America’s Most Favorite Snack by State: Discover Regional Treats and Trends

Snacking is woven into the fabric of American culture, with 57% of people indulging in snacks daily. From coast to coast, each state boasts its own beloved treats, reflecting local tastes and traditions.

The latest data reveals intriguing insights into America’s favorite snacks, showcasing a diverse range of preferences that go beyond the typical choices.

Buffalo wings reign supreme as the top Super Bowl snack in 32 states, while chips and nachos follow closely behind.

Surprisingly, sweet snacks like Rice Krispie Treats and Doritos also capture the hearts of many across the nation.

This guide delves into the most popular snacks by state, highlighting what Americans crave and how these favorites reveal regional flavors and trends.

Alabama

Peanut brittle stands out as Alabama’s favorite snack. This traditional treat combines sugar, peanuts, and sometimes molasses, creating a crunchy, sweet delight.

It’s commonly enjoyed during holidays and family gatherings, showcasing the state’s love for homemade goodies.

Alaska

Popcorn is Alaska’s beloved snack, often seasoned with local ingredients. Many Alaskans enjoy it during movie nights or festive gatherings, showcasing their communal spirit.

Arizona

In Arizona, the top snack is prickly pear cactus candies, showcasing the state’s unique flavors. These sweet treats reflect Arizona’s rich desert heritage, often enjoyed during local festivals.

Arkansas

Arkansas favors cheese dip as its top snack. It’s a creamy, savory delight often paired with tortilla chips, enjoyed at gatherings and local restaurants. The popularity reflects the state’s love for bold flavors and social dining experiences.

California

California’s favorite snack is avocado toast, a trendy yet nutritious option loved by many. This delightful treat often features ripe avocados spread on artisanal bread, topped with various ingredients like tomatoes, radishes, or spices.

Californians cherish avocado toast for its health benefits and Instagram-worthy presentation, making it a staple at brunch spots and cafés throughout the state.

The popularity of this snack reflects California’s emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and a vibrant culinary scene.

Colorado

In Colorado, the favorite snack is the iconic Palisade peach. This juicy fruit, celebrated for its sweetness and flavor, is often enjoyed fresh or in desserts.

Locals love including these peaches into pies, jams, and salsas, showcasing the state’s agricultural pride.

Connecticut

In Connecticut, the favorite snack is the classic New England lobster roll. This delicious treat features lobster meat served in a toasted bun, often dressed with mayo and light seasonings.

Locals enjoy this coastal delicacy during summer picnics and seaside outings, showcasing Connecticut’s rich maritime heritage and love for fresh seafood.

Delaware

Delaware’s favorite snack is the deliciously sweet saltwater taffy. This iconic treat, often found on the boardwalks of coastal towns, reflects the state’s beach culture and local craftsmanship. Visitors enjoy a variety of flavors, making it a beloved souvenir from their trips.

Florida

In Florida, key lime pie is the beloved snack. This tangy dessert, made with key lime juice and a graham cracker crust, represents the state’s citrus heritage and tropical flavors.

Locals enjoy it at family gatherings and beach parties, making it a quintessential treat that reflects Florida’s sunny lifestyle.

Georgia

In Georgia, boiled peanuts reign supreme. This flavorful snack is often enjoyed warm or cold and is a beloved staple at roadside stands and festivals.

Locals savor the unique taste, which offers a taste of Southern tradition, particularly during summer gatherings and sporting events.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, mochi is the state’s favorite snack. This chewy rice cake, often filled with sweet red bean paste or ice cream, showcases local flavors and traditions. Locals enjoy it during celebrations and festivals, highlighting the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Idaho

In Idaho, potato chips are the favorite snack. These crispy treats reflect the state’s rich potato farming heritage.

Locals love enjoying them during gatherings, game days, and outdoor activities, showcasing their preference for this crunchy indulgence.

Illinois

In Illinois, popcorn is the favorite snack. This versatile treat, often enjoyed at movie theaters and sporting events, comes in various flavors, including buttery, cheddar, and caramel.

Locals appreciate the light crunch and satisfying taste, making it a go-to choice for gatherings and family outings.

Indiana

In Indiana, popcorn stands out as the most favored snack. This crunchy delight is often enjoyed at fairs, movie nights, and local events.

It’s celebrated for its versatile flavors, including classic butter, cheese, and caramel. Hoosiers love including gourmet toppings, making popcorn a popular choice for both casual gatherings and special occasions.

Iowa

In Iowa, the favorite snack is the classic caramel corn. This sweet and crunchy treat, made from freshly popped corn coated in rich caramel, is often enjoyed at local fairs and festivals.

