They may be a traditional Easter treat intended to be eaten on Good Friday, but hot cross buns have become something of a staple on British supermarket shelves all year round thanks to their versatility ― enjoyed straight out of the pack or toasted under a grill. They're also naturally vegetarian and there are gluten-free and vegan-friendly options out there too!
We've reviewed the best hot cross buns available to buy online at Waitrose, ASDA and Tesco, taking into consideration the ingredients, the number of buns per pack and how many calories they contain. Whether you prefer the classic spiced recipe or want to try a new flavour like chocolate or salted caramel, keep reading to check out our delicious picks!
Quick List - Top Hot Cross Buns
Waitrose & Partners
A Warming Treat for Chilly Spring Mornings
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
When picking up a pack of hot cross buns, you'll want to know how many you're getting so that you have enough for the whole family. A standard pack usually contains four hot cross buns, but some brands sell packs of six or more.
While there isn't going to be a huge difference between a pack of four regular-sized buns and several mini buns in terms of weight, you should think about who will be consuming them. A regular-sized bun will be perfect for an adult, but you may want something smaller for school lunchboxes.
Hot cross buns aren't healthy just because they contain fruit ― you should consider them as a sweet treat just like you would a dessert or cake! It's therefore important to examine the sugar content and number of calories per bun, especially if opting for a more decadent recipe containing chocolate.
The recommended daily calorie intake is 2500 for men and 2000 for women, while the NHS advises consuming no more than 30 g of sugar a day, which is roughly the same as two hot cross buns. Having the occasional bun is okay (and a little splurge over Easter can be forgiven), but try to avoid polishing off the whole pack in one go!
After more sweet treats? Check out our list of the best Easter eggs online!
When looking at any food product, it's always worth checking the ingredients list for potential allergens, with milk, soy, egg and wheat being the most common ones. You should also make sure the item meets other dietary requirements such as being suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Thankfully, almost all hot cross buns are suitable for vegetarians and there are many dairy-free and gluten-free options available too!
Curb your cravings with these tasty vegan snacks and gluten-free biscuits.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Waitrose & Partners Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | A True Classic That’s Great Cold or Toasted | |
2 | ASDA Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | A Vegan-Friendly Budget Option | |
3 | Waitrose & Partners St Clements Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | Hot Cross Buns With a Unique Citrus Twist | |
4 | Waitrose & Partners Bramley Apple and Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | A Warming Treat for Chilly Spring Mornings | |
5 | Tesco Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | Bargain Buns That Are Suitable for Home Freezing | |
6 | ASDA Tomato and Red Leicester Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | A Low-Sugar Savoury Option | |
7 | Waitrose & Partners Richly Fruited Mini Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | Mini Hot Cross Buns That Are Perfect for Lunchboxes | |
8 | Waitrose & Partners Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | A Deliciously Decadent Pack of 4 | |
9 | Tesco Finest* Salted Caramel & Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | A Rich Salted Caramel and Chocolate Recipe | |
10 | Waitrose & Partners Free From Hot Cross Buns | ![]() | Wheat and Dairy-Free Buns for Those With Allergies |
Waitrose's richly fruited hot cross buns are a classic treat filled with sultanas, raisins, and citrus zest. If you're looking for the best quality possible, then you can't go wrong with Waitrose.
Part of what makes these buns taste so indulgent is the traditional recipe using egg and milk, so bear this in mind if you're vegan or have allergies. Decadent and juicy, these are a great choice whether consumed cold or toasted with butter.
If you're looking for a slightly cheaper option, then this pack of six hot cross buns from ASDA is fantastic value for money. They're packed with sultanas and raisins, so there's no need to worry that they're skimping on the good stuff!
Best of all, these hot cross buns don't contain any animal products in their listed ingredients, as ASDA uses soya instead of dairy. They may still contain traces of milk due to factory processing but are generally considered vegan-friendly.
If you're looking for a little twist on the traditional hot cross bun recipe, but don't want to try anything too outlandish flavour-wise, we recommend these St Clements hot cross buns from Waitrose.
Made with orange and lemon peel, these have a distinct citrus kick that's refreshing but not too overwhelming. If you enjoy a glass of orange juice with your breakfast, you're sure to love these!
Sometimes Easter morning in the UK can feel a lot like winter due to the chilly weather! Toast these mouthwatering Bramley apple and cinnamon buns and slather on some butter for a warming breakfast treat.
You'll be pleased to hear that they also contain slightly less sugar and calories per 100 g than the majority of other hot cross buns on the market ― so you can feel a little less guilty about reaching for that second helping!
If you're looking for richly fruited and lightly spiced hot cross buns that won't the bank, this offering from Tesco fits the bill nicely. They can even be frozen at home if you want to stock up!
As with other similar cheaper options, there are no absolutely animal products present in the list of ingredients. However, those with a wheat or soya allergy will want to skip this pack.
Most traditional hot cross buns are considered a sweet treat because of their high levels of sugar. These chesse and tomato flavoured buns from ASDA, however, are a completely savoury option that's ideal for lunchtime!
As you would expect from this recipe, these buns are low in sugar, containing around a quarter of the amount usually found in sweet buns. They won't be to everyone's taste but they're well worth trying out, especially for such a low price!
Since hot cross buns have a relatively large amount of sugar, a regular-sized bun can translate to a high percentage of a child's daily intake. These marvellous mini buns have a much lower amount, making them perfect for popping into a lunchbox.
Made from exactly the same recipe as our number 1 pick but available in a kid-friendly size, each bun has roughly half the sugar and calorie content per serving. If you have little ones, these are well worth picking up!
These rich hot cross buns blur the lines between a traditional offering and something that's more akin to a dessert or cake. So, if you have a sweet tooth then this triple choc recipe will really hit the spot.
While the sugar content is similar to other products on our list, the calories are notably higher and one bun contains 18% of your recommended daily saturated fat intake. Enjoy in moderation and share the pack with your loved ones!
Made with caramel fudge pieces and Belgian dark chocolate chips, these hot cross buns will appeal to anyone who is a fan of richer flavours. They taste amazing, especially considering the low price!
Surprisingly they only contain about half the sugar of a classic hot cross bun, but they are very high in calories and fat. Like anything with chocolate, we recommend limiting yourself to one a day and taking the time to savour it!
These Free From hot cross buns from Waitrose & Partners are completely gluten and dairy-free, making them perfect for those with allergies . The spiced fruit flavour is full and sweet without being overpowering.
It is worth noting that these do contain egg, meaning that they aren't suitable for vegans. As far as gluten-free options go, the texture isn't bad but they're not as naturally soft as those made with wheat.
Written and researched by David Sexton
No. 1: Waitrose & Partners|Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns
No. 2: ASDA|Hot Cross Buns
No. 3: Waitrose & Partners|St Clements Hot Cross Buns
No. 4: Waitrose & Partners|Bramley Apple and Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns
No. 5: Tesco|Hot Cross Buns
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games