Birthday Cake Oreo Mini Donuts

Updated Date:
December 19, 2022

Last weekend we celebrated my daughter’s 8th birthday. The theme this year was donuts. I made four different types of mini baked donuts including these Birthday Cake Oreo Mini Donuts. If you haven’t eaten a Birthday Cake Oreo yet, you have got to try them. They are so good. I used them both in the donut mix and in the frosting. They were a big hit at the party. I even topped them off with Birthday Cake M&Ms to keep the celebration going.
Here is a peek at the “Krispy Kreme” themed party. My daughter even wore her donut tee- shirt for the event. She spent all week helping me put together the decorations.

The inspiration for the theme had come from Pinterest of course. My daughter was all for it, so when Party Pail contacted me to ask if I wanted to review some of their products, I knew exactly what I wanted. They sent me some white tissue paper fans, red and white honeycomb balls, and some red cocktail napkins. They have everything you need to throw a party in lots of different colors and themes, just go to partypail com and check it out for yourself.

At first I was going to hang the decorations in a lovely pattern, but since I was not doing the party at home, I opted to be creative and make some decorations that were easily transportable. Party Pail’s supplies worked out perfectly. I was able to make a fun centerpiece and some cute topiaries. The tissue paper fans and honeycombs balls were very sturdy and easy to work with. I would definitely recommend their products.

Here’s a look at the donut cake. It was kind of an afterthought since I was concentrating so much on making all the other mini donuts, but all the kids loved it. What kid wouldn’t love a stack of donuts?

Back to the Birthday Cake Oreo Donuts. I adapted the recipe for my Mini Chocolate Oreo Donuts. I left out the cocoa and added extra crushed Oreos instead. I wanted to make sure not to lose the taste of the birthday cake cream. I used the chocolate ones, but I suppose you can try the golden ones also.

Now the original recipe calls for buttermilk, if you have some on hand, that’s great. I never do, so I just make a simple substitute of milk and vinegar and let it curdle. Typically you use white vinegar, but lately I have been using rice vinegar because it has a sweeter taste and my donuts have been coming out perfect. I use rice vinegar a lot for dinner recipes so I always have it on hand.

I used my Babycakes machine to make these, which was great because it didn’t heat up the whole kitchen. It’s already hot enough outside, I really didn’t want to warm up the inside of the house. You only need to bake them for 3-4 minutes. I just use the timer on my microwave, not the one on the Babycake machine. The frosting was super easy. I just adapted a marshmallow fluff frosting recipe to include the crushed Birthday Cake Oreos. It’s hard to decide which is the best part, the donut or the frosting. If you can find the Birthday Cake M&M’s, they make a great topper for these donuts. I found mine at CVS pharmacy.

When I originally tested this recipe, I did not glaze the donuts. They were eaten within two days, so no worries. For my daughter’s party, I started baking the donuts on Monday for her party on Saturday. I didn’t want them to dry out, so I did glaze them all before frosting them. They stayed nice and moist. The glaze was just a simple powdered sugar glaze. You can get the ingredients here. I don’t feel the glaze is necessary if you are going to be consuming the donuts within two or three days. I did keep mine refrigerated for the simple fact that it’s darn hot in these parts. That’s why we had my daughter’s party at the neighborhood pool clubhouse. Everyone was able to keep cool while celebrating. Now I have to start planning my son’s birthday party.

Birthday Cake Oreo Mini Donuts

by The Sweet Chick

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 3-4 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert snack Birthday Cake Oreos marshmallow fluff birthday donuts American

Ingredients (36 mini donuts)

For the donuts

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 cup crushed Birthday Cake Oreo cookies (about 15-17 cookies)
1 egg, beaten
1 cup buttermilk (or substitute, see note below)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the frosting

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup marshmallow fluff
5 Birthday Cake Oreos, crushed

Instructions

For the donuts

Preheat your Babycakes Mini Donut Maker.

Using a food processor, crush the Oreo cookies until you yield 1 1/2 cup of mixture.

In a medium bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and crushed Oreo cookies.

Next add the egg, buttermilk, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla. Using a hand mixer, blend until mixture is smooth.

Fill a piping bag or a Ziplock bag (with tip cut off), with the batter and fill each donut reservoir of your donut maker with about 2 tbsp of batter.

Bake for about 3-4 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of donut comes out clean.

Place hot donuts on cooling rack and cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting

In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and the powdered sugar.

