Hot Buttered Cheerios, aka, Hot Buttered O’s and Fried Cheerios – buttery, crunchy, salty goodness that’s ready in about 5 minutes and made with just 3 Ingredients, Cheerios, butter and salt! Simple to make, so good. Skip the popcorn and give this recipe a try! An irresistible old school snack from the 70s and 80s.
Fried Cheerios (Hot Buttered O’s)
Today I am sharing a classic snack, one I grew up on in the 70s and 80s, Hot Buttered Cheerios (Hot Buttered O’s), a fun and tasty throwback recipe from Betty Crocker!
Yesterday afternoon I grabbed a small bowl of dry cheerios to snack on and had a childhood flashback, I remembered my mom making Hot Buttered Cheerios, a favorite go-to snack as a kid. The recipe is quick, easy and inexpensive. I have not had them in decades.
Last night during dinner, I asked my husband if he grew up on them (he grew up in California) – he did not. Our daughter knew about them, her friend’s family makes them all the time – they love Hot Buttered Cheerios! Of course, that meant my husband needed to try them asap…so I made a batch. They were a big hit! Better than I remembered all those years back.
Original post date, April 27, 2017. Post Updated, March 18, 2023.
TIPS FOR MAKING HOT BUTTERED CHEERIOS
- Real butter that’s salted is best with this recipe. Growing up, my mom used margarine – it’s just not as tasty.
- You can use the microwave, but the stove top method is best to get the Cheerios nice and crunchy. *Please see Recipe Notes in recipe card for the microwave version.
- Hot Buttered Cheerios are a great alternative to popcorn. They are kid and older adult friendly – no popcorn skin (hulls) or kernels to worry about.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I remember this recipe from the late 70s and the 80s. I grew up in Michigan, they were a favorite go-to snack. There was even a commercial with a catchy tune – “Hot buttered O’s, fry them in a pan, man oh man…” I think that’s how it went.
Yes, but they turn out so much better made on the stove top. The stove gets them super toasty and crunchy.
Yes, but I personally think butter tastes best.
Yes! You can use all sorts of seasonings. People use garlic, seasoning salt and more. You can make these sweet or savory. *See comments from readers.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE HOT BUTTERED CHEERIOS (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR FULL RECIPE)
- Cheerios
- butter, salted
- salt
How To Make Hot Buttered Cheerios
In a large skillet, melt-butter over medium to medium-high heat.
Add Cheerios, coating evenly in butter, stir for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, until cheerios are nicely toasted and crispy.
Remove, sprinkle with salt…enjoy!
For today’s batch, I “fried” the cheerios on the stove top with a little sea salt. So darn good. A crunchy, salty winner! The next time we have movie night, I’m whipping up a batch of these instead of popcorn.
Looking for more easy snacks?
Please Note: This is not a sponsored post, I have no affiliation with Betty Crocker or General Mills – I am just a fan of this fun recipe.
Fried Cheerios (aka, Classic Hot Buttered Cheerios)
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cheerios
- ¼ cup butter, salted
- pinch or more of salt to taste (I use sea salt)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt-butter over medium to medium-high heat.
- Add Cheerios, coating evenly in butter, stir for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, until cheerios are nicely toasted and crispy.
- Remove, sprinkle with salt…enjoy!
Notes
- Using a large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter (high for about 30-45 second)
- Next, add Cheerios – stir, coating in butter evenly.
- Place Cheerios back in microwave, cook on high for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring Cheerios every minute.
- Last, sprinkle with salt. Enjoy!
MaryJo
Are they good cold?
Mary Neumann
Yes! They are good both warm and cold.
Priscilla
This is awesome! Better than popcorn!
Unknown
I love this idea I think I'll make some tommrow thanks for the idea
Anonymous
Is this a Southern thing? Where are people from? I'm from IL. Never heard of them.
Ss
Ate this growing up in Iowa. Definitely not southern.
gjahntx
We never had fried cheerios, but we always had the old fashion chex mix that had cheerios in it, along with rice, corn and wheat Chex. I now make this wonderful mixture (we call Texas Trash) for my grandkids and they love it!
d Erickson
I make it in the microwave and use season salt.
Llb3349
I have been eating these for sixty some years and still love them. My 2 kids grew up on them also as a special breakfast. My 3 year grandson also loves them and often asks for them for breakfast. The only difference is that we called them cooked cheerios.
Anonymous
I had these when I was a child. I am 84 years young now. I always made these for my family and now do for grand children and great grand children,
Anonymous
Have never heard of this snack but will try. Thanks for posting.
Anonymous
These sound good. I have some Honey Nut Cheerios leftover from my daughter's visit, and now I have a way to use them. Wish I had known about this snack when my kids had braces and could not eat popcorn!
Anonymous
I can't eat popcorn anymore and I miss it! This might be just what I need to cure that craving? I can't wait to try them
Anonymous
My first time, today!! I am in love!! They are perfect as is, or lots of of things! Thank you for awesome treat that my Granddaughter likes too!!
Rufina Herman
I think Parmesan cheese sprinkled on hot buttered cheerios would be yummy.
Anonymous
Are you pregnant? Lol jk
Anonymous
I just made this with honey nut cheerios and a little cinnamon. Yummy. A little salt and some nuts toasted with the cheerios might be great!
Anonymous
Can you use honeynut cherrios? Would it still work?
Anonymous
made fried cherrios but my mother made chex mix with cherrios in it and I used to pick them out. As an adult I have made 'cherrios chex mix using the seasoning mix and just used cherrios.
Anonymous
My favorite part of chef mix. Now I can just make the cheerios.
Sylvia Abbott
My mother used to make a similar snack using puffed wheat or rice. I made it for my children and they loved it. Crunchy and delicious. Use an iron frying pan for best results.
Anita
We did this all the time years ago but used Puffed Wheat . Was one of my favorites and this was way before microwaves were even a thought!!!
GINA
My family made these all the time when I was a kid I made them all the time for my kids as well. We always used Margarine they are better than popcorn in my book. In fact I made some last night for us. One of my favorite snacks. I'm going to go make some now YUMMY! Deliciousness
GINA
My family made these all the time when I was a kid I made them all the time for my kids as well. We always used Margarine they are better than popcorn in my book. In fact I made some last night for us. One of my favorite snacks. I'm going to go make some now YUMMY! Deliciousness
GINA
My family made these all the time when I was a kid I made them all the time for my kids as well. We always used Margarine they are better than popcorn in my book. In fact I made some last night for us. One of my favorite snacks. I'm going to go make some now YUMMY! Deliciousness
Patricia Michelin
I never heard of these, but I tried it last night with the Honey Nut Cheerio's and sprinkled lightly with a little cinnamon sugar afterwards, and it was divine! Thank you for sharing your memory and your recipe. Wishing you the best day ever!
marysweetlittlebluebird
Thanks, Marsha – You should give them a try! I plan to make the mini-doughnut version this weekend. Hope you are well. Always fun hearing from you. Have a wonderful weekend!
Marsha Baker
What a great idea! This post made me laugh. I've never heard of such a thing, but will have to give it a try soon as it sounds oh so delish! So glad you had that flashback. =)