Each state has an equivalent snack that best represents its people, culture, and place. Some of these snacks originated in those states and there are some that were brought to the state that adopted it as their own.
Hawaii: Macadamia Nuts
When we think of Hawaii, we think of macadamia nuts, right? These actually came from Australia, which brought the nuts to the Aloha State in the late 1800s. Since then, Hawaii became the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts and sold them in different ways.
Then there are states where their famous snack is only available in their state.
Want to know more snack info like this? Keep reading!
Texas: Beaver Nuggets
Okay, this might actually be the only snack that originated in the same state that it is popular. There’s also one place you buy it (apart from two online stores) and that’s the famous Texas convenience store, Buc-ee’s. We’re talking about Beaver Nuggets! Beaver Nuggets are like puffed popcorn that’s coated with caramel. It comes in different flavors and is loaded with thousands of calories. It’s a good thing if you live far from Texas, you can only indulge in this snack once a year maybe. You’ve saved some calories!
Florida: Orange juice
Florida is known for its delicious oranges. When you hear someone say Florida oranges, then you know it’s going to be good. Florida oranges are great to eat on their own but are best consumed freshly squeezed. Don’t worry. You’ll find the oranges easily when you drive into Florida. After all, there are citrus groves almost everywhere. Did you know though that these orange trees did not originate in Florida? They came from Southeast Asia via Europe.
Alaska: Kelp pickles
We know what you’re probably thinking. Kelp pickles? What does that taste like? Well, friend, don’t knock it until you try it! They are unbelievably tasty. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals and a savory umami flavor. It’s so famous that people all over the country order it online so they don’t need to go to Alaska to enjoy it.
Colorado: Edibles
Because marijuana is now legal in Colorado, they have figured out different ways to serve it. These edibles are no longer just the hand-rolled joints we’re so familiar with. Now you can consume it as taffy, gummies, and even sparkling water. For those who need the benefits of cannabis but don’t want the smell to stick to you, these are great alternatives for you.
Arizona: White Sonora wheat crackers
White Sonora wheat crackers aren’t just Arizona’s best snack, it’s also a very historical snack. These crackers are made with the oldest wheat varietal recorded in North America. These date back to the 1600s! Of course the crackers don’t come from the 1600s but it’s amazing to know that with every bite, you’re consuming an ancient piece of history.
Michigan: Better Made potato chips
Michigan locals and residents are big proponents of “buy local.” One of the products that have a lot of local makers is potato chips. A lot of the old companies are no longer operating except for one, Better Made. Better Made potato chips are beloved, not just in Michigan, but all over the country. Even food connoisseurs love this brand. Their light, crisp chips definitely outlasted all their other competitors.
Wyoming: Buffalo and elk jerky
Buffalo and elk jerky can be found in every kitchen in Wyoming. It doesn’t even matter if you know how to cook or not. Locals will always have buffalo and elk jerky in their houses. The Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Company is the premier company to go to for a bag or ten of this Wyoming staple.
California: chocolate
Who loves chocolate? If you do, have you been to California yet, the land of chocolate? Willy Wonka must have been born in California because there are loads of chocolate companies in this state. They’ve got See’s Candies, Ghirardelli, Guittard chocolate, and Scotchmallows. What’s your favorite chocolate product?
Rhode Island: Del’s frozen lemonade
When summer rolls in Rhode Island, there’s only one drink that comes to mind: Del’s frozen lemonade. The Italians brought it to this small state and it’s become a tradition ever since. Yes, you can make your own. Or you can drop by a Del’s fruit stand.
Ohio: buckeye candies
Buckeye candies, these delicious peanut butter delectables, have been Ohio’s favorite snacks since the 1960s. It’s available everywhere and in every city. They even come in different varieties. It’s one of the snacks where you can’t stop eating once you start.
Georgia: pecans
Do you know where the pecan country is in the US? It’s in Georgia. The state that is famous for peaches and Coca-Cola is also famous for pecans. In fact, Georgia is the top producer of pecans in the US. You will have to go to the very rural regions of Georgia to see where it is grown.
Nevada: chips and salsa
With a big Latino community, it is no wonder that chips and salsa is the most popular snack in Nevada. Not just any chips and salsa though. They love their Los Arcos chips and salsa from T.I. Foods. These chips were brought there by Jose Luis Gutierrez, who made the move from Southern California to Nevada. It took awhile for the market to find them. When they did, boom! Chips and salsa became a hit.
Kansas: sunflower seeds
Kansas isn’t called the Sunflower State for no reason. Besides the sunflower, the official flower of Kansas, their official snack is sunflower seeds. It’s the favorite snack that Kansans love to munch on in-between meals. They eat sunflower seeds in every way possible, including coating them in chocolate.
Oregon: hazelnuts
From sunflower seeds to hazelnuts, we take a trip to the state of Oregon. Did you know that there are around 1,000 hazelnut farms in Oregon? Crazy huh? Apparently, Oregon’s climate and rich, volcanic soils are perfect for growing them. These nuts are rich in antioxidants and nutrients so they don’t bother dressing up the hazelnuts. They’d rather eat hazelnuts roasted and unsalted.