Then add the marshmallow fluff and mix on medium until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the crushed Oreo cookies and mix until well blended. (Go on, try a spoonful, don’t be shy.)

Optional Toppings

Feel free to top these donuts off with chunks of broken Oreos, sprinkles, or Birthday Cake M&Ms.

Notes:

If you are using a mini donut pan, bake your donuts in the oven at 425ºF for 3-4 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle of donut comes out clean.

As a substitute for buttermilk, I used 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or rice) plus enough milk to equal 1 cup.

Frosting recipe adapted from L’il Luna

Disclaimer: Party Pail did provide me with some products to review, but I was under no obligation to develop a recipe for them nor provide a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This recipe may be shared at these fabulous parties.

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Are Nutri Grain Bars Healthy? Expert Insights and Nutrition Analysis

Food & Nutrition

Christiana George

Updated Date:
January 4, 2026

‘Nutri’ and ‘grain’- reading this, you might be wondering if all the healthy stuff is infused in Nutri Grain bars, right? Nutri Grain bars are indeed one of the most popular snack food items on the market right now, but are Nutri Grain bars healthy as you might think?

Nutri Grain bars are marketed as nutritious, low-calorie snacks that contain lots of essential vitamins and minerals, like calcium and iron. Yet Nutri Grain bars aren’t as healthy as you might think; in fact, their high calorie and sugar content can do more harm than good if you eat them regularly.

Here are some reasons Nutri Grain bars may not be as healthy as you think they are and some healthier alternatives to fill you up!

Are Nutri Grain Bars Healthy?

Who doesn’t know the Nutri Grain bars you find at the grocery store? They’re those delicious, crunchy little bars made of whole grains and nuts that are supposedly good for you, right? However, it turns out not so much.

Here are a few reasons Nutri Grain bars may not be as healthy as you think they are

Excess Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, And Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils

Many people think that just because it’s healthy to eat whole grains like oatmeal or wheat toast, it must be good for you to eat Nutri Grain bars as well.

While Nutri-Grain bars contain some whole grains, they also contain a lot of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated vegetable oils. These ingredients can offset any health benefits that whole grains might provide.

Inclusion Of Unnecessary Ingredients

While some of the ingredients in Nutri Grain bars are healthy, like whole grains and dried fruit, there are also a lot of unnecessary ingredients like added sugars and artificial flavors. And while they may be advertised as all-natural, the ingredient list proves otherwise.

For example, one bar includes a natural maple flavor but also contains monosodium glutamate (MSG) as well as partially hydrogenated soybean oil.

Additives Contain Questionable Ingredients

If you take a look at the list of ingredients on a Nutri Grain bar, you’ll notice that many of them are additives. Additives are substances added to food to enhance its flavor, texture, or shelf life. These preservatives can be harmful to your health and may offset any benefits you would get from eating whole grains.

Some people avoid these additives because they may be unnatural and unhealthy. In fact, artificial sweeteners have been linked to an increased risk for cancer and neurotoxicity in lab animals!

Contains Low Protein And Fiber Content

Although Nutri Grain bars contain negligible vitamins and minerals, they lack protein and fiber. Protein and fiber are essential nutrients that help keep you feeling full and satisfied after eating.

Low-quality protein also means a reduced ability to build muscle, repair tissues, and fight inflammation. On the other hand, fiber helps with digestion and may also help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down the release of sugar into the bloodstream.

Nutritional Value of Nutri Grain Bars

Let’s look at the nutritional value of nutri-grain bars.

Nutritional fact of kellog’s Nutri Grain bar Mixed berry – 1 bar (116 g)

Calories	130
Total fatSaturated fat	3 g0.5 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	105 mg
Potassium	85 mg
Total carbsDietary fiberSugar	25 g2 g13 g
Protein	2 g
CalciumIron.	2%4% of DV.

Source: USDA

While Nutri-Grain bars may be marketed as a healthy snack option, they may not be as healthy as you think.

For one, they are high in sugar. In fact, a single Nutri Grain bar can have up to 16 grams of sugar. All other flavors of these bars contain the same amount of sugar – plain strawberry (12 g), blueberry (13 g), and apple cinnamon (13 g).

Nonetheless, they also often contain large amounts of artificial sweeteners like sucralose, which may provide instant energy but has been linked to liver toxicity and stomach ulcers in the long run.

