The Worst to Best of America's 25 Most Popular Snacks
Even though the nation may be divided, we can all agree that we enjoy munching. Snacks are a big part of what makes life worth living, whether you're more of a candy bar type or prefer something savory. How else would you survive the exhausting workday? Additionally, many American snacks are so tasty that are practically addicting, even if they are not always the healthiest options available (via The New York Times Magazine). Having said that, you should stay away from some of the disgusting treats that line our store shelves.
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You undoubtedly have your own favorites, but we've compiled a list of some of the most well-liked snacks available in the US. We've worked our way up to our absolute favorites, which are the snacks we can't keep in the house because we know we'll eat the entire box in one sitting, starting with our least favorite snacks, the ones we never want to have to eat again. Let's examine the top 25 American snacks in order of worst to best popularity.
25. Snickers
Not good are Snickers. While we are aware that some people may take offense to this, we just cannot disagree: Snickers are bad. Recall the absurd assertion that a Snickers bar could practically serve as a meal replacement? Is that what you should eat when you're famished and anxious? Without a doubt. Just because something contains nuts doesn't automatically make it healthy, especially if those nuts are covered in chocolate and caramel like in a Snickers bar.
Sure, one mouthful of this famous candy bar might not be unpleasant, but after that, the flavor's overwhelming strength will become apparent. The strong milk chocolate is so sweet from the nougat base and caramel that it probably will give you a stomachache. In fact, these items are so cumbersome and uncomfortable that we wish they were simply removed from all vending machines worldwide.
Snickers should be the only chocolate treat on this list that you avoid, we hope.
24. Ritz Crackers
Is it possible for someone to actually love Ritz Crackers? You might not be aware that the Ritz crackers were advertised as a luxury good during the Great Depression—hence the name Ritz—to make those experiencing difficulty feel as though they were purchasing a high-end yet inexpensive item (via Snack History). They now merely seem like an afterthought, like some weird crackers you might set out next to a cheeseboard when you ran out of the good stuff. They're aggressively dry, so they're not really anything you'd ever eat on its own and are definitely not ideal munchies food. However, they don't feel classy enough to go with your fine cheese. What should one do with them now? We'd probably just steer clear of them if we were you.
If you want to get rid of a box you already have in your pantry, these crackers can be crushed up and used in other dishes, but that's about all we would do with them. We're never going to buy these tiny buttery crackers, so feel free to eat as many as you like. There are more for you.
23. Pringles
Although you might believe Pringles to be an exclusively American snack, it isn't always the case. Two-thirds of Pringles are really sold outside of North America. If you adore these chips and are traveling abroad, don't stress about attempting to pack a tube; you'll probably be able to get them at almost any airport you visit. If you are familiar with American history, you are aware that the Great Pringles Exportation is not the first occasion that we have sent trash abroad. But among our transgressions, this one might be the most repulsive.
Pringles aren't all that horrible, I guess. And it appears that Pringles are the best option if you want a less oily chip. But in truth, they're a little depressing. They might be made of potatoes, but given how much processing they've undergone, it's hard to tell. They lack the same crunch as other chips, and since they are so thin and brittle, they are readily broken. You generally simply wait for the salt to hit your taste receptors because the majority of the flavors aren't even that enticing.
Even the best Pringles flavors are not what we want in a nice snack, despite the fact that not all Pringles tastes are made equally.
22. Hershey's
Hershey's is a well-known classic. Many of us may have received our first taste of chocolate from that super-sweet milk chocolate. Though being the first doesn't necessarily make anything the best. If you haven't eaten much chocolate in your life, Hershey's doesn't taste horrible, but once you've tasted better, you'll return to a Hershey's bar feeling jaded. This chocolate has entirely too much sugar—even more than you would anticipate from the majority of milk chocolate bars. This makes it challenging to eat more than one square without your stomach (and teeth) objecting.
Additionally, there's something that tastes cheap about a Hershey's bar. Hershey's flavors seem to be quite surface-level, in contrast to superior chocolate, which has a deep richness to it; the sugar is undoubtedly in charge here. Even though there are worse snacks you could eat, we would never make an effort to buy a Hersey's bar from a vending machine.
21. Planters Peanuts
Planters' Peanuts in and of themselves are not problematic. Since they are essentially just peanuts, how can you go wrong? Here at Tasting Table, we like peanuts in a variety of ways, including boiled, as a garnish for noodle dishes, and dipped in chocolate as part of our go-to holiday dessert recipe. But what happens when they're served nude, alone, and with nothing to go with them? We have to decline them at that point.
