REVIEW: Coffee Nut, Honey Nut, and Chili Nut M&M’s (M&M’s Flavor Vote)

Adam Reviews

Coffee Nut, Honey Nut, and Chili Nut M&M's (M&M's Flavor Vote)

Let’s get one thing straight: Peanut M&M’s are the best.

Well, technically, Peanut Butter M&M’s are the best, but the classic whole-roasted peanut M&M’s, represented by the overly optimistic, decidedly plump yellow guy, are right behind them.

Don’t agree? Sorry, you’re in the minority. Pretty much anyone with a computer and a sweet tooth will rank either Peanut Butter or Peanut M&M’s at the top of the M&M’s kingdom, which if you ask me is a not to be overlooked accomplishment given that Mars has mostly been focusing flavor additions more in the white chocolate and milk chocolate spectrum.

Well, Mr. Yellow Guy is finally getting the last laugh, because M&M’s has introduced three new Peanut flavors that America will get to choose from before the winner gets rushed into the regular M&M’s rotation. And by last laugh, I mean literally last. He is, after all, about to get eaten.

Coffee Nut M&M's 1

First up is the Coffee M&M’s. As anyone from Canada knows, coffee and candy just belong together (Dear Canadians: I live in Texas, please mail Coffee Crisp.) These are really awesome, and get my vote for the next Peanut flavor.

Coffee Nut M&M's 2

While I was hoping for an earthy, robust roasted coffee finish that gradually overtakes the sweetness (like you might get in a chocolate-covered expresso bean), I can’t complain about the mocha vibe that resonates as soon as the shell begins to dissolve, even if it is a mocha vibe with seven extra pumps of vanilla syrup and four Splendas. Come to think of it, these taste a lot like coffee Jelly Belly beans, except with a peanut. Frankly, that makes them all the better.  

Honey Nut M&M's

Moving right along, I imagine the idea for Honey Nut M&M’s came into being at the weekly golf outing of yellow anthropomorphic food spokespeople. Given the natural friendliness of both the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee and the Yellow M&M’s guy, this flavor combination was bound to happen. I was also bound to like the flavor given the fact that Honey Nut Chex is in my Top 10 cereals of ALL TIME, but unfortunately the M&M’s didn’t live up to expectations. The characteristic almond flavor of Honey Nut Cheerios is definitely present as soon as you get at the chocolate, but a weird and distracting artificial sweetness comes with it.

I was hoping, if nothing else, the peanut would have the salty and caramelized texture of a honey roasted peanut, but this wasn’t to be. Not that a whole peanut in a milk chocolate shell is that much of a disappointment, but Honey Nut M&M’s weren’t nearly as good as they should have been.

Chili Nut M&M's

Finally, Chili Nut M&M’s push M&M’s into new territory, namely the somewhat fading food trend of pairing chocolate with spicy food. These are interesting; they’re not fireballs by any mean, but there’s an initial cinnamon red hots flavor that enters your mouth as soon as the shell starts to dissolve. A tingling backheat resonates through the milk chocolate, and then really comes on strong once you crunch through the peanut. The last sensation you get is cayenne burn that lasts for a couple of seconds after you’ve finished. I know its tantamount to declaring the wuss card, but I’ll admit it: I needed to grab a glass of water after eating these. All in all, it’s an interesting combination if you’re a heat seeker, although more of a mild annoyance if you’re just a standard M&M’s eater.

Adding to the Peanut M&M’s lineup was long overdue, but I’d be lying if I said any of the new flavors catapulted to the top of the M&M’s flavor list. While Coffee Nut is a welcome addition, the other two flavors taste more like novelties than anything else. And even though I don’t think any of them take a lot away from the smooth milk chocolate and crunchy roasted peanut taste of our adorable yellow friend, I will say there’s something about the classic that’s just hard to improve on.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 pack or 49 grams – 250 calories, 120 calories from fat, 14 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 25 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein..)

Purchased Price: 88 cents each
Size: 1.75 oz.
Purchased at: CVS
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Coffee Nut)
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Honey Nut)
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Chili Nut)
Pros: Coffee Nut flavor has lasting notes of coffee and vanilla. Familiar crunchy shell roasted peanut, and smooth milk chocolate of Peanut M&M’s. Yellow anthropomorphic food spokespeople golf outings.
Cons: None of the flavors beat the classic Peanut M&M’s. Not an overly robust coffee finish. Honey Nut flavor has cloying artificiality. No honey roasted peanut. Chili Nut M&M’s only brings heat, not additional flavor.

62 thoughts to “REVIEW: Coffee Nut, Honey Nut, and Chili Nut M&M’s (M&M’s Flavor Vote)”

  2. I’m voting for coffee M&Ms! I wish I could also vote for Nabisco to bring back coffee-flavored Oreos.

  4. I would have assumed that the honey ones would have been the clear winners, as honey and peanut go so well together. Coffee and peanut on the other hand is kind of a weird combo. I’m curious to see whether these make it to niche candy stores up here in Canada. I’ll need to keep my eyes open.

  7. As a person that suffers from a peanut allergy I would have to say NO to all 3.
    Come on M&Ms let’s look at other nuts that could be covered with yummy goodness or no nuts at all. Looks like they have lost their creative mojo by staying with the old fashioned peanut. There are millions of people that suffer from peanut allergies out there so let’s try new things, maybe soy nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, dryed berries and anything else that can be covered with chocolate and or yummy flavors. Please lean away from peanuts, or create a medical miracle that cures peanut allergies once and for all. I would love to have the opportunity to enjoy peanuts like most other people. In the mean time, let’s let the creative juices flow.

