14 Popular Trader Joe's Cereal, Ranked Worst To Best
If you love shopping for groceries, then you'll know that there's no better place to go for some food retail therapy than Trader Joe's. The store has a reputation for being an enjoyable, relaxing place to shop (unless you happen to be there when the crowds descend on it during a busy weekend, of course). And one thing is for sure: Trader Joe's has some pretty incredible products that we all want to stock our pantries with.
Those incredible products include a lot of different cereals that you're not going to find at other stores. And while cereal may not be the most popular breakfast food these days, we think it's still a great option to get you going for the day. It's quick, easy, and most of all, delicious when mixed with your favorite kind of milk.
Are you interested in checking out the cereal aisle at Trader Joe's? If so, you're in for a treat. However, here at Mashed, we want to make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck possible. That's why we've decided to rank popular Trader Joe's cereals from worst to best. That way, you can make sure you're picking out the best box of cereal the next time you find yourself at Trader Joe's. Now let's get started!
14. Trader Joe's High Fiber Cereal
If you're trying to find a healthy cereal that will get you through the day without leaving you feeling heavy and weighed-down, when we have the cereal for you: Trader Joe's High Fiber Cereal. However, if you're looking for a cereal that actually tastes good, you're going to be out of luck with this one. That shouldn't come as a surprise for a cereal whose main claim to fame is being high-fiber ... not exactly a sexy name.
According to Spoon University, this cereal is seriously good for you, especially if you're trying to add more fiber into your diet. In just 2/3 of a cup of this cereal, you'll find 9 grams of fiber — that's a lot! It's also fortified with vitamins and minerals. However, there's not much flavor there. Unfortunately, it mostly just tastes ... healthy. But not in a fresh, exciting way.
Can you dress this cereal up with berries, other fruit, and honey to make it more appealing? Of course. But is this the kind of cereal you're going to want to eat straight out of the box? Definitely not. It's bland, it's boring, and it has a slightly strange texture. If you're buying a cereal for the taste, this high-fiber cereal is not the way to go.
13. Trader Joe's Strawberry Yogurt O's
Sometimes, you want a breakfast that's bright and appealing that will make you want to dig in right away. And when you're just looking at Trader Joe's Strawberry Yogurt O's, that's just what you'll get. This pretty-in-pink cereal looks as appetizing as can be, and you'll just love the look of it when it's stocked in your pantry. But when it comes to taste? We're not huge fans.
Plain cereal is coated in yogurt, and you'll also find yogurt chunks (we know — doesn't sound very appealing) in the mix. Dried strawberries add a bit more flavor, but they leave a lot to be desired ... you're better off just adding fresh cereals to your breakfast. The yogurt pieces are surprisingly tart, but not in a good way. And the rest of the cereal is either just boring or too sweet.
One online reviewer rated this cereal a two out of five, and we have to agree. They said, "No one in my family likes this. We already finished two boxes of other cereal since buying this two weeks ago. There are better Trader Joe's cereal choices available." We agree. The box may be pretty, but you're still better off leaving it on the shelf.
12. Trader Joe's Raisin Bran
Can you think of a cereal that's more boring and unappealing than Raisin Bran? We can't. Unless you really, really love raisins, this cereal isn't worth your time. And while Trader Joe's Raisin Bran is a lot better than some other brands out there, it doesn't mean it's worth your time to pick up a box of the stuff.
First of all, this cereal is really sweet. That's understandable, as it would probably be relatively flavorless if they didn't add in a ton of sugar. However, that doesn't exactly make it an ideal way to start your day if you actually want to feel good. Other than that cloying sweetness, though, there's not much going on here: boring bran flakes and sad, dry raisins don't do much to inspire a fantastic morning.
Aldi Reviewer agrees with us. They said, "Our first impression of this cereal, admittedly, was not the best: the bran flakes felt a little bland and we weren't sure the raisins made up for it. It grew on us, though, and we would say that we came to like it, although we don't think it is quite as good as some other Trader Joe's cereals."
So is it terrible? No. Is it with your time or money? We don't think so.
11. Trader Joe's Frosted Flakes
There are a ton of brands out there that make frosted flakes, and if you've had this kind of cereal before, then you know there's not much room for creativity. It's a pretty basic cereal, which means that any brand that attempts it is likely going to come out with a similar result. Our verdict on Trader Joe's Frosted Flakes? They're okay, but nothing special. We certainly wouldn't choose them over other, better Trader Joe's cereals.
Our main issue with this cereal is the fact that it's absolutely coated in sugar — too much of it, if you ask us (10 grams, if you're counting). The result is a super-sweet cereal that will leave you feeling hungry for something savory first thing in the morning. If you like sweet breakfasts, this might be a great option, but for the rest of us, there are better choices.
