Asda's Hot Cross Buns Triumph in Which? Easter Taste Test
Easter is swiftly approaching, and supermarket aisles are already brimming with seasonal delights in every imaginable form. Among these, hot cross buns remain an indispensable Easter tradition, but discerning which ones deserve a place on your table this year can be a challenge. To assist consumers, the experts at Which? conducted an extensive blind tasting session, evaluating more than 400 individual hot cross buns from leading supermarkets including Asda, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose.
The tested buns spanned a price range from £1.40 to £2.50 per pack, offering a comprehensive overview of the market. In determining the top performers for Easter 2026, Asda and M&S emerged as the clear leaders at the pinnacle of the rankings. However, Asda distinguished itself further by securing both a prestigious Best Buy accolade and Which?'s coveted Great Value award.
Asda's Budget-Friendly Buns Earn High Praise
Which? lauded Asda's Exceptional Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns, priced at just £1.40 per pack, for delivering "superb flavour for less." In their detailed assessment, they noted: "These fruity hot cross buns from Asda were rated a superb 77%. The buns had the most appetising appearance of the buns tested, were deliciously sweet, and most of our testers thought the texture, flavour and amount of fruit were spot on."
At £1.40, these buns are the most affordable option tested this year, also earning a Great Value badge. With exceptional flavour at an unbeatable price, they are a must-have addition to any Easter celebration.
M&S Scores High but Lacks Value Recognition
Marks & Spencer's Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns also achieved an impressive score of 77 per cent, matching Asda's top rating. However, they missed out on the Great Value accolade due to their higher price tag of £2.50 per pack, making them the most expensive buns evaluated in the test.
Which? commented: "The majority of our tasters thought these hot cross buns were deliciously sweet and spiced, and our panel praised the amount of fruit." Despite the high quality, the cost factor placed them behind Asda in the overall value assessment.
Other Supermarket Offerings Ranked
Just below the top two, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Fruity Hot Cross Buns, priced at £2, garnered a total score of 75 per cent. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Waitrose's Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns, also £2, received the lowest score at 68 per cent.
Which? explained: "The majority of our tasters said the spices were too weak, and half said the buns were dry. The buns needed more fruit and weren't sweet enough." The overall rankings were determined by considering key factors such as flavour, aroma, appearance, and texture.
Diverse Flavours and Savoury Options Available
For those seeking variety beyond traditional hot cross buns, Which? highlighted that supermarkets offer a plethora of flavour variations. Sainsbury's and Tesco boast the broadest selection of alternative options. Additionally, several savoury choices are available, including M&S's Extremely Cheesy Cheddar and Red Leicester Hot Cross Bun, catering to diverse palates.
Below is the complete ranking of supermarket hot cross buns as determined by Which?:
- Asda Exceptional Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns - 77 per cent (Best Buy & Great Value)
- M&S Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Bun - 77 per cent (Best Buy)
- Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Fruity Hot Cross Buns - 75 per cent
- Tesco Finest Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns - 73 per cent
- Iceland Luxury Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns - 71 per cent
- Lidl Deluxe Hot Cross Buns - 71 per cent
- Morrisons The Best Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns - 71 per cent
- Aldi Specially Selected Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns - 70 per cent
- Co-op Irresistible Richly Fruited Luxury Hot Cross Buns - 70 per cent
- Waitrose Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns - 68 per cent
