The Classic '80s Hot-Buttered Snack That Only Requires 2 Ingredients

Some of the most satisfying snacks are also the easiest to prepare. One '80s classic bears the name "hot buttered" but has nothing to do with holiday rum. If you want a quick and low effort throwback snack that only calls for two ingredients, try a batch of retro-licious hot buttered Cheerios. Simply toast your Cheerios in melted butter, and you've got a perfect nosh.

Much like giving saltines a crave-worthy makeover by frying them in canola oil, so too can you elevate a simple snack of Cheerios by toasting them in melted butter. This snack came to prominence around the late 1970s and early 1980s when General Mills advertised the two-ingredient recipe, calling them "Hot Buttered O's." Some fondly remember the recipe as a fun alternative to popcorn. Others recall how it would help stretch their family's snack budget when money was tight. 

A typical recipe for hot buttered Cheerios involves melting approximately ¼ cup of butter in a skillet on the stovetop and then adding about 4 cups of Cheerios and toasting them in the butter for just a few minutes until the cereal is fully coated before sprinkling with salt. Given the wide variety of Cheerios cereal flavors on shelves today, there's a lot you can do to modernize this '80s classic with your own favorite seasonings.

Just Cheerios and melted butter will have you on your way to enjoying a classic '80s snack, but you can always get creative with other mix-ins and flavor options. Aside from the requisite sprinkle of salt while the Cheerios are finishing toasting in the pan, consider creating different sweet, savory, or even swalty taste profiles for this snack. Also note that, for a more streamlined version, you can use a microwave-safe bowl to melt the butter and toast your Cheerios, but the cereal won't get quite as crisp as it will in a skillet on the stovetop.

On the sweet side, Honey Nut Cheerios, arguably the best Cheerios flavor, is delicious as a dry snack and made even better when given the hot buttered treatment. Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or brown sugar over the cereal while it's toasting. Even a drizzle of actual honey on top will make for a sticky, sweet, albeit somewhat messy snack. Combine heat with sweet and use a sprinkle of smoked paprika or chili powder for a timely upgrade to an '80s classic.

For those who want to explore more savory options, try using plain Cheerios with a shake of garlic salt. Lean into more robust flavors by mixing in a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce or a hearty sprinkle of coarse ground black pepper. With such a simple method and only two main ingredients, there's no limit to your snacking adventures.