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Home Recipes Breakfast
4.7 from 3 reviews

Homemade Gluten Free Cocoa Puffs Cereal

50 mins
GF Gluten-Free VG Vegetarian
by: Lindsay Grimes
July 6, 2017 (Updated: September 19, 2024)
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Healthy Cocoa Puffs Cereal
Chocolate for breakfast? Yes! This recipe for cocoa puffs cereal is a deliciously gluten free, homemade version of everyone’s favorite store-bought cereal

Cocoa puffs cereal is the perfect way to start your day off on a sweet note! It’s a healthier, homemade option that you won’t be able to stop eating!

Today I’m throwing it back to that childhood magic and sharing a healthier, homemade version of a 90’s classic. Ok, wiki is telling me that cocoa puffs were introduced in 1958, so maybe not so much a 90’s classic as it is a childhood classic. Er, you know what I’m saying, right?

Healthy Cocoa Puffs Cereal

Are cocoa puffs gluten free?

Store bought cocoa puffs are not gluten free. But! I’m here to save the day 🙂 My homemade cocoa puffs cereal uses almond flour as the base thus making it a deliciously hearty and gluten free breakfast cereal.

Healthy Cocoa Puffs Cereal

Do these taste exactly like the store-bought version?

Honestly? No. They’re not as crunchy as traditional cocoa puffs. Instead, they’re more dense and remind me of little brownie bites when they absorb the milk. They’re dense and chocolatey and so delicious you won’t even be thinking about those sugary store-bought version.

Ingredients for homemade cocoa cereal:

  • milk – dairy milk or your favorite nut/seed milk works too!
  • egg – regular egg or flax egg works fine
  • agave nectar – honey or maple syrup is a great sub if you don’t have agave nectar
  • almond butter – any nut or seed butter works here
  • vanilla – just a splash
  • almond flour – this is going to be the base of this cocoa cereal some structure
  • cocoa powder – for that chocolate cereal goodness
  • salt – just a pinch
Healthy Cocoa Puffs Cereal
Healthy Cocoa Puffs Cereal

How to make homemade cocoa puffs cereal:

First, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, egg, agave nectar, almond butter, and vanilla. Then, add the almond flour, cocoa powder, and sea salt. Whisk or fold everything together until it’s combined.

Now, for the most time consuming part. Roll the batter into small balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I did this with damp hands so it wasn’t too sticky and washed my hands as needed throughout the process. The balls ended up being small marble sized.

Bake them for 10 minutes. Then, give the pan a shake or roll the balls with your hand to turn them and bake them for another 10 minutes.

Allow to cool on the pan and then transfer to a container until ready to eat!

Healthy Cocoa Puffs Cereal

How to prep this chocolate cereal for busy mornings:

Bake the chocolate cereal as directed. Once cool, store them in an airtight container in the pantry for about five days. Pour into a bowl and add your milk when you’re ready to breakfast!

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Recipe
GF Gluten-Free VG Vegetarian

Homemade Gluten Free Cocoa Puffs Cereal

Chocolate for breakfast?! I’m in!! Try these gluten free homemade cocoa puffs cereal for a delicious way to start your day!

Recipe by:Lindsay Grimes
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 3 reviews
Prep: 30 minsCook: 20 minsTotal: 50 mins
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: 5 1x

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup almond butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups blanched almond flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder (Cacao v. Cocoa Powder: What’s the Difference?)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, egg, agave nectar, almond butter, and vanilla.
  3. Add the almond flour, cocoa powder, and sea salt.
  4. Whisk or fold everything together until it’s combined.
  5. Roll the batter into small marble-sized balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I did this with damp hands so it wasn’t too sticky and washed my hands as needed throughout the process.
  6. Bake them for 10 minutes.
  7. Then, give the pan a shake or roll the balls with your hand to turn them and bake them for another 10 minutes.
  8. Allow to cool on the pan and then transfer to a container until ready to eat!

Tips

Serving: Calories 148; Fat 7.7g (Sat 1.2g); Protein 3.3g; Carb 18.5g (net carb 15.9g); Fiber 2.6g; Sodium 210mg

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  1. AvatarSilja says

    Posted on 7/7/17 at 8:10 am

    YUM! Do you think I could make a vegan version of this by replacing the egg? If so, what do you think might work best, chia seeds?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      Posted on 7/7/17 at 9:24 am

      Hi Silja,

      I think I would try for a flax egg. It should work!! Let me know how you make out!! xo

      Reply
  2. AvatarJacquelyn says

    Posted on 7/8/17 at 4:28 pm

    Can I use oat flour instead of almond?? Because I don’t really have almond flour in hand

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      Posted on 7/8/17 at 5:23 pm

      Yes! Oat flour should work!! xo

      Reply
  3. Alexandra Azary says

    Posted on 7/10/17 at 9:32 am

    Such a genius idea – who knew?! And honestly, you had me at almond butter. 😀

    Reply
  4. Cassie Autumn Tran says

    Posted on 7/11/17 at 3:29 pm

    Do you think there is a way I can veganize this recipe? Oh my, it looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      Posted on 7/11/17 at 4:43 pm

      I think you can use a flax egg instead of a real egg and sub in almond milk and it should work! If you try it out, let me know! xo

      Reply
  5. AvatarLindsey says

    Posted on 7/15/17 at 6:50 am

    Made these for my family. Huge hit! So yummy! My toddler called them “yummy bits”

    Reply
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Lindsay

Nice to Meet You!

I’m Lindsay - cookbook author, blogger and chocolate lover! If gluten-free desserts are your jam, you’re in the right place! I live in south Jersey with my family and new puppy Roxie! Some of my favorite things are oat milk lattes, sunny days and warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies.

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GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy-Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free P Paleo Browse All

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