Mini croissant cereal made from puff pastry baked until golden brown.

How To Make Croissant Cereal

Ever found yourself scrolling through social media thinking, “Okay, now How To Make Croissant Cereal is all over my feed. But does this actually taste as great as it looks?” I totally get you. I mean, who has time to mess around with tiny, flaky dough bits on a busy morning, right? Word of warning: it’s a bit of work, but trust me—your taste buds will throw a party.

How To Make Croissant Cereal

If you’re the sort to geek out over homespun comfort foods, you’ll probably want an ice-cold drink while you snack—this power drink recipe is my go-to, especially when I don’t want something heavy: Nature’s Gatorade Recipe.

How To Make Croissant Cereal
How To Make Croissant Cereal

Why You Will Love This Cereal

Ah, mini croissant cereal. Let me try to sell you on this—because I’ve made it three times, and here’s what makes it addictive. First, those little baked puffs get that perfect golden crunch. If you’re after a basic bowl of flakes, move along. But if you love food that’s cute, Instagram-worthy, and lets you flex a little, this is a total win.

You get the flakiness of classic French pastries but bite-sized. Something about scooping it up with milk (or dipping it straight into chocolate, yes I admit I do that sometimes) just feels five-star restaurant fancy—but still homey.

I like that you don’t need to be a pastry chef. It’s just playful. Oh—and make double. People will walk by and grab pieces every time, trust me.

“My kids call it ‘tiny breakfast croissants’ and gobble it down faster than any boxed cereal. They think I’m a genius. If only they knew how easy it really was!”
— Paula, reader from Wisconsin

How To Make Croissant Cereal

Ingredient Notes

Alright, straight talk? You can make this fancy, or you can keep it breezy and unfussy.

  • Ready-made croissant dough (the kind in the pop-tube, yes, that’s what I use—not ashamed to admit it. Saves so much time.)
  • Egg wash: Just a quick swoosh of egg mixed with a splash of water to help things crisp.
  • A pinch of sugar: I dust mine for a little sweet hit. Regular white sugar is perfect.
  • Milk or cream: For serving; honestly, you pick your favorite dairy or plant milk.

Optional—add chocolate chips or a swipe of jam inside if you’re feeling wild. Just don’t try stuffing every single one if you’re running late.

Really, that’s all there is to it. The simpler, the better.

How To Make Croissant Cereal

How To Make Mini Croissant Cereal

Here’s where your patience pays off—and don’t worry, it’s not as involved as it sounds.

Pop that croissant dough out of the tube (yes, it’ll make that awful popping sound if you’re as jumpy as me). Roll it out flat on your kitchen table. Cut teeny triangles—think, about the size of a finger or smaller. Roll each into a tiny croissant from the wide end to the tip. If the dough gets sticky, flour your fingers a bit.

Set these babies on a parchment-lined baking tray, spaced out so they don’t stick together. Brush the tops with your egg wash. Little sprinkle of sugar.

Bake at 350°F until they look golden—maybe 12 to 15 minutes, but keep your eye on them. They’re small, so they like to overbrown if you leave TikTok open for too long (trust me). Let cool for a few minutes so they crisp up. Then tumble them into a bowl and splash with cold milk. Wow.

My cousin puts Nutella in the mix and calls it “dessert breakfast.” Not gonna lie, he’s onto something.

How To Make Croissant Cereal

Expert Tips

If you’re doing this for the first time, here’s what I wish someone had told me.

First, work with slightly chilled dough; it’s easier to handle and doesn’t get weirdly soft. If your kitchen is roasting, stick the tray in the fridge before baking so the shapes hold up. And don’t stress if some croissants look a bit wonky. “Ugly” ones are always crispier anyway (they get snapped up first at my house).

Use parchment paper. Seriously, don’t skip this unless you want to scrape tiny burnt bits off your tray for an hour. And if you’re feeling extra, dust a little cinnamon sugar on top for warmth. Not too much, just enough for a subtle zing. Biggest fail? Overcrowding the tray. Give each nugget its own moment.

Honestly, people will think you spent hours—even if it’s more like half an episode of your favorite crime show.

How To Make Croissant Cereal

Substitutions & Variations

No croissant dough at your grocery? Puff pastry works in a pinch (tastes a bit different, flakier, but totally legit). Want it dairy-free? Use almond milk and brush with coconut oil instead of egg wash.

You could also toss in mini chocolate chips before rolling for a little surprise, or add a pinch of lemon zest into the dough for zing. Go full savory by skipping sugar and rolling with grated cheese or herbs. People will love it either way. Seriously, my neighbor went wild for a parmesan-basil batch.

And hey, if you want to serve this for brunch with something hearty, might I suggest these smothered potatoes? They’re a crowd-pleaser, and honestly, I make these every Sunday.

  • Pour over cold milk (classic)
  • Dip in warm chocolate sauce (oh yes)
  • Toss with berries for an extra punch
  • Drizzle with honey for a sweet upgrade

How To Make Croissant Cereal

Whatever you choose, don’t feel boxed in. This is play food—experiment and have fun.

How To Make Croissant Cereal
How To Make Croissant Cereal

Alright, if you got through all those steps, pat yourself on the back. Making tiny croissants for cereal isn’t everyone’s idea of relaxing, but the results…whew, so worth it. Eat them yourself or make a party out of it for friends. Want to see how others do it or get crazy creative with your batch? There’s great inspo at the Mini Croissant Cereal – The Pancake Princess blog.

And if you’re hunting for more quirky home kitchen adventures, try my healthy Amaretto Island Punch Mocktail, or dip into this ultimate apple pie recipe that, honestly, will make you rethink everything you know about pie. What else can I say? Breakfast just got a serious upgrade.

How To Make Croissant Cereal

Mini Croissant Cereal

A playful and cute breakfast made from mini croissants, perfect for enjoying with milk or chocolate.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

Croissant Cereal Ingredients
  • 1 tube Ready-made croissant dough The kind in the pop-tube.
  • 1 large Egg For egg wash, mixed with a splash of water.
  • 1 pinch Sugar Dust lightly for sweetness.
  • 1 cup Milk or cream For serving; use your favorite dairy or plant milk.
  • optional Chocolate chips or jam For filling, if desired.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Pop the croissant dough out of the tube and roll it out flat.
  3. Cut small triangles from the dough, about the size of a finger.
  4. Roll each triangle into a tiny croissant shape from the wide end to the tip.
  5. Place the mini croissants on a parchment-lined baking tray, spaced out.
  6. Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
Baking
  1. Bake the mini croissants in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
  2. Let them cool for a few minutes to crisp up before serving.
Serving
  1. Serve the mini croissants in a bowl with cold milk.
  2. Optionally, dip them in warm chocolate sauce or toss with berries.

Notes

Work with slightly chilled dough for easier handling. Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and prevent sticking. Make sure not to overcrowd the baking tray for optimal baking.

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