20 Popular Aldi Cereals, Ranked Worst To Best

We all love Trader Joe's — it's one of our favorite grocery stores, and it's fun to take a trip there after work to pick up an easy dinner. But how do you feel about Trader Joe's cousin, Aldi? If you're looking for incredible budget eats, then Aldi is definitely the place to go. They stock copycats of some of your favorite products so you can enjoy the flavors you love without going over your budget. That may be why it's a favorite for so many families around the world. When you combine competitive pricing with good food and a store that's easy to navigate, it just makes sense that people would love shopping there.

And you shouldn't be too surprised that the cereal, like many of the other products lining the shelves, is top-quality. While you can get a few name brands at Aldi, the majority of what you'll find are essentially knockoffs of more easily recognizable brands. Just because the label is different, though, doesn't mean that these cereals aren't good.

We wanted to help you decide which Aldi cereals (which carry the in-house Millville label) to try and which you should forget about buying completely, and that's why we've compiled this list of Aldi cereals, ranked worst to best. First, take a look at what you shouldn't buy, and then make your way down the list to our absolute favorites. Ready to go?

There was a time in food history when Froot Loops were all the rage. And we totally get it. Brightly colored cereal with a fun mascot is essentially a recipe for getting kids to eat it every morning. The commercials were ubiquitous, and chances are, you've had the stuff stocked in your fridge from time to time. So, we're not surprised at all that Aldi attempted to copy this iconic cereal. In our opinion, though, the original was never that good, and the copycat — Fruit Rounds — is even worse.

While the box says that this cereal is naturally flavored, it definitely doesn't taste like that. Every bite feels like a feverish dream to a perfume shop where every perfume is inspired by a different flavored oat milk-soaked Jolly Rancher. The cereal falls apart instantly, and you'll be left with a fruity, soupy mess that nobody will want to eat.

And to make matters worse, the colors in this cereal aren't as bright as actual Froot Loops, so you don't even get the full effect of the fun of eating artificially colored carbs. This one is seriously disappointing, and you won't be seeing it in our Aldi carts anytime soon.

We have to give it to the Bran Flakes: They do have more flavor than the Multigrain Squares. It's not a particularly good flavor, but at least it tastes like something. There's almost a bitterness to the cereal, and while there's a touch of sweetness to it as well, it doesn't totally cover up that bitter taste. Bran flakes can often have an intensely wheat-y flavor to them, but this one is definitely more pronounced than any other's we've tried in the past.

While they may be slightly more interesting than the competition, that doesn't mean they're something you want to keep stocked in your pantry. They make for an okay breakfast that you can grab on your way out the door, but they're nothing special. This cereal would definitely be a lot better if there were some raisins or another kind of dried fruit added to the mix, but instead, you just get a one-note flavor.

This may be a product you buy for your grandma, but we don't think many others are going to flock to it time and time again.

What can we say about Corn Flakes that hasn't already been said? This is one of the most basic types of cereal, and it's about as average as can be. There's nothing wrong with it — these corn flakes don't taste bad, and they even have a decent texture to them. But other than that, there's not much going on here. The corn provides a nice, mild, neutral flavor, while there's just a touch of sweetness that brings it all together.

However, we probably wouldn't buy this cereal to actually eat for breakfast. You can use corn flakes as a replacement for bread crumbs in some recipes, though, and it can make a crispy coating on your chicken or fish if that's what you're going for.

What can we say? This brand makes solid corn flakes, but they're nothing special. If you love corn flakes, give them a try. Just don't expect them to be different than the most average corn flakes you've ever tried.

If there's one cereal that truly has a cult following, it's Cinnamon Toast Crunch. These crunchy squares of sugar-y and cinnamon-y goodness are always a hit, so it makes sense that Aldi wanted to copy the original and make a cereal like this of their own. That's where the Cinnamon Crunch Squares come in — we know, they aren't exactly being clever with the names they choose. This stuff is basically what you'd expect from Cinnamon Toast Crunch: little squares of wheat-y goodness that are covered in a dusting of sugar and cinnamon. However, there are a few main differences.

First of all, Cinnamon Toast Crunch seems to have more of a super crunchy bite to it. With the Aldi brand? Not so much. There's also the issue of flavor. While Cinnamon Toast Crunch is pretty sweet, most of the focus seems to be on the cinnamon. However, with the Cinnamon Crunch Squares, you're more likely to get a lot of sweetness and not as much cinnamon. That may sound great to you, but for cinnamon lovers like us, it was a slight disappointment.

Would we choose Cinnamon Crunch Squares over the original Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Definitely not. But if you're at Aldi and are okay with trying a knockoff, this cereal isn't necessarily a bad option.

