Maple Puffs

If you’re looking for a quick, wholesome, and delightfully crunchy snack, look no further than these homemade Maple Puffs. With just 10 minutes and three ingredients you can create a cereal that’s naturally sweet, whole grain, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even as a topping for yogurt and smoothie bowls.

How I developed this recipe

Maple Puffs are incredibly easy to make and take a total of 10 minutes! This has made it an easy addition to my every day baking. I have tried making cereal from dough and rolling it but that took an eternity for a single bowl of cereal! With two babies that is just not a sustainable change for me.

I discovered this recipe when I ordered Kamut Puffs as a healthy snack for my husband. I opened the package and thought they looked…familiar… Then it hit me, Honey Smacks! One of my favorite childhood cereals! Having always assumed that they are a fancy extruded dough, this was a lightbulb moment! It made me wonder if I could coat the puffs in a variety of simple syrups and dry it out. This worked surprisingly well and now it’s become a staple in our house!

Why should you bother making cereal?

Have you stopped and read the ingredient list on cereal? The list is long and packed full of artificial colors, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, high fructose corn syrup and so much more!

When walking down the cereal aisle, it’s easy to be dazzled by colorful boxes and catchy slogans. But behind the bright packaging, many store-bought cereals contain a cocktail of ingredients that can be concerning for your health. I especially don’t want to be giving these to my children. Making your own simple, wholesome cereals like Maple Puffs at home not only lets you control what goes into your food, but also delivers real health benefits.

Unhealthy Ingredients Common in Store-Bought Cereals

Many popular cereals,even those marketed as “healthy”, are packed with questionable additives and excess sugar. Here are some of the most common problematic ingredients:

• Added Sugar: Many cereals contain high amounts of added sugars, sometimes exceeding 10–15 grams per serving. Excess sugar is linked to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and increased risk of chronic diseases.
• Artificial Colors and Flavors: Ingredients like Red 40, Yellow 5, and artificial flavors are often added to make cereals more appealing, especially to children. Many food dyes have been linked to behavioral issues and other health concerns.
• Preservatives (BHA & BHT): Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are synthetic preservatives used to extend shelf life. BHA is classified as possibly carcinogenic, and both have been linked to hormone disruption.
• Hydrogenated Oils: Some cereals use hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, which are sources of trans fats and are associated with heart disease..
• Excess Added Vitamins: Fortified cereals often contain added vitamins and minerals, sometimes in amounts that exceed safe daily limits for children, potentially leading to toxicity over time.
• Genetically Modified Ingredients and Glyphosate: Many non-organic cereals contain GMO grains and may have pesticide residues such as glyphosate.
• Ultra-Processed Grains: Even “whole grain” cereals are often made from flours and starches that are highly processed, stripping away natural nutrients and fiber.

The Benefits of Making Your Own Cereal at Home

Control Over Ingredients

When you make Maple Puffs or other cereals at home, you decide exactly what goes in. You can use whole grains, natural sweeteners like maple syrup, and skip the artificial additives entirely

Less Sugar, More Nutrition

Homemade cereals allow you to keep sugar to a minimum and use healthier sweeteners. You can also boost nutrition by adding nuts, seeds, or bran for extra fiber and protein.

No Harmful Additives

By making your own, you avoid preservatives like BHA/BHT, artificial colors, hydrogenated oils, and other questionable chemicals found in many packaged cereals

Higher Quality Ingredients

You can choose organic or locally sourced grains, natural oils, and real flavors, ensuring your cereal is as wholesome as possible6.

Environmentally Friendly

Homemade cereals reduce packaging waste and can be stored in reusable containers, making them a more sustainable choice

Customization

You can tailor the flavor, texture, and nutrition to your family’s needs-whether you want more fiber, less sugar, or a specific flavor profile

Health Benefits of Homemade Whole Grain Cereals

• Rich in Fiber: Oats and ancient grains like Kamut are naturally high in fiber, which supports digestion and helps you feel fuller longer.
• Heart-Healthy: Whole grains and natural oils (like avocado or olive oil) help lower cholesterol and support heart health.
• Antioxidants: Ingredients like whole grains, seeds, and natural sweeteners contain antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage.
• Balanced Nutrition: Homemade cereals can be made high in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs, supporting steady energy and overall wellness

Maple Puffs: Step by Step

Maple Puffs are incredibly easy to make and take a total of 10 minutes! This has made it an easy addition to my every day baking.

Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the Kamut Puffs, maple syrup, and salt. Toss well, using the back of a spatula to spread the syrup and ensure every puff is evenly coated. This step is key for getting that perfect sweet crunch in every bite.

You can easily adjust the syrup to your taste so play around with different amounts. We don’t love our cereal too sweet so this is a moderate amount. If you are looking for a sweet cereal you can try increasing the syrup. I have also found that due to the short drying time, if it is not sweet enough just drizzle more syrup over and bake for a few more minutes.

Prepare for Baking

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the coated puffs across the sheet in a single, even layer, making sure they touch as little as possible. This helps them bake evenly and prevents clumping.

Bake

Bake on convection at 325°F (163°C) for 5 minutes. The puffs will still feel soft when you take them out, but don’t worry-they’ll crisp up beautifully as they cool.

Cool and Store

Allow the puffs to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once crisp, transfer them to an airtight container. Properly stored, your Maple Puffs will stay fresh and crunchy for up to a month.

Tips for Success

• Even Coating: Use a large bowl and a spatula to gently but thoroughly coat every puff with the maple syrup. This ensures each bite is perfectly sweet and crisp.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Spreading the puffs out in a single layer prevents sticking and helps them bake evenly.
• Watch Closely: Because of the natural sugars in maple syrup, the puffs can go from golden to burnt quickly. Stick to the short bake time and keep an eye on them.
• Let Them Cool: The puffs will continue to crisp as they cool, so don’t rush this step.

Maple Puffs

Recipe by Katelyn AmesCourse: Breakfast, CerealCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

9

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

79

kcal

Total time

10

minutes

If you’re looking for a quick, wholesome, and delightfully crunchy snack, look no further than these homemade Maple Puffs. With just 10 minutes and three ingredients you can create a cereal that’s naturally sweet, whole grain, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even as a topping for yogurt and smoothie bowls.

Ingredients

• 6 oz bag of Kamut Puffs

• 80g Maple syrup

• pinch of salt

Directions

• In a large bowl combine the Kamut Puffs, syrup and salt. Toss well, using the back of a spatula to spread the syrup and ensure even coating.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the puffs across it in an even layer, making sure they touch as little as possible. They will stick together so make sure they are spread out.
• Bake on convection at 325 for 5 minutes. The cereal will still be soft when taken out but will crisp up as it cools.
• Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Notes

• I buy Nature’s Path Organic Kamut Puffs through Azure Standard because they are cheaper but they are also available on Amazon.
• Alternatively you can use Puffed Rice for a gluten free option.

*All nutritional facts are estimates and should not be used to make medical decisions. Serving size is 1 cup