Iowans love indulging in caramel corn during summer outings, showcasing their affinity for this nostalgic snack that’s a staple at community gatherings.

Kansas

Sunflower seeds are Kansas’s favorite snack, celebrated for their versatility and flavor. Locals enjoy them raw, roasted, or chocolate-covered, often indulging in this healthy treat during social gatherings.

Sunflower seeds reflect the state’s agricultural heritage and offer a crunchy delight that pairs perfectly with summer activities.

The Sunflower Food Company, located near Kansas City, even markets its chocolate-covered sunflower seeds nationally, showcasing this beloved snack to a wider audience.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, the favorite snack is the iconic Derby Pie. This delicious dessert features a rich blend of chocolate, nuts, and a flaky crust.

Locals love enjoying it during Derby celebrations, reflecting the state’s festive spirit and culinary traditions.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, beignets are the favorite snack. These delightful, deep-fried pastries are often dusted with powdered sugar and enjoyed with coffee.

Locals savor beignets, especially at historic cafés in New Orleans, where they’re a beloved treat reflective of the state’s rich culinary heritage.

Maine

Maine’s favorite snack is the classic whoopie pie, a delightful treat consisting of two chocolate cakes filled with creamy frosting.

Whoopie pies represent the state’s rich baking tradition, often enjoyed at local fairs and bakeries, celebrating Maine’s love for sweet indulgences.

Maryland

Maryland’s favorite snack is the iconic crab chips, combining the state’s love for blue crab and savory flavors.

These potato chips are seasoned with Chesapeake Bay spices, offering a taste of local culture and culinary heritage.

Often enjoyed at picnics and seafood festivals, crab chips represent the vibrant snacking scene in Maryland.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the favorite snack is the iconic Boston cream pie. This delightful treat, featuring a sponge cake filled with creamy custard and topped with chocolate ganache, reflects the state’s rich culinary history.

Locals often enjoy this indulgent dessert at various bakeries and restaurants, celebrating Massachusetts’ sweet tooth and love for tradition.

Michigan

In Michigan, the favorite snack is the iconic pasty. These savory pastries are filled with meat and vegetables, originating from Cornish miners.

They’re often enjoyed hot or cold, showcasing the state’s mining history. Michiganders love their pasties, especially during festivals and family gatherings, making them a true local treat.

Minnesota

Minnesota’s favorite snack is the iconic hot dish, a comforting casserole typically made with meat, vegetables, and cheese.

Minnesotans love hot dish for its heartiness and ease of preparation, often enjoyed at potlucks and family gatherings.

Variations abound, showcasing regional ingredients and personal touches, making it a beloved staple in homes across the state.

Mississippi

Mississippi loves its cheese straws, a crunchy, cheesy snack made from sharp cheddar. It’s often enjoyed at gatherings, parties, and picnics, showcasing southern hospitality.

Missouri

Missouri’s favorite snack is toasted ravioli, a savory delight originating from St. Louis. These breaded and fried pasta pockets are typically filled with meat or cheese, served with marinara sauce for dipping. It’s a beloved treat that showcases the state’s rich culinary heritage.

Montana

Montana’s favorite snack is huckleberry-flavored treats, capturing the state’s wild fruit essence. Locals enjoy huckleberry jam, candies, and ice cream, celebrating this delicious delicacy.

Nebraska

Nebraska’s most beloved snack is Runza. This iconic treat features a soft, yeast-based bun filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, onions, and cabbage, often enjoyed at local restaurants. It’s a perfect example of Midwest comfort food, reflecting the state’s agricultural roots.

Nevada

Nevada’s favorite snack is the classic potato chip, enjoyed for its crunch and versatility. Locals often indulge in various flavors, making them a popular choice during gatherings and events.

New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, the favorite snack is apple cider donuts. Locals love these delicious treats, often enjoyed during fall festivals and apple picking outings.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s favorite snack is the iconic saltwater taffy, a chewy confection enjoyed on the boardwalks. Locals cherish this treat during summer outings and festivals.

New Mexico

New Mexico’s favorite snack is Chile Rellenos, a flavorful dish featuring stuffed green chilies, often filled with cheese or meat.

Locals enjoy these savory bites at festivals and gatherings, showcasing the state’s rich culinary heritage.

New York

New York’s favorite snack is bagels. Locals love these boiled and baked treats, often enjoyed with cream cheese or smoked salmon, reflecting the city’s rich culinary traditions.

