Supermarket Muesli Bars Taste Test: The Best and Worst Revealed
In a comprehensive blind taste test of 19 muesli bars, writer Nicholas Jordan, a self-proclaimed muesli expert with a history of reviewing over 80% of available brands, put supermarket offerings to the ultimate scrutiny. The test, conducted with four friends at Solstice cafe in Sydney, aimed to find the best muesli bar based on a philosophy that prioritizes good ingredients and textural contrast, excluding overly sweet or dessert-like options.
The Philosophy Behind the Test
Jordan believes that the ideal muesli bar should simply be good muesli bound together, emphasizing raw, unroasted nuts as a no-go. However, he notes that the industry often diverges from this, flooding aisles with bizarre flavors like Chokito-inspired bars or protein-forward varieties. For this test, criteria were set to focus on health-conscious choices, cutting out chocolate, yogurt, high-protein branding, and single-bar snacks to target lunchbox-friendly options.
Top Picks from the Taste Test
The results yielded a mix of mid-range products and unusual offerings that barely qualified as muesli bars. Here are the standout winners:
- Best Muesli Bar: Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Canadian Maple Syrup scored 7.5/10 for its satisfying crunch and toasty flavor, reminiscent of Anzac biscuits. It stood out as a champion of texture in a market dominated by chewy options.
- Best Nut Bar: Sam’s Pantry Honey Salted Macadamia With Roasted Almonds Nut Bar also scored 7.5/10, praised for its honey-butter appeal and energy-dense, whole-food quality, making it a favorite among nut enthusiasts.
- Best Value: Hillcrest Premium Nut Bars Almonds, Cashews & Cranberries from Aldi scored 7.5/10, offering excellent texture contrast and flavor diversity at an affordable price, though it fell short of including grains.
Middle-of-the-Road and Disappointing Finds
Other products tested included Carman’s and Hillcrest muesli bars, which scored 7/10 but were criticized for excessive cinnamon and lack of innovation. Koja Oat Bites Muesli Slice divided reviewers with its unique, cake-like texture, while Oh So Natural Date & Chia Gluten-Free Bars disappointed with an undercooked, sticky consistency.
Uncle Tobys Chewy Apricot evoked childhood nostalgia but scored only 5/10 due to synthetic flavor and sweetness. Mother Earth Golden Oats Baked Oaty Slices, with its high sugar content and dog-treat appearance, also scored 5/10, and Ceres Organics Organic Oaty Bars Banana scored a low 4/10 for prioritizing chia seeds over flavor.
The Worst of the Bunch
Hillcrest Oat Bars Golden Oats from Aldi scored a dismal 3/10, described as both dry and moist with an unnatural smell and crumbly texture. One reviewer likened it to a survival snack for stranded hikers, highlighting its poor quality and strange aftertaste.
Conclusion
This taste test reveals that while some muesli bars excel in texture and value, many fall short of the ideal, offering bizarre flavors or subpar ingredients. For consumers seeking a satisfying snack, the top picks provide a guide, but the industry’s trend toward novelty over quality remains a point of contention.
