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!
Christine
This sounds so yummy! I have to be gluten free so Cheerios and Chex have many flavor options yay! I was wondering if honey could be used? As well as..cinnamon added? I like the fruit flavored Cheerios and the only recipes I find are marshmallow treats. I’m a grown up and I do like it occasionally but I still feel there’s got to be more you +an do with them. Thank you for the recipe and your time!
Judith Posey
I am going to try this by adding some brown sugar to the butter then add cheerios have carmelized cheerios!
Michael
I first found this treat and tried it about a year ago. I’ll be honest. Right after I first made it, I took a taste and didn’t like it. I almost threw the whole batch away. Instead, I decided to wait and try them again later. The more I tried them, the more they grew on me. I still don’t know why I didn’t like that first taste, but now I love them! They really do taste like popcorn. My mom cant eat popcorn anymore due to digestive issues, so this is a great alternative. They are also great if you add some sugar along with the salt right after you finish frying them. It’s like having kettle corn.
Terry
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you posted this! I have eaten these off and on since the 70’s and every time I mention them to someone, they look at me like I’m crazy! I’m glad I’m not the only one that remembers this delicious treat! We always used margarine (mom swore you had to use blue bonnet for everything) and I leave out the salt
Tanni Bowers
I love this snack. And my children do too! We eat them almost everyday. We like to mix half regular Cheerios with half pumpkin spice Cheerios. So good!
Alesia Alvira
I live in Buffalo NY, where our city smells like Cheerios Everyday. All my life I have Never heard of fried buttered Cheerios!!!
OMG 😋😋😋 Just Had To Make Them and Holy cow where have they been all my Life😂😂😂😂Delish
Shanna
Would it work to mix some nuts in? Cashews, maybe or peanuts?
Heidi
I grew up making fried Cheerios with honey and butter. So good.
Melody Zier
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.
Mary Neumann
I grew up in Michigan. They had a commercial for the recipe too, in the late 70s or early 80s.
Becky Holley
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!
PJ Cole
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.
Gina
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.
Carrie
In all of my 42 yrs, I have never heard of buttered Cheerios. While they sound gross, I may have to try it!
Carolyn
Sprinkle some nutritional yeast on them! Tastes slightly cheesy and it’s good for you.
Jim Orlando
I grew up in the 1950s and my mom always made this treat for us.
andrea
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!
karen worsley
I bet these would be good sprinkled with ranch and Tony’s too!
Carol
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.
Linda
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
Mary Neumann
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/
Billie East
My dad used to make these when I was a kid. I make them all the time!!
Kathy
😆🥰😀 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.
Shelly
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.
Tracie
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!
Leslie
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!!
Pam
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.
Connie
I love these! We use to eat them for a snack when i was a kid. They are the bomb!