Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds: The True Champion of Breakfast Cereals?
"They created a cereal that stays crunchy in the bowl, is just sweet enough without being cloyingly so, and is the perfect, harmonious combination of flavors and textures."
I'm going to make a shocking confession: until my son mentioned Honey Bunches of Oats to me a month or so ago, I had never heard of it, much less tried even one of the ten varieties available. Now that I have eaten HBofO for at least a month, I am ready to go out on a limb here: Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds just might be the finest mass market breakfast cereal ever, better than Total, better than Wheaties, better than Rice Krispies, better than Cheerios, and yes, even better than Cap'n Crunch.
Am I wrong? Are there other cereals I've somehow missed in my post-college years? Am I culturally ignorant, breakfast cereal-wise? Have I led a breakfast cereal-challenged life up to now? Do tell. I want to know.
When I looked at the back of the box, I discovered why Honey Bunch of Oats had never been a part of my life.
Longtime Post Cereal employee Vernon J. Henzing and his daughter Kimberly didn't come up with the idea for HBofO (Vern wanted to create a product that combined granola, Toasties, Grape-Nuts Flakes and Sugar Sparkle Flakes (Post's answer to Frosted Flakes) until 1986, and it didn't hit supermarket shelves until 1989, when Will was two and I had been out of college for 16 years (so I no longer ate breakfast cereal on a regular basis).
Post makes a big deal on the back of the box about HBofO's history. Vernon and Kimberly developed the concept at home using the time-honored cereal development technique of trial and error. They hit upon the right combination of elements, textures, and flavors, but they were having trouble coming up with a name. "The concept is Honey Bunches of Oats with Flakes" chimed in Post employee and brand manager Eva Page. Not exactly the stuff of MacArthur Genius Awards (It's actually a pretty dull story), but it's a helluva cereal.
But an admittedly boring story alone does not a great breakfast cereal make.
No, the Herzings' genius is that they created a cereal that stays crunchy in the bowl, is just sweet enough without being cloyingly so, and is the perfect, harmonious combination of flavors and textures. Plus HBofO is heart-healthy. It has zero grams of trans fats, saturated fats, no cholesterol, and is a good source of whole grain (ten grams per serving). So it's a reasonably healthy cereal to consume on a regular basis.
I am only prepared to bestow the title of World's Greatest Breakfast Cereal on Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds—the almonds are the kicker. They are what move it into Breakfast Cereal Hall of Fame status.
The other nine varieties (original HBofO Honey Roast; Real Chocolate Bunches; Vanilla Bunches; Cinammon Bunches; Just Bunches Caramel; Just Bunches Honey Roasted; HBofO with Real Peaches; HBofO with Real Strawberries; and the new Pecan Bunches, which I can't find in my local supermarkets), have their charms, and no doubt are adherents and champions. My son Will is partial to the Real Chocolate Bunches. When he brought a box home for me to try, he insisted that the chocolate flavor was not the usual ridiculously sweet kind found in breakfast cereals. I agree, Will, but it still does not rise to the level of HBofO with Almonds.
At Serious Eats World HQ, Adam Kuban swears by Just Bunches. I've tried plain Just Bunches and Caramel Just Bunches, and must tell you, I miss the textural contrasts original HBofO offers. I am intrigued by the sound of Pecan Bunches, so I reserve the right to revise this post when I finally do get to taste them.
But for now I'm sticking by my original pronouncement. Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds is my personal championship breakfast cereal. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
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41 Comments:
Honey Bunches of Oats was my favorite cereal. That is, until I tried Kashi GoLean Crunch. It tastes great, and leaves you feeling great and energized all morning. I'll never buy another cereal.
a89hernandez at 9:04AM on 08/17/09
I am also very partial to honey bunches of oats with almonds, but I wish the flakes were just a tad bit more substantial, they actually can get pretty mushy rather quickly.
annabanannas at 9:08AM on 08/17/09
Oh I couldn't agree more. It is hands down my favorite cereal of all time and has been since I first tried it, over 10 years ago.
laurelie at 9:19AM on 08/17/09
Kashi U. It's a smaller box for the same price, but man, best cereal ever. I am not much of a cereal eater, and I actually love this one instead of just choking it down.
sobriquet at 9:22AM on 08/17/09
Didn't we have a Post HBofO advertising thingy once. Of course I cannot place the timeframe. Could anytime in the past 2.5 years.
