We Tasted 7 Name-Brand Cereals Against Their Generic Version. Here’s What We Found.
Updated: Dec. 23, 2020
Like Grandma said, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make sure that bowl of cereal is the best it can be. We found out when you can save with generic—and when you should steer clear.
A bowl of cereal has long been the go-to breakfast option for busy families. It’s quick to pour, easy to pack for on-the-go eats and relatively inexpensive.
But in the cereal aisle, that low cost seems relative when I compare my favorite name-brand cereal with its generic counterpart (we do that a lot at Taste of Home). For the exact same quantity of what seems to be the same cereal, there is at least a dollar difference in price.
Wondering if I could save a few bucks on my grocery bill without sacrificing flavor, I grabbed a couple of fellow editors and pitted seven name-brand cereals against their generic counterpart. Keep reading to see how these head-to-head battles shook out.
Check out the healthiest cereals you can buy, plus the ones you should avoid.
Kellogg’s Froot Loops vs. Target’s Market Pantry Far Out Fruities
The biggest difference between these cereals is clear right when we poured them into bowls. Kellogg’s Froot Loops were vibrant, almost jewel-toned, and gave off a strong fruity scent. Whereas Far Out Fruities’ coloring and scent were significantly more subdued. When it came to flavor, though, Market Pantry’s subtlety paid off. With a lighter fruit flavor, Far Out Fruities beat out Froot Loops’ more intense and sugary taste.
Overall: If your kids don’t mind a slightly less colorful bowl of cereal, opting for the generic version of this cereal could save you about $1.30 per box.
Buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops for $3.39 or Target’s Market Pantry Far Out Fruities for $2.09
Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes vs. Walmart’s Great Value Frosted Flakes
While Kellogg’s and Walmart’s frosted corn flakes had a fairly similar appearance, their textures and flavors didn’t match up. We preferred Kellogg’s crispier and fresher-tasting flakes to Walmart’s harder, denser ones. Plus, Kellogg’s version had a bit more frosting, which helped the flakes keep their shape and crispiness when milk was added.
Overall: Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes’ superior flavor and flake texture are worth the extra $1.
Buy Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes for $2.58 or Walmart’s Great Value Frosted Flakes for $1.56
General Mills’ Cinnamon Toast Crunch vs. Walmart’s Great Value Cinnamon Crunch
This matchup had us seeing and tasting double! Other than General Mills’ more defined cinnamon swirls, these cereals were matched in their strong cinnamon-sugar taste and crisp crunch.
Overall: This generic is a near-twin to its name-brand version but will save you about 80¢ a box.
Buy General Mills’ Cinnamon Toast Crunch for $3.64 or Walmart’s Great Value Cinnamon Crunch for $2.85
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran vs. Walmart’s Great Value Raisin Bran
The first thing that stood out between these cereals was how different the flakes and raisins looked. The Kellogg’s bran flakes appeared to have a lot more texture and substance—we could see pieces of bran and wheat—while Great Value’s flakes looked more uniform and flat. When it came to the raisins, Great Value’s appeared to be covered in much more sugar than Kellogg’s, and resulted in a much sweeter cereal.
Overall: The hearty texture and light sweetness make Kellogg’s raisin bran worth the extra 25¢.
Buy Kellogg’s Raisin Bran for $2.88 or Walmart’s Great Value Raisin Bran for $2.63
Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats vs. Walmart’s Great Value Frosted Shredded Wheat
Out of all the head-to-head comparisons, these wheat cereals were probably the most different. First, the Kellogg’s minis had coarser and looser wheat threads that broke apart more easily when chewed than Great Value’s very tightly wound wheat shreds.
The frosting on Kellogg’s version was also applied more lightly than Great Value’s, but was actually much sweeter, with some vanilla flavors coming through. While these cereals were very different, we didn’t dislike the changes from name brand to generic.
Overall: It comes down to preference. If you’re used to eating Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats, you probably won’t be satisfied with this generic version. However, if you prefer a cereal that’s less sweet and more crunchy, Great Value’s version is a great option that will save you $1.70.
Buy Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats for $3.64 or Walmart’s Great Value Frosted Shredded Wheat for $1.94
Post’s Honey Bunches of Oats with Crispy Almonds vs. Walmart’s Great Value Almond Crunchy Honey Oats
This was another comparison where the name-brand and generic versions differed a lot. Post’s cereal had a preferable appearance and texture: The flakes had a more natural tone and there were more oat and almond pieces than Great Value’s. This led to a crunchier and more varied texture. And all those almonds gave Post’s version a toasty-nut flavor that complemented the oats and honey. Great Value’s cereal tasted more like corn flakes, but crunchier.
