Could you grind them up and use them as breadcrumbs? (or are they too sweet?)

Are they open or expired? If not, I suggest a food bank. If you don't have time to take it in during the holidays, your donation may actually do more good in January after the rush of holiday donations when many food banks run low.

If they're open but giving the whole box to your own birds seems wasteful, what about putting them in baggies and taking them to a park with a pond, then offering them to parents of small children for the kids to throw to the ducks and geese? Explain the story so you don't seem creepy, since the kids might eat some while throwing them. (If you're male this might work better if you give them to a young woman, no offense but you want to be as opposite of the predator stereotype as possible.)

Also you could probably make rice krispies treats with them and it would turn out similar to those cereal bars with "milk" goo in the middle.

Melissa

There's some great sounding ideas on the link below...

I'm going to try the Apple-Oat Crumble in the next few days..

Rita

Here is a link that might be useful: Cheerios

i love cherrios, every variety they make.

here's something you can do with them.

maryanne

Here is a link that might be useful: cheerio tree

The link below should give you a lot of recipe choices.
-Grainlady

Here is a link that might be useful: Cheerios Recipes

Here is my favorite recipe to use cheerios with. I think I had them the first time in elementary school and now make them all the time. They are really tasty and nice and gooey not too crunchy and the kids, dh and I all love them.

Honey Cheerio bars

CHEERIO BARS
1 cup sugar
1 cup honey
1 cup peanut butter
6 cups Cheerios cereal
(I don't add these but I think a cup would be enought )Salted peanuts
chocolate chips (optional)

Butter a 13x9-inch pan.

Bring sugar and honey to a boil in 2 quart saucepan.

Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter until blended.

Pour in cheerios and peanuts and chocolate chips, if using; mix until well coated.

Spread in prepared pan and let cool. Cut in squares.

Good Luck, these aren't too bad healthy wise with the honey, peanut butter and cheerios, all except surgar:)

Stacie

Every year on Christmas Eve, for over 20 years now, I've strung popcorn for the birds. Last year, I got smart and got a variety of cereals with holes in them (Cheerios, Apple Jacks, etc). MUCH easier to string. The birds always enjoy the garlands I string on my bushes for them.

How about using them to decorate a gingerbread house. They could be rooking shingles or part of a walkway. I think you could also use them to make rum balls instead of using vanilla wafers.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Melissa, yes, the date is past on the unopened box otherwise I would have donated it. I'll eat it tho...

This is what I'm gonna try today. I think I'll add some soy sauce to make it a bit like the rice crackers I adore. And yes, I can clean up my oyster crackers too!

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups Cheerios® cereal
2 cups oyster crackers
1 cup salted peanuts
1 cup raisins

1. In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over low heat; stir in cereal. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until cereal is coated; cool.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients. Store in airtight container.

Stacie, I'll prob make your recipe too since I need something before am yoga classes and that sounds just like the mix of salt and sugar I like.

One funny 'recipe' I saw on one of those links was the cheerio necklace. Season a bunch up and eat your jewelry. (The latter my idea, not theirs!)

Azzalea's suggestion reminds me of Tom Lehrer. I'm NOT suggesting you do that!

Stacie, I made your recipe today and it IS good...

However, I think I cooked the honey and sugar too long as they are almost crown splitting hard ( and I have a bunch of expensive crowns). I told Dick to keep his teeth off them as he has a bridge that he cracks on bananas it seems! I'm gonna dunk these in tea first, but will make another batch with the dregs of the cheerios. I do like the flavor and used both chopped almonds and (!) chipolte peanuts. There was about 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips too.

Thanks again for the recipe.

msazadi,

So glad that you liked the recipe. When I have made similar ones, I have cooked the peanut butter, sugar, and honey until just well mixed and melted. Then added to the other ingredients. When I make them that way they are a little chewier:) I will have to add some white chocolate chips and make some for Christmas snacks.

Stacie

Love your plate!

They make good dry snacking. I buy dry cereal as a snack food. Cheerios are nice because they are dry and sweet but not sticky. Take the box to your favorite snack spot and see if you don't munch down half a box while watching a movie or reading the paper. Cat might even eat a couple... my Lulu does. High fiber and no guilt feelings if you skip dinner and go straight to snacking.

: )
lyra

lyra, these are unsweetened and I don't like them. If I did, there would not be any to worry about. lol

I used to eat dry sugared shredded wheat at work in the am, but I don't need a snack place anymore. I carry a visible one around with me....my belly!

Poor ol' Sebastian is diabetic so no cheerios for him either!

btw, that plate is one of two that I got back in the late 80s when the local Mikasa outlet used to have great stuff, and I had no husband to narrow his eyes at me. The Mikasaplace is history and we renovated ourselves out of a lot of hideyholes...if you get my drift!

Add them to a Chex-type snack mix!

I'm a salt girl!!

Deanna

For the future..our food bank takes expired foods..depends on the item..but they always take our Gatorade, chips and sunflower seed leftovers from my Little League Concession stands..
They are thrilled with the donation every year!

Chex Party Mix!

DonnaR/CA

For what it's worth I tried the Apple-Oat Crumble, off the Cheerio's site, and I don't think I'll make it again... The Mac's I used turned to mush and the topping was still dry... Kinda like eating mushy apples with cookie crumbs and raw oat meal... It does have a pleasing flavor if you can get past eating raw oats... lol

I think I'll mix it all up and use it for a cobbler topping...

Rita