We all love Rice Krispies, but what if Rice Krispies were made of chocolate? Well, enter Cocoa Krispies which is obviously the inspiration for Cocoa Rice from Aldi. Now, let's start with the obvious: Is this the healthiest breakfast you'll ever eat? No. You can pretty much bet that anything that has chocolate in it probably isn't going to be the most nutritious way to start your day. But sometimes, it comes down to taste and not just nutrition, and that's why we think that the Cocoa Rice from Aldi is a good treat. It's chocolatey, and it's really sweet — but in a good way. Plus, we love the sound that the cereal makes after you pour the milk over top. The popping and crisping sound makes it even more appealing.

The only problem here is — you guessed it — the texture. This stuff gets soggy really easily, but it surprisingly holds up better to milk than some of its competition. If you're okay with your Cocoa Rice falling apart as you finish your bowl of cereal, you should give this stuff a try.

If you're looking for a simple flavor that still have plenty of sweetness to work with, then Aldi's Honey Wheat Puffs are right up your alley. While the wheat puffs themselves are relatively mild as far as flavor is concerned, the addition of honey flavoring really takes things to the next level. Plus, the flavor of the honey isn't too strong or cloying — it's just the right amount of sweetness.

We also love that this riff on Kellog's Honey Smacks (note the cereal's beloved Dig'em Frog mascot has been replaced by a dragon) holds up really well in liquid. Since these puffs are so hearty and thick, they can stand to float around in your milk for a while without completely losing their shape and texture. If you're looking for something sweet and crunchy from the Aldi cereal aisle, we think we have just what you're searching for with the Honey Wheat Puffs.

The Cocoa Rice is good, sure, but what if you want something that's closer to the real thing? In that case, you should pick up a box of Crispy Rice the next time you're at Aldi. This stuff is pretty much indistinguishable from real Rice Krispies. They don't have a very intense flavor, but just a touch of sweetness makes them delicious. It may just be the ideal neutral cereal for when you want something filling without a strong flavor. We love that signature snap, crackle, pop that comes through in the knockoff, just like it does with the real thing. And while this cereal does get soggy pretty quickly, that's standard for name-brand Rice Krispies as well.

And yes, while these are fantastic on their own, you can also use Aldi's Crispy Rice cereal in Rice Krispies treats if you're trying to make some snacks for the ones you love. Make sure you pick up a box of this stuff soon.

Now, you already know that we like the Fit and Active Vitality Cereal from Aldi, a cereal that's trying to replicate the deliciousness of the Special K cereal you already know and love. And while the stuff with the dried red berries is good, we think that the Fit and Active Fruit and Yogurt Vitality Cereal is even better. It all starts out with those flakes we know and love that feature just the right amount of sugar. But the real star of the show in this cereal is the little balls of yogurt. They add an interesting, acidic touch to an otherwise standard cereal, and it makes us want to eat every bite. And the best part? You don't even have to remember to pick up a separate container of yogurt from the store.

Of course, if you don't like yogurt, then this probably isn't the best cereal for you. But for the rest of us who are looking for a way to spice up our breakfasts, this cereal is definitely the way to go. Give it a try.

Now, there are some cereals out there that are meant to be a part of a healthy, balanced breakfast before you take on your day. And then there are other cereals out there that are just meant to be served as a fun treat. Aldi's Kookies cereal (inspired by Cookie Crisp) definitely falls into the second category, and we're here for it. It's basically just what it sounds like: small cookies that have been made into cereal. Yes, it's basically dessert, and yes, it's also absolutely delicious.

Of course, these are on the sweeter side, but that's probably exactly what you want when you're looking for a dessert-like cereal like this one. The cookies have some crunch to them, but they're not so crunchy that you'll break a tooth on them.

These are definitely going to be a huge hit with the kids, but we think that they're also great for adults who want to indulge from time to time. You deserve to have fun too, after all!

Finally, we've made it to the best of the best:  Honey Crunch 'n Oats. You can find this Honey Bunches of Oats knockoff in two different flavors, one with almonds and one without. We like the one with the almonds better, but they are both fantastic options, and those who don't eat nuts will prefer the latter. Regardless of whether you get the kind with almonds or not, though, there are tons of other parts of this cereal that make it delicious. From the crunchy oats to the crispy flakes, this cereal is an all-around success.

The honey flavor is noticeable but not overpowering, which means you're going to get the ideal level of sweetness. And with so many different textures going on, you know that every bite is going to be a little bit different. If you're the kind of person who likes a bit of novelty, you're going to go wild for this cereal. Pick some up the next time you find yourself at Aldi, and who knows? You may just have a new favorite cereal to keep stocked in your pantry.