over. Excellent! Just made 2cups with 2.5 T of butte.
I remember these and still occasionally make them! My kids thought I was crazy until they tried them. Now they are a staple for road trips!
I have always made these with real parmesan cheese (instead of the salt). I haven’t had them for a while – I think it’s time to make them again!!
I am in my 60’s and I used to make these at my grandmother’s farmhouse when I was about 10 or 12 years old. This brought back sweet memories of a simpler time. Thank you.
I love these! We use to eat them for a snack when i was a kid. They are the bomb!