JerzeeTomato at 9:22AM on 08/17/09
I love honey bunches of oat. When I saw your post, I did think of Kashi Go Lean, too... but.... HBofO is more widely available.... and.. usually cheaper. In college, I shopped around a lot, and I always tried to but my cereals at Target. For some reason, the price (and selection) were better there.
Love the almonds!
engmcmuffin at 9:24AM on 08/17/09
Cranberry Almond Crunch pretty much kicks Honey Bunches of Oats' ass AFAIC.
SqueezeBottle at 9:30AM on 08/17/09
This is very timely-- I just had it for the first time ever this morning. My personal favorites are Trader Joes Vanilla Granola and Special K Vanilla Almond.
I concur with annabanannas that the flakes get mushy very quickly, giving it the consistency of cold oatmeal-- not what I want when I'm looking for some crunch.
MarvinDog at 9:30AM on 08/17/09
http://cereal-killers.tumblr.com/
(honey bunches of oats IS delicious)
emmonsj at 9:31AM on 08/17/09
One form of poison is just as good as the other.
redfish at 9:33AM on 08/17/09
Well, it's no Special K. (Kisses box)
NotAmerican at 9:34AM on 08/17/09
Yes, HBofa does get a little mushy if it sits too long in the bowl, but I usually finish my bowl pretty quickly, before the mushiness sets in.
Ed Levine at 9:36AM on 08/17/09
HBoO rules!
Carioca at 9:37AM on 08/17/09
I haven't tried HBofO. Not sure why, because I do love my breakfast cereal. In fact, I was surprised no one listed cereal with milk and fruit as their favorite vegetarian meal a couple of weeks ago. Very encouraged to know there are new horizons in breakfast cereal that I haven't even considered.
I like corn flakes, wheaties, rice Krispies, store brand special K with strawberries, Life for snacking out of the box.
lemonfair at 9:44AM on 08/17/09
Best. Cereal. Ever. End of story.
crazy_betty at 9:56AM on 08/17/09
SO glad others share my passion for HBofO! I have long said it's the greatest cereal ever...so delicious. The 'Just Bunches' version is also great for yogurt. Cuts out those pesky flakes and gives you the real deal :)
sarahlucy at 10:13AM on 08/17/09
I TOTALLY agree! When I lived at home during school, my younger sister and I would eat nothing but HBofO with Almonds every morning. While I enjoy other cereals (I'm kind of a breakfast cereal junkie), this is the one variety I never seem to get sick of. My second favorite flavor is the HBofO cinnamon variety. I also enjoy Go Lean and Go Lean Crunch, but they can't compare with HBofO in terms of that perfect cereal texture that is so hard to achieve. My sister and I would vye for the very last bowl in every box- the one that ends up with slightly more bunches and almonds. I usually got up earlier, so I could get first dibs, but sometimes I would be nice and save it for her.
Sad story- she was recently placed on a wheat-free diet due to allergies. She says the thing she misses most is her bowl of HBofO every morning!
jammin83 at 10:15AM on 08/17/09
honey bunches of oats is good-- really good. but not as good as basic 4. i was skeptical, but the stuff is likewise magical.
ellenp7 at 10:31AM on 08/17/09
I used to love it, but now I don't eat any cereal with HFCS or anything less than 100 percent whole grain.
KarynMC at 10:32AM on 08/17/09
That used to be my favorite cereal as well, but then got attracted to the Kashi brand. HBoO now seems too sweet for me and a bit 'artificial'. Now I like to just get the regular shredded wheat, add in my own berries and almonds.
gargupie at 11:08AM on 08/17/09
Crackling Oat Bran. Best Ever.
robertm73 at 11:18AM on 08/17/09
We have been eating our way through a box of Elberta peaches. Our favorite easy summer supper has been a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds topped with sliced peaches. One or two peaches per bowl of cereal. Oh so good!
