Cinnamon cereal can be a tasty and satisfying breakfast, especially for those who need or prefer to avoid gluten. With so many cereal options lining grocery store shelves, it can be tricky to identify which cinnamony ones are safe for a gluten-free diet.
Quick Answer
Some of the most popular cinnamon cereals that are certified gluten-free include:
- Cinnamon Crunch Cereal by EnviroKidz
- Cinnamon Crunch Crispy Rice Cereal by Erewhon
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Sensations by General Mills
- Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch Cereal
- Three Wishes Cereal, Cinnamon flavor by Ian’s Natural Foods
- Kellogg’s Cinnamon Raisin Granola Cereal
There are also many store-brand and smaller brand cinnamon cereals that are gluten-free certified. Be sure to check the ingredients and labeling when selecting a cereal to confirm it is gluten-free.
What Makes a Cereal Gluten-Free?
For a cereal to be considered gluten-free, it must not contain any wheat, barley, rye or their derivatives. Gluten is a protein found in these grains that causes issues for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but are often contaminated with gluten during growing and processing. The FDA allows products to be labeled gluten-free if they contain less than 20ppm of gluten. So if a cereal contains oats, it still may be gluten-free if rigorously tested.
Instead of gluten-containing grains, gluten-free cereals are made from grains and starches such as:
- Rice
- Corn
- Quinoa
- Millet
- Sorghum
- Teff
- Arrowroot
- Tapioca
- Amaranth
- Buckwheat
- Oats (certified gluten-free)
Gluten-free cereals may also include nuts, dried fruits, seeds, coconut, potato and bean flours. Of course, flavors like cinnamon and sweeteners like sugar are naturally gluten-free as well.
Popular Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereal Options
Here is more detail on some of the most popular gluten-free cinnamon cereal brands and flavors:
Cinnamon Crunch Cereal by EnviroKidz
EnviroKidz makes a variety of organic, gluten-free cereals for kids and adults. Their Cinnamon Crunch Cereal features crunchy puffed rice and corn squares with cinnamon and a touch of maple syrup. It provides a satisfying crunch with cozy cinnamon spice flavor.
Cinnamon Crunch Crispy Rice Cereal by Erewhon
Erewhon has been making gluten-free cereals since the 1960s. Their popular Cinnamon Crunch Crispy Rice Cereal combines crispy brown rice cereal with cinnamon for a classic flavor combo. It comes in both original and organic varieties.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Sensations by General Mills
General Mills created gluten-free Cinnamon Toast Crunch Sensations to match the taste and texture of the original wheat-based Cinnamon Toast Crunch. It contains rice flour, corn starch, whole grain sorghum flour, whole grain oats, sugar, cinnamon and natural flavors.
Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch Cereal
Cascadian Farm’s gluten-free Cinnamon Crunch Cereal features a base of corn, rice and sorghum flours combined with oats. It is lightly sweetened and topped with cinnamon for flavor. Cascadian Farm cereals are certified gluten-free and Non-GMO Project verified.
Three Wishes Cereal, Cinnamon flavor by Ian’s Natural Foods
Ian’s offers several gluten-free cereal options, including their popular Three Wishes line. The Three Wishes Cinnamon flavor is made from a blend of corn, rice, quinoa and amaranth flours. It boasts 18g of whole grains per serving and is lightly sweetened.
Kellogg’s Cinnamon Raisin Granola Cereal
Kellogg’s Cinnamon Raisin Granola Cereal brings together crunchy granola clusters with cinnamon flavor and raisins. It contains oats, rice, quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat with no wheat, barley or rye. Kellogg’s tests their gluten-free cereals to ensure less than 20ppm of gluten.
Tips for Identifying Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereals
Here are some helpful tips for finding gluten-free cinnamon cereals at your grocery store:
- Check labels carefully – Read the ingredient lists and allergen statements for any sign of wheat, barley, rye or malt.
- Look for certified gluten-free symbols – Many brands will display certification symbols like the GFCO or Crossed Grain symbol for added assurance.
- Stick to oat-free cereals – Unless the packaging specifies the oats are gluten-free, it’s best to avoid oat-based cereals to eliminate any risk of gluten contamination.
- Try brand name cereals – Large cereal brands like General Mills, Kellogg’s and Post Foods have gluten-free options that are more widely available.
- Search for gluten-free tags – Many stores now group or tag gluten-free items together on shelves to make them easier to identify.
- Shop online – Buying cereals online makes it easy to see gluten-free labeling and search specifically for gluten-free cinnamon cereals.
Gluten Status of Popular Cinnamon Cereals
It can be tricky to determine whether some of the most popular cinnamon-flavored cereals are gluten-free or not. Here is the gluten status for some top cinnamon cereal brands:
| Cereal Brand | Gluten-Free? |
|---|---|
| Original Cinnamon Toast Crunch | No – contains wheat and barley |
| Cinnamon Toast Crunch Sensations | Yes – certified gluten-free |
| Cinnamon Life Cereal | No – contains wheat and barley |
| Golden Grahams | No – contains barley malt |
| Eggo Cinnamon Toast Crunch | No – contains wheat |
| Nature’s Path Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise | Yes – certified gluten-free |
| Kashi 7 Whole Grain Puffs, Cinnamon Harvest | No – contains wheat |
| Barbara’s Cinnamon Puffins | Yes – certified gluten-free |
As you can see, many popular cinnamon cereals contain gluten. Be sure to read labels carefully and look for a certified gluten-free seal when selecting a cinnamon cereal to avoid gluten.
