This commercial oat cereal contains wheat starch, synthetic additives (trisodium phosphate, calcium carbonate), caramel color, and synthetic vitamins. Fortunately, it contains NO seed oils. The DIY version uses only organic whole grain oats, minimal natural binding agents, and eliminates all synthetic additives while providing superior nutrition from real food sources.
Based on: Crispy Oats Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal
· Makes approximately 30 servings
· Serving: 41g (about 1/3 cup)
Why This Recipe is Seed Oil Free
Commercial Crispy Oats Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal from Millville often contains inflammatory seed oils like canola, soybean, or sunflower oil. This homemade version replaces them with healthier fats like butter, ghee, coconut oil, or avocado oil — giving you the same great taste without the processed oils.
The original Crispy Oats Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal may also contain artificial dyes. Check it on DyeFreeCheck to find out.
Ingredients
Organic whole grain oats
1000g (about 10 cups) · Bob's Red Mill Organic Extra Thick Rolled Oats
Primary ingredient that gets ground into flour and formed into cereal pieces
Healthy fat for toasting and browning, adds subtle flavor and helps with texture
Organic sea salt
8g (about 1.5 teaspoons) · Redmond Real Salt
Enhances flavor and replaces synthetic sodium additives
Instructions
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Grind 800g (8 cups) of the organic oats in a high-speed blender or food processor until you achieve a fine flour consistency - this takes about 2-3 minutes of pulsing. Sift the oat flour through a fine mesh strainer to remove any large pieces, re-grinding them until uniform. You want a powder-fine texture for proper binding.
Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour (800g), tapioca starch (100g), and sea salt (8g) until evenly distributed. Tapioca starch is crucial here as it acts as a natural binder without synthetic additives. Make sure there are no clumps - the mixture should be completely uniform.
Step 3. Melt the coconut oil (30g) and let it cool slightly but remain liquid. Gradually add 120-150ml of warm water (start with 120ml) to the dry ingredients while stirring constantly. Add the melted coconut oil and mix thoroughly. The mixture should hold together when squeezed but not be wet or sticky. Add more water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed - the dough should be moldable but not soggy.
Step 4. Take the remaining 200g of whole oats and pulse them briefly (3-4 pulses) to break them into smaller pieces but not flour - these will add texture to your cereal. Mix these coarsely chopped oats into your dough. This creates the authentic cereal texture with varied piece sizes.
Step 5. Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into small irregular pieces about the size of commercial cereal (roughly pea-sized). Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring pieces don't touch. This step is tedious but crucial - take time to make pieces roughly uniform in size so they toast evenly.
Step 6. Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even browning. The cereal is done when pieces are golden brown, crispy throughout (test by breaking one open - it should be dry inside), and make a light rattling sound when shaken on the pan. If pieces are still chewy inside, continue baking in 10-minute increments.
Step 7. Cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring to airtight containers. Properly toasted cereal should stay crispy for 2-3 weeks when stored in a cool, dry place. Serve with your choice of organic milk, nut milk, or enjoy as a crunchy snack. Use about 41g (1/3 cup) per serving to match commercial portion sizes.
Storage
Store in airtight glass containers in a cool, dry place for up to 3 weeks. Do not refrigerate as humidity will make cereal soggy. If cereal loses crispness, re-toast in 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Cost Comparison
Cost per serving (homemade)$0.38
Cost per serving (store-bought)$0.25
Savings-52%
DIY costs more upfront due to premium organic ingredients and no synthetic additives or preservatives. However, you get superior nutrition, no synthetic chemicals, and complete control over ingredients. The bulk ingredients also make many batches, reducing long-term costs.