The 50 Greatest Breakfast Cereals of All Time

Image via Complex Original

Introduced: 1954
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Trix is one of those breakfast cereals that looks incredibly appealing in the bowl. Just a glance at those neon-hued globes could incite a sugar rush, or make us feel like we were on acid. Either or.

The only issue? We're still experiencing guilt for never sharing with that rabbit. Let's poor a little milk out for him when we scarf down our next bowl.

Introduced: 1956
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 4g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Special K had a mild flavor, which made it ideal for adding our favorite fruit. And, if we're to believe the string of sexist commercials from the '70s and '80s (like the one above) it also serves as a great weight-loss tool. Their more recent marketing messages have improved only slightly, yet Special K still holds a special place in our hearts.

Introduced: 1993 (First manufactured in 1893)
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 0g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Immediate points for being one of the oldest cereals. If you don't love the milky mush that a piece of Shredded Wheat becomes, we have no love for you.

Introduced: 1991
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 13g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Basic 4's mixed bag of grains make it one of the more fascinating cereals, like a bunch of paint thrown at a wall that makes art. Bonus points for the tasty morsels of dried cranberries.

Introduced: 1969
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 11g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

The fact that this cereal is named after prehistoric rocks should tell you something: Clearly, it must be delicious to have survived all these years. Or, that people will eat anything chocolate, particularly if it's marketed by Fred Flinstone.

Bonus points: Post-consumption, you were essentially left with a bowl of chocolate milk to drink.

Introduced: 1996
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 12g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

It's a bold move to make cereal out of a bite-sized version of another breakfast food. For a poor execution of the same brilliant concept, see: Bacon 'N Egg Crunch.

Introduced: 1969
Manufacturer: Quaker Oats
Sugar Per Serving: 9g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Who needs crunchberries when the crunch itself has an overwhelmingly peanut-buttery flavor? We'll never forget Oops! All Berries, the all crunchberries cereal, but the Fuck Berries! Here's Some Peanut Butter Instead version has won us over, body and soul.

Introduced: 2003
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 13g
Watch A Classic Commercial: N/A

S'mores (the campfire snack) are a great idea—in theory. But the arduous process behind the treat— finding a campfire, toasting the marshmallow without charring it, melting the chocolate so it hits the right level of gooeyness, and avoiding the dreaded graham cracker crumble—requires far too much effort from us.

A perfect S'more is culinary art. That's why Smorz is legendary. It captures those flavors without the time-consuming hassle. The only caveat? Cruelly, Kellogg's has made it nearly impossible to find, essentially forcing us to return to making S'mores like cavemen.

Introduced: 1994
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 11g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Banana flavored cereal is so convenient.  We don't have time to slice goddamned bananas. We barely even have time to crunch. But for a cereal this fine, we'll make time.

Introduced: 1958
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

We all cuckoo. Gotta love anything that can be described as munchy. We're a little scared to be cuckoo, but so it goes. Chocolate forever.

Introduced: 1965
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

What is there to say about Honeycomb cereal that hasn't already been said by the ever-articulate Crazy Craving? Me want Honeycomb, indeed, buddy. He has such a way with words.

Introduced: 1988
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Along with crack babies, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios were also born in the '80s. Though they're the weakest link in the illustrious Cheerios family, they managed to outlive lesser incarnations. Like Berry Burst Cheerios. Like crack babies, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios had a hard row to hoe. They had to compete against Apple Jacks. Wikipedia teaches us that "the notion that cocaine use during pregnancy poses a threat to the fetus is now widely discredited," but waking up everyday knowing that Apple Jacks are cruising in your lane is still hard. Just try to discredit that notion.

Introduced: 1977
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 9g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

If you love Cookie Crisp, you have to make a choice; you must decide which mascot you ride for. Older heads might go with Jarvis (1977–1985), the cookie wizard. But since you know it's rough and real out there, the villainous Cookie Crook (1981–1997) might be your chosen accomplice. However, if you're a punk with a badge, you're probably shining the shoes of Officer Crumb (1982–1997). Then there's Chip the Dog, who had a debilitating form of Tourette's that made him shout this: "Coo-oooooooooookie Crisp!" As of '05, Cookie Crisp fans have to deal with Chip the Wolf.

