Few chocolate brands have achieved the perfect balance of quality, variety, and that satisfying snap quite like Ritter Sport. The iconic square-shaped chocolate bars from Germany have been delighting chocolate enthusiasts since 1932, offering an impressive array of flavors that range from traditional milk chocolate to adventurous, limited-edition creations. With their distinctive colorful packaging and “quadratisch, praktisch, gut” (square, practical, good) slogan, Ritter Sport has become a global favorite.
I’ve taken on the delicious task of sampling and ranking 21 of Ritter Sport’s most notable chocolate bars. This comprehensive guide moves from the merely good to the absolutely exceptional, considering taste, texture, uniqueness, and that special something that makes certain flavors stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re a Ritter Sport devotee or a curious newcomer, this ranking will help you navigate the delightful world of these perfect squares.
The Good: Solid Choices (21-16)
21. White Whole Hazelnuts
Starting our list is the White Whole Hazelnuts bar. While the concept sounds promising—whole hazelnuts embedded in creamy white chocolate—the execution falls a bit short. The white chocolate is undeniably sweet, perhaps overly so, which can overwhelm the natural flavor of the hazelnuts. That said, the texture contrast between the smooth chocolate and crunchy nuts creates a pleasant eating experience. It’s not a bad choice if you have a serious sweet tooth, but it lacks the complexity that makes other Ritter Sport varieties shine.
20. Cocoa Mousse
The Cocoa Mousse bar offers a light, airy chocolate experience that’s reminiscent of a chocolate soufflé. The milk chocolate exterior gives way to a whipped cocoa filling that melts effortlessly on the tongue. While the texture is certainly appealing, the flavor profile is somewhat one-dimensional, lacking the depth that chocolate connoisseurs might crave. It’s a pleasant enough treat, but doesn’t quite deliver the memorable experience of higher-ranked options.
19. Yogurt
The Yogurt variety brings something different to the table with its tangy filling encased in sweet milk chocolate. The contrast between the creamy, slightly sour yogurt center and the sweet chocolate coating creates an interesting flavor dynamic. However, the artificial undertones in the yogurt filling can be off-putting to some palates. It’s refreshing and unique, but the synthetic notes prevent it from climbing higher in the rankings.
The Better: Noteworthy Contenders (15-11)
15. Dark Whole Hazelnuts
Moving into more impressive territory, the Dark Whole Hazelnuts bar pairs rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate with whole roasted hazelnuts. This combination works remarkably well, with the nuts providing a buttery counterpoint to the intense chocolate. The 50% cocoa content strikes a nice balance—dark enough to satisfy cocoa lovers without overwhelming those who prefer milder chocolate experiences.
What keeps this bar from ranking higher is that the hazelnuts, while plentiful, sometimes lack the freshness and crunch that would elevate this to greatness. Nevertheless, it’s a solid choice for those who appreciate the classic pairing of dark chocolate and nuts.
14. Coconut
The Coconut bar delivers exactly what it promises: a tropical escape in chocolate form. The milk chocolate shell houses a sweet coconut filling that’s reminiscent of the inside of a Mounds bar, but with Ritter Sport’s signature quality. The coconut flavor is authentic rather than artificial, and the texture strikes a nice balance between chewy and creamy.
While coconut can be divisive, Ritter Sport has created a version that might even win over skeptics. It’s not groundbreaking, but it executes the coconut-chocolate combination with admirable precision.
13. Strawberry Yogurt
Combining the tanginess of yogurt with sweet strawberry notes, the Strawberry Yogurt bar is a fruity delight. The white chocolate exterior works better here than in some other varieties, complementing rather than competing with the berry-forward filling. There’s a pleasant balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet elements that makes this bar surprisingly refreshing.
What prevents it from ranking higher is its somewhat artificial strawberry flavor—it’s more reminiscent of strawberry candy than fresh berries. Still, it’s a delightful option for those who enjoy fruit-flavored chocolates.
The Great: Exceptional Experiences (10-6)
10. Marzipan
The Marzipan bar showcases Ritter Sport’s ability to handle traditional European flavors with finesse. The dark chocolate coating provides the perfect bitter counterpoint to the sweet, almond-rich marzipan center. The texture is pleasantly dense without being heavy, and the almond flavor comes through clearly without the artificial notes that plague lesser marzipan products.
This bar might not appeal to everyone—marzipan tends to be polarizing—but for those who appreciate this classic confection, Ritter Sport’s version is exemplary. The balance of flavors and textures demonstrates why this has remained in their lineup for decades.
