Raise a Spoon to the Iconic Cereals Bringing Joy to Breakfast Tables for Generations

Wheaties was invented in 1921 and originally named Washburn’s Whole Wheat Flakes. Officially launched in 1924, this 100-year-old brand continues to pioneer what it means to be a champion by recognizing athletes who are not only the best at their sports, but those who have broken barriers and made significant contributions to the world at large.

Chex, formerly known as Shredded Ralston, has been committed to making a pantry staple that people love since 1933. Currently offered in nine varieties ranging from sweet to simple to gluten-free, Chex can be enjoyed for breakfast, on-the-go or in a homemade Chex Party Mix recipe for any occasion.

Everyone’s favorite tasty O’s debuted in 1941 as “Cheerioats.” The famous yellow box changed to Cheerios in 1945. Today, there are over 25 flavors of Cheerios for fans to enjoy.

It’s been 70 years of silliness! In 1954, Trix became the first fruit-flavored cereal on the market with three colorful corn puffs: raspberry red, orange orange, and lemony yellow. The prankster himself, Trix Rabbit, was welcomed into homes across the country in a 1959 ad — making him nearly 65 years old.

Lucky Charms has brought joy to breakfast tables with charms that unlock magical possibilities for sixty years. The first prototype, which was created in 1963, was made with Cheerios cereal pieces and chopped-up pieces of Circus peanuts and the cereal officially launched on St. Patrick’s Day in 1964. Lucky the Leprechaun is always up to something, so be on the lookout for what’s to come this St. Patrick’s Day!

The Cheerios brand saw a golden expansion in 1979 with the introduction of Honey Nut Cheerios. The cereal has been the national cereal bestseller since 2009.

Inspired by classic horror film characters, Monster Cereals have been a beloved part of fall traditions since 1971. Monster Cereals officially debuted with Count Chocula and Franken Berry, the only chocolate and strawberry-flavored cereals on the market at the time and were joined by Boo Berry a year later. The newest addition to the Monsters lineup, DJ Carmella Creeper, was announced in 2023 and dropped the song of the season: “Monster Mash Remix.”

The epically delicious Cinnamon Toast Crunch debuted in 1984 with each square blasted with Cinnadust. Chef Wendell, once prominently displayed on boxes as an iconic baker, made way for the absurd Cinnamojis featured on Cinnamon Toast Crunch nowadays.

Crunchy, sweet, chocolate-peanut butter REESE’S PUFFS revolutionized breakfast time in 1994. For thirty years, the cereal made with real REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER has been bringing the flavor with collabs between artists, fashion designers, and more.

In recent years, General Mills has continued to build on its legacy of cereal innovation, bringing new ideas to the breakfast table while staying rooted in the brands families know and love. From ingredient-forward options like Cheerios Veggie Blends and Cheerios Protein to new entries like Nature Valley Cereal and Mott’s Cereal, these launches reflect our commitment to meeting evolving consumer preferences with products that deliver both great taste and thoughtful nutrition.

At the same time, we’ve expanded some of our most iconic brands with bold new flavors. Cinnamon Toast Crunch has introduced new twists like Cinnamon Toast Crunch Waffle and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Peanut Butter, while Reese’s Puffs has pushed deeper into its candy-inspired roots with Reese’s Puffs Dark Chocolate and Reese’s Puffs Peanut Butter Lovers. Seasonal offerings like Carmella Creeper bring an extra element of fun to the cereal aisle, creating memorable moments for fans of all ages.

By blending nostalgia, indulgence and nutrition, General Mills continues to reinvent themselves for today’s breakfast table.

For more delicious cereals, check out our latest launches for 2026.