Muesli Bar Taste Test: The Quest for the Perfect Snack Reveals Surprising Winners
In a comprehensive blind taste test of 19 supermarket muesli bars, writer Nicholas Jordan embarked on a quest to find the ultimate snack, guided by his philosophy that the best muesli bar is simply good muesli bound together. With a background steeped in muesli appreciation, from school recess staples to selling homemade batches, Jordan brought a seasoned palate to the evaluation.
The Testing Criteria and Methodology
To ensure a fair assessment, Jordan established strict criteria based on his ideal muesli bar principles, while also considering health-conscious parents seeking lunchbox options. He excluded products with chocolate, yoghurt coatings, or overly sweet flavours, as well as protein-focused bars and single-serve snacks. The final selection comprised 19 muesli and nut bars, primarily made from nuts, grains, and dried fruit.
The blind taste test was conducted with four friends at Solstice cafe in Sydney, with each product scored for texture and taste. Despite expectations of candy-like bars, the results revealed a mid-range of basic muesli and oat products, alongside some unconventional items that barely qualified as muesli bars.
Top Performers and Standout Bars
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Canadian Maple Syrup emerged as the best muesli bar, scoring 7.5/10. Praised for its satisfying crunch and toasty biscuity flavour, it highlighted the lack of proper roasting in many competitors. Reviewers noted it begged for a glass of milk, evoking nostalgic recess memories.
Sam’s Pantry Honey Salted Macadamia With Roasted Almonds Nut Bar took the title of best nut bar, also scoring 7.5/10. Its honey-butter appeal and energy-dense, whole-food nature made it a favourite, offering a nut binge for those accustomed to nut-free options.
Hillcrest Premium Nut Bars Almonds, Cashews & Cranberries was hailed as the best value, scoring 7.5/10. With a diverse mix of ingredients providing textural contrast, it offered chewiness from cranberries and creaminess from nuts, though it fell short of including grains.
Mixed Results and Disappointments
Other notable bars included Carman’s Roasted Nut Bars and Hillcrest Premium Muesli Bars, both scoring 7/10 but criticised for excessive sweetness and cinnamon. Koja Oat Bites Muesli Slice divided opinions with its unique, cake-like texture, while Oh So Natural Date & Chia Gluten-Free Bars disappointed with undercooked, sticky consistency.
Lower scores went to Uncle Tobys Chewy Apricot (5/10), evoking school nostalgia but marred by synthetic flavour, and Mother Earth Golden Oats Baked Oaty Slices (5/10), which tasted like vending machine fare. Ceres Organics Organic Oaty Bars Banana scored 4/10, criticised for prioritising health over flavour, and Hillcrest Oat Bars Golden Oats ranked worst at 3/10, described as both dry and moist with an unnatural taste.
Insights and Conclusions
The taste test underscored a gap between Jordan’s ideal of a good muesli in bar form and the reality of supermarket offerings. While nut bars generally outperformed muesli bars, the industry’s focus on novelty flavours and health trends often compromised quality. For consumers, the results highlight the importance of checking ingredients and seeking bars with proper roasting and balanced textures.
