Skipping breakfast is a common habit in the UK, with a quarter of adults regularly missing this important meal. A McDonald’s UK study revealed that 34% of breakfast skippers cite lack of time as the main reason, while many still prefer cereal when they do eat breakfast. The ideal answer for busy ‘non-breakfast’ eaters? A cereal bar—portable, quick, and satisfying.
As someone who often skips breakfast, I set out to find a cereal bar that’s both delicious and healthy enough for daily consumption. I tested eight popular bars, excluding Belvita, to bring you my top picks:
-
Fibre One Birthday Cake – 4/10
Price: £2.25 (pack of four)
Nutrition: 87 calories, 6.3g sugars, 0.8g protein, 5.1g fibre
Taste: Too sweet with an artificial flavor and doughy texture. Not to my taste, but kids might enjoy it—my nephew gave it a 9/10.
-
Kellogg’s Oaties Chocolate & Oat – 5/10
Price: £2.25 (pack of four)
Nutrition: 186 calories, 11g sugars, 3.5g protein, 2.4g fibre
Taste: Slightly bitter chocolate with a decent crunch. Leaves your mouth dry but can satisfy if you eat two at a time.
-
Go Ahead Yogurt Breaks Strawberry – 6/10
Price: £2.00 (pack of four)
Nutrition: 71 calories, 6.3g sugars, 0.9g protein, 0.7g fibre
Taste: Fruity and sweet with sultanas, though I’m not a fan of their texture. Pleasant but not outstanding flavor.
-
Kellogg’s Oaties Honey and Oat – 6.5/10
Price: £2.25 (pack of four)
Nutrition: 185 calories, 9.1g sugars, 3.6g protein, 2.5g fibre
Taste: A solid option—healthy compared to some rivals but not particularly exciting. “Just okay,” as my niece said.
-
Kellogg’s Special K Juicy Red Berry – 7/10
Price: £1.35 (pack of six)
Nutrition: 83 calories, 5.8g sugars, 1.3g protein, 2.1g fibre
Taste: Surprisingly enjoyable berry flavor that’s slightly bitter but well balanced. A low-calorie winner among healthier bars.
-
Cadbury Brunch Bars Chunky Choco Chips – 8/10
Price: £1.50 (pack of five)
Nutrition: 120 calories, 7.7g sugars, 1.7g protein, 1.3g fibre
Taste: A household favourite—chocolately without too much sweetness, with a soft oat center. Could benefit from more crunch.
-
Nature Valley Crunchy Canadian Maple Syrup – 9/10
Price: £2.50 (pack of five)
Nutrition: 195 calories, 11.3g sugars, 3.6g protein, 2.7g fibre
Taste: My longstanding fave, melding a satisfying crunch with melt-in-your-mouth oats. One of the less healthy options, so best enjoyed with a drink.
-
Kellogg’s High Protein Almond and Salted Caramel – 10/10
Price: £2.50 (pack of four)
Nutrition: 173 calories, 8.4g sugars, 9.1g protein, 1.2g fibre
Taste: The clear winner. Perfectly balanced nutty, sweet, and salty flavors with crunchy and gooey textures. High in protein and relatively low in calories, it’s both delicious and functional.
If you want a cereal bar that tastes fantastic and supports your health goals, Kellogg’s High Protein Almond and Salted Caramel is my top recommendation.
Recently, Kellogg’s expanded their snack lineup with six new options that suit busy lifestyles, including Rice Krispies Squares and Pop-Tarts with fresh flavors, plus the High Protein Bars and Oaties. These convenient, grab-and-go snacks are ideal for parents, workers, or anyone needing a quick post-workout boost. You can find them now in major UK supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, and Asda.