This homemade rice cereal recipe with cinnamon sugar is so perfect for a quick breakfast. Its a simple recipe to make with simple ingredients. The best part, is that its an easy way to use up your leftover rice.
This homemade cereal is perfect for busy mornings and chilly mornings. I am in constant search of recipes to replace cereal and this is one of them.

I was inspired to make my own creamy version of this cereal from an old cook book I read. It didn't say much in the cookbook about how to make it. All it said was cereal is "rice and oats" and add milk to it.
This I found interesting as usually when I think of cereal I think of something that comes in a box from the grocery store that is already made. History tells me cereal was just once rice, oats, bran or barley.
I tried just pouring milk over rice and adding sugar as suggested and then I put it in the microwave but I didn't like it so much.
I figured hey I love rice pudding and the thickness of it...Maybe I could cook the rice on the stove top in milk similar to the way I cook rice pudding. It worked out perfectly the first time I made it! The kids loved it too which made for a perfect breakfast recipe in my books.
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Creamy Cereal Ingredients:
- Whole milk- Whole milk creates a richer flavor and a creamier texture
- Un-salted butter- Is a healthy fat that adds more richness and flavor to the creamy rice cereal
- Leftover, cooked white rice- Only the main ingredient! I use jasmin rice which creates a delicate texture when cooked that enhances the creaminess
- White sugar- Adds sweetness that compliments the homemade cereal
- Optional: Serve with cinnamon sugar, as it adds more flavor and it makes it look more visually appealing
Cinnamon Sugar Ingredients
- White sugar
- Cinnamon
See recipe card for quantities.

What can cinnamon sugar be used for?
- Use it as a topping for this creamy rice cereal
- Add it to buttered toast
- Top cookies and muffins with it
- Add it on top of your oatmeal
- Sprinkle it over pop corn
- Use it for making churros, doughnuts and snickerdoodle cookies
How do you make creamy cooked rice cereal?

- Step 1: Add milk, sugar, and rice to a medium pot, stir often until it comes to a boil on medium high heat.

- Step 2: Turn heat down to medium low heat once it starts to boil and cook until thickened to desired texture.

- Step 3: Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted.

- Step 4: Serve in a small bowl and top with cinnamon sugar if wanted or fresh berries.
Hint: If any film accumulates on top from the milk just stir it back in.
Substitutions for homemade rice cereal recipe with cinnamon sugar:
Instead of granulated sugar sweeten to taste with honey, pure maple syrup or brown sugar instead.
Storage
Store cereal in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Re-heat in the microwave or on the stove top. Add a splash of milk if needed while re-heating.
More Rice Recipes:
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
More Breakfast Recipes:
Homemade Rice Cereal Recipe with Cinnamon Sugar
Course: BreakfastDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes35
minutesA simple breakfast for leftover rice.
Ingredients for rice cereal
4 cups whole milk
¼ cup white sugar
2 cups leftover cooked white rice
1 Tbsp. un-salted butter
optional, cinnamon sugar for topping
- Cinnamon Sugar Ingredients
½ cup white sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Directions
- Add the milk, sugar and rice to a medium pot, stir.
- Bring to a boil on medium high heat, make sure to stir often so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
- As soon as it starts to boil turn down the heat to medium low and stir. Make sure to continue stirring so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
- As it thickens you'll need to turn the heat down slightly again as it will start to vigorously boil the thicker it gets. Once it starts thickening you will have to stir constantly until it reaches desired thickness to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. This takes about 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat once thickened and stir in the butter.
- Serve in bowls and top with cinnamon sugar if you want. (To make the cinnamon sugar, mix the ingredients together and store it in a mason jar or in an air tight container)
Notes
- If any film from the milk accumulates on top just stir it back in
- Store in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 2-3 days
Heidi says
This sounds so delicious. I love rice pudding too! Thanks so much for sharing.
Nicole says
You're welcome, I hope you like it!
Alisha says
Sounds similar to rice pudding, my husband loves that so I bet he would love this, too!!
Nicole says
I love rice pudding too, this is similar for sure!
Ophelie says
This is my absolute favorite (minus the cinnamon haha). I want to make so for breakfast tomorrow now!
Nicole says
I love it too!