North Carolina

North Carolina’s favorite snack is Cheerwine, a cherry-flavored soda created in Salisbury. Locals often enjoy it with barbecue, celebrating the state’s rich culinary traditions.

North Dakota

North Dakota’s favorite snack is Knoephla Soup, a creamy dish featuring potato dumplings. Families savor this comforting treat during cold weather, showcasing local flavors.

Ohio

Ohio’s favorite snack is the delicious buckeye candy. Buckeye candies are typically made from a creamy peanut butter filling partially dipped in chocolate.

They originated in the 1960s when Gail Tabor first made them for Ohio State football games, quickly gaining popularity among fans.

Locals often seek out these treats at various shops across the state. Notable places include Dorothy Lane Market, renowned for its quality, and Coblentz Chocolate, located in Holmes County Amish country, famous for its unique buckeye fudge.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s favorite snack is the iconic fried onion burger. It features a juicy beef patty topped with crispy fried onions, offering a delicious crunch.

Locals enjoy this savory treat at diners and roadside eateries, especially during family gatherings and festivals.

Another beloved option is the classic sage fried chicken, seasoned and crispy, symbolizing local culinary traditions. These snacks reflect Oklahoma’s rich heritage and love for hearty, comforting flavors.

Oregon

Oregon’s favorite snack is Marionberry pie, a delightful dessert made with the sweet, tart Marionberry, a local blackberry variety. Oregonians cherish this iconic treat, often indulging during summer festivals and family gatherings.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s favorite snack is the iconic soft pretzel, beloved for its chewy texture and salty flavor. Locals enjoy this treat at street fairs, sporting events, and neighborhood bakeries.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, the top snack is pizza strips, a delicious snack featuring thin, crispy pizza crust topped with marinara sauce and cheese.

Locals enjoy these flavorful snacks at parties and gatherings, showcasing their love for Italian-American cuisine.

South Carolina

In South Carolina, boiled peanuts reign as the favorite snack. Locals enjoy this Southern delicacy at festivals, sporting events, and roadside stands, celebrating its unique flavor and cultural significance.

South Dakota

South Dakota’s favorite snack is kuchen, a traditional pastry that reflects the state’s German heritage. Locals enjoy this delightful treat during family gatherings and community events, celebrating its rich and comforting flavors.

Tennessee

Tennessee’s favorite snack is the iconic tan-colored moonpie, a marshmallow-filled delight sandwich between two soft cookies and coated in chocolate or other flavors.

Locals enjoy these treats during festivals and family gatherings, celebrating their unique Southern heritage.

Texas

Tacos reign as Texas’ favorite snack, showcasing the state’s rich culinary heritage. Locals savor breakfast tacos filled with eggs, cheese, and bacon, often enjoyed on the go.

Utah

Utah’s favorite snack is fry sauce, a unique blend of ketchup and mayonnaise, popular for dipping fries and burgers. Locals enjoy it at barbecues and fast-food joints, celebrating its iconic status in the state.

Vermont

Vermont’s favorite snack is apple pie, famously served with cheddar cheese. Apple farmers produce 40 million pounds annually, making it a state staple.

State law even requires vendors to serve it with a minimum half-ounce of cheddar, celebrating local flavors and traditions.

Virginia

Virginia’s favorite snack is the classic Virginia ham. Locals savor this salt-cured delicacy, often served in sandwiches or on charcuterie boards, showcasing the state’s rich culinary heritage.

Washington

Washington’s favorite snack is apples, particularly the crisp, sweet Honeycrisp variety. Locals enjoy them fresh or in pies, showcasing the state’s rich apple orchards.

West Virginia

West Virginia’s favorite snack is pepperoni rolls. They consist of soft dough filled with pepperoni, often served warm, and enjoyed as a convenient treat for lunch or a snack during outdoor activities.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s favorite snack is cheese curds, a beloved local treat known for its squeaky texture. Locals often enjoy them fresh or battered and fried, making them a staple at fairs and festivals.

The state’s rich dairy heritage is reflected in this iconic snack, with many farms offering fresh cheese curds to visitors year-round.

Wyoming

Wyoming’s favorite snack is the classic cowboy cookie, a hearty treat typically made with oats, chocolate chips, and nuts. Locals enjoy these cookies as a satisfying snack during outdoor adventures or as a sweet indulgence at home.

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Alicia Richards

Nationally syndicated travel writer and direct publisher for MSN.com with bylines on AP Wire. Based in Hamden, Connecticut, delivering captivating travel insights and stories that engage a wide audience. A self-employed professional dedicated to exploring destinations and sharing experiences that inspire wanderlust and discovery. LinkedIn

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