11 Cascadian Farm Cereals, Ranked Worst To Best

If you love cereal but you're the kind of person who prefers to stick to organic foods for the most part, then you need to know about Cascadian Farm. This brand produces a large line of organic cereals in tons of different flavors, ranging from the crunchy, textured cereals that can help you meet your daily fiber requirements to the fun, kid-friendly cereals that come in chocolatey and fruit flavors. The brand offers some dupes of classic cereals that have been on store shelves for decades, all while giving them new twists.

As a true cereal lover, I wanted to learn more about what Cascadian Farm cereals had to offer. That's why I tasted my way through 11 varieties — paying careful attention to textures and flavor profiles — and I ranked them from worst to best. Of course, we all have different preferences when it comes to cereal, so my favorites may not be your preferred choice. However, by learning more about what each box of Cascadian Farm cereal has to offer, you might discover a new variety you want to try the next time you go to the grocery store. Let's take a closer look, so that you can find your new go-to breakfast.

There are a lot of gluten-free cereals that are now available in stores, but if it's really important that you stay away from it, it's nice to find a product that's clearly labeled. Gluten Free Fruitful O's seem to be Cascadian Farms' answer to Froot Loops, arguably the most beloved fruity cereal out there. And this cereal does, in fact, taste quite fruity. The main flavor I picked up was orange, which actually tasted a lot less artificial than I was expecting. There are other more subtle fruity notes, but that bold orange is what really stands out.

However, this was my least favorite Cascadian Farm cereal I tried. That's not because it's bad, per se, but as someone who's picky about fruity cereals, this one was a miss for me. That fruitiness wasn't quite subtle enough for my taste, and the sweetness in the cereal came on quite strong. This isn't a variety I'll be trying again.

Fruit is an absolutely delicious elevated cereal topping. It adds juiciness and freshness to your bowl, and it tends to work well with more neutral-flavored cereals. That's why raisin bran, in theory, should be delicious. Unfortunately, though, it's one of my least favorite cereal varieties, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Cascadian Farm's Raisin Bran Cereal is near the bottom of this list.

Technically, it's not that bad as far as raisin bran cereals go. One thing I appreciate about this product is the fact that the cereal flakes aren't super sweet. They provide a mild backdrop that works well when you add fruit, especially dried fruit, into the mix. The raisins, though, just play too big a role in this cereal. They comprise a surprisingly large portion of the cereal mixture, overpowering the actual cereal flakes. They're too chewy and sweet, which makes it feel like you're eating a bowl of dried fruit with a crunchy topping instead of cereals with some raisins added in. Unless you already know you really like raisin bran, this product is a safe one to skip.

Honey Nut O's from Cascadian Farm is a clear dupe of Honey Nut Cheerios — even the name implies this. And since Honey Nut Cheerios are among my favorite cereals, I figured that I was going to like this Cascadian Farm offering. However, I was a little disappointed when I took my first bite. This cereal is quite sweet. Sure, classic Honey Nut Cheerios are also somewhat sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. The same can't be said for Honey Nut O's. The sugar overpowers the subtle, grain-forward flavor of the cereal, offering an unbalanced flavor profile, since there are no other flavors to compete with all that sweetness.

Texture-wise, this cereal is arguably a bit better than Honey Nut Cheerios, since it stays crunchier for longer. But compared to the other cereals on this list, this isn't a variety I can get particularly excited about, especially when there are other brands out there making a better version of the same product.

Cinnamon apple is a popular flavor combination particularly suitable for breakfast, so it doesn't come as a surprise that Cascadian Farm included this variety in its lineup with its No Sugar Added Apple Cinnamon Cereal. These flavors tend to go well with one another, since the bright and refreshing apple flavor melds well with the earthy intensity of cinnamon. However, in this no sugar added cereal that flavor combo isn't executed particularly well. Although the cinnamon flavor is quite pronounced, I don't really get much of an apple note. That's not necessarily a bad thing if you're looking for a cinnamon-flavored cereal, but it's not ideal if you pick up this box thinking that it's going to have a prominent fruity note.

On the texture front, this cereal is solid but nothing to get too excited about. It shares the same Cheerio-like shape with Honey Nut O's, also featuring particular crunchiness that doesn't succumb easily to sogginess when exposed to milk. However, there are still many more interesting cereal varieties from Cascadian Farm to try.

If you've ever wished you could transform ordinary graham crackers into a cereal, then Cascadian Farm's Graham Crunch Cereal is made for you. This cereal tastes just like graham crackers, featuring notes reminiscent of vanilla, cinnamon, and molasses. The actual cereal pieces are formed into crunchy squares that have a nice texture to them, although they do get soggy relatively quickly compared to some other cereals on this list. However, when it comes to texture, you shouldn't expect a graham cracker-like consistency — they're thinner and less substantial than the crackers.

Although I generally like this cereal and think it could be nice in small doses, I think that intense graham cracker-like flavor is too much for a whole bowl. It just tastes too much like a dessert for me to want to eat it at the beginning of the day, and there is nothing to help cut through that signature graham cracker sweetness. If you really like graham crackers, though, then this is a must-try product.

