Corn Flake Candy

This easy Corn Flake Candy recipe is a quick way to make candy at home—no candy thermometer required! Drop it by spoonfuls for a quick treat, or shape it into wreaths for the holidays.

corn flake candy on a white marble tray.

I love an easy sweet treat, and this recipe for No-Bake Corn Flake Candy definitely qualifies as easy!

It has just four ingredients, and takes 10 minutes to make. After the candy sets up (about 20 minutes), it’s ready to eat!

You’ll need corn flakes, peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup (the recipe is really similar to No-Bake Special K Bars, but with no chocolate).

You can drop the candy by spoonfuls to create little peanut butter corn flake candy clusters, OR you can dye the mixture green and shape into wreaths.

corn flake candy wreaths with mini red M&Ms for holly on a white platter.

Whichever you choose, you and your family/guests will love these sweet, Southern, no-bake treats!

Also, if you love peanut butter desserts, don’t miss my Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge!

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Top tips

  • You’ll need to work quickly as the candy sets up quickly. Make sure you have a sheet pan lined and ready to go before starting.
  • Use a regular creamy peanut butter (not natural).
  • Gel food coloring works best for dying the wreaths without using tons of liquid food coloring.
  • If you have some leftover corn flakes, check out my old fashioned Corn Flake Cookies!

Ingredients

corn flakes, peanut butter, corn syrup, and sugar on a white table.
  • Corn flakes make the base of this recipe. Any brand is fine.
  • Use regular creamy peanut butter (not natural).
  • Sugar and corn syrup combine to form the sweet, gooey mixture to hold everything together.

How to make peanut butter corn flake candy

Start by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper, wax paper, or a silicone mat.

Then, place the corn syrup and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.

Cook JUST until it reaches a boil, and the sugar is dissolved.

sugar mixture in a saucepan.

Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter until the mixture is smooth.

Then, quickly stir in the corn flakes.

peanut butter corn flake mixture in a saucepan with a spatula.

Quickly drop onto the prepared baking sheets. You’ll get about 24 pieces if each piece is about 2 tablespoons.

Let the corn flake candy cool until it’s at room temperature, about 20 minutes.

corn flake candy on a silicone mat.

How to make corn flake Christmas wreaths

To make wreaths, follow the instructions as written, but add several drops of gel food coloring with the peanut butter to get your desired green color.

Drop two-tablespoon sized dollops onto a baking sheet, and use your hands to shape them into wreaths. Press several mini red M&Ms onto the top to create “holly” (do this just after shaping so the M&Ms stick).

corn flake christmas wreaths with red M&Ms as holly on a baking sheet.

Allow to set for 20 minutes before eating.

Can I make corn flake candy in advance?

When stored in an airtight container, corn flake candy will keep for several weeks. I recommend making it no more than 3 days in advance of serving for the best texture.

You do not need to refrigerate corn flake candy.

Variations

There are a number of ways to make corn flake candy your own, while still keeping it easy! Here are some ideas:

  • Top the candy with sprinkles just after scooping (before it hardens)
  • Drizzle the tops of the candy with melted chocolate
  • Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract along with the peanut butter
  • Use another cereal such as Chex, Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or Special K in place of the corn flakes
  • Spread the mixture into a 13×9 inch pan to create bars. Top with melted chocolate (similar to No-Bake Special K Bars).
peanut butter corn flake candy on a white tray.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my corn flake candy gooey?

If the candy is too gooey, two things could have gone wrong: 1) the mixture didn’t reach a boil or 2) there aren’t enough corn flakes to hold it together.

Why is my corn flake candy hard?

Corn flake candy can become hard if it’s boiled for too long. Take the corn syrup mixture off the heat immediately after it starts boiling.

How long does corn flake candy last?

Corn flake candy will last for several weeks at room temperature in a covered container. It’s best served within one week though for freshness.

Can I make these gluten-free?

You can make gluten-free corn flake candy by using gluten-free corn flakes. Check any other labels to make sure they don’t contain gluten as well.

green corn flake wreaths with mini red M&Ms on a white cake stand with a red rim.

More old fashioned desserts

Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!

📖 Recipe

corn flake candy clusters on a white marble tray.

Corn Flake Candy

Published by Kate
You just need four ingredients for these easy no-bake treats!
4.89 from 18 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 pieces
Calories 157 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
  • 5 cups corn flakes

Instructions
 

  • Line a sheet pan with wax paper or parchment paper.
  • Place corn syrup and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, JUST until the mixture reaches a boil and the sugar is dissolved, about 4–5 minutes.
  • Take off the heat and stir in the peanut butter.
  • Place the corn flakes in a large bowl, and pour the peanut butter mixture over the top. Stir quickly to combine, then drop by spoonfuls onto the parchment or wax paper. Cool to room temperature—the candy will set as it cools.

To make wreaths:

  • Add 4–5 drops green food coloring to the hot sugar mixture, along wit the peanut butter. Proceed with the recipe as directed, but use two spoons or your fingers to form the clusters into wreath shapes. Decorate the wreaths with mini red M&Ms before they cool completely.

Notes

If you want to add sprinkles on top, add them as you drop the candy, before it sets. You can also drizzle the tops with melted chocolate.
You can substitute Chex, Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or Special K in place of the corn flakes. 
You can make these into bars by pressing the mixture into a parchment-lined 13×9 inch pan. Let cool and cut into bars. 
These will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for one week. You can also freeze them in a resealable freezer bag for up to one month.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 98mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 104IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 2mg
Keyword corn flake candy
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment below!

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6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Kate,

    This turned out perfect and so yummy! It drove my pooches crazy though since they are peanut butter freaks! Thank you for sharing!

  2. 5 stars
    My family has similar recipe, but we use heavy cream instead of peanut butter and add puffed rice and nuts.

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