Four Flavors. One Winner.
Before this taste test began, I hadn’t given Cinnamon Cheerios much thought. It was simply one of four flavors I planned to review. I had assumed Honey Nut Cheerios—the longtime classic and personal favorite—would easily take first place.
It turns out it had some stiff competition.
And The Winner Is…
🥇 Cinnamon Cheerios ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🥈 Honey Nut Cheerios ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
🥉 Cookies & Crème Cheerios ⭐⭐⭐½
🍓 Strawberry Cheerios ⭐⭐⭐
One thing that impressed me across all four flavors was how well they hid the protein. Honey Nut had a slight protein taste at first, but it faded quickly. The other three flavors hid it completely. Each offered 8 grams of protein per serving, along with the familiar Cheerios crunch. While some flavors were definitely better than others, I genuinely enjoyed the entire lineup.
Honey Nut Cheerios Protein Cereal
With the first crunch, I knew I would buy these again. They invoked memories of Saturday morning cartoons and my childhood. As a staple for breakfast as a child, I continued to buy them as an adult, although I didn’t have them often. I can see this protein version taking a similar position in my life. Something I eat periodically which makes them all the more special.
The protein version is very, very close to the original. What sets them apart? A faint hint of the protein can be tasted in the first bite or two before the traditional honey nut flavor overpowers it and you forget it was even there. The honey flavoring is strong, as is the sweetness. But who cares? I didn’t. The flavor was good, and the crunch was satisfying.
The best part of these Cheerios? 8g of protein per cup. Add a cup of skim milk and you’ll have 16g of protein per bowl. Which puts you well on your way toward a high-protein, GLP-1-friendly breakfast. In my case, I had 2 cups of cereal and 1.5 cups of milk and which brings it to 28g of protein—perfect.
And the calorie count isn’t bad either. 140 calories per cup is the same as regular Cheerios. With a cup of skim milk, it comes to 230. And when you compare the boxes, you’ll find they have the same amount of sugar too.
12g is a little high, but then again, the cereal is rather sweet. It is after all, marketed as a kid’s cereal. However, they must know that plenty of adults buy it too; otherwise, why would they market it as cholesterol-free and as a new protein product.
Also on the list is a plethora of vitamins. Who doesn’t want those? I was curious as to where the protein was coming from, and the third ingredient on the list was pea protein with no whey in sight. So, it’s free of milk products—which is good for those who are lactose intolerant.
Combined, the protein and calorie counts are major selling points for this cereal. The childhood memories are just a bonus. I give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up. Definitely try this cereal if you have ever enjoyed regular Honey Nut Cheerios. It will become a regular on your shopping list, just as I know it will be on mine.
Strawberry Cheerios Protein Cereal
This is definitely a kid’s cereal. The strawberry is sweet! But then again, sugar is the second ingredient on the list. I’d say it falls in line with other strawberry-flavored cereals, but it’s been so long since I ate any, I can’t be sure. I can say that the flavor wasn’t bad, but it was very artificial. The first bite is a bit of a shocker, but then you get used to it.
Setting aside its fake flavor, it was somewhat enjoyable to eat. At least I could get past the eyebrow-raising artificial sweetness and enjoy the crunch. One thing to note: strawberry puree was the fifth ingredient on the list. So at least they put real strawberries in the mix and it’s not just artificial flavoring. Also, I did sort of get a kick out of how it turned my milk pink, and had a soft, fruity syrupy flavor when I drank the last of it down.
One thing that was noticeable was that it lacked the usual tinge of protein powder most protein-fortified foods have. It very well could have been the artificial strawberry and sugar, but I was expecting it and was pleasantly surprised not to find it.
As cereals go, it has a lot going for it. 8g of protein and 150 calories per cup, it isn’t a horrible choice for breakfast. Especially if you’re looking for something sweet or want to relive your childhood days of eating something like fruity flavored Trix, but still get a start on your protein count for the day.