Suzzanne at 11:20AM on 08/17/09
Another vote for Kashi GoLean Crunch. I find Honey Bunches of Oats too sweet, and the flakes get soggy much more quickly than the GLC clusters do. The only problem with the cereal is the name.
miabrahams at 11:44AM on 08/17/09
I haven't even read the entire article or any of the comments but I can definitely say that Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds is hands down my favorite cereal. It's so good, I don't even need milk with it. I eat it like it were chex mix, straight from the bag.
I do have to say Cracklin Oat Bran runs a really close second though. That stuff is damn good. Why's it so expensive though? And it almost never goes on sale!
violetcassis at 12:32PM on 08/17/09
Love love LOOOVE HBofO and I didn't discover this cereal until college! I am currently eating Kashi U cereal (I am trying to eat more "healthy" cereals) but I definitely miss the taste of the crunchy and delightful honey bunches.
I think I'm going to buy a box today.
avocadoboba at 12:44PM on 08/17/09
@lemonfair- thank you!! no one gets it when i refuse any offer of milk and happily down half a box of life in one sitting. it's the hidden chunky sugar that gets me. so good.
punkrockmartha at 1:20PM on 08/17/09
I LOVE HBofO -- seriously one of my favorites. That being said, I also love Cheerios, Grape Nuts Flakes, Crispix, Shredded Wheat, Go-Lean Crunch ... hmmm, I guess I love cereal!
katalia at 2:55PM on 08/17/09
yes, cracklin oat bran! crunchy or soggy, it was my favorite cereal as a kid. better than fruit loops.
MissL at 3:41PM on 08/17/09
use it to bread fried chicken! so good!
petebakes at 4:49PM on 08/17/09
I am partial to Barbara's Puffins and Shredded Spoonfuls. I'll eat Kashi Go Lean and such if I'm hungry, but I'm not crazy about it - there's a weird sweetness to it and the texture is always disappointing.
My current cereal obsession, though, is Trader Joe's ginger granola. I was about to take the plunge and make my own, but then I bought a box and don't want to eat anything else.
tangledgray at 5:03PM on 08/17/09
HBofO w.A is a longtime favorite, but I too have recently been bitten by the Kashi GoLean Crunch bug. For both, I love a generous handful over a bowl of Fage 2%.
shortstop at 5:38PM on 08/17/09
Basic 4 is really amazing. Its got these coated nutty nuggets (I have NO IDEA what they are), but they combine with a whole bunch of other things for a super delicious textural bowl.
I've never had Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds before, but will take your recommendation.
cornellfoodie at 7:05PM on 08/17/09
agreed. a girl i was dating sometime ago turned me on to them and I will never go back.
KWBrown at 7:17PM on 08/17/09
Honey Bunches cereal is all right in milk, but there are better cereal snack options like Life and Quaker Oatmeal Squares.
runnereater at 7:26PM on 08/17/09
Add me to the list of people who eat it straight from the box. I think it's an awesome snack!
laurak at 8:23PM on 08/17/09
I rarely eat cereal, but when I do it's HBofOwithA.
IndyGal at 9:38PM on 08/17/09
For the past 20 years it's been Cheerios, no sugar, maybe some blueberries when in season with skim milk five days a week for my husband's daily breakfast fare. He likes homemade granola, but it takes longer to chew than Cheerios. Oldest son will eat any cereal that is some what sweetened. Younger son is like me, savory breakfast all the way. Eggs, bagel with veggie cream cheese or just a nice dollop of large curd Crowley cottage cheese is our idea of the perfect breakfast.
dhorst at 10:33PM on 08/17/09
I myself am a Life girl all the way but HBofO is pretty tasty. Especially the chocolate one.
Lfoodie at 9:43AM on 08/18/09
yay for HBof O! sometimes i have it for a before-bed snack with milk.
kiki695 at 10:29AM on 08/18/09
Good stuff, we call it Horny Bunches of Goats at our house
popisti at 6:42PM on 08/18/09
Best cereal ever. Well...the original. I like it better minus the almonds.
wunami at 1:05AM on 08/21/09