Delaware: saltwater taffy
Saltwater taffy is the favorite snack to buy at the boardwalk. If it’s not bought at a boardwalk, it doesn’t seem authentic. It’s sweet, sticky, chewy, and salty all at the same time. It’s so hard to eat but when you’re done, you want to eat more.
Connecticut: White birch soda
Other states have regular soda. Connecticut has white birch soda and it is literally everywhere. It’s the perfect drink companion with your crackers, donuts, hotdogs, and pizza. Plus it comes in different flavors. There’s cherry, grape, strawberry and mouth-puckering, and Italian-style lemon-lime. The list is endless!
New York: rainbow cookies
They said that rainbow cookies were first brought into New York by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s as a tribute to their native flag. In the early 2000s, rainbow cookies have now become a staple. While there are lots of traditional rainbow cookies available in stores, other New York stores have also reinvented the traditional cookie cake.
New Mexico: bischochito
Biscochitos are simple, uncomplicated sugar cookies. They’re a staple in New Mexico, especially in December. Pair that with hot chocolate, yum! Would you believe these cookies date back to the earliest modern settlers? They didn’t call it biscochitos yet. That didn’t happen until centuries later.
Mississippi: Kool-Aid pickles
Kool-Aid pickles? What is that? No one knows or remembers how this started but it doesn’t matter because the state of Mississippi still loves it. Add Kool-Aid to your vinegar to make Kool-Aid pickles. It’s actually the best way to feed your little children pickles. It just looks like solid Kool-Aid.
Iowa: Scotcheroo
Have you ever heard of the classic Rice Krispie treats? Well, scotcheroos are similar except for the marshmallows. Instead, they’re loaded with peanut butter, chocolate, and butterscotch chips. It’s like a crunchy and caramel-y Reese’s cup with lots of Rice Krispies. Have you ever tried one of these?
Illinois: Frango mints
Fun fact: Frango Mints was named after the original owner, FRederick And Nelson GOodness. After more than a century, the company, even under the second management, continued to produce mouth-watering minty chocolate pieces. It’s become a staple in Chicago, where Chicagoans and visitors continue to devour.
Vermont: Sugar on snow
If you want to eat sugar on snow the authentic and traditional way, then you’ll have to wait for the sugaring season in Vermont between late February to early April. This is literally what it means, it’s cooked maple syrup drizzled over snow. The liquid bubbles over and transforms the snow into a chewy candy. Gotta eat it quickly though! If it’s not snowing, you can still enjoy sugar on snow. Just use shaved ice.
Tennessee: Moon pies
These are the famous MoonPies. Originally concocted for hungry miners with not enough room in their lunch boxes, these moon pies have quickly become a Tennessee favorite. Plus these MoonPies stood the test of time! They even survived the Great Depression and World War II. Kudos, Moonpie!
Maryland: Old Bay seasoning
Okay, technically, they don’t eat the seasoning itself. They do, however, add Old Bay seasoning to every food and dish they can imagine. Food in Maryland is not complete unless it’s got Old Bay seasoning. Name it, they have it! There are potato chips, crabs, seafood, popcorn, and even French Fries. If you find yourself living in Maryland, Old Bay seasoning should always be in your pantry.
Utah: dirty sodas
Want to indulge with your drinks but don’t drink alcohol or hot coffee? Dirty sodas it is! These are basically cocktails (or mocktails) for those who still want to drink lots of sugar and caffeine. It’s everywhere in Utah. Just look for a drive-in.
Arkansas: Cured venison
Because they have more deer meat than they can eat, what’s the best solution? Cured venison! It can be prepared in so many ways. Plus you get to share it with your family and friends.
Pennsylvania: pretzels
Pennsylvania is known for a lot of food and snacks. What they have in abundance in the entire state are pretzels. They have hard and soft pretzels. They sell it in food stalls and supermarkets from Philadelphia to Lancaster to Harrisburg. You’ll find it everywhere in Pennsylvania.
New Hampshire: Maple candy
In New Hampshire, maple syrup producers are excited for the sapping season because of one thing: they can create new and exciting maple candy concoctions. They already have maple cotton candy, maple fudge, and hard maple candies. Wonder what’s the next maple candy product they’ll create.
Alabama: Cheese straws
They may not have invented cheese straws but they sure perfected it. Cheese straws came from the United Kingdom originally but the bakers of Alabama have made it a staple in every Alabama home and restaurant. They’ve even become corporate and wedding giveaways!
Nebraska: chocolate meltaways
Created by a local Nebraskan, Kevin Baker wanted to create a family-owned business that mass-produced Nebraska’s favorite snack at a more affordable price. He wasn’t the person who invented chocolate meltaway, Nebraska’s signature snack, but his company became the most popular over time.
Louisiana: pralines
Pralines came from France but they made their way to the US, particularly the New Orleans French Market in the 1800s. Vendors would sell it on the street as a tourist bait at first but then it became so common in Louisiana. Now, pralines have become a New Orleans staple.
