The 10 Best British Snack Foods & 10 American Ones That Can't Be Beat
Which Side Of The Pond Has The Better Snacks?
The UK and the US have each carved out their own unique niche in the snack food world. There's no denying the power of a good munchie, whether your loyalties lie with the oaty goodness of a Hobnob or the cheesy dust of a Dorito. While Britain has perfected biscuits that appeal to every taste, the US reigns supreme on savory snacks fit for action movie nights and house party tables. Here are 10 iconic British snack foods we love and 10 American classics that simply can't be beaten.
1. Monster Munch
Monster Munch is a British baked corn snack similar to Funyuns. The crackers are shaped like monster feet and come in a variety of flavors, but Pickled Onion is the classic.
2. McVitie's Chocolate Digestives
McVitie's Chocolate Digestives aren't fooling anyone with that healthy-sounding title. These packaged cookies are pure chocolate indulgence: the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon tea.
3. Jaffa Cakes
Jaffa Cakes are little sponge cakes topped with a layer of jelly and coated in chocolate. They're the perfect balance of fruity tanginess and rich dark chocolate.
4. Jammie Dodgers
Jammie Dodgers are a delightful and Iconic British biscuit. Either raspberry or strawberry jam is sandwiched between two thin shortbread cookies with a heart cut out of the top so you can see the jam peaking through.
5. Crawford's Custard Creams
Crawford's Custard Creams are the quintessential British tea biscuits. They consist of two rectangular, crispy cookies filled with decadent vanilla cream.
6. Walker's Crisps
Walker's is essentially the British equivalent to Lay's. The most popular flavor is Cheese and Onion, but they also come in Roast Chicken, Ketchup, and Shrimp Cocktail flavors.
Dan Taylor-Watt from London, UK on Wikimedia
7. Hobnobs
Hobnobs are an iconic British snack made from rolled oats, giving them a rustic, knobbly texture. They were basically designed to be dunked into a hot beverage.
Sargant at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
8. Liquorice Allsorts
There's no in between: you either love liquorice or detest it with a fiery passion. We fall into the former category, so Liquorice Allsorts are a win in our eyes. The bitterness of the black liquorice is blended with sweet colorful fondant, round jellies, or sprinkles, subduing the bitterness.
9. Twiglets
Twiglets are kind of the British equivalent to pretzels, but with a much more wacky flavor and texture. They look like small twigs due to their irregular shape, and they have a Marmite-like taste that comes from yeast extract.
10. Mr. Kipling Cherry Bakewells
Cherry Bakewells are a beloved British confection. They're a package version of the classic tart, which originated in the town of Bakewell, England. They consist of shortcrust pastry filled with jam and topped with an almond-flavored sponge cake, icing, and, of course, a cherry on top.
Now that we've talked about our favorite UK snacks, let's see how the classic American ones stack up.
1. Doritos
Doritos are an American snack staple, known for their bold taste, crunch, and addictiveness. The Nacho Cheese flavor is the OG, but Cool Ranch is a close contender for the top flavor.
2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Peanut butter is an item often associated with North America, so naturally it's featured in many iconic American snacks. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups consist of peanut butter enrobed in milk chocolate to create the perfect balance of salty and sweet.
3. Crunchy Cheetos
Cheetos are a corn snack with a random, twisty shape that's confusing but satisfying to crunch into. The original flavor is chees, but they now come in a shocking variety.
4. Ritz Bits Peanut Butter Sandwiches
We remember Ritz Bits Peanut Butter Sandwiches fondly as treats that were served during exams at school. Sweet and salty peanut butter is sandwiched between two buttery Ritz crackers for the perfect, satisfying bite-sized treat.
5. Lay's Potato Chips
It doesn't get much more classic than Lay's, one of the widely consumed brands of potato chips and a staple at any get-together. They're super thin and crispy with just the right amount of seasoning.
6. Oreos
Oreos consist of a sweet icing-like filling sandwiched between two chocolate wafers. Known for their "twist, lick, and dunk" ritual, Oreos are one food yoally encouraged to play with.
7. Chips Ahoy! Chocolate Chip Cookies
No American snack food list would be complete without mention of chocolate chip cookies, the crown jewel of American baking tradition. Although they're always better fresh out of the oven, Chips Ahoy! is a close second.
8. Honey Maid Graham Crackers
An essential s'mores ingredient, no camping trip would be complete without Honey Maid Graham Crackers making an appearance. The sweet, square-shaped biscuits have long been a pantry staple in homes across the nation.
9. Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky
For many Americans, no gas station stop feels complete without a Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky. Made from lean, dried beef, it's a high-protein snack with a distinct smoky and slightly sweet flavor.
usbotschaftberlin on Wikimedia
10. M&M's
M&M's are a classic multi-colored candy-coated chocolate treat. Long beloved in the US, they were developed during the Spanish Civil War as a war ration, the candy coating designed to stop the chocolate from melting in the heat. Today, they come in a variety of flavors from peanut to pretzel to caramel.
