Best supermarket hot cross buns 2024

Best classic hot cross bun

Winner: Aldi Specially Selected hot cross buns

• Available from Aldi (£1.25)

You can’t go wrong with these traditional hot cross buns. The best looking of the buns we tested, the bread has a lovely texture, and good amount of fruit for a well-balanced result.

Available from:
Aldi (£1.25)

Runner up: Tesco Finest Extra Fruity hot cross buns

• Available from Tesco (£1.60)

These are moist with a strong level of spicing – generous on cinnamon, these would be great toasted.

Best alternative hot cross bun

Winner: Waitrose No1 Belgian chocolate hot cross buns

• Available from Waitrose (£2)

Perfect for chocolate lovers, these large buns are generously studded with chocolate chips. These would be delicious toasted to melt the chocolate.

Available from:
Waitrose (£2)

Runner up: M&S Extremely Caramely hot cross buns

Available from:
M&S (£2)

For an extra sweet tooth, these caramel hot cross buns are studded with fudgy pieces that will definitely appeal to kids.

Best vegan hot cross bun

Winner: M&S Plant Kitchen hot cross buns

• Available from Ocado (£2)

These tasted just like a classic hot cross bun. There is strong levels of spicing, soft bread and a good amount of fruit, plus an attractive glossy exterior.

Available from:
Ocado (£2)

How we chose the winners

The olive team chose 11 categories, having researched which products you, our readers, would be most likely to buy this Easter. We invited all the big supermarkets to select the products they wanted to nominate (just one entry per category, so they had to choose carefully). Our expert panel of judges blind-tasted them, rating each on taste, texture and appearance. We then awarded 'winner' and 'highly commended' accolades to our favourites.