corn squares (such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/chex corn chex]

Corn squares are a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal made from cornmeal that has been mixed with other ingredients, formed into small square pieces, and then toasted or baked. The most common commercial example is Chex, introduced in 1950 by General Mills. These cereals are characterized by their crisp, light texture and mild corn flavor, with a dense structure that maintains crunchiness in milk. The manufacturing process involves mixing cornmeal with water, salt, and seasonings, forming the mixture into sheets, cutting into uniform squares, and toasting at high temperatures to achieve the characteristic crispness and golden color.

The ingredient category encompasses various branded and store-brand versions, with some variants containing added sugars, honey, or other flavorings. The square shape and sturdy construction distinguish them from flaked or ring-shaped cereals, making them particularly suited to both eating and culinary applications.

Corn squares function primarily as a breakfast cereal, consumed with milk as a staple morning food. Beyond the breakfast bowl, they serve important roles in contemporary cooking: crushed into breadcrumbs for coating fried foods, baked goods, and casseroles; mixed into snack trail mixes with nuts and dried fruits; and ground into a coating for fried chicken, fish, or vegetables. They are also a standard component in sweet and savory snack mixes, particularly the American "Chex Mix" preparation, which combines multiple cereals with nuts, butter, and seasonings before baking. Their neutral corn flavor makes them adaptable to both sweet and savory applications.