This spiced wheat and nut mix is warm, aromatic, and lightly sweet without crossing into dessert territory. Using shredded wheat as a crisp base that toasts beautifully while carrying cinnamon and vanilla into every bite. Perfect for snacking, sprinkling over a yogurt bowl, or just tossing in a bag on the go.
Featured Standouts
Pecans
These provide a rich, deep, and inherently sweet flavor, along with a satisfying buttery crunch. They are essential for adding a layer of indulgence and healthy fats to the mix.
Cashews
Offering a creamier, milder nut flavor than pecans, cashews contribute a distinct smoothness and softer crunch, balancing the overall texture profile.
Shredded Wheat
The heart of the “crunch,” this cereal component is crucial for achieving the desired light, airy, yet structurally sound base. It absorbs the flavorings beautifully while retaining a delicate crispness.
Cinnamon
The primary spice, cinnamon infuses the entire mixture with a warm, comforting, and intensely aromatic scent and taste. It’s the key to giving the snack its classic, cozy profile.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract deepens the inherent sweetness of the nuts and cereal, adding a subtle complexity and rounding out the overall flavor experience with its familiar, creamy notes.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST VANILLA CINNAMON WHEAT & NUT CRUNCH
Cereal Selection
Frosted shredded wheat works perfectly well in this recipe. While you might be tempted to choose the unfrosted variety for a healthier option, the frosted version holds up fine in the oven’s low temperature, so burning is not a concern. The added sweetness is actually a welcome touch, as it helps enhance the flavors of the vanilla and cinnamon.
Pre-Brake the Cereal
Before mixing, gently break the shredded wheat biscuits by hand into smaller, irregular pieces. Do not crush them into a fine powder. This slight breakage is crucial for ensuring the cereal can be more evenly coated with the oil and spice mixture, which in turn leads to uniform toasting and crispness.
Thorough Coating is Key
Take your time when tossing the ingredients. It is absolutely essential that the oil and spice mixture fully coats every piece of wheat and every nut. Dry, uncoated spots will not toast properly and they will remain bland. The coating is what facilitates the transformation into a crispy, spiced treat.
Monitor for Ideal Color
Toasting is a delicate balance. Bake until the mixture is fragrant and has achieved a deep, golden-brown color. The darker the color (without burning), the deeper the flavor and the more profound the crunch.
Cooling is Non-Negotiable for Crunch
Resist the urge to sample the mixture right out of the oven! For the maximum possible crunch, the mixture must be allowed to cool completely, undisturbed, directly on the baking pan. As the mixture cools, residual moisture evaporates, and the coating sets, hardening into that satisfying, crisp texture. Removing it too early or placing it in a container while warm will trap steam and result in a soft, soggy product.
Inclusive Adaptions
Nut-Free Diets
For individuals with tree nut or peanut allergies, replace all specified nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans, almonds) with chopped seeds, such as pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds. Ensure the seeds are sourced from a facility that does not process nuts, if a severe allergy is a concern.
Gluten-Free Modification
While the original recipe contains wheat, if a gluten-free version is desired, substitute all with a rice based cereal similar to chex.
Spice Intensity
For those with sensory sensitivity to strong flavors or aromas, the amount of cinnamon can be significantly reduced (e.g., by half or three-quarters) or entirely omitted.
Flavor Profile of Oil
If the robust, distinct flavor of olive oil is considered too bold or overwhelming, substitute it with a more neutral-tasting fat such as avocado oil or a more subtly flavored solid fat like melted coconut oil (refined coconut oil has a more neutral flavor than virgin).
Softer Texture and Easier Chewing
To achieve a softer texture and make the crunch easier to chew, especially for young children or individuals with specific oral motor needs, the final product can be briefly pulsed in a food processor or blender after baking and cooling. This breaks the pieces down into smaller, less rigid clusters.
Serving Consistency for Toppings
Instead of serving the Wheat Crunch as a standalone snack with larger, firmer pieces, it can be served finely crumbled. This adaptation transforms it into an excellent, manageable topping for yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, or fruit purees, providing flavor and subtle texture without requiring vigorous chewing.
Lower Sugar Content
If the recipe contains added sugar, consider reducing the specified amount by 25% or substituting a portion of it with a natural, lower-glycemic sweetener (e.g., maple syrup, honey, or a sugar substitute) to manage sugar intake.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Mixing bowl
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Sheet pan
Parchment paper
SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Pretzel Clusters: The Ultimate No-Bake Treat
Tres Leches Mini Pancake Parfait
Pan au Chocolat Bread Pudding
ENJOY THIS RECIPE WITH
BROWNIE BATTER PANCAKES
STUFFED BANANA PANCAKES
BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE PANCAKES
Recipe
Vanilla & Cinnamon Spiced Wheat + Nut Crunch
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- In a larger bowl, combine the pecans, cashews, and shredded wheat.
- Pour the vanilla oil mixture over the nut and wheat mixture. Toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Spread the coated mixture onto the prepared sheet pan in a single, even layer.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until the shredded wheat is lightly browned and the nuts are fragrant.
- Remove from the oven and allow the mixture to cool completely before serving.
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