Peanuts from Planters are extremely salty. Although we normally love this, we feel that Planters simply added too much salt to the already bland peanuts. We wonder how long they've been sitting in those plastic containers because they don't taste at all fresh. Furthermore, there are better peanut brands available, even though peanuts in general aren't very fascinating as snacks.
Need a quick meal that you can grab on the fly that will almost always fill you up? The worst food to eat might not always be planters' peanuts. But you should be aware that this snack is probably not going to satisfy your craving for a high-quality snack food.
20. Starburst
We don't want to offend any of the ardent Starburst supporters because we are aware of how much you all love these sweet little squares. However, we're here to state the obvious: Starburst chews aren't all that great as snacks in general. Unfortunately, the majority of the flavors are utterly unimpressive. If you buy a lot of Starburst, you'll probably have to sort through the bulk of the colors before you discover the one you really want. Once those are all gone, all that's left is a bag of slightly unappetizing, essentially juicy sugar, which you'll probably simply eat mindlessly without really tasting it.
Sounds recognizable? We had already been there. The orange flavor, which is by far our favorite of the lot, is also the most delectable. However, given that you can't just pick your favorite flavors, we generally believe that purchasing a bag of Starburst is a waste of time and money (it's too bad you can't just buy a whole bag of the orange ones).
19. M&M's
You see, this one is debatable. Do we consider M&Ms to be the best confection ever created? Obviously not. But with regard to the original M&M's, that is especially true. Regarding all the other tastes? Some of these are truly excellent. Given that M&Ms are one of the most fundamental candies anyone has ever imagined, it makes reasonable that there would be a lot of variance across the various variations. They are merely little chocolate drips with a tasteless candy covering on top. So even just one more element has a significant impact. While regular M&Ms' flavor and texture lower the score a bit (they also taste rather cheap, exactly as the Hershey's bar), the other flavors give it a better grade than you may anticipate.
Our judgment? The best M&Ms are pretzel-flavored. They feature the ideal balance of salty and sweet flavors and a crunch that makes them more filling than the majority of the alternatives. They are really entertaining to bite into because of the combination of the exterior sugar coating and the internal dryness. The crunchy, almond, and caramel alternatives are also good ones. Although the dark chocolate and peanut flavors are a tad monotonous, they do have some advantages over the original.
Try a variety of M&M flavors to find the ones you enjoy best, but don't expect on them to become your go-to treat forever.
18. Sour Patch Kids
We completely understand why businesses would want to put their own unique spin on the sour-sweet candy fad given how amazing sour gummy worms are. It works well together, especially if you can make your candy as sharply sour as you can. And while though Sour Patch Kids easily accomplish that job, we're disappointed that we don't enjoy them as much as sour gummy worms.
The flavor and consistency of the gummy itself are the main causes of the issue. With Sour Patch Kids, you won't experience the delightful bouncy quality that many candy offer, which is uncommon in American meals. Instead, they are difficult to bite into and stick to your teeth because of their nearly plastic-like consistency (seriously, visit a dentist if you eat more than three of these).
In order to balance out the sweetness coming from the gummy itself, they are also quite acidic, which could burn your tongue if you eat too many of them. The bottom line is that while we don't forbid you from purchasing these treats, we don't think you'll want to binge on them (which is a good thing, we guess). Are they incredible? Actually, no. Are they still worthwhile even if you enjoy tart candies? Probably.
17. Cheez-It
Cheez-It crackers have the advantage of tasting exactly like cheese, which is something we like since not all cheese-flavored foods have that benefit. However, Cheez-Its taste like processed American cheese with a trace of cheddar, which is probably not what a true cheese fan wants. If you can get past that fact, however, you'll discover that Cheez-Its are a common snack that most people won't find objectionable. What's not to enjoy about them? They're cheesy, salty, and have a little crisp and crunch to them.
The only thing to bear in mind about Cheez-Its is that they very, very quickly go bad. Like, after you open the box, your Cheez-Its will become strangely squishy and lose all of their texture within two days. Additionally, they seem to quickly lose some of their flavor. Cheez-Its are the type of snack we serve at events because of this. You don't have to be concerned about them going bad because they are all consumed in one night. Additionally, you don't need to get a variety of snacks because the majority of guests will enjoy them.
Obviously not our favorite by a long shot, Cheez-Its are a decent snack that will do the trick when you merely want to feed and please your visitors without spending a fortune.