There are times in life when you just want to eat a whole sleeve of cookies before 10 a.m. I've certainly been there before and have occasionally indulged in such practice. But Cookie Crunch Cereal from Cascadian Farm responds to that early morning cookie craving in the best possible way: By turning that classic dessert into breakfast food. This cereal is made of tiny, crunchy chocolate chip cookies that, predictably, taste even better after they spend some time doused in milk. You can taste the chocolate in every bite, along with the sweet, vanilla-like flavor of the cookie base.

Admittedly, I think this cereal is delicious, mostly thanks to the cookie-like flavor and that solid crunch. That being said, this variety doesn't really taste like breakfast food. Although you could certainly eat it in the morning, I think it's better suited for a late-night snack. It's definitely not my first choice when it comes to cereal, but if you're craving cereal that tastes like dessert, you can't go wrong with this option.

Protein may be the macronutrient du jour, but more of us should actually be prioritizing fiber. It's estimated that a shocking supermajority of Americans don't get enough fiber in their daily diet, which can cause various adverse health effects. Nevertheless, you don't have to prepare a huge, elaborate breakfast to get more fiber into your first meal of the day. There are plenty of high-fiber cereals to choose from, and Cascadian Farm's Hearty Morning Fiber Cereal is one of them. This cereal contains granola clusters, thin rods made of bran, and wheat flakes. A single serving offers 11 grams of fiber — and plenty of crunch.

Let's be honest: A lot of fiber cereals don't taste very good, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that this Hearty Morning Fiber Cereal was actually quite delicious. It has a subtle sweetness to it that's not overpowering, and the varied flavors of the different pieces of cereal worked together well, creating a neutral but delicious flavor profile that makes an excellent cereal base that you can also turn into a crunchy topping and serve over yogurt. Is it the most delicious cereal I've ever tried? Not really. But for what it is, it's quite enjoyable, both when it comes to flavor and texture.

Sometimes, vanilla-flavored cereals can be overly flavored, cloyingly sweet, and taste more like dessert than breakfast. That's certainly what I was expecting to happen with Cascadian Farm's No Sugar Added Vanilla Crisp Cereal. However, I was surprised to discover that this cereal was actually very well balanced. Sure, you can definitely taste those vanilla notes, but they're subtle and restrained. There's also some sweetness, but it's not so intense that it overpowers the flavor of the grains. When paired with the nice crispiness of cereal flakes, it's clear that this cereal earns its place in the top four on this list.

My only real complaint here is that this cereal isn't particularly exciting. I think it would be much better paired with some toppings — fresh fruit would work well — which would help cut through that monotonous single flavor. Without the toppings, it's not a cereal I can get particularly excited about when it's served all on its own.

Out of all the cereals I tried in this lineup, Gluten Free Mini Cookies 'n' Crème Cereal from Cascadian Farm was arguably the most interesting. This cereal comes in the form of tiny, crunchy balls. They aren't like Cocoa Puffs or Kix in size — they're smaller and more similar to the size of pearl couscous. This makes for a supremely crunchy bite and a deeply enjoyable texture that you're not going to get from most cereals that are available on the market, and it's the reason why this variety ranks high on this list.

When it comes to flavor, this cereal is also standing on solid ground. I wouldn't necessarily say it tastes like cookies and cream; rather, it has a Cocoa Puff-like flavor to it. You can really taste those chocolate and cocoa notes, which makes every bite feel just the right amount of decadent. If you're looking for a cereal that's simply fun to eat, this selection might just be your best bet.

For some people, cereals are strictly reserved for breakfast. Others, however, can also enjoy cereal as a snack or a dessert. If you fall into the latter camp — and you love chocolate — then this Gluten Free Brownie Crunch Cereal will be right up your alley. This cereal tastes like real brownies. The chocolate flavor is rich, deep, and complex, with a flavor intensity you'd probably never expect from a cereal. The texture is also really nice, with a distinctive crisp in every bite. This cereal holds its texture for a while before getting soggy, but when it does eventually start to get soft, it infuses the milk with a lovely chocolate flavor that's hard to resist.

Despite its undeniable deliciousness, this cereal doesn't get the top spot because it's so intensely flavored and would only appeal to a group of cereal fans with very specific preferences. But, if you've always been a fan of chocolate cereals in the past, this one is absolutely a must-try.

I love a cereal that's relatively subtle but still packs plenty of flavor from the grains, and that's exactly what you'll get when you try Honey Oat Crunch Cereal from Cascadian Farm. It contains both cereal flakes and oat clusters, creating a dynamic texture and making every bite more exciting than the last. It's flavored only with honey, providing the perfect level of sweetness without overwhelming the palate with cloying sugar.

Sure, it may not be the most exciting cereal listed here, but it's one that you can eat every day without getting bored. It's delicious on its own, but it's also neutral and mild-flavored enough to serve as the base of a cereal bowl if you want to pack it with other ingredients. When you need cereals you can eat day after day and still find delicious, you should put this Honey Oat Crunch Cereal at the very top of your list.

I selected these Cascadian Farm cereals based on availability at my local grocery store. I tasted all of them with cold almond milk, but I made sure they didn't sit in the milk for too long, so that they wouldn't get soggy. I ranked these cereals according to flavor, first and foremost. In this case, I paid close attention to flavor balance, giving a higher ranking to those cereals that weren't too sweet and didn't taste artificial. Texture was the other important criteria. The top-ranked cereals on this list maintained their crunch after soaking in milk for a few minutes; however, they weren't overly crunchy or unpleasant to eat.