Homemade Bran Cereal Flakes (Three Ways)

Recently I was snacking on some Trader Joe's bran cereal.  As I was eating it, it dawned on me, if I make my own corn/wheat cereal flakes, and my own granola, why am I not making my own bran flakes?

The seed was planted in my head and I set off to the challenge of coming up with a recipe.

I succeeded.

And let me tell you, they are SO good.  This is now the new most requested breakfast cereal in our house.

Homemade Bran Cereal Flakes (Three Ways)....
((Printable Version))

Recipe 1:
Almond Bran Cereal Flakes

1/2 cups raw whole almonds
3/4 cup wheat bran
3/4 cup wheat flour
1-2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional)
2 tablespoons brown sugar*
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 300F.

2. In a food processor, grind the almonds for about 30-45 seconds until they are finely ground.  (Warning: Cover your ears, this is LOUD.) Now add the wheat bran, flour, flax seed, brown sugar, and salt.  Pulse for a few seconds.  Mix the water and oil together in a glass measuring cup.  Turn on the food processor and add the liquid in a steady stream.  Carefully scrape down the food processor and give a few more quick pulses.  The cereal should hold together like damp sand when you push it between your fingers.  If it does not, add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time.

3. Place the cereal mixture on to a lightly greased (don't skip this step!) sheet pan and cover with waxed paper.  (I like using a rimmed sheet pan but if you do not have a rolling pin like I have in the picture below, use a regular cookie sheet and rolling pin.

4. Roll until thin and bake for about 30 minutes.  I find that I like to bake it for 20 minutes and then turn off the oven and allow the cereal to continue cooking in the oven for an additional 10 minutes.

5. Cool completely and break into "flakes".  The cereal should be dry and crisp.  If it still appears to be tender, you probably didn't get it rolled out quite thin enough.  Just pop it back in the oven for a few more minutes.  Store in an air-tight container.
*Recipe can be doubled as your food processor capacity allows.


Recipe 2:
Coconut Almond Bran Cereal Flakes
(our favorite)

1/4 cups raw whole almonds

1/4 cup unsweetened flake coconut

3/4 cup wheat bran 

3/4 cup wheat flour

1-2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

Follow the directions above.

Recipe 3:

Plain Bran Flakes

1 cup wheat bran
1 cup wheat flour

1-2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

Follow the directions above.

Add raisins for a delicious raisin bran cereal!

*I have since discovered that this recipe works perfectly when divided between two cast iron skillets. Continue with the directions as stated above.