16. Hostess CupCakes
It's unfortunate that Hostess CupCakes didn't make the top of our list. We'll never forget how delighted we were to discover one inside because it was a lunchbox must. However, after you eat CupCakes as an adult, you'll begin to question the hoopla. The fact that these baked delights taste as manufactured as they come shouldn't come as a surprise. What you want from a fresh cupcake is not at all present in the cake, which is thick and tough. The frosting on top, too? Do not even attempt to begin. It's so stiff that it hardly moves. Undoubtedly not a promising indication. Then there is the middle layer of really sweet cream. If you ask us, there is way too much of stuff.
But nevertheless... This dessert still evokes a distinct feeling in my mind. Hostess CupCakes offer delicious chocolate cake and icing, which is difficult to resist. There is something about these delectable snacks that is difficult not to like, whether it be the nostalgia or the massive amounts of sugar fogging our minds. Even though you won't find them in our shopping carts, we wouldn't refuse one if it was offered to us.
15. Ruffles
Pay attention, Ruffles fans. You are aware that there are superior chips available, right? Better-flavored, crunchier, and more natural-tasting chips? We don't intend to judge, though. Ruffles are pretty good if you're not comparing them to other kinds of chips. Because of their texture and ideal thickness, you can effortlessly scoop various dipping sauces and toppings over your chips. They're good and salty, but not so salty that after a few nibbles you start to feel like your mouth is shriveling up. For lack of a better term, ruffles are a standard, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Of course, Ruffles are probably not for you if you're seeking for fascinating and distinctive chip flavors or the most authentic-tasting chips. But everything has its proper time and place, including Ruffles. They taste very good, in our opinion, with tobiko, sour cream, or... patiently await it in chocolate dipped (yes, you absolutely have to try this out). Even though they aren't necessarily our favorite chip on our list, they are a reliable snack choice that you shouldn't completely discount.
14. Kit Kat
What should you choose if you want a candy bar that is more enticing than a Snickers? Even if Kit Kat bars are a far better choice, we must agree that they aren't our absolute favorite. It's a chocolate-dipped wafer biscuit that has been divided into strips for sharing. It may sound uncomplicated, but it's a satisfying bite that is undoubtedly delightful (or, actually, to trick yourself into thinking you're only going to have a piece before you end up eating the entire thing yourself.) at least initially. After a while, the milk chocolate could start to taste sweet.
But in this situation, it's not even really about the chocolate. The modest Kit Kat instead emphasizes texture over flavor. It's impossible not to appreciate the bite of the crunchy, crispy wafer, and the fact that it's covered with chocolate dials the bite down to exactly the right level. You can easily see what we're referring to by slicing a Kit Kat in two. Despite not being our favorite treat on our list, there is something enjoyable and nostalgic about a Kit Kat. If you chose to grab one from your children after trick-or-treating, we wouldn't hold it against you.
13. Doritos
You either love them or detest them, or you alternately feel these emotions like we do. You see, it just doesn't sound that good to open a bag of Doritos when you're far away from them. Whatever flavor you decide on, you can be sure that it will be heavily seasoned, to the point that it completely overpowers your taste receptors. And unless you have the cravings like crazy, that probably doesn't seem all that appetizing.
The Doritos suddenly materialize in front of you as you hear a bag rustling. You carelessly grab a chip and mindlessly bite into it when all of a sudden you realize that, indeed, you are going to consume the entire bag in one sitting and your eyes start to glaze over. The issue with Doritos is that, while not tasting all that great, they are nevertheless highly addicting. We advise against storing these chips in your home if you wish to stay away from them. The occasional Doritos binge, however, can be just what you need to get through the stresses of daily life. Hey, there are unquestionably worse vices.
12. Chips Ahoy
Chips Ahoy are perhaps the first cookies that come to mind when you consider a typical, mass-produced chocolate chip cookie. The average homemade cookie (or even one prepared from a roll of Tollhouse dough) can't compare to these crispy tiny morsels of heaven, yet we still adore them for some reason. The chocolate chips are very sweet and tiny. The actual cookie is little, sandy, and too crunchy (unless you get the chewy variety; we prefer those). The result is a sweet delight that is actually kind of enjoyable when they combine.
But if you're going to travel with Chips Ahoy, you need to be sure you're ready. A glass of milk, preferably whole milk, though oat milk would also work, is one component that is absolutely necessary. Make sure to hold the cookies in the milk for at least five seconds after you've dipped them in. If you use less milk, the cookies won't absorb it as well and will become too hard. They become incredibly soft and much more delectable after soaking in milk than they are when they are first opened.