9. Butter Biscuit
The Butter Biscuit variety cleverly combines the worlds of cookies and chocolate. A layer of crisp, buttery biscuit is sandwiched between smooth milk chocolate, creating a textural contrast that makes each bite interesting. The biscuit maintains its crunch remarkably well, even when surrounded by chocolate, and the buttery flavor complements the sweet milk chocolate perfectly.
What’s particularly impressive about this bar is how it manages to improve on the familiar chocolate-cookie combination with higher quality ingredients and perfect proportions. It’s nostalgic yet sophisticated—a difficult balance to achieve.
8. Praline
The Praline bar exemplifies German chocolate craftsmanship at its finest. The milk chocolate exterior gives way to a silky hazelnut praline filling that’s rich without being cloying. The nutty flavor is authentic and deep, suggesting real hazelnuts rather than artificial flavoring.
What elevates this bar is the texture—the praline filling has a slight grain to it that prevents it from being too smooth, adding interest to each bite. It’s a classic flavor executed with precision and care, demonstrating why Ritter Sport has earned its reputation for quality.
The Elite: Cream of the Crop (5-1)
5. Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts
Breaking into the top five, we find the Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts bar—a perfect example of how simplicity, when executed flawlessly, can create something extraordinary. The smooth, creamy milk chocolate is studded with whole, perfectly roasted hazelnuts that provide a satisfying crunch and buttery flavor. The contrast between the sweet chocolate and slightly savory nuts creates a balanced flavor profile that never becomes tiresome.
What makes this bar exceptional is the quality and quantity of the hazelnuts—they’re generously distributed throughout the bar, ensuring that nearly every bite contains that perfect chocolate-nut combination. It’s a timeless classic that demonstrates why Ritter Sport has endured for generations.
4. Rum Raisin Nut
The Rum Raisin Nut bar is a sophisticated treat that combines milk chocolate with rum-soaked raisins and hazelnuts. The flavor profile is complex and adult, with the rum providing depth without overwhelming the other elements. The raisins are plump and juicy, while the hazelnuts add a necessary textural contrast and nutty flavor note.
What’s particularly impressive about this bar is how well-balanced it is—the rum is present but not dominant, the raisins provide sweetness without becoming cloying, and the hazelnuts ground the flavor profile with their earthy notes. It’s a thoughtfully composed chocolate that rewards slow, mindful enjoyment.
3. Dark Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts
Taking the bronze medal position is the Dark Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts variety. This bar elevates the hazelnut experience by pairing the nuts with rich dark chocolate, creating a more sophisticated flavor profile than its milk chocolate counterpart. The slight bitterness of the dark chocolate (50% cocoa) complements the natural sweetness of the hazelnuts perfectly, resulting in a balanced and deeply satisfying treat.
The quality of both the chocolate and nuts is evident in every bite—the chocolate is smooth and complex, while the hazelnuts are fresh and flavorful. It’s a bar that appeals to both casual chocolate fans and connoisseurs, bridging the gap between accessibility and sophistication.
2. Caramelized Almonds
Just missing the top spot, the Caramelized Almonds bar is a masterpiece of texture and flavor. Crunchy, caramelized almond pieces are distributed throughout smooth milk chocolate, creating a toffee-like experience that’s utterly addictive. The almonds provide both textural contrast and a deep, roasted flavor that’s enhanced by the caramelization process.
What makes this bar special is the transformation of the almonds—they’re not merely nuts in chocolate but have become something greater through the caramelization process. The result is a bar with complex flavor notes: sweetness, nuttiness, slight bitterness from the caramel, and creamy milk chocolate to tie it all together. It’s a symphony of flavors that nearly earned the top position.
1. Marzipan Dark Chocolate
Claiming the crown as the ultimate Ritter Sport experience is the Marzipan Dark Chocolate bar. This perfect marriage of bitter dark chocolate and sweet almond marzipan represents everything that makes Ritter Sport exceptional: quality ingredients, perfect balance, and a distinctive flavor profile that couldn’t come from any other chocolate maker.
The dark chocolate exterior (50% cocoa) provides richness and complexity that frames the sweet, almond-forward marzipan center. The contrast between the two elements creates a dynamic eating experience where neither component overwhelms the other. The texture is equally impressive—the smooth, dense marzipan yields pleasantly against the firm snap of the dark chocolate.
What elevates this bar to legendary status is how it transforms a traditional European confection into something accessible yet sophisticated. It’s a bar that reveals new subtleties with each bite, demonstrating why Ritter Sport has remained relevant and beloved for nearly a century. For the ultimate Ritter Sport experience, the Marzipan Dark Chocolate bar stands alone at the summit.