Moreover, there is no ingredient in the bars rich in protein, for which the protein content is equivalent to 1 g. It is not an ideal energy snack when you are on a diet or doing heavy workouts.

Finally, the fats found in many Nutri-Grain bars are typically unhealthy saturated fats that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Side Effects of Over Consuming Nutri Grain Bars

One mixed berry Nutri Grain bar from Kellogg’s contains 13 grams of sugar! Plus, the artificial ‘blueberry’ filling contains many additives. So, imagine what if you consume 4 bars at a time every day- that’s nearly 54 grams of added sugar, which is over the limit of the daily value (25-36 grams).

Compared to the number of calories in a single bar, which is 130-140, this much sugar content is insane.

Moreover, there is an unacceptable amount of sodium content in a single bar. The American Heart Association used to recommend 2300 mg of sodium daily in a normal adult’s diet, but now they recommend 1500 mg.

Covered by the sweetness of the bars, you may feel like there is no sodium in them. But unknowingly, you are consuming the same amount of salt as compared to a salty snack.

Sugar and salt are already slow poison that leads to many short- and long-term health problems.

Some side-effects of over-consuming Nutri-Grain bars include:

Spike in blood sugar
Abdominal pain
Allergic reactions
Weight gain/ obesity
Diabetes
Lower immune system
Spike in blood pressure.

You won’t see these side effects in a single day or two unless you don’t overeat these unhealthy Nutri-Grain bars.

Who Should Avoid Nutri Grain Bars

Don’t worry; Nutri-Grain bars are not fatal and won’t kill you! Since it contains many unhealthy ingredients and somewhat allergic ones, some people should eat it as little as possible or even avoid it.

People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should avoid eating Nutri Grain bars as they contain gluten in the form of enriched flour to obtain that chewy texture.

Additionally, people with nut allergies should avoid them as they contain nuts.

Those following a vegan diet may also want to stay away from these bars as they may contain animal products like milk and eggs.

Even though Nutri-Grain bars are marketed as a healthy snack, they may not be the best choice for diabetic patients. This is because Nutri-Grain bars are high in sugar and carbs, which can cause blood sugar levels to spike. If you have diabetes, limit your Nutri Grain bar consumption to one or two bars a week.

Healthy Alternatives to Nutri Grain Bars

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to Nutri-Grain bars, try making your own granola bars at home. Plenty of recipes online use healthy ingredients like oats, honey, and dried fruit. Not only are they filling, but nutritious too. With a few variations in flavor, it’s easy to make them taste just the way you want.

Meal-replacement shakes can also be an excellent option if you need something filling but don’t have time to prepare food. It takes just seconds to blend up a shake with yogurt, milk, protein powder (whey or soy), fruit, peanut butter or almond butter, and ice cubes. The options are limitless!

FAQs

Are Nutri-Grain bars good for weight loss?

Nutri Grain bars may not be the best choice if you’re trying to lose weight. Though they’re convenient and easy to eat on the go, they’re often high in sugar and calories, which can lead to weight gain. In the long run, if you continue to eat them on a daily basis, you may be able to gain weight instead of losing it.

Are Nutri-Grain bars vegan?

While many Nutri-Grain bars are vegan, some contain honey, which is a non-vegan ingredient. In addition, some of the flavors of Nutri-Grain bars contain dairy and other animal-based products.

So, it is always better to read the labels to see what ingredients are your preferred bars made of.

Are Nutri-Grain bars healthy for toddlers?

If you’re looking for a healthy snack for your toddler, Nutri Grain bars may not be the best choice. Because they’re high in sugar, the ingredients aren’t natural, there’s no nutritional value in the sugar, and they contain artificial flavors.

Moreover, they’re loaded with fats that raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. And finally, they don’t give children enough vitamins and minerals that they need to grow up strong and healthy!

Are Nutri-Grain bars good for diabetics?

While Nutri-Grain bars may be marketed as a healthy snack option, they may not be the best choice for people with diabetes. This is because Nutri-Grain bars are high in sugar and added sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to spike.

Final Thought

If you are thinking – are Nutri Grain bars healthy – it’s time to throw out Nutri-Grain bars from your regular diet. The high sugar and calorie content can offset any nutritional benefits, and the processed ingredients may not be ideal for everyone.

However, there is no harm in treating yourself with one bar once in a while. The bottom line is that there are healthier options out there than Nutri-Grain bars.