Chocolate Cereal (Homemade Cocoa Puffs) Recipe
This homemade chocolate cereal recipe creates delightful, bite-sized cocoa puffs using simple, wholesome ingredients like oat flour, cocoa powder, and nut butter. Perfect as a vegan and gluten-free breakfast cereal, these puffs are easy to make, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and baked to a crisp, chocolatey finish that pairs wonderfully with dairy-free milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 120-140 small cocoa puffs 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- ⅔ cup (60 g) oat flour (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 ½ Tbsp (13 g) cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
Wet Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp (60 g) maple syrup (or any other liquid sweetener)
- 3 ½ Tbsp (56 g) nut or seed butter of choice (e.g., almond, cashew, sunflower seed butter)
Instructions
- Combine wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the nut or seed butter and maple syrup until well combined using a spoon.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the oat flour and cocoa powder until the mixture starts forming a dough.
- Adjust dough consistency: Use your hands to knead the dough. If it feels too dry, add more maple syrup or nut/seed butter gradually. If too wet, add a teaspoon of oat flour at a time until manageable.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Heat your oven to 320 °F (160 °C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Shape the dough: Divide the dough into four equal parts. Roll each into a rope about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
- Cut and form balls: Slice each rope into pieces about ½-¾ inch thick, then roll each piece into a ball with your hands. This will yield approximately 120-140 small cocoa balls.
- Arrange and bake: Place the balls spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes.
- Cool completely: Remove from the oven and let the cereal balls cool fully on the baking sheet. They will firm up as they cool.
- Serve: Enjoy your homemade chocolate cereal with your favorite dairy-free milk and optional fresh fruit for a nutritious breakfast.
Notes
- Use gluten-free oat flour if you have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
- Any creamy nut or seed butter can be used depending on taste preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Do not overbake to avoid burning; the balls should be soft right out of the oven and firm once cooled.
- Store cereal in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- This recipe is vegan and can easily fit into gluten-free diets.
Keywords: homemade cocoa puffs, chocolate cereal, vegan breakfast, gluten free cereal, oat flour cereal, healthy cereal, dairy free cereal, easy breakfast recipe