Overall: Post’s Honey Bunches of Oats with Crispy Almonds has a much better look, texture and flavor, but comes with a $3 higher price tag.
Buy Post’s Honey Bunches of Oats with Crispy Almonds for $5.48 or Walmart’s Great Value Almond Crunchy Honey Oats for $2.48
General Mills’ Honey Nut Cheerios vs. Walmart’s Great Value Honey Nut O’s
Many of the differences between General Mills’ and Great Value’s cereal were slight. Cheerios’ rings were a bit larger and less dense than Honey Nut O’s rings. The Cheerios were also coated in a glossy glaze that allowed them to retain their crunchiness longer when milk was added. Though the cereals tasted very much alike, General Mills’ version had a slightly nuttier flavor. And if you’re gluten free, take note: You can have General Mills’ version, but not Great Value’s: It contains wheat starch and wheat germ.
Overall: If gluten isn’t an issue, Great Value’s Honey Nut O’s is a decent way to save $1.75. But if you need something gluten-free, stick with General Mills’ version.
Buy General Mills’ Honey Nut Cheerios for $2.98 or Walmart’s Great Value Honey Nut O’s for $1.23
So, Name-Brand or Generic?
Ultimately, it comes down to the type of cereal. Our taste test proved that you can swap out many cereals for their generic version, especially if your family doesn’t eat cereal on the regular. But, if your family is already partial to a particular brand, they’ll probably be able to tell the difference in a snap.
Peanut Butter, Krispies and Chocolate Sandwich
This crispy, chocolaty sandwich is like a Saturday-morning cartoon cereal without the bowl. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Easy Crunch Berry Pie
This is a fresh, simple approach to making a company-worthy pie. The playful Cap’n Crunch cereal crust is fun to bite into, and it’s the perfect complement to a mixed berry no-bake filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Bites
My son Micah and I love peanut butter cups, so we made them into a new treat. We entered these peanut butter no bake cookies in a creative baking contest and won first place! —Autumn Emigh, Gahanna, Ohio
Cereal & Milk Ice Cream Sandwiches
Go ahead and buy those sweet cereals you normally stay away from. This is dessert! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Caliente Cheese Crisps
To fire up the crowd, I pack these homemade crackers with bacon, pumpkin seeds and French-fried onion rings. Dunk them in picante sauce. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Fruity No-Bake Cookies
Keep your kitchen cool with these freezer cookies made with fruity cereal. They're extra sweet and even more fun for kids to help make.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pumpkin Pie Tartlets with Maple Pecan Crust
After discovering I had multiple food sensitivities, I began developing holiday recipes that would be safe for me, but enjoyable for others, too. These tarts are delicious—with no gluten, eggs or dairy! —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario
Really Good Snack Mix
I grew tired of my family picking through a snack mix for their favorite ingredients and leaving the rest. So I experimented using only their most-loved mix-ins and came up with this recipe. Now there's never any left! —Lori Genske, Waldo, Wisconsin
Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter Squares
I combined a couple of recipes to create these crunchy, chocolaty peanut butter marshmallow bars that burst with flavor. The bars could also pass for fudge! —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Peanut Butter-Banana Yogurt Parfaits
For a lightning-fast breakfast, I layer vanilla yogurt with bananas, peanuts and multigrain cereal. It’s crunchy, easy and perfect for kids.—Teresa Miller, Hamilton, Indiana
Breaded Ranch Chicken
A crunchy coating of cornflakes and Parmesan cheese adds delectable flavor to this zesty ranch chicken. The golden, crispy chicken is a mainstay dish I can always count on. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
Nutty Rice Krispie Cookies
My mom and I used to prepare these Rice Krispie cookies for Christmas every year. Making them with just the microwave means they're super easy and fun to mix with the kids. —Savanna Chapdelaine, Orlando, Florida
Fudgy S'mores Brownies
I combined the perfect summer snack with my favorite brownie recipe to get these s'mores brownies. They're sure to wow at your next big party. —Judy Cunningham, Max, North Dakota
Not Your Mama's Seven-Layer Bars
The addition of dulce de leche makes this a decadent new take on traditional seven-layer bars. You can cut this recipe in half and make it in an 8x8-in. pan. —Andrea Barlow, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Ice Cream Cone Treats
I came up with this recipe as a way for my grandkids to enjoy Rice Krispies treats without getting sticky hands. You can also pack the cereal mixture into paper cups and insert a wooden pop stick to create cute pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington
Cheese Crispies
For years I’ve taken these crispy, crunchy snacks to work. They get high marks from everybody in the teachers lounge. —Eileen Ball, Cornelius, North Carolina
Peanut Butter Cereal Treats