Kentucky: Bourbon balls
Kentucky is known for its obscure foods. This explains why bourbon balls are so famous. What are bourbon balls? They’re confections made with a bourbon cream covered by chocolate and topped with a pecan. Ruth Booe invented this in the 1930s and her company, Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory is still the most famous company that exists that produces these popular Kentucky sweets.
Washington: smoked oysters
Washington is located by the sea so it’s just fitting and common to have local seafood as their state’s delicacy. Smoked oysters are one of them. Plus the weather in Washington never gets too hot, even in the summer, so you can enjoy this delicacy (with hot sauce) any time of the year.
New Jersey: crumb cake
People wait in long lines for crumb cake. It’s a favorite weekend breakfast for most New Jersey residents. It’s their version of a cinnamon streusel. It’s sugary goodness at an affordable price.
Oklahoma: Fried pies
Fried pies used to be an obscure dessert that was only sold at a remote and old gas station. People began to drive for miles just to taste these freshly made pies. Eventually, they became so popular that they were now being sold all over the highway.
South Carolina: boiled peanuts
South Carolina has officially declared boiled peanuts as the state’s official snack. South Carolinians are obsessed with peanuts boiled in salt water. They even have an annual peanut boil in Columbia! You’ll find this everywhere in roadside stands, in gas stations, and in supermarkets. Or you can make your own the South Carolina way.
North Dakota: chocolate-covered potato chips
North Dakota is the largest producer of red-skin potatoes in the US. It’s so many that local residents end up having an abundant supply of potatoes even during the winter months. They resorted to creating different ways to eat it, including covering it with chocolate. Chocolate-covered potato chips aren’t new though. Local residents have been enjoying this since the 1880s when Carol Widman came up with this delicious sweet and salty snack.
Virginia: peanuts
Did you know that there are four varieties of peanuts grown in the US? The largest variety (and the most flavorful) is grown in Virginia. You’ll find peanuts in almost everything from soup to pies in Virginia. Their favorite way to eat though is still roasted and salted.
Wisconsin: summer sausage
Wisconsin is a total sausagefest. It’s a pantry must-have and featured in every charcuterie board and meat board in Wisconsin. They always enjoy their mildly spicy, tangy sausage with a bottle of their favorite Millers beer. That’s the life!
Missouri: Red Hot Riplets
Have you ever had spicy barbecue chips? Well, Red Hot Riplets are beyond spicy barbecue. Its intensity is beyond any mortal person can comprehend. Do you want to try it? Prepare yourself!
Maine: Whoopie pies
The state of Maine has dubbed whoopie pies their invention and no one wants to contest it. The exact creator may be questionable but what remains true is that Maine and whoopie pies have become inseparable. Whoopie pies have also been officially awarded as Maine’s official state treat. No one’s going to contest this now, especially since Maine Bakers take this seriously.
Minnesota: Pearson’s Nut Goodie
Minnesota knows its candy. That’s obvious since Mars bars and Milky Way bars were invented in this state. They’ve moved to a different state and so has Minnesota with their unofficial state candy: Pearson’s Nut Goodie. Imagine this: Creamy maple nougat topped with roasted peanuts and covered with milk chocolate. Can you yum?
Montana: Toasted Kamut
If you want to go somewhere where ancient grains are grown, go to Montana. No wonder their official snack is kamut. Their love and respect for this ancient grain is commendable. You can eat it on its own or sprinkle it on your food.
Indiana: popcorn
Orville Redenbacher was from Indiana. Yes, the king of popcorn is from Indiana. No wonder this state loves its popcorn and has made it its official state snack.
West Virginia: Pepperoni Roll
During earlier times when the modern world hadn’t arrived yet, people had to create all-in-one solutions for their problems. For example, to create affordable and filling meals, pepperoni rolls were created. Cured pepperoni was placed inside soft rolls before baking. The spiced oil from the pepperoni seeps into the bread during the baking process and makes the roll even more flavorful. It’s no longer considered a meal now. It is a snack that West Virginians enjoy all the time.
Massachusetts: Marshmallow Fluff
Did you know that Marshmallow Fluff was created by a solo entrepreneur named Archibald Query in the 1910s? He went door-to-door selling it. He was very successful because he eventually sold it to Boston candy company Durkee-Mower, the company responsible for expanding and distributing the product worldwide. Yes, it all started in Massachusetts.
North Carolina: Muscadine Grapes
Muscadine grapes are North Carolina’s official state fruit and it is as sweet as it can get. It is melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness and perfect off the vine or as your wine or as grape hull pie. Take your pick.
South Dakota: Wasna
Before energy bars and power bars became famous, South Dakota had its own energy bar recipe. Made up of dehydrated game meat and chokecherries and held together with animal fat, wasna is the snack that fueled you up. Like any other official state snacks, they are finally available statewide and nationwide.
Idaho: Spud Bars
Idaho’s favorite sweet snack was once marketed as a health bar. Can you believe that? Health bar or not, Idahoans still love their Spud Bar! What’s not to love? It’s got hot-chocolate-flavored marshmallow in the center covered with dark chocolate and dusted in coconut. Who’s gonna hate that?
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