Making Your Own Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereal
Another option is to make your own homemade gluten-free cinnamon cereal. This allows you to control all the ingredients and customize the flavor. Here are some easy homemade gluten-free cinnamon cereal ideas:
Cinnamon Granola
Mix gluten-free oats, nuts, coconut flakes, seeds, brown rice syrup, olive oil, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Bake at 300F until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add raisins or craisins if desired.
Cinnamon Crunch Rice Cereal
Toss brown rice cereal with melted butter or olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 250F until toasted and crunchy, about 20 minutes.
Cinnamon French Toast Cereal
Whisk together milk, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Dip bread cubes or gluten-free bagel chunks into mixture. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400F until crisp, flipping once.
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereal Brands to Try
Here is a summary of some recommended brands to try when looking for gluten-free cinnamon cereals:
| Brand | Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereal Options |
|---|---|
| EnviroKidz | Cinnamon Crunch Cereal |
| Erewhon | Cinnamon Crunch Crispy Rice Cereal |
| General Mills | Cinnamon Toast Crunch Sensations |
| Cascadian Farm | Cinnamon Crunch Cereal |
| Ian’s Natural Foods | Three Wishes Cereal, Cinnamon |
| Kellogg’s | Cinnamon Raisin Granola Cereal |
| Bakery on Main | Apple Cinnamon Granola Cereal |
| Nature’s Path | Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise Cereal |
| Barbara’s | Cinnamon Puffins Cereal |
Checking out these gluten-free favorite brands is a great starting point when hunting for a cinnamon cereal that fits your dietary needs. Just remember to always double check the label for wheat-free and gluten-free confirmation.
Most Affordable Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereal Options
Gluten-free specialty products can sometimes come with higher price tags. Here are some more affordable cinnamon cereal options for gluten-free diets on a budget:
- Store brand cereals – Generic and store brand gluten-free cereals are often less expensive. Look for a store brand cinnamon crunch style cereal.
- Cascadian Farm cereal – Their Cinnamon Crunch Cereal is usually reasonably priced at about $4-5 per box.
- EnviroKidz cereal – EnviroKidz cereals are typically about $1 less per box than other brands. Their Cinnamon Crunch Cereal is budget-friendly.
- Ian’s Three Wishes cereal – Ian’s gluten-free cereals offer lower cost options, with many varieties under $4 a box.
- Buy in bulk online – Buying cases of cereal online can save up to 15% compared to grocery store prices.
- Use coupons – Watch for coupons and subscribe to brand savings clubs for discounts on gluten-free cereals.
- Make your own – Homemade cereal like granola can be much cheaper. Shop sales on bulk ingredients.
With some savvy shopping, you can definitely find affordable gluten-free cinnamon cereals to enjoy. Compare unit prices, look for sales and buy store brands whenever possible to keep costs down.
Most Nutritious Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereal Options
When selecting a gluten-free cinnamon cereal, you also want to consider its nutritional value. Here are some of the most nutritious options:
- EnviroKidz Cinnamon Crunch – Good source of fiber, vitamin A, calcium and iron
- Three Wishes by Ian’s – Provides 4g fiber, 4g protein plus iron and B vitamins per serving
- Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch – Contains 5g fiber, 24g whole grains and is low in sugar
- Kellogg’s Cinnamon Raisin Granola – Boasts 4g fiber, 6g protein and minerals like iron and calcium
- Bakery on Main Cinnamon Granola – Made with healthy fats from coconut and flax plus 5g fiber per serving
- Love Grown Original Power O’s – Packs a hefty 8g protein and 6g fiber with ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth
- Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Cereal – Nutrient-dense mix of seeds, nuts, coconut; grain-free
Try choosing a cereal with at least 3-4g of fiber and minimal added sugars for the healthiest gluten-free cinnamon cereal option.
Best Tasting Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cereals
Flavor and texture are also important factors when selecting a cereal. Here are some of the best tasting cinnamon cereals for gluten-free diets:
- EnviroKidz Cinnamon Crunch – Delicious flavor and crunchy texture from puffed rice and corn
- Three Wishes Cereal by Ian’s – Light cinnamon spice flavor that isn’t overpowering
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Sensations – Closely mimics the sugary taste of the original wheat cereal
- Erewhon Cinnamon Crunch Crispy Rice – Simple, classic cinnamon and crispy rice flavor
- Love Grown Cinnamon Apple O’s – Sweet cinnamon apple taste with satisfying oat-shaped os
- Barbara’s Cinnamon Puffins – Crunchy corn puffs with robust cinnamon flavor
- Nature’s Path Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise – Vanilla flavor with a hint of cinnamon
The best tasting cereal comes down to personal preference – sample different ones to find your favorite gluten-free cinnamon flavor!
Conclusion
Finding delicious gluten-free cinnamon cereals is easy once you know what brands and products to look for. There are great options from leading cereal brands as well as smaller gluten-free companies. Be sure to check labels closely for wheat-free and gluten-free designations whenever trying a new product.
Making cinnamon cereal at home can also allow you to control ingredients and customize flavors to suit your taste. Whip up a batch of cinnamon granola or crispy cinnamon French toast bites for gluten-free cereal exactly how you like it.
With so many gluten-free cinnamon cereals to try, you’re sure to find one with the perfect taste, nutrition and budget for your needs. A warming bowl of cinnamon crunch can make for a comforting, satisfying start to your day without gluten getting in the way.
