Five American Snacks To Try ASAP
Updated by Taylor Tobin
Americans pride themselves on their fantastic taste in snacks—and for good reason. If you’re craving something sweet, salty, cheesy, savory, or otherwise delicious, then it’s easy to find just the right treat to suit your tastebuds in the American snack universe.
We rounded up five collections of snacks focused on American classics—from novelty jerkies to gourmet popcorns—each with its own unique personality, shareable charm, and serious level of hits-the-spot satisfaction.
Ready to get munching? Let’s dig in!
Beef Jerky
Contrary to popular belief, the dried-meat snack known as beef jerky didn’t originate in the United States. In fact, versions of this treat can be found in countless global cuisines dating back hundreds (and, in some cases, thousands) of years. American snackers feel a close connection to jerky strips and sticks, though, because they appear so prominently in the cowboy-heavy, roping-and-riding lore of the American West and because jerky has become a prominent, gas-station-favorite road trip treat. Filling, easy to eat, and hugely flavorful, jerky proves itself time and again to be an ideal bite for active, on-the-go folks.
Ready for a meaty treat? Start with the Jerky Snob box, which doesn’t limit itself to American-made jerkies and instead offers options from all over the world. The aptly-named Two Jerky Bags box focuses on “craft” jerkies made in small batches by dedicated jerky artisans. And if you like your jerky with a bit of a kick to it, try the zesty assortments in the Hot & Spicy Jerky Box .
Popcorn
Like jerky, popcorn wasn’t invented in the United States, but its butter-slathered, movie-theater form is very American and popular: 14 billion quarts of popcorn are consumed nationwide each year. U.S. customers consistently demand more of this crispy, airy, endlessly-customizable snack and are always personalizing it with a new range of toppings, from seaweed flakes, to turmeric powder, to nutritional yeast.
If you have daring tastes where popcorn is concerned, try the Kernel Crate , which provides subscribers with inventive flavors like BBQ bacon, horchata, pickle, and much, much more.
Salt Water Taffy
According to legend, the sweet-and-salty candy known as salt water taffy got its start on the Atlantic City boardwalk, where you can still find plenty of versions of this chewy snack in an infinite array of rainbow colors and flavors. If a trip to the Jersey Shore isn’t in the cards for you, then we’re happy to report that the Salt Water Taffy box will more than scratch the sticky-sweet taffy itch. Each box includes a whopping 144 pieces of taffy, with past themes including birthday party, banana split, and berry blast. (We wouldn’t recommend eating all that taffy in one sitting, however…)
“Lunchbox” Snacks
Grown-up American school kids are a nostalgic bunch, and many still have fond memories of the brightly-packaged, mass-marketed snacks that they carried along in their lunch bags or bought in campus vending machines. Chex Mix, Goldfish crackers, Rice Krispie Treats, and Welch’s Fruit Snacks are all classics of the ‘90s snacking canon and all of them are apt to bring back a flood of happy memories. The Just The Snacks box from Howdy Howdy USA delivers those favorites from yesteryear—that are still very popular among school-aged American lunchers!— in a subscription that features over 35 individual items: more than enough to keep your entire family happy in the school cafeteria or the office break room…we’re not here to judge!
Regional Specialties
One of the most engaging elements of American cuisine is the fact that it can vary wildly from region-to-region and state-to-state. Texas cuisine is different from California cuisine, which is different from Florida cuisine, which is different from New York cuisine, and local residents feel very proud of the local flavors that set them apart from their neighbors. That’s what makes a regionally-focused American snack box so worthwhile! You’ll find a state-focused party in each Celebrate States! Box , which works with “small and family-owned” businesses to find local products that reflect the flavors and specialties of their respective states. For instance, the Ohio box included buckeyes (chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls) and Ohio-made popcorn balls; the South Carolina box features pecan pralines and key lime cookies; and the Hawaii box offers macadamia nuts and coconut bars. Taste the country without leaving your couch!