Overall, the cereal is just like any other Cheerios but with a strawberry twist. It packs the same nutrients, has the same pea protein, and the same satisfying crunch. I’d say buy this if you’re a fan of strawberry-flavored foods, but you’ll be trying it at your own risk, as everyone’s tolerance for sweet artificial flavoring is different.
Cookies and Crème Cheerios Protein Cereal
As sweet as strawberry Cheerios, but not in any way that I can describe. It’s called cookies and crème, which I guess is enough of an explanation, but I can’t quite identify the flavor. But then, it isn’t one I’m readily familiar with, and it’s been even longer since I had an Oreo, which I’m guessing this cereal is based on. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an enjoyable flavor, but I wouldn’t think of cookies and crème upon the first crunch.
One interesting note—as sweet as it is, it somehow doesn’t taste as artificial as strawberry. How that is possible, I don’t know.
That said, it was an enjoyable cereal to eat. Sweet, but not eyebrow-raising. A particular point to note is the lack of protein flavor that most fortified foods have. I’m guessing all the sugar covers it up. Still, it has a good crunch like any other Cheerios. And, just like the strawberry flavor, it has 150 calories and 8g of protein per cup. Again, not a horrible breakfast if you’re looking to start your day with some sugary goodness. Particularly if you’re familiar with cookies and crème and are looking for that specific flavor.
I was curious if the ingredient list might explain the flavor, but I found nothing there that jumped out at me as identifying it as cookies and crème. I was a little disappointed. Here I was hoping it might explain the taste.
I guess I would recommend these if you’re looking for a version of Cheerios that’s sweet and tasty but isn’t Honey Nut and you don’t like strawberry flavor. It has all the same things going for it as the other two, so it’s really not a bad way to start your day. If you do buy it, let me know if you can identify the flavor!
Cinnamon Cheerios Protein Cereal
With the first crunch, the cereal had my attention. The cinnamon flavor was sharp and clear, and just before I took a second spoonful, I realized it also had a bite at the very end too. I ate the next couple of bites with curiosity, looking for the protein aftertaste fortified foods have, and didn’t find it. What I found was a complex flavor that gradually changed as I chewed. Dare I say it, but I think Cinnamon Cheerios has dislodged Honey Nut Cheerios as my favorite flavor.
What is a little puzzling to me is that while I like cinnamon-flavored things well enough, they are not the first thing I choose given a choice. Now I might reconsider. In comparing this cereal to the other three, I think it would more likely appeal to an adult’s taste buds than a child’s. It’s not as sweet as the other three and has a flavor that is nuanced and layered, which is a wild way to describe a breakfast cereal, but here we are.
I would seriously recommend this version of Cheerios to adults who don’t want to relive their childhood or aren’t looking for a sugary start to their day, but do want some crunch with their protein. Now, don’t be fooled.
This cereal is still plenty sweet. Sugar is listed as the second ingredient, and the fourth is brown sugar syrup. But for all that sugar, it doesn’t dominate the flavor like it does the other three flavors.
Beyond the taste, this cereal compares with the others. It has the same pea protein and vitamin list, and it has 150 calories and 8g of protein, so there is no difference there. However, for flavor, it stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Overall, like the others, it’s a fairly good choice for breakfast, especially if you have the time to savor its cinnamon bite and satisfying crunch. Also, when you finish the cereal, you can enjoy the milk at the bottom of the bowl, as it has a bit of a cinnamon kick.
I have to give Cinnamon Cheerios Protein Cereal two enthusiastic thumbs up. Try it. It is surprisingly good. It might just become your favorite flavor and take its place as a regular in your breakfast rotation, like I know it will in mine.
Overall, I enjoyed all four Cheerios Protein flavors and would buy them again. They offer a reasonable protein-to-calorie ratio, taste good, and are an easy way to add some protein and crunch to your morning routine. Yes, they’re a little higher in sugar than some other protein-focused breakfast options, but that’s pretty typical for cereal. If you’re looking for a simple GLP-1-friendly breakfast, they’re worth trying. Just don’t be surprised if Cinnamon ends up becoming your favorite too—it definitely became mine.
Leave a Reply