6 Best Protein Cereals to Try in 2025

Finding the time to eat a satisfying, nutritious breakfast every morning is tough, but the best protein cereals make it a bit easier (and a whole lot tastier). From buzzy brands like Magic Spoon and Catalina Crunch, these cereals have at least 10 grams of protein per serving, courtesy of common protein sources like whey, soy, and pea protein. These ingredients are often used in addition to (or instead of) whole grains.

Where some come in standard good-for-you, grown-up flavors like honey nut and mixed berry, others tap into nostalgic sense memories and offer cinnamon toast, chocolate, and fruity varieties. In other words, there’s a high-protein breakfast cereal for just about every craving.

Not sure which one to try first? We’re always testing new breakfast goodies and hearing from experts about how to make the most important meal of the day the most delicious one too. Check out our go-tos below, then read on to learn more about the benefits of protein-packed cereal.

Our top picks

Best Whey-Based: Magic Spoon, $44 for 4 boxes Best Plant-Based: Catalina Crunch, $69 for 6 bags Best Granola: Kodiak Granola, $26 for 5 pouches Best Oats: Seven Sundays Protein Oats, $48 for 4 bags Best for Protein and Fiber: Kashi GO Protein Cereal, $23 for 3 boxes Best Budget Pick: Kellogg’s Special K Protein Breakfast Cereal, $5 for 1 box Shop the best protein cereals

Bowl? Check. Spoon? Check. Let’s eat.

Best Whey-Based: Magic Spoon

Magic Spoon

Protein Cereal

Magic Spoon transports you back to the days of watching Saturday morning cartoons with a big bowl of colorful cereal. It has adorable packaging and contains as much as 14 grams of protein per serving. Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, a sports dietitian who works with athletes and active families, recommends it for those looking for classic cereal flavors with a high-protein boost.

“This cereal really surprised me,” one SELF staffer, who tested Magic Spoon’s popular birthday cake variety, wrote. “For starters, it isn’t sickeningly sweet; the almond extract comes out in a really delightful way. It also stays nice and crunchy the entire time you’re eating it.”

Protein source: Milk protein blend of casein and whey protein concentrate | Protein per serving: 12 to 14 grams, depending on the flavor | Flavors: Birthday cake, blueberry muffin, chocolate chip cookie, cinnamon toast, cocoa, frosted, fruity, honey nut, maple waffle, peanut butter, s’mores

Best Plant-Based: Catalina Crunch

Catalina Crunch

Protein Cereal

If you’re sensitive to dairy (or specifically whey), stick with plant-based protein sources like soy and pea. Jones recommends Catalina Crunch, which uses pea protein in its cereal flour and contains nine grams of fiber.

Nutritional deets aside, I’d say Catalina Crunch’s biggest selling point is, well, its crunch. I’m as big on texture as I am on cereal, and I can’t dive into a bowl of soggy, limp flakes. Catalina Crunch’s cereal morsels are downright sturdy—thick, crunchy, and somehow gentle on the roof of your mouth (I’m looking at you, Cinnamon Toast Crunch).

Protein source: Pea protein | Protein per serving: 10 to 11 grams, depending on the flavor | Flavors: Apple cider donut, blueberry muffin with blueberries, chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon toast, dark chocolate, fruity, honey graham, pumpkin spice

Best Granola: Kodiak Granola

Kodiak’s Power Cakes pancake mix won a SELF Pantry Award this year, and the brand’s granola is an even quicker way to whip up a breakfast with plenty of protein. Made with rolled oats, wheat protein, pea protein, and almond butter, its crunchy-grainy clusters are as fun to eat as they are nourishing. Eat this granola by the handful, with yogurt, or old school with your milk of choice—however you spin it, you’ll come away with a hearty meal.

Protein source: Wheat protein isolate, pea protein isolate with tapioca starch, almond butter | Protein per serving: 16 to 17 grams, depending on the flavor | Flavors: Chocolate, cookie butter, honey oat

Best Oats: Seven Sundays Protein Oats

Seven Sundays

Protein Oats

This Pantry Award–winning oatmeal will come in clutch during the colder months (though it makes a great bowl of overnight oats too). A turn in the microwave delivers a warm breakfast featuring cozy and comforting flavors (hello, apple cinnamon).

“Obsessed. I promptly bought another bag after finishing the first one,” our tester said. “I ended up making this a myriad of ways, hot and cold, and I loved it as overnight oats for work. It was easy to eyeball and seemingly foolproof in terms of measuring how much liquid you need to make it work.”

Protein source: Oat protein, flax seeds, chia seeds | Protein per serving: 10 to 11 grams, depending on the flavor | Flavors: Apple cinnamon, maple almond, wildberry

Best for Protein and Fiber: Kashi GO Protein Cereal

Most grocery shoppers should be able to find this option in their local cereal aisle—convenience for the win. Kashi’s Go Protein cereal takes the shape of delectable clusters (a departure from the brand’s signature puffs) and contains a delicious whole grain blend.

Plus, it comes highly recommended by Jones, who appreciates its satisfying fiber content. “It’s a cereal my whole family can enjoy. Sometimes I’ll even use a small amount as a crunchy topping on oats,” she says.

Protein sources: Soy flakes | Protein per serving: 10 grams | Flavors: Chocolate crunch, cinnamon crunch, original, peanut butter crunch

Best Budget Pick: Kellogg’s Special K Protein Breakfast Cereal

Source: Self.com | Read Full Story…