Kids will love these colorful, crunchy bars. They’re a fun twist on the traditional marshmallow crispy treats…and because they’re so easy, older kids could whip up a batch on their own! —Christie Porter, Shipshewana, Indiana
Turkey Cakes
I watched a chef make crab cakes and decided to try it with turkey and stuffing. Now the kids request them year-round, so I buy cooked turkey. —Suzee Krebs, Brielle, New Jersey
Cornflake-Coated Crispy Bacon
I've loved my aunt's crispy-coated bacon ever since I was a child. Now I've shared the super simple recipe with my own children. We still enjoy a big panful every Christmas morning—and on many other days throughout the year! —Brenda Severson, Norman, Oklahoma
Frozen Banana Cereal Pops
When we want a healthy snack, we dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze. Ta-da! —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Crunch Candy
Treat family and friends to a yummy brittle for the holidays. Made with cashews and Rice Krispies, it's loaded with crispy-crunchy goodness. —Amanda McLemore, Maryville, Tennessee
Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
I make more than 40 different types of treats during the holidays for friends and family. These crispy peanut butter balls with crispy rice cereal are one of my favorite candies to give away as gifts.—Liz David, St. Catharines, Ontario
Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars
Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Chocolate Malt Crispy Bars
These chunky, chewy squares are a feast for the eyes. Malted milk flavor coats this treat from top to bottom. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Scalloped Sweet Corn Casserole
This is my Grandma Ostendorf's corn recipe I grew up enjoying. Now a grandmother myself, I still serve this comfy, delicious side as a family classic. —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
Crispy Pretzel Bars
I often make a big batch of these peanut butter-flavored cereal bars on days that I don't want to heat up the kitchen. Kids especially love them, so they're great for picnics, potlucks and school bake sales. —Jane Thompson, Eureka, Illinois
Fish and Fries
"Tuck in" as if you're in a traditional British pub. These oven-baked, moist fish fillets have a fuss-free coating that's healthy but just as crunchy and golden as the deep-fried kind. Simply seasoned and also baked, the crispy fries are perfect on the side. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado
Pear Raspberry Crisp
We grow our own luscious red raspberries and feast on them fresh and freeze them for winter. This recipe combines the berries with fresh pears and a crunchy cereal topping. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana
Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze
These smoky-sweet meatballs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty. I like setting them out when folks come to visit. —Janet Zeger, Middletown, Pennsylvania
French Toast Sticks
Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fudge Sundae Pie
My son always asks for this guilt-free frozen yogurt pie for his birthday. Complete with peanut butter, fudge topping and nuts, it tastes ice cream parlor-good…but it's healthier. —Margaret Hanson-Maddox, Montpelier, Indiana
Cauliflower Casserole
To dress up cauliflower, Mom used a delightful mixture of a cheesy sauce, bright red and green pepper pieces, and crushed cornflakes. We enjoyed this casserole so much that leftovers were rare. -Linda McGinty, Parma, Ohio
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
My twist on rice crispy bars includes crunchy crushed pretzels. Then I top them with a creamy peanut butter coating and rich chocolate topping. Garnished with peanuts and even more pretzels, I don’t think I'd ever go back to plain old bars again. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Chocolate Almond Drops
So much rich, chocolaty flavor, so little time! My trufflelike cookies are deceptively easy to make and look so elegant on a party tray. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Brunch Casserole
No one leaves the table hungry when I serve this savory casserole. In fact, folks rave about it! What I like as much as the taste is that I can prepare it ahead of time. —Mary Eckler, Louisville, Kentucky
No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms
Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate kisses in an unforgettable spin on an old favorite. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana
Pecan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
I loved chicken nuggets as a child. This baked version is healthier than the original, and it's a great meal for kids. — Haili Carroll, Valencia, California
Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
These chewy bars are the perfect no-fuss contribution to a potluck or bake sale. I’ve discovered the trick is to get them into the refrigerator so the chocolate can set before they disappear! —Lorri Speer, Centralia, Washington
Favorite Meat Loaf Cups
My family enjoys meat loaf, but sometimes I can't spare the hour or more it takes to bake in the traditional shape. A quick alternative is to divide the meat mixture into muffin cups for individual servings that are ready in less than 30 minutes. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, WisconsinNote: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