Other than all that added sugar, though, there's nothing to this cereal. It tastes as bland as can be. And with so many other delicious Trader Joe's cereal options, we think you can leave this one on the shelf.
10. Trader Joe's Neapolitan Puffs
Do you ever wish you could eat ice cream for breakfast? Or are you looking for a breakfast cereal that your kids will like the look of so much that they actually want to eat it? If so, then you may be interested in Trader Joe's Neapolitan Puffs. One thing that we love about this cereal is how colorful it is. The chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla puffs are all different colors, which results in a colorful bowl of cereal that will perk you up right away in the morning.
Looks aside, though, this isn't the tastiest of Trader Joe's cereals. It's certainly not bad, especially if you like your cereal on the sweeter side. But we would venture to say that most adults don't want to eat a sweet, chocolate-y cereal reminiscent of a flavor of ice cream for breakfast. It might be ideal for the little ones, but for the adults? We'll have to pass.
The taste is slightly strange and artificial-tasting. The Daily Waffle agrees, saying, "It does have a little bit of an aftertaste (compared to standard wheat or corn cereals), but its sweetness does a good job of masking it." This isn't the worst cereal in the cereal aisle, but we're still not massive fans.
9. Joe's O's
If you're like most people, you've probably had your fair share of Cheerios in your life. They're one of those staple foods that just about everyone has in their pantry from time to time. Do they taste good? Sure. But are Cheerios anyone's favorite food? We sincerely doubt it. That's why it's probably understandable to you that Joe's O's end up solidly in the middle of this ranking. The Cheerios knockoff is super close to the original, and it's about as basic as you can get when it comes to cereal.
Elizabeth M. on Influenster provided an accurate review of this cereal: "They're pretty average. I don't eat a lot of Cheerios but they taste like Cheerios. I might buy them again but overall not very exciting."
That sums it up pretty well. If you like Cheerios and you want to try a different brand, go for it. But if you're looking for a delicious, groundbreaking cereal that you'll want to go back for time and time again, Joe's O's are likely not going to be at the top of your list.
8. Trader Joe's Crunchy Cinnamon Squares
Calling all Cinnamon Toast Crunch lovers! If you can't make it to another shop to pick up your favorite cereal, you're in luck because the Trader Joe's Crunchy Cinnamon Squares are about as close as you can get to Cinnamon Toast Crunch without getting sued. This is an ideal breakfast if you like your cereal a bit sweet and absolutely doused in cinnamon. We think that this is an excellent cereal that tastes great. In fact, it would've ended up higher on our list if we didn't compare it to the original Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
As good as this stuff is, real Cinnamon Toast Crunch is better. What's Good at Trader Joes? described the cereal as "diet Cinnamon Toast Crunch" and "Cinnamon Toast Crunch Light." Does it taste exactly like the real thing? No. The texture of the cereal isn't as good, and you're not going to get the punch of cinnamon-y goodness that you're used to from the original. However, that being said, this is an especially tasty cereal, and you should give it a try if you think it's something you might like.
Who knows? You may genuinely enjoy it more than the real Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
7. Trader Joe's Crunchy Almond Butter Puffs Cereal
You've likely seen plenty of peanut butter cereal in your day. But when was the last time that you tucked into a bowl of almond butter cereal? If you've never tried it, you're not alone. And that's just one reason why we love Trader Joe's so much: You always have the opportunity to try something new when you walk through the doors. One of those fun, interesting products is Trader Joe's Crunchy Almond Butter Puffs Cereal.
While this may not immediately look like a healthy option, it's actually not that bad for you. The cereal itself is made from rice and quinoa, and it has a good balance of fat, protein, and carbs. Is it a low-carb breakfast? Certainly not. But for those who aren't on a low-carb diet, this is still a fantastic breakfast option. The cereal is coated in almond butter, which gives it a rich taste that makes this a more filling option than many of the other cereals on this list.
And our favorite part? The cereal is also coated in a dusting of powdered sugar and cocoa powder. This gives the cereal an even richer taste of chocolate that pairs exceptionally well with the almond butter, and the powdered sugar provides the perfect amount of sweetness. While there are better cereals on Trader Joe's shelves than this one, it's still a favorite that we wouldn't mind eating at any time of day.
6. Trader Joe's Just the Clusters Vanilla Almond Granola Cereal
Do you ever get a box of mixed cereal that seems to have more sad bran flakes than those pleasant crunchy clusters? Unfortunately, it happens all too often. But that's why Trader Joe's came up with a genius idea: Why not make the entire box of cereal those clusters we all love? Hence, Trader Joe's Just the Clusters Vanilla Almond Granola Cereal was born.
First of all, you should know that this cereal is seriously crunchy. If you like a cereal that's going to get all soggy and sad in your milk, then this is not the product for you. Instead, these clusters stay intact even after they've been doused in your favorite milk. The fact that they hold up really well makes this cereal ideal for those who are trying to eat on the go.