So, choose. Wizard or wolf? Dog or thief? Just know that if you're siding with the law, you might want to consider blowing your ish loose.

Introduced: 1994
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

It's everything nine-year-old you every wanted: candy for breakfast. Parents wouldn't let you eat Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for breakfast? Not a problem, because it's cereal incarnation is a damn fine imitation. Eat it, and appreciate how designating candy as a breakfast cereal makes it reasonable to consume at 8 a.m.

Introduced: 1999
Manufacturer: Malt-O-Meal
Sugar Per Serving: 13g
Watch A Classic Commercial: N/A

What's with all of the elitism in the breakfast world? Don't treat this cereal like it's a second class citizen, especially because it sometimes came in gigantic plastic bags (if anything, it made it better). They may be cheaper, but they still pack in plenty of flavor. Don't be a cereal snob.

Introduced: 1958
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 3g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

This is the quintessential stand-by cereal. Will it blow you away with flavor, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch? No, but you will never be disappointed with Corn Chex. It's safe and satisfying, like getting drunk at home on New Year's Eve. And sometimes that's what you need. There's a time and a place for gorging on high-octane, sugary cereals, or spending $200 on your bar tab, and it's not now. 

Introduced: 1988
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 6g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Purists will argue that the original incarnation of the sweet clusters is best, but they're blind to the future. Those guys are Stanley Crouch-types insisting that nothing good came after jazz. We like jazz and rap; we like Honey Bunches of Oats with or without Almonds. But force our hand, and we're sticking with the maximalist approach. Throw a string section on top of the beat; pass us the almond slivers.

Introduced: 1968
Manufacturer: Weetabix Limited
Sugar Per Serving: 1.7g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

We have way more respect for cereal in bars. Long, ridiculous bars that turn into mushy quicksand in your bowl. We also enjoy cereals with a challenge involved. Eating two dry Weetabix is the equivalent of swallowing a spoonful of cinnamon or six saltines in a minute. Bring 'em on.

Introduced: 1988
Manufacturer: Quaker Oats
Sugar Per Serving: 9g
Watch A Classic Commercial: N/A

This is the sleeper of the list. Bet anything that when you're grocery shopping, you passed over this cereal dozens, maybe hundreds of times. It's obvious why—the words "Quaker Oatmeal" in the name. Old people eat oatmeal because it's bland and has the texture of mushy cardboard. But Quaker throws you a flavor curveball; it's sweet, flavorful, and has a nice texture. Go buy some now, and catch up on all of those bowls (of cereal) you missed over the years.

Introduced: 1999
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 19g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

As a kid, it was hard to get into Raisin Bran Crunch. Seriously, raisins? Bran? You might as well serve it in diners at 5:30 p.m., and call it the "early bird special." It's not as good as the original, but you would be surprised at the serious flavor hidden in this cereal. All you have to do is give it a chance.

Introduced: 1967
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 4g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

What's wrong with a healthy cereal that tastes delicious? Definitely not the futuristic name. Put on your genderless tunic, grab your soylent milk out of the fridge, and dig in.

Introduced: 1967
Manufacturer: Quaker Oats
Sugar Per Serving: 12g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

This is cereal's Goldilocks Principle. Unless you have an insatiable sweet tooth, Oops! All Berries was probably a bit too sweet, and the original, while still oustanding, is lacking the necessary sweetness. This is how you get the formula right in cereal chemistry 101.

Introduced: 1969
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 11g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who think Cocoa Pebbles is superior, and those who think Fruity Pebbles is superior. The one thing that everyone can agree upon, though, is that they are both insanely good. Plus, it has Fred Flintstone on the front of the box. You could put Fred Flintstone on a box of brussels sprouts cereal, and kids would go ape-shit for it. 

Introduced: 1949
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 14g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Is Golden Crisp on the same level as Honey Smacks? No dice, but it's done okay for itself in the shadow of its Kellogg's rival. Just know that when you're checking out in the grocery store with a box of Golden Crisp, the superior iteration is still sitting in the cereal aisle.

