Photo by Brian Kachejian
There is something about Pop-Tarts that goes back decades for a lot of people, including myself. For me, it starts with the classic flavors, Strawberry Frosted, Blueberry, and especially Brown Sugar Cinnamon. Whether eaten straight out of the package or warmed up the way they were originally designed, Pop-Tarts have always been one of those dependable snack staples that never really left the rotation.
Recently, while walking through a dollar store, a different option caught my attention. Toast’em Pop Ups were sitting on the shelf at just $1.25 a box. That price immediately stands out when compared to Pop-Tarts, which typically sell in the $3 to $4.50 range, depending on the store and sales. There is also a difference in quantity: Pop-Tarts include eight pastries per box, while Toast’em Pop Ups come with six. Still, the price gap is significant enough to raise a simple question: can the cheaper option compete?
To find out, I picked two identical flavors across both brands, Cookies and Cream and Brown Sugar Cinnamon. The goal was straightforward: compare them side by side and judge them on taste, texture, and freshness.
How The Test Was Done
All products were purchased fresh from local stores and opened for the first time during the test. Each flavor was compared directly against its counterpart, with attention given to texture, filling, sweetness, and overall freshness.
Pop-Tarts Cookies and Cream vs Toast’em Pop Ups Cookies and Cream
A quick visual check showed both pastries were nearly identical in size. The difference became clear immediately after the first bite.
The Pop-Tarts delivered a fresher texture, a thinner pastry, and a more balanced filling. The cream component was noticeable, and the overall bite was soft, making it enjoyable. While not the strongest Pop-Tarts flavor overall, it still held up well in this comparison.
The Toast’em Pop Ups version fell short in several areas. The pastry was noticeably chewier, and the filling was less pronounced. The overall taste lacked the same level of sweetness and freshness found in the Pop-Tarts.
Final result, Pop-Tarts clearly win the Cookies and Cream matchup.
Pop-Tarts Brown Sugar Cinnamon vs Toast’em Pop Ups Brown Sugar Cinnamon
This round delivered the biggest surprise of the test.
The Toast’em Pop Ups version came out noticeably fresher than its Cookies and Cream counterpart. The pastry had a softer texture, and the brown sugar flavor was present and enjoyable. It held together well and delivered a consistent bite from start to finish.
The Pop-Tarts version, despite being one of the most recognizable flavors in the brand’s lineup, did not outperform the competition this time. While still a solid product, it did not have the same level of freshness or impact as the Toast’em Pop Ups in this specific comparison.
Final result, Toast’em Pop Ups take the win in the Brown Sugar Cinnamon category.
Final Results
Cookies and Cream, Pop-Tarts win
Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Toast’em Pop Ups win
Closing Verdict
This taste test ends in a split decision. Pop-Tarts deliver a stronger Cookies and Cream product with better texture and filling, while Toast’em Pop Ups come through with a more impressive Brown Sugar Cinnamon. Considering the price difference, Toast’em Pop Ups prove they can compete, especially when freshness is on their side.
Watch The Full Taste Test
The full video captures the side by side comparisons, including the visual breakdown, first bite reactions, and final decisions for each flavor.
