19 Cornflake Recipes That Prove Cereal Goes With So Much More Than Milk

Updated August 26, 2020
Sara Tane

Cornflakes are a classic breakfast cereal go-to, but their crunchy, crispy texture lends itself well to a wide variety of other uses. Cornflakes work well sprinkled across casseroles, used as breading for oven-fried chicken fingers and fish sticks, and even baked into cookies. From Catfish Strips with Ranch Dressing to Cornflake-Apple Pancakes, these delicious recipes showcase what an essential pantry addition cornflakes can be.

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Salt-and-Vinegar Boneless "Wings"

Credit: Greg DuPree

Salt-and-Vinegar Boneless "Wings" Recipe

The popular potato chip flavor combination translates fantastically to boneless "wings," with crushed cornflakes providing the requisite crunch and malt vinegar and sea salt adding seasoning. Ok, admittedly, they're basically chicken fingers, but for game day, we're calling them boneless wings. Be sure to line the baking sheet with parchment paper, as the chicken tends to stick to aluminum foil, even if it's coated with cooking spray.

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Chicken and Waffles with Kicky Syrup

Credit: Alison Miksch

Chicken and Waffles with Kicky Syrup Recipe

If ever a breakfast-meets-dinner combo were to go viral, chicken and waffles would be it. The mash-up actually dates back a couple hundred years, and we can guess why—the sweet, crunchy, and salty trio must have been just as crave-worthy then as it is now. We skip the deep fry and instead bake chicken breast cutlets with a crunchy cornflake-and-panko crust. Lean, boneless chicken and multigrain frozen waffles also save time. To top it off, a bit of Sriracha and soy sauce adds spicy, savory depth to the maple syrup drizzle.

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Giant Marshmallow and Cornflakes Christmas Tree Treat

Credit: Ryan Moriarty; Styling: JK Denim

Giant Marshmallow and Cornflakes Christmas Tree Treat Recipe

Learn how to make a towering edible Christmas tree with this holiday riff on a classic treat.

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Cheesy Potato Casserole

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

This lightened-up variation of a Southern casserole classic cuts fat and calories (but not flavor) with reduced-fat milk, fat-free Greek yogurt, and reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese. Top with a generous amount of buttered cornflakes for an irresistibly crunchy topping.

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Crispy Fish Sticks with Pineapple Ketchup

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Crispy Fish Sticks with Pineapple Ketchup Recipe

Swap frozen fish sticks for a healthier oven-baked version with these cornflake-crusted fish sticks. Blending cubed fresh pineapple with ketchup, pepper, and soy sauce yields a sweet and savory dipping sauce that the whole family is sure to love.

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Fried Mormon Funeral Potatoes

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Kevin Crafts

Fried Mormon Funeral Potatoes Recipe

These little nuggets from The Garage restaurant in Salt Lake City are based on Mormon funeral potatoes, a crunchy, cheesy, creamy casserole dish that is served at just about any big function in that town. Rolled into balls and deep-fried, they are totally over the top. Finely ground cornflakes are the secret to the crunchy crust.

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Lightened Squash Casserole

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Amy Burke

Lightened Squash Casserole Recipe

Top this lightened squash casserole with a mixture of crushed cornflakes and French fried onions for a delicious and healthy way to eat your veggies.

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"Fried" Ice Cream Truffles

Credit: Kate Sears

"Fried" Ice Cream Truffles Recipe

Grind together cinnamon-sugar almonds, frosted cornflakes, and salt and use mixture to coat scooped ice cream balls for delicious and satisfying ice cream truffles.

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Baked Fish and Chips

Credit: Kate Sears; Styling: Jaime Kim

Baked Fish and Chips Recipe

Just five ingredients and an oven are all you need for this delicious homemade version of the traditional English meal.

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Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Amy Burke

Cornflake, Pecan, and Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Adding cornflakes cereal to the pecan-brown sugar topping gives the casserole extra crispiness and crunch.

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Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

This mouthwatering baked mac 'n' cheese gets its crispy crust from crushed cornflakes, melted pepper, and ground red pepper.

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Cornflake Crunch French Toast

Credit: Kate Sears

Cornflake Crunch French Toast Recipe

A cornflake coating dresses up French toast for a subtle twist on the breakfast classic.

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Haystack Cookies

Credit: Frances Janisch; Styling: Lynn Miller

Haystack Cookies Recipe

This classic cookie recipe will take you back to your grandma's kitchen in no time. In about 30 minutes, you'll be savoring the flavor of your childhood all over again.

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Crunchy Frostbite Cookies

Credit: Oxmoor House

Crunchy Frostbite Cookies Recipe

Dip one side of these crispy oatmeal cookies into melted white chocolate for a “frosted” effect.

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Cornflake-Crusted Halibut with Chile-Cilantro Aioli

Cornflake-Crusted Halibut with Chile-Cilantro Aioli Recipe

The test kitchen loved this halibut dish with herbed garlic aioli so much that they gave it their highest rating. You'll love that it takes only 25 minutes to make.

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Potluck Potato Casserole

Potluck Potato Casserole Recipe

The crunchy topping on this side-dish casserole gives way to a cheesy interior, resulting in a comfort food winner. A bonus with this dish is that you can make the casserole ahead of time—assemble and refrigerate it until time to bake. Sprinkle the cornflakes over the casserole just before baking.

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Crab-Stuffed Lobster with Citrus Vinaigrette

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Crab-Stuffed Lobster with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe

To expedite the preparation of the lobsters, ask your fishmonger to briefly steam, split, and clean them (just make sure he doesn't cook them all the way). If you do this, skip Step 3 of the recipe.

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Buffalo-Style Catfish Strips with Ranch Dressing

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Buffalo-Style Catfish Strips with Ranch Dressing Recipe

The inspiration for this dish is Buffalo chicken wings. We breaded and baked catfish strips, then drizzled them with a spicy sauce. If you don't like spicy foods, omit the hot pepper sauce.

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Cornflake-Apple Pancakes

Credit: Sara Tane

Cornflake-Apple Pancakes Recipe

These crispy breakfast fritters are the perfect weekend brunch menu item. Warm cinnamon and sweet apples give the classic cornflake cereal a festive flavor twist. The fritters are best served with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and/or whipped cream for the ultimate indulgent start to the day.

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