What To Do With Boxes of Unused Cereal
Are you tired of letting your old cereal go to waste? Please try these ideas for using those boxes of unused cereal. Don’t throw it away just yet! With a little creativity, there are numerous ways you can repurpose those forgotten boxes of cereal sitting in your pantry. If you have a box of cereal and you don’t know what to do with it give some of these creative approaches a try.
- Food Storage Tips for Your Groceries and Leftovers
- Which Methods of Food Storage are Correct?
- 7 Crops To Grow For Food Storage
Boxes of Unused Cereal
1. Crunchy Granola Bars
Granola bars are a perfect snack for when you’re on the go or need a quick energy boost. By combining old cereal with honey, nuts, dried fruits, and a few other ingredients, you can create your own homemade granola bars. They not only taste great but also provide essential nutrients. The Best Granola Recipes In The World
2. Cereal Trail Mix
Combine different varieties of cereal with pretzels, nuts, and dried fruits to make a delightful trail mix. It’s a nutritious option for snacking at home or on outdoor adventures. Pack it in small bags or containers to enjoy throughout the day. First Aid for Outdoor Adventures To save them for a few days, be sure to put them in an airtight container to help maintain freshness.
3. Cereal Crumbs for Coating
Instead of using regular breadcrumbs, crush your old cereal into fine crumbs and use them as a coating for chicken tenders, fish fillets, or even vegetables. The added crunch and flavor from the cereal will take your dishes to the next level. Chicken and Rice Casserole
Many casseroles call for a crunchy topping. Consider using your old cereals as an alternative to what you usually put on top. I’ve found that Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes go well as a topping with all sorts of casseroles.
4. Cereal Energy Balls
Mix old cereal with nut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and any additional ingredients you desire to create energy balls. These bite-sized snacks are packed with nutrients and make for a convenient pick-me-up during busy days.
5. Cereal Crust for Pie
Crush your old cereal and combine it with melted butter to create a unique and flavorful pie crust. Use it as the base for your favorite sweet or savory pies as you mix the batter, adding an extra layer of texture and taste. How To Make The Best Cookie Sheet Pies
6. Cereal Cookies
Replace regular oats with crushed cereal in your favorite cookie recipe to add a delightful crunch. Whether you choose chocolate chip, oatmeal, or peanut butter, the cereal will enhance the texture and flavor of your cookies. The Best Peanut Butter Cookies
You can do the same thing when you want to change things up for a breakfast meal. Try putting some old cereal in your pancake batter and see how fast your kids or guests eat them up. Get your kids involved in making the batter when their home on a rainy day. They’ll love to learn some cooking skills and will get excited to see you put those Cheerios in the bottom of the box to good use.
If the request is for cupcakes or muffins, don’t disappoint. No matter what flavors have been your favorites, as a flavor substitute take some tasty cups of cereal and add them in along with bananas, cinnamon, brown sugar, or other ingredients to make some unique and fun treats. They also make fun neighborhood gifts for new move-ins.
7. Cereal Bread Pudding
Transform stale bread into a delectable bread pudding by mixing it with milk, eggs, sugar, and a generous amount of crushed cereal. Bake it to perfection for a warm and comforting dessert or breakfast option. How To Make Bread Pudding
If you want an even more unique option, add in some sweet fruit like pears, peaches, or berries of all kinds. Sure, it changes the texture of the pudding, but also makes a sweet and nutritious dessert the whole family will enjoy.
If you like pudding, you may be someone who also likes different kinds of yogurt. To add some special flavor to your plain yogurt, in a bowl, stir in some cereal as a new mixture, or just put it on as a topping.
8. Bird Feeder Treats
If you want to give back to nature, repurpose your old cereal as bird feeder treats. Coat cereal clusters with a mixture of peanut butter and honey, then hang them outside for the birds to enjoy. It’s a fun and eco-friendly activity for kids too! How To Make Hummingbird Food If you have any questions about which cereals are healthy for the birds, check with the National Audubon Society for some guidance
Can I use stale cereal in recipes?
Stale cereal can still be used in certain recipes, especially those that involve baking in your oven or require the cereal to be crushed. Just make sure to check for any signs of mold or spoilage before using it. My adage has always been, if in doubt, throw it out!
Are there any safety precautions I should take when repurposing cereal boxes?
When repurposing cereal boxes, be mindful of sharp edges or staples that may cause injury. Ensure all food debris is properly cleaned from the box before using it for crafts or storage purposes. I didn’t realize it, but there’s a whole bunch of cereal box craft items people make, from wall art to puzzles, bookmarks, gift tags, and even notebooks and desk organizers using the materials from old cereal boxes.
My Favorite Kinds of Cereal
Final Word
Instead of allowing cereal to go bad, put it to good use. It’s always nice being able to use up food, instead of it going to waste. Use these tips to help you use the extra or out-of-date cereal in your house. May God Bless this World, Linda.
Copyright Images: Cereal Boxes AdobeStock_283416744_Editorial_Use_Only By Steve Cukrov, Cereal Boxes on Shelf AdobeStock_581360099_Editorial_Use_Only By ltyuan
Chickens, hogs and compost
Hi Matt, great idea, you are so right! Linda
I agree with Matt, great for composting for gardens and flower beds. Plus they make a good fire starter.
while the coloring and waxy outside of the cereal box may not be the best for compost I tear the box into small pieces and run it through my paper shredder. I do the same for plain cardboard boxes. It composts fairly quickly. I mix generic rice crispies and other left over stale cereal I run through the food processor and mix with the bird seed. Even the squirrels enjoy it.
Hi Carolyn, I agree, I had to delete someones comment because it was outright rude. It’s a picture of cereal, thank you for your kind words. Oh, the birds and the squirrels, they are so fun to watch! Love this, Linda
Thank You Linda. Your posts are so relevant and timely. I learn something new every day.
Hi Carolyn, thank you my sweet friend, Linda
We have some wonderful birds here in New Mexico and I love it when we have extra cereal or crumbs of Cereal and the Road Runners come running for their share. We put a lot of things we would not eat but the birds sure do like them. We make sure to feed the birds at night because we have dogs and cats and they love the food we put out for the birds as much as the birds do. I know this may sound crazy but when I make cornbread or biscuits I will make a bit more than I need so we can feed the animals around here. We live in the dessert and we are just now getting the birds and the other animals to show up around our home. Don’t like mice and rats but even they need to eat so I have my son put it way away from the house.
Hi Jackie, oh I love hearing this, I’m sure they love eating the leftover cereal and the homemade cornbread or biscuits!!! Love this!! Linda