11. Lay's
Lay's is unquestionably a classic. During BBQs. During parties. Your child's lunchbox contains it. It's likely to be Lay's if you choose any random bag of chips from a fast food chain. And to be completely honest, we don't mind. The thinness of traditional Lay's makes you feel as though you're eating air. They're just salty enough, which means that they're quite salty without simply drying up your mouth (which, regrettably, is why we want to devour the entire bag in one sitting). Additionally, they are so crisp that you find yourself reaching inside the bag for more.
However, there are unquestionably superior chip brands available. If all you had ever eaten was Lay's, you most likely wouldn't feel the desire for anything else. However, after trying the alternatives, we are unable to continue to call Lay's our favorite. You might still find us offering this classic party food from time to time because you can't mess with a classic.
10. Cheetos
Cheetos are another classic, but these guys rank a little bit higher because you're not going to find another brand that does these cheesy snacks quite as well as Cheetos. They come in both the crunchy and puffed varieties, but we 100% prefer the crunchy ones. Their flavor is more concentrated, and the intense crunch they offer makes you want to keep reaching for more. The original flavor is hard to beat, and you won't be disappointed if that's what you choose. However, we just happen to prefer the Flamin' Hot variety. These things are pretty spicy, so if you don't like heat to your food, then you'll want to pass them up. Otherwise, though, they're a fantastic snack.
There are several drawbacks. After consuming a bag of Cheetos, neither we nor most other people feel wonderful. The mess itself is a problem. Your fingertips will be completely covered in Cheeto dust even after only one Cheeto. We prefer eating our Cheetos with chopsticks to prevent that inconvenience because it doesn't look good.
Even though there are better snacks on this list, we can't deny that we'll continue to crave Cheetos for years to come.
9. Oreos
You must have known they had to arrive shortly. After all, it's difficult to dispute that Oreos have amassed plenty of fame when it comes to boxed cookies. These famous cookies are traditionally made with two chocolate cookies in the center and a sweet filling on the outside. We will never get weary of separating them, licking the filling, and then putting them back together to consume them whole. It is the ultimate dunkable snack meal.
You might be surprised to learn that the majority of Oreo varieties are vegan. What precisely is the composition of all that cream? It turns out that it's mostly sugar. And this is understandable given that Oreos do, regrettably, have a faintly artificial flavor. We don't want to single out Oreos because that could be said about many of the foods on our list. However, if they had tasted a little more naturally, they would have placed considerably higher in this rating.
It's impossible to deny that Oreos are a traditional American snack and will likely continue to rule the snack industry for some time despite the lack of real milk ingredients in them.
8. Fritos
What more could you want for in a snack food than something salty, crunchy, and utterly flavorful? That is exactly what you will obtain if you open a bag of Fritos. Even while not everyone enjoys these well-known chips, these are some of our favorites. Of course, they taste fantastic when made into a Frito pie, and you can also break them up and sprinkle them on top of many different foods (we love ours in a salad). However, they don't require any accompanists to gain our affection. One of the best snacks is Fritos since they are so delicious and salty.
The only drawback is that if you eat too many Fritos, the excessive salt content will start to burn your mouth. If you care about the health of your kidneys, you surely shouldn't overindulge in them. However, even a few nibbles are difficult to resist because they are so delicious. Accept it and start munching; your parched tongue will signal when to stop.
7. Trail mix
Why trail mix is ranked so highly on our list may be a mystery to you. We appreciate that trail mix actually provides us with some nutrients, even though it may not be as well-liked as some of the other foods we have here. Unfortunately, many widely consumed American snacks provide relatively little in the way of actual nutrition. And although though trail mix may not be the healthiest food you eat all day, it will still offer you energy because it is packed with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. It's not limited to being consumed on the path. In fact, we believe it makes a fantastic office snack to keep on hand. Furthermore, if you're wise, you'll have selected a kind that is paired with some kind of chocolate.
We also appreciate the range of brands available for trail mix, giving us a ton of options if we don't like one flavor. Choose the one with the ingredients you prefer, and then savor your somewhat healthy snack.
6. Tostitos
There are several companies that sell fantastic tortilla chips. But there's no doubting that Tostitos has a stranglehold on the market when it comes to widely consumed American snacks. And it is logical. They also have the Tostitos Scoops, which are truly a sauce lover's dream come true, in addition to your normal tortilla chip, which is generously sprinkled with salt and as crunchy as your heart wishes. Choose a bag of Tostitos that already has guacamole baked into the chip or buy some with a hint of lime (yes, you heard that right).
