The best mince pies for Christmas 2026 revealed, and the winner might surprise you

Score: 86/100

Proving you needn't spend a lot for a standout mince pie, Aldi takes this year's top spot. Rich, fruity and gently spiced; testers compared this pie’s festive aroma to a glass of mulled wine.

The filling was the star, packed with juicy vine fruit, a mouthwatering hit of orange, and a warming hint of alcohol. It looks the part too, finished with a classic snowflake topping.

Score: 86/100

Better known for its next-day postal brownies, this family-run micro bakery proved it knows a thing or two about mince pies, too. Granted, at £4.50 a pie they're considerably more expensive than our supermarket winner, but testers felt they were worth it for sheer indulgence.

The festive aroma of gingerbread, cinnamon and vanilla gives way to crisp, buttery pastry, a crunchy crumble topping and generous, jammy mincemeat packed with plump, juicy fruit. One tester called it ‘a really, really great mince pie’.

Score: 85/100

A delicious twist on the traditional, Tesco has spiked this year's mincemeat with a generous glug of amaretto, giving it an unmistakable marzipan flavour. Buttery, crumbly pastry and Bakewell tart-like sweetness make this a delicious alternative to the usual festive spice, with one tester declaring it ‘just what I want from a mince pie’.

Score: 84/100

Aldi also impressed with its flavoured mince pie, delivering the butteriest pastry we tasted this year. The flavour twist is subtle but effective, with brown butter adding a rich, nutty depth, while the sugared top complements the naturally sweet, moist fruit for a beautifully balanced bite.

Available 22 November 2026

Score: 84/100

Co-op's boozy bakes are generously filled with amaretto-spiked, zesty mincemeat and topped with soft frangipane sponge. Testers loved the combination, which delivers an indulgent, citrus-led twist on a classic.

Score: 84/100

These well-spiced bakes may be free from gluten, but that's the only thing lacking. The fruity mincemeat has notes of orange and treacly sweetness, while testers loved the 'perfectly crisp, rich pastry'. Deeply flavoured and delicious, this isn't just a great gluten-free mince pie, it's a great mince pie in its own right.

Score: 83/100

For a festive pick-me-up on the go, Costa's mince tart, which is sold individually, is both vegan and gluten-free. The sweet, jammy filling is packed with bright citrus notes, contrasting nicely with the ‘crisp, well-structured pastry’. Testers would have liked a little more spice, but its concentrated fruitiness still impressed.

Available 22 October 2026

Score: 80/100

Brown butter gives these festive bakes an indulgent, nutty flavour, complementing the moist, generously spiced, Cognac-laced mincemeat. Testers praised the ‘luxurious and velvety’ texture, making these a rich alternative to the classic mince pie.

Score: 80/100

This supersized mince pie is big enough for eight to share – although we wouldn't blame you for keeping it all to yourself, Bruce Bogtrotter-style. Inside the buttery pastry is a generous fruity filling reminiscent of a booze-soaked Christmas cake, while its rustic finish gives it a charming homemade feel.

• Bettys Classic Mince Pies, £21.95 for 12pk, Score: 78/100
• Mr. Kipling All Butter Mince Pies, £1.75 for 4pk, Score: 78/100
• Morrisons The Best Signature Collection Mince Pie, £2 for 2pk, Score: 78/100
• Iceland All Butter Mince Pies, £3 for 6pk, Score: 77/100
• Biscuiteers Frangipane Mince Pies, £16.95 for 8pk, Score: 76/100
• Biscuiteers Chocolate Orange Mince Pies, £16.95 for 8pk, Score: 76/100
• Tesco Finest Mince Pies, £3 for 6pk, Score: 75/100
• Daylesford Plum & Apple Mince Pies, £15 for 6pk, Score: 75/100
• Bettys Speciality Mince Pies, £24.95 for 12pk, Score: 74/100
• Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference All Butter Mince Pies, £3.50 for 6pk, Score: 73/100
• Lidl Deluxe Ultimate Mince Pies, £2.69 for 2pk, Score: 72/100
• Cartwright & Butler Cranberry & Orange Mini Pies in Tin, £7.50 for 8pk, Score: 72/100
• Cutter & Squidge The Ultimate Golden Spiced Mince Pies, £15.99 for 6pk, Score: 71/100
• Lidl Deluxe Crumble Pies Apple and Salted Caramel, £2.99 for 6pk, Score: 71/100
• Costa All Butter Mince Pie, £TBC for 1, Score: 71/100
• Daylesford Organic Traditional Mini Mince Pies, £16 for 12, Score: 70/100
• Co-op Irresistible All Butter Pastry Luxury Mince Pies, £3.25 for 6pk, Score: 70/100
• Morrisons The Best All Butter pastry Chocolate Orange Mince Pie, £3.50 for 4pk, Score: 70/100
• Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Double Chocolate Mince Pies, £3.50 for 4pk, Score: 70/100