Hot cereal is a favorite option around many breakfast tables. This is particularly true when the weather cools and a warm first meal is what is needed to get the day started right.
Here are nine hot cereal brands worth a try no matter when you choose to eat them. If you already have a favorite brand of hot cereal, please vote for it in our poll at the end of this article.
Cream of Wheat
Website: creamofwheat.com
Cream of Wheat is one of the all-time favorite hot cereal brands. It has been around since 1893 when it was first made at a mill in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
This mill, the Diamond Milling Company, made flour previous to making Cream of Wheat. One day, leftover wheat from the flour-making process was used to make breakfast porridge.
The porridge was sent to customers who loved it so much that eventually, the mill stopped producing flour altogether to keep up with the demand for Cream of Wheat.
Today, Cream of Wheat is owned by B&G Foods who acquired the brand from Kraft Foods in 2007. It is available in stovetop, instant, and to-go cups.
It can be purchased in the following flavors:
- Original
- Whole Grain
- Maple Brown Sugar
- Maple Brown Sugar with Real Walnuts
- Mixed Berry with Real Almonds
- Banana Walnut
- Bananas & Cream
- Cinna-Apple Walnut with Real Apples
- Cinnabon
- Cocoa Nut with Real Almonds
- Cream of Rice
Malt-O-Meal
Malt-O-Meal is a brand of Post. It was invented by John Campbell who founded Campbell Cereal Company in 1919.
This hot cereal is made of malted barley and farina wheat. It is also fortified with vitamins and minerals including iron, thiamin, and riboflavin, among others.
Malt-O-meal was created to compete with Cream of Wheat. It wasn’t until 1953 that the brand underwent a name change to Malt-O-Meal.
Malt-O-Meal makes the following hot wheat cereal products:
- Original Hot Wheat Cereal
- Maple & Brown Sugar Hot Wheat Cereal
- Chocolate Hot Wheat Cereal
Quaker
Website: quakeroats.com
You know Quaker for being the top oatmeal brand in the United States. The company has been around since 1877 when Quaker Oats was registered as a breakfast cereal at the trademark office.
Today, they make a wide variety of products including hot and cold cereals, snacks, and more. Try Quaker’s 100% Oat Bran Hot Cereal that provides 6 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving.
Wheatena
Website: homestatfarm.com
Wheatena has been made since the late 1800’s. Cereal was commonly sold by the pound in those days. However, the creator of Wheatena, George H. Hoyt, was innovative for the time and boxed his cereal.
The cereal was a combination of roasted and ground whole wheat. It became extremely popular that by about 1925, millions of boxes were being sold yearly.
As of 2001, Wheatena has been owned by Homestat Farm with Camden Holdings as the parent company.
Wheatena is an excellent hot cereal for people looking for more fiber in their diet. In fact, the manufacturer states that it contains the highest amount of fiber of all the leading hot cereal brands.
Each serving (40g) has 160 calories, 1 gram of fat, no cholesterol, no sodium, no sugar, 32 grams of carbs, 5 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of protein. It is also calcium-fortified providing 20% daily value per serving.
Coco Wheats
Website: postconsumerbrands.com/coco-wheats
Coco Wheats is a chocolate-flavored hot cereal that has been made since 1930. It was the first flavored hot cereal available on the market.
Its primary ingredients include wheat farina, cocoa powder, natural and artificial flavors, and caramel color.
Despite its dessert-like flavoring, this hot cereal has relatively respectable nutrition per serving. A dry, 3 tablespoon serving has only 110 calories with no fat, cholesterol, sodium, or sugars. It is also fortified with 5 vitamins and iron.
Bob’s Red Mill
Website: bobsredmill.com
If you are looking for a variety of hot cereal options, Bob’s Red Mill has you covered. The company specializes in making milled grain products with more than 400 items available. In addition to hot cereal, some of its products include granola, baking soda, flours, and baking mixes. The company has been in business since 1978 with the original mill being located in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Bob’s Red Mill makes these hot cereals:
- 10 Grain
- 8 Grain
- 7 Grain
- 5 Grain
- Oat Bran
- Creamy Wheat
- Organic Kamut
- Organic 6 Grain
- Organic Creamy Buckwheat
- Organic Creamy Wheat
- Organic Oat Bran
- Creamy Brown Rice
- Organic Creamy Brown Rice
- Gluten-Free Oat Bran
- Mighty Tasty
Krusteaz
Website: krusteaz.com
You likely know Krusteaz for its products such as pancake and muffin mixes. However, they do make a hot cereal called Zoom Hot Cereal Mix. It is made with whole wheat and can be cooked in the microwave in only about 2 minutes. 1/3 cup of the uncooked mix only has 130 calories, 0.5 total fat, and 24 carbs.
Hodgson Mill
Website: hodgsonmill.com
Hodgson Mill is a family-owned business. The original mill dates back to 1837 when it operated in the Missouri Ozarks. Needless to say but the company has a long history of making whole grain products. Hodgson Mill makes the following hot cereal products that are a good source of fiber and protein.
- Bulgar Wheat
Wildway
Website: wildwayoflife.com
Wildway specializes in making grain-free hot cereal and granola. Its products are made with 100% real food with no artificial sweeteners or fillers. Ingredients include nutritious items like almonds, walnuts, flaxseed, cinnamon, and vanilla bean. This hot cereal is vegan, keto-friendly, paleo, gluten-free, and has no added sugar.
- Cinnamon Roll
- Blueberry Flax
- Toasted Coconut
- Original
Maltex
Website: homestatfarm.com
Maltex stands out as a distinctive mixture of toasted wheat and malted barley syrup, thanks to its exceptional production process.
With a high fiber content, Maltex provides numerous nutritional advantages, including potentially helping reducing the risk of certain cancers when consumed as part of a low-fat diet.
Additionally, Maltex is free from cholesterol, low in fat and sodium, making it a healthy and delicious option for breakfast or any time of the day.
Poll: Favorite Hot Cereal Brand
Do you have a favorite hot cereal brand? Vote for it in our poll found below.