We Tasted 8 Off-Brand Oreos and Found the Closest Competitors
Updated: Nov. 23, 2023
We put 8 off-brand Oreos to the test to find which ones best compared to your favorite dunkable cookies.
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Oreos have been a classic treat in many households since 1912. And whether you choose to eat them by the sleeve-full, dunk them in milk or use them to make an Oreo dump cake, these chocolate sandwich cookies are the ideal timeless sweet. But what about off-brand Oreos? Do they have the same appeal?
When iconic Oreo cookies first debuted over 100 years ago, they were actually an off-brand of Hydrox, a kosher chocolate sandwich cookie on the market in 1908. But Oreos eventually rose to the top, building the brand’s popularity that still exists today.
If Oreo was a worthy competitor to the original creme filled chocolate sandwich cookie, it’s certainly possible there are other off-brand Oreo options on the market today that are just as delicious. To find the best, we put eight packages of cookies to the test:
- Back to Nature Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
- Goodie Girl Chocolate Creme Sandwich Cookies
- Great Value Twist & Shout Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
- Kroger Kaleidos Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
- Newman’s Own Newman-O’s Crème Filled Chocolate Cookies
- Simple Truth Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
- Trader Joe’s Joe-Joe’s Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies
- Whole Foods 365 Chocolate Sandwich Cremes
How We Tested Off Brand Oreos
To find the best off-brand Oreos, we picked up boxes and packages from a variety of stores. Each brand was then evaluated based on the flavor and texture of the chocolate cookies and the creme filling, along with the ratio of cookie to filling. We also took price and quantity into consideration, along with any dietary needs or benefits such as plant-based and gluten free options.
Newman’s Own Newman-O’s Crème Filled Chocolate Cookies
Newman’s Own is known for its salad dressings, pasta sauces and pizzas. But the brand also sells a line of Oreo look-a-likes with an original flavor, along with peanut butter, mint, chocolate and vanilla flavor options. These cookies are made with organic flour and sugar. The cookies were a light brown-red color, much lighter than the color of Oreos. The cookies had a good crunchy texture with a thick filling. However, the cookie flavor was not as chocolatey and not as sweet as traditional Oreos, ultimately making them a decent contender but not quite as delicious.
Bottom line: You can feel good about buying these cookies and having profits going to charity. However, the taste isn’t quite there to make it worth it. They’re a decent cookie, but not much of a match for other off-brand Oreos.
Simple Truth Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
This Kroger brand features cookies that are non-GMO and free from high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and artificial flavors. The chocolate cookies were very dark in color with a super crunchy texture. The ratio of cookie to filling was a bit off with the filling being quite thin. The flavor was decent, but I was wishing for more chocolate flavor to round out this option.
Bottom line: Kroger provides this option free of preservatives, artificial flavors and high fructose corn syrup, but that also changes the taste and texture, without much chocolate coming through.
Trader Joe’s Joe-Joe’s Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies
We turn to Trader Joe’s for a lot of grocery list items including great produce, frozen meals and intriguing snacks. Plus, it’s a fantastic source for cheap items like nuts and flowers. And while the grocery store’s version of Oreos is decent, they’re not something I’d buy time and time again. The cookies are not as crunchy or rich in chocolate flavor, making the experience of taking a bite not as satisfying. The filling, however, is delicious with specs of vanilla bean with a great ratio of cookie to filling.
Bottom line: This option from Trader Joe’s will work in a pinch. But given the bland flavor and lackluster texture, it’s not a top choice.
Goodie Girl Chocolate Creme Sandwich Cookies
If you need a gluten-free Oreo option, these are a worthy contender. The cookies are a bit lighter in color than Oreos with decent chocolate flavor. The cookies are a tiny bit softer than a traditional Oreo, with a crumbly texture. The flavor of the filling was a bit different than your typical creme filling, and I found it to have a sweeter, more vanilla-forward taste. The cookies are gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free, with no artificial colors, preservatives or corn syrup, but they come with fewer in a package and at a higher price point.
Bottom line: This option is great for those who need a gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free cookie. They’re similar to Oreos, but the vanilla flavor of the filling is stronger.
Whole Foods 365 Chocolate Sandwich Cremes
The Whole Foods brand of chocolate sandwich cookies is a bit different than a typical Oreo, but I still found them just as addicting. The cookies are thick and crunchy with great chocolate flavor. The creme filling is a bit thin compared to the cookie, but still provides good balance. They’re made with a cane sugar frosting, which I found to be my favorite part. These cookies are also sold in a double chocolate flavor along with a mismatched chocolate and vanilla flavor.
Bottom line: This option from Whole Foods tastes different from Oreos, but the flavor and texture are absolutely delicious.
Great Value Twist & Shout Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
At under $3, this package of cookies from Walmart is a great, affordable Oreo swap. I found the cookies to be just the slightest bit crunchier and more crumbly than Oreos, but there was fantastic dark cocoa flavor. The filling to cookie ratio was spot on, with a soft creamy texture and a touch of sweetness. Aside from the design, the cookies look identical to Oreos. Cornstarch is included on the ingredients list for these cookies, which may be what makes the texture just slightly off.
Bottom line: Walmart’s cookies are a great swap at a low price point. The texture is slightly different than traditional Oreos, but still a tasty treat.
Back to Nature Classic Creme Cookies
These Back to Nature cookies can be found at a variety of retailers such as Kroger, Safeway and Whole Foods. And we’re thrilled to know they’re so accessible. The cookies are rich in chocolate flavor with a perfectly crisp texture. The ratio of cookie to filling is spot on, with the creamy filling flavor not being too sweet. The flavor is incredible. They’re almost identical to regular Oreos, but you also get the benefits of these cookies being plant based, non-GMO and free from hydrogenated oils or corn syrup. The brand also sells a Double Creme version for those who prefer more filling.
Bottom line: These chocolate sandwich cookies are absolutely delicious. They’re also ideal for those looking for a plant based, more natural option.
Kroger Kaleidos Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Leave it to Kroger brand stores to offer the worthiest competitor of traditional Oreos. These cookies are priced at just over $3 for the same size package as Oreos. They’re pretty well identical in texture, color and flavor to Oreos. And there’s the perfect ratio of cookie to creme filling.
Oreos are made with unbleached enriched flour, while Kaleidos are made with enriched flour. Otherwise, the ingredients lists for these cookies are pretty well the same, making Kaleidos an incredibly worthy swap whether you love to eat these cookies dunked in milk or you prefer to twist them apart and eat the creme filling on its own. Plus, if you need more filling or chocolate flavor, Kroger sells two kinds of Double Filled sandwich cookies in both regular and chocolate creme filling.
Bottom line: These are the closest contender we tried when sampling off-brand Oreos. They are a more affordable option, with almost identical flavor and texture.
Originally Published: March 27, 2023