Introduced: 1896
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 3g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Despite the large shadow it casts over breakfast in the popular American imagination, Corn Flakes ain't all that. If you liven it up with some banana slices, you have a fine, fine cereal, but by its lonesome, it's just another means for your fat ass to ingest more corn. Indie filmmakers are shouting about corn consumption. That's how you know it's a problem.

Introduced: 2003
Manufacturer: Kashi
Sugar Per Serving: 13g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Yes, Kashi prides itself on making all-natural foods. Yes, this particular cereal has "lean" in its name. But if you think this is just for the health-conscious, then either you've never tried it, or your taste buds don't work. It's also loaded with protein, so no need to feel guilty when you're chowing down on your third bowl. Just say you're doing it for your biceps.

Introduced: 1983
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 4g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

The year was 1983 and Chex had no competition. Every day executives at Kellogg's went to bed knowing that there was a cereal eating up profit uninhibited by the productive, competitive spirit of capitalism. From the K-Labs came Crispix, a cereal born of spite and the desire for dominance. Now take a bite knowing this. How's it taste? Like money, like America. Like the $65 million in annual sales Crispix achieved just five years after its inception.

Introduced: 1993
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 9g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

There is no more appropriate cereal name. These sugary clusters truly are a "treat." They may not be on the same level as their cocoa and original counterparts, but they don't lag far behind. Contrary to popular belief, this classic still exists. You owe it to your younger self to hunt down a box.

Introduced: 1958
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 12g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Snap, Crackle and Pop are cereal wizards—Rice Krispie Treats AND Cocoa Krispies? If mankind ever puts together a Cereal Hall of Fame, this triumvirate is going to be in the inaugural class, because they changed the cereal game forever.

Introduced: 1978
Manufacturer: Quaker Oats
Sugar Per Serving: 8g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Do you live that Raisin Life? How about that Baked Apple Life? What about that Honey Graham Life? That Maple & Brown Sugar Life? No, you live Cinnamon Life, which sounds like you spend most of your time with a beautiful stripper named Cinnamon. She takes care of you. You depend on her to start your morning off right. You tatted it across your belly, but you don't show it off. Because people might think you got a tattoo inspired by cereal; they wouldn't understand the full scope. You're about that life.

Introduced: mid-1980s
Manufacturer: Quaker Oats
Sugar Per Serving: 12g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

This cereal is just flat-out good. It's like eating a bowl of mini graham crackers. As if those little rings weren't tasty enough, you have a little honey and graham cracker waiting for you on the inside. It's a little hard to find, but its deliciousness is definitely worth the effort it takes to procure a box.

Introduced: 1951
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 11g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Tony the Tiger is the Tony Robbins of the cereal cartoon character world. This is only partially because of their name sharing. The rest is because of their ability to motivate. When Tony (the Tiger) speaks, it's like the voice of God (or Young Jeezy) bellowing in your ear. Frosted Flakes are great! Working hard is great! Remaining pious is great! Trapping is great! Positive vibes all around.

Introduced: 1961
Manufacturer: Quaker Oats
Sugar Per Serving: 6g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

The reason Mikey likes it, is because Mikey is all of us. We can see the sugar crystals breaking through the bars. We will spring them with our taste buds.

Introduced: 1937
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 3g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

This special cereal works like a drug. There's just enough sweetness that you chase bigger bursts of sugar in each bite. But you never reach the high the cereal tricks you into thinking it contains. That's why Kix-related ODs number in the double-digits every year. You think you've got a handle on your breakfast experience, but you don't. You're just chasing the white horse of heroin—or the tan spheres of Kix.

Introduced: 1977
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 15g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Both the name and the recipe indicate that this cereal is a source of dietary fiber in a way that many other joints aren't. For many consumers, this gives way to the notion that Cracklin' Oat Bran is only for grayhairs needing to stay regular. No. These squared zeros are full of cinnamon and nutmeg. It's like Christmas in a bowl, with the extra surprise being the promise of a really satisfying shit. Gifts abound.

