Top 10 Things You Never Knew About Apple Jacks’ Cinnamon Stick Mascot

#10: His Name Is Actually “CinnaMon”—with a Capital M

Many fans simply refer to him as “the cinnamon stick guy” or “Cinnamon,” but his official name is stylized as CinnaMon—with a capital M in the middle. This quirky naming choice was a play on both the spice and the “Mon” ending, reinforcing his reggae-inspired voice and personality. It was part of Kellogg’s bold effort to give their mascots more distinct branding, and while the stylization never caught on broadly with fans, it’s still used in official materials and packaging from his heyday.

#9: He Was Part of a Cereal Mascot Duo

While most cereal mascots shine solo, CinnaMon’s run was unique because he was part of a duo—paired with the mischievous and competitive Bad Apple. The two represented the two flavor elements of Apple Jacks: sweet apple and warm cinnamon. In commercials, CinnaMon was cool, smooth, and humble, while Bad Apple was jealous, scheming, and always trying to win. Their chemistry was a major hit with viewers, and the duo’s ongoing chase-and-rivalry theme became the backbone of Apple Jacks’ ads for years. Fans loved rooting for CinnaMon, who almost always came out on top—but never rubbed it in.

#8: He Replaced the “Why Do Kids Like It?” Campaign

Before CinnaMon, Apple Jacks commercials centered around the long-running joke: “We eat what we like.” The premise was that kids loved Apple Jacks even though it didn’t taste like apples, and adults just didn’t get it. While that campaign was successful, Kellogg’s shifted gears in the early 2000s and introduced the animated Apple and CinnaMon characters to add visual energy and humor to their messaging. The new approach modernized the brand, giving it more personality and international appeal, especially among younger audiences who responded to cartoon-style storytelling.

#7: He Was Voiced by a Real Reggae Performer

To stay true to his roots (pun intended), CinnaMon was voiced by a Jamaican reggae artist, lending an authentic tone to his laid-back Caribbean dialect. While the performer’s name wasn’t always officially credited in early commercials, his delivery gave CinnaMon a smooth, rhythmic speech pattern that set him apart from other cereal mascots. His catchphrases—like “Yeah, mon!” and “Stick with me, mon!”—became recognizable and quotable. The use of an actual musician added an extra layer of real-world cool that most animated mascots simply couldn’t touch.

#6: His Dreadlocks Sparked Cultural Discussion

While many fans found CinnaMon’s design fun and charming, others raised concerns about cultural appropriation, especially regarding his animated dreadlocks and exaggerated accent. Debates popped up in marketing circles and online forums questioning whether the character played into stereotypes. Kellogg’s defended the character as a celebration of flavor and fun, not intended as a caricature. While these discussions never reached a full controversy, they remain an important part of the mascot’s legacy—an example of how brand mascots can inadvertently tap into broader cultural issues.

#5: He Was a Surprise Hit in International Markets

Although originally aimed at North American audiences, CinnaMon’s personality and unique animation style resonated worldwide. In some international Apple Jacks markets, he was even more popular than Bad Apple. His reggae flair, expressive body language, and underdog charisma made him instantly lovable in a wide range of cultural settings. Kellogg’s leveraged this by creating versions of the commercials that aired in multiple languages with localized voiceovers while keeping CinnaMon’s design largely intact. His global appeal helped Apple Jacks make deeper inroads into markets where cereal branding had often been more traditional.

#4: He Starred in a Full-On Mini-Series of Commercials

Unlike mascots with standalone commercials, CinnaMon and Bad Apple were given an ongoing storyline that played out over a series of connected commercials like an animated sitcom. Viewers followed their antics across schoolyards, cereal boxes, and even extreme sports competitions. The dynamic between the characters evolved with each episode, creating a level of continuity rarely seen in cereal marketing. Fans would eagerly wait to see how Bad Apple would try to outsmart CinnaMon—and how the cinnamon stick would outwit him with grace and style.

#3: His Popularity Led to Merch and Fan Art

Though never quite reaching the merchandising heights of mascots like Tony the Tiger, CinnaMon did inspire a surprising amount of fan-made content—from plush toys and stickers to early fan art shared on cereal forums and deviantART pages. Some limited-edition box promotions included temporary tattoos and collectible trading cards featuring CinnaMon in action poses. His charisma and unique visual design made him a natural subject for fan love, and he’s still remembered fondly by fans who grew up during his peak.

#2: He Was Retired Without Warning

Despite his popularity, CinnaMon disappeared from Apple Jacks commercials in the mid-2010s with no official farewell or announcement. The brand pivoted back to emphasizing the cereal itself, and new packaging shifted away from animated mascots entirely. While Bad Apple and CinnaMon still occasionally appear in vintage branding or special throwback boxes, their central role in advertising has faded. Fans online still occasionally ask for his return, and some even petitioned Kellogg’s to bring back the character duo—but as of now, the smooth-talking cinnamon stick remains in cereal mascot limbo.

#1: He Changed the Way Mascots Were Used in Cereal Marketing

CinnaMon’s arrival marked a shift in how cereal mascots could function—not just as product pitchmen, but as characters in an ongoing narrative. He brought storytelling, humor, and charisma to a brand that previously leaned on simplicity. His presence helped usher in a new era where mascots had personalities, rivalries, arcs, and even cultural personas. For many kids in the 2000s, CinnaMon wasn’t just part of breakfast—he was part of their morning cartoon lineup. That impact lingers, and it’s part of why even years later, fans remember him as one of the most creative and memorable cereal mascots ever made.

CinnaMon wasn’t your typical cereal mascot—he was cooler, smoother, and more dynamic than almost anything the cereal aisle had ever seen. With his signature accent, reggae swagger, and calm under pressure, he transformed Apple Jacks from a basic breakfast cereal into a bold brand with flavor and flair. Whether you cheered for him during the Apple vs. CinnaMon era or just remember that jingle ringing in your head, there’s no denying the mark he left. And who knows—maybe one day we’ll see him leap back into our bowls, dreadlocks and all, to say: “Ya can’t beat the cinnamon, mon.”