Cheerios Oat Crunch Chocolate

Name: Cheerios Oat Crunch Chocolate
Variation: Cheerios
Manufacturer: General Mills

Review: Whether by coincidence or marketing strategy, just after Honey Bunches of Oats put a Chocolate variation on the shelves, the one cereal I've compared that line to the most - Cheerios Oat Crunch - puts out a new version that's chocolate! I haven't had a good experience with the Oat Crunch cereals (too plain, too "healthy"), but this one holds the most promise yet. I know Cheerios can do chocolate well; let's see how the Oat Crunch version holds up.

With 14g of sugar and 5g of fat per 1 cup serving (surprisingly, more than regular Chocolate Cheerios, and by a fair margin - not sure what they're trying to pull here), it might very well be good. Although it's roaming a little far from the "healthy" range. The box says it "helps keep you full through the morning (3 1/2 hours)" which isn't super important to me. I like a light breakfast - just something to tide me over 2-3 hours (usually) until lunch time.

And the verdict is? It's good. The oats give it an awkward texture for chewing, but help fill out the loops and provide substance. The chocolate flavor is decent. I don't hate it. This is, without a doubt, the best Oat Crunch cereal I've had yet. I bet it would be really good with fresh strawberries or bananas cut up into it. Like with Honey Bunches of Oats, I think this chocolate cereal has also redeemed its line.

Rating: 🥣🥣
Leftover Milk: A lot of it is absorbed by the oats, but what's left is very chocolatey.

Cheerios Oat Crunch Berry

Name: Cheerios Oat Crunch Berry
Variation: Cheerios
Manufacturer: General Mills

Review: After hyping this cereal up in my own mind, it turned out to be an anticlimactic finish to my survey of the Oat Crunch lineup. The cereal has a slightly purple-ish cast, but there are no dried fruit bits like I was hoping for. The berry flavor is muted, but noticeable - it doesn't blast you with sweetness. Some would consider this a positive; I consider it a negative. It's a good flavor idea for this lineup, but it's not the runaway winner I thought it was gonna be. I think my favorite is still Almond, but again, that's not saying much. Now that I've done my due diligence, can I go back to eating Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch, please?

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: By the time you're finished eating the bowl, you won't even notice the subtle berry flavor in the milk.

Cheerios Oat Crunch Oats 'N Honey

Name: Cheerios Oat Crunch Oats 'N Honey
Variation: Cheerios
Manufacturer: General Mills

Review: I thought "Oat Crunch Oats 'N Honey" sounded kind of redundant, and there is an emphasis on the oats - like Multigrain Cheerios infused with oatmeal. The honey part is what I was looking forward to, since I think these cereals could be a lot sweeter. It's a subtle addition. I almost feel like this cereal would be better with raisins. I think Almond is still my favorite flavor (not that that's saying much), but I've saved what I predict to be the best (and also the newest) for last - Oat Crunch Berry. I can't wait to give it a try (and then be done with this lineup :-p).

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: More oat-y than sweet.

Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon

Name: Cheerios Oat Crunch Cinnamon
Variation: Cheerios
Manufacturer: General Mills

Review: Having only ever had Cheerios Oat Crunch Almond before, this will be a chance to see what the core of the Oat Crunch lineup consists of. The Cheerios have that same "multigrain" look, and they're still infused with visible oat clusters. But instead of almonds, now there's cinnamon. Or at least there should be. I think the cinnamon needs to step up its game, because I can barely taste it (it was a little more noticeable the second bowl I had) - and this cereal needs something to give it some flavor. I actually miss the almonds. Turns out, this cereal has even less to offer me than Oat Crunch Almond did.

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: I was hoping this was where all the cinnamon had gone, but it's actually fairly plain and oat-y.

Cheerios Oat Crunch Almond

Name: Cheerios Oat Crunch Almond
Variation: Cheerios
Manufacturer: General Mills

Review: I had tried this cereal once before, since I live with someone who is fond of almonds. When I noticed the release of a new flavor this year, I figured it would be a good time to give the Oat Crunch lineup a proper go. This cereal is very nutty. Right out of the box, it makes a strong visual impression - with lighter and darker Cheerios, and big slices of almonds.

In 2021, when it was new.

My impression then, as now, is that if I'm in the mood for a healthy-sounding cereal (I make no claim as to the actual nutritional value of these products), I prefer Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Crunch. This cereal just isn't sweet enough for my tastes. But if it sounds good to you, do give it a try. I wonder if I'll like any of the other three flavors any better.

Rating: 🥣
Leftover Milk: It's a little nutty.