Tostitos are undoubtedly one of our favorite chips in this rating as a result. We adore the many flavor selections that are offered, and they consistently have the perfect amount of salt. The scoops, though, are undoubtedly our favorite. Purchase a bag if you haven't already and prepare your preferred salsa recipe. When you combine them, you'll see why there is so much buzz.
5. Goldfish
Goldfish crackers might not appear to be very exceptional at first. They are little salt-and-cheese crackers that aren't actually big enough to hold any form of topping. However, you'll quickly discover the hard way that once you start nibbling, it's nearly tough to quit. You're compelled to keep sticking your hand back into the bag because of the salt and crunch, which for some reason makes you want to keep doing so. And although though they may look like a kid's snack, we nevertheless prefer to keep them on hand at the back of the pantry for those times when we truly want to spoil ourselves.
The original Goldfish, or the plain crackers without any cheese, are undoubtedly superior to the cheddar Goldfish, which you're probably most accustomed to eating. It's okay; we are aware that not everyone will concur with us. But if you haven't yet, head straight for the snack section if you haven't already.
4. Almond Joy
There are some candy bars on the market that are absolutely awful. Almond Joy, however, is not one of those candies. With crunchy almonds and a milk chocolate coating on top, this alternative provides the uncommon opportunity to consume actual fruit in a mass-produced snack (yes, there is actual coconut in there!). Even though we don't often like milk chocolate, it really, truly works in almond pleasures. The attention is truly on the other components because there is so little chocolate, which distinguishes this candy bar from most others.
Beware, though: Almond Joys are still quite sweet despite being more palatable than many of their rivals. Almond Joys probably won't appeal to you if you're used to snacking on fair-trade, 87 percent dark chocolate. Almond Joys are without a doubt one of the best foods to eat when it comes to popular American snacks.
3. Chex Mix
Yes, we genuinely think that Chex Mix is among the top snacks on the planet, not just in the United States. And the reason for this is because it's not just one snack; rather, it's a combination of several different treats brought together by a dusting of tasty powders, proving that salt isn't necessarily the star of the show. We could eat this combination every single day since it is so amazing. The Corn Chex are, in our opinion, the best component of Chex Mix, closely followed by those tiny bouncy breadsticks. And pretzels—how can you go wrong with those? (The windowpane ones taste just as wonderful, but the circular ones are more entertaining to eat.)
However, not every component of Chex Mix tastes good. For instance, the rye chips just don't cut it for us. But when you get to re-enter that bag of altered cereal, even those little mistakes are readily overlooked. For every lengthy car travel, trip to the airport, or day at the office, be sure to have this gear on hand.
2. Reese's
Reese's is the undisputed king of candy bars. Who knows, knows. The saltiest, tastiest peanut butter you've ever tasted is nestled tenderly in a paper cup, encircled by an oddly thin layer of milk chocolate. You'll be astounded by its weight when you pick it up. This candy bar has considerable weight thanks to all that delicious peanut butter, and we like it. If you try it, you'll discover the perfect balance of salty and sweet that you've been searching for your entire life. You'll get to enjoy the thrill of the slightly grainy peanut butter Reese's has come to be known for once your teeth cut through that soft shell of chocolate.
If you're searching for something a little bit healthier or more authentic-tasting, you should check out the various incredible nut butter cups that are available. However, there is something special about a traditional Reese's cup that we'll never forget. If you ask us, this mass-produced candy bar is the best one available.
1. Kettle
You are already aware of our feelings towards Ruffles and Lay's. Although these are both fantastic potato chips, we have always felt that something was lacking. Before we cracked open the first bag of Kettle chips, that is. Not only is this our preferred chip manufacturer, but it's also our preferred American snack overall. Everything comes down to the wire. Kettle chips have more crunch since they are cut thicker than other chips, like Lay's. They occasionally have these gorgeous natural folds as well, which adds even more crunch. And it's obvious why this brand will always win our hearts when you consider how well-salted they are.
Of course, if you're trying the brand for the first time, the plain salted chips are a terrific choice. But after you've established yourself, you should definitely try the other varieties. Our favorite flavor is the Korean barbeque, although the jalapeo chips are a close second. Try them all out to choose which one you prefer. You won't be dissatisfied with any of their alternatives, we're very certain.
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