And when it comes to the flavor? We're here for it. It's flavorful but not overwhelming. One reviewer had this to say: "What I like most is that this granola isn't overly sweet. As for the flavor, normally, vanilla is, well, vanilla. Kind of plain and boring. Not here though! ... The vanilla belongs here and adds a pleasantly sweet yet refreshing taste."
Not too sweet, oh so crunchy, and somewhat healthy to boot? Sign us up!
5. Trader Joe's Grainless Granola
What if you absolutely love granola but are trying to cut down on the carbs in your diet? That can be a tricky predicament, and you may think that you have to cut out your granola routine entirely to stay on track. Luckily, though, you don't have to do that because Trader Joe's has got your back. How? With their Trader Joe's Grainless Granola. Instead of being filled with the carb-y goodness that you're probably used to with granola, this cereal is filled with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and coconut. They're arranged in crunchy clusters that have a heavenly texture to them.
This stuff is seriously delicious, and we could eat it every day. While it is really good, we have to admit that it's not the best on its own. Where the flavor really shines is when you mix it into a smoothie bowl, a yogurt parfait, or even sprinkle it over the top of a baked good. We love that Trader Joe's always goes above and beyond in attempting to provide its customers with healthy alternatives, and this granola does just that.
4. Trader Joe's Almond Butter Granola
In the U.S., it seems like everything is about peanut butter. Name pretty much any food item, and you'll find it paired with peanut butter. That's great, but what about those who are allergic to peanuts? And what about all the other lovely nuts out there that make up our salad toppings, non-dairy milks, and rich, chocolate-y desserts? We think it's time that some other nuts got the limelight, and apparently, Trader Joe's agrees. Enter the Trader Joe's Almond Butter Granola. This stuff may just sound like your average peanut butter granola, but that's far from the case.
First of all, this granola is really crunchy, so if you're looking for something with a lot of texture, you're in luck. And the best part about this stuff is the fact that the almond flavor isn't overwhelming — it's just enough to add a slightly sweet nutty taste to the cereal, which we love. Popsugar agrees. In their review, they said, "I'm in. I love a slightly sweet snack in the afternoon, and the larger clusters make it easy to eat like a trail mix, right out of the bowl."
So, what are you waiting for? Start digging into a bag of this stuff after your next Trader Joe's run.
3. Trader Joe's Pecan Praline Granola
Some people love digging into a sweetened bowl of cereal first thing in the morning and feel like it helps them get their day off to a great start. More power to them. But unfortunately, many of us can't have a ton of sugar first thing in the morning and avoid the nasty sugar crash that comes a few hours later. So, if you're looking for something that's only slightly sweet, we think we've got you covered with Trader Joe's Pecan Praline Granola. This granola is seriously really tasty, and we love that it has both sweet and salty components to it. It makes for a well-balanced taste that we think you're going to love.
Just take it from Everything Joes: "It was only slightly sweet, and not only that, but it was a different kind of sweet. A maple syrup tasting sweet to be exact. How pleasant. Also, a really unique thing about the flavor profile of this cereal was the salty pop from the pecans that are in there."
While this flavor is amazing at any time of the year, it's especially delicious during the colder months. Give it a try.
2. Trader Joe's Maple Pecan Clusters
We all love a cereal with plenty of clusters, which is why Trader Joe's Maple Pecan Clusters comes in near the top of our list. This is the ideal cereal to get if you love super crunchy cereals, and it's even better when you enjoy it during the fall — it'll make you think of the perfect autumn day. The maple syrup adds a certain sweetness to the cereal, but it's relatively subtle, so you don't have to worry about stimulating your sweet tooth too much in the morning. And then the pecans add a nice crunchy fattiness to the granola, making us love it even more. While it's great on yogurt or in smoothie bowls, this stuff is definitely delicious enough to stand on its own or with a splash of milk.
This is certainly a fall favorite, but we think it's amazing year round. Make sure to stock up when you see it on store shelves so you always have some on hand.
1. Trader Joe's Ginger Turmeric Granola
If you're looking for something really unique from your breakfast-eating experience, look no further than Trader Joe's Ginger Turmeric Granola. This isn't your average granola — in fact, you may not have ever had anything like this granola before. Ginger and turmeric may seem like strange flavors for a granola, but when you taste it all together, you'll see that it really is a genius combo.
What's Good at Trader Joe's? puts it well: "Both the ginger and the turmeric seem to be held in check by the earthy crunch of the rolled oats, and the respective sweetnesses of the brown rice syrup and coconut pieces balance it all out pretty well. .... The turmeric adds more of a warmth than a flavor punch as well."
Doesn't that sound fantastic? If you know you already love the spiciness of ginger and the earthy flavor of turmeric, then you may just find that this is your new favorite Trader Joe's cereal.