Introduced: 1963
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 12g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Imagine a Mt. Rushmore for breakfast cereal characters. The dignified beak of Toucan Sam is surely there, majestic, colorful, beautiful. The cereal he pushes has been referenced in such seminal works as The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, The Simpsons, and Eddie Murphy's "Delirious." That's a 50 percent success-rate in terms of positive influence on pop culture. Rumor has it that Charlie Sheen had taken to snorting the sugary detritus at the bottom of the Froot Loops bag. For some reason, this couldn't save the show.

Introduced: 1958
Manufacturer: Post
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Big part of an awesome Family Guy joke. Delicious sugar coating. At least one person at Complex learned to read from Alpha-Bits, and they're so much more delicious than Clifford.

Introduced: 1976
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Crispy, crunchy; A real winner in most aspects of cereal culture thanks to a big graham taste without too much sweetness. Pro Tip: If you want to make a much better s'mores cereal, just put chocolate and marshmallows in Golden Grahams.

Introduced: 1953
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 15g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

We liked them better when they were called Sugar Smacks, but we'll deal. They still have a serious sweet taste and light texture. One of those cereals we normally eat two bowls of, back to back. And it makes your piss smell weird. That's cool?

Introduced: 1951
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

The only real way to have popped corn. We wish we could get a big bag of Corn Pops at the movies as the sweet option. They don't get your hand any filthier than a bucket of popcorn. You might want a spoon if you've added milk.

Introduced: 1971
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Whatever happened to the fun vampire? The dude you could imagine kicking back with, and while recreationally pounding a little chocolate and milk? What's with the influx of this sexy vamp shit?

Also, the Count has a serious crew. Yummy Mummy is a real dude. And you should see Frankenberry dance.

Introduced: 1942
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 18g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

The bran makes us feel healthy, but the secretly sweet cereals are some of the best. Those raisins are so caked with sugar that they sparkle in the rays of that weird sun mascot. Pour those two scoops in my mouth, Sunny. Let's journey to your molten core.

Introduced: 1964
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

This one goes out to all the people who dream that all-marshmallow dream. A dream with yellow moons always full, pots of gold never emptied.

And the cereal pieces ain't all bad anyway.

Introduced: 1928
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 4g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

There's nothing quite like the symphony of noises that accompanies a fresh bowl of Rice Krispies. Pouring the milk is akin to a perfectly-timed beat drop. Pity the deaf for never hearing this cereal. Breakfast as synesthesia.

Introduced: 1965
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 12g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

We love that they don't taste like apples. Who the hell likes apples? Johnny Appleseed, sit down. Show us the man travelling across the country with pot on his head planting Apple Jacks trees and we'll see a man who has truly changed the nation. Johnny Applejackseed 2012.

Introduced: 1979
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 9g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Sweet, but not too sweet. This sugary cereal is for the refined gentleman. So go down to the corner, grab some Newports and Honey Nuts, and you'll be good to go. You'll walk a little taller, stride more confidently than usual. It's all in the power of those Honey Nuts. Pause.

Introduced: 1972
Manufacturer: Kellogg's
Sugar Per Serving: 12g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

When Frosted Mini-Wheats hit that right level of sogginess, it's cereal nirvana. And this ranking is specifically for Frosted Mini-Wheats, and not for the lesser, unfrosted kind. Go Frosted, or go home.

Introduced: 1924
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 4g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

We have been so indoctrinated by advertising that we are sure this is the healthiest cereal. If it gives us dunks like Jordan, homers like Pujols, and the stamina of Tiger Woods, then pour them in our bowl.

Introduced: 1984
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 10g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

How many times have we sat around the breakfast table asking the same question: What's the best part of Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Is it the cinnamon, the toast, or the crunch? It's like asking which child a mother loves the most. The politically correct answer is all of them, but the truthful answer is Betsy; your mother loves Betsy the most. Betsy and cinnamon.

Introduced: 1941
Manufacturer: General Mills
Sugar Per Serving: 1g
Watch A Classic Commercial: Youtube.com

Round shape. Delicious taste. Historically relevant. Sounds like a topper to us. Go grab that shit from your cabinet right now.