    1. There are almond M&Ms. They could also play around with those. (I would not be able to eat them, because I am allergic, but still.) They already experiment with regular M&Ms. There’s plenty of chocolate to go around, really.

      Hazelnut M&Ms could be amazing, though…

    2. Do you really think this is the M&M website because it is not. There never going to see your coment.

    3. Jeremy, they are coming out with a peanut patch that helps keep reactions at bay. There is also oral immunotherapy. (OIT) Look it up. There may be an allergist in your area that offers this. I have dealt with food allergies my while life. I keep up on the news. Good luck.

  9. Coffee wins hands down. I purchased 10 at .59 at walgreens. I have shared a pkg with people at work and had to go back and get 15 more pkgs. coffee definitely is heaven on earth!!!

  10. I like honey nut m&m but at same time I would say coffee m&m because teens are not a fan of straight up coffee but if you put it in sweet candy m&m it would taste good but between both I would say honey nut m&m more 🙂

  11. I like the Chili flavor the best… The Coffee Nut is good, but not addicting like the peanut butter M&Ms… The Honey Nut flavoring is a little weird & reminds me of barbecue sauce.

  12. I am allergic to chocolate. Do they all contain chocolate? I wish I can find a candy maker who can use coffee/caramel, etc. in place of chocolate

    1. Nice trolling. If you are allergic to chocolate, you are most likely allergic to caramel, due to a common ingredient.

  13. I’m not even going to bother to vote, since the coffee one is clearly the best. If anything else wins, I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.

  14. My favorite is definitely the chili, just a little kick, nothing that should send you running for water. The coffee needs a darker taste, like espresso or at least French Roast.

  21. Coffee one gets my vote..chilli ones r good too…honey nut ones taste like original peanut m&ms

  22. I tried the honey nut and it caused my lips to swell, itch, and burn. I DO NOT have nut allergies. I can eat the peanut M&M’s with no problem. I have no idea what is in these to cause my reaction. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. Wanting to be sure, I waited a few days, ate some more and the same thing happened again. It was definitely the M&M’s.

    1. You might have a honey allergy. One of my aunts was allergic to honey. Same thing happened to her when she ate a little Debbie star crunch.

  23. I cant find these in any stores in my area. I live in MA. Have checked 3 major grocery stores, CVS, Walgreens, etc. 🙁

  24. coffee nut is amazing however finding them after one time is rather difficult..so i would say they are a hit here….

  25. Can’t find the coffee nut or the honey nut versions anywhere around here anymore. The coffee nut disappeared first though and by a wide margin. I think that speaks for itself as to which should be the winner.

  27. when I lived in paris there was a shop called Cacao et Chocolate and they had chocolate made with chillis there and they were go good it was unbelievable. aways got a cup of hot chocolate made with water just like the mayans do. hot chocolate with milk was a European idea. belive the spanish started that.

  29. I bought the honey nut and was I surprised to have it taste like and espresso bean . Thanks for the mislabeled bag . Coffee Nut not good at all . Now I am afraid to buy another Honey Nut .

  31. Honey nut are one of, if not the best candy I ever had. I already eat several bags this week, never tasted anything like them. Coffee nut aren’t bad but don’t have any specific flavor and are a little weak. Chili nut is only good for the first few pieces, then your mouth is so hot you can’t even taste chocolate anymore.

  32. I love the Chili nut……..they are the bomb! Gotta love that little kick of spice you get at the end…..I cant get enough of them, and I am having a hard time finding them in the stores….

  34. Coffee Crisp…YES!! My mom’s relatives from Canada send them down & I steal them the second I see them! Thanks for the link to kill that dependant relationship! Coffee M&M’s…how can you go wrong?!

  35. Have only tried the Coffee ones soo far,,Winner,,,but then I was expecting that,,Coffee and chocolate just work 🙂

  36. Where can I buy these new M&M flavors ?. I have been searching all stores near me…none sell them. I Love M&Ms and disappointed that I have yet to try the new flavors.

  37. The coffee nut was too mild in coffee flavor for me. I wanted the chocolate espresso bean flavor. I was surprised by the honey nut but the taste seemed too artificial. Retooled I think it would work well in the peanut butter M’s as I love peanut butter and honey. I haven’t found the chili yet but I’m hopeful.

  39. Having tried all three 9snack and medium packages), my rankings are:

    3. HoneyNut (had a strange hint of burnt beeswax flavor (my grandfather kept bees, so I’ve had plenty of experience with honey scraped fresh from the comb).
    2. CoffeeNut (just a hiint of coffee, which was fine, since I’m not a black coffee drinker).
    1. ChiliNut ( sthe slow build of spice had me going thru the bag to keep feeling the Bern! Er, I mean burn. Certainly nothing to drink water over… Yes, you’re a wuss…).

    And if you want peanut butter, just go buy Reese’s Pieces, you pansy…

  41. FIRST OFF LETS BE HONEST WE ALL KNOW HONEY NUT IS THE FLAVOR THAT SHOULD BE TOP SHELF THIS GOES GOOD WITH COFFEE AND LUNCH JUST PURE AWSOME

  42. Honey nut was great and I would like to buy more…did not like the coffee or chili favors. I was really hoping honey nut would win because it is really better than regular peanut m & m’s with that taste of honey.

  47. Had the chiliNut a year ago and loved it. They should sell it in Mexico. Would be a real hit. Would do well in so. Cal, too, but can’t find it anywhere. we buy the coffeeNut all the time. Haven’t had the honey nut. My favorite is chilinut and I normally don’t like extra spicy, so I don’ think it’s as hot as some people say.

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