When you’re standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, eyes scanning the colorful wall of candy and chips, you probably have your go-to snack. We all do. But a shocking new ranking from TasteAtlas has just turned the snack world upside down. In their latest food survey with over 3,200 verified ratings, Snickers—yes, that brown-wrapped chocolate bar that promises to satisfy—has been named the absolute worst snack in America. The candy bar once advertised as the perfect hunger fix is now getting a major thumbs down from snack fans across the country.
Snickers fails to satisfy modern snackers
What went wrong with this once-beloved candy bar? According to the rankings, Snickers has fallen from grace due to being overwhelmingly sweet without delivering a truly satisfying snack experience. When you bite into a Snickers, you’re hit with an immediate sugar rush that many find too intense and one-dimensional. The mix of nougat, caramel, peanuts, and chocolate that once seemed perfect now feels heavy and unbalanced to today’s snackers who are looking for more complex flavor profiles and lighter options.
The brand has been around since 1930, but it seems its classic formula hasn’t aged well with changing tastes. Many reviewers noted that while the candy bar claims to satisfy hunger, it actually leaves them feeling sluggish rather than energized. The high sugar content quickly turns what should be a pick-me-up into a crash waiting to happen. This disconnect between expectation and reality has pushed Snickers to the bottom of the rankings, marking a stunning fall for what was once a checkout counter staple.
Ritz crackers crumble under pressure
Coming in just slightly better than Snickers are Ritz Crackers, which ranked second-worst in the recent snack showdown. These round, buttery crackers might be a pantry staple in many American homes, but the rankings show they’re falling flat with snack experts. The main complaint? They’re too dry to eat on their own but not special enough to earn a spot on a fancy cheese board. When you open that red box expecting something exciting, you’re left with a bland, somewhat salty disc that needs something else to make it worth eating.
Ritz has been around since 1934, making it one of America’s oldest cracker brands. But that history isn’t helping its current reputation. Tasters in the survey noted that the crackers often arrive broken in the package and become stale quickly once opened. The butter flavor that Ritz is known for comes across as artificial to many modern palates, and the high sodium content makes them less appealing for health-conscious snackers. What was once considered a versatile snack base is now viewed as an outdated option that needs a serious upgrade.
Pringles loses its pop
The iconic curved chips in the tube packaging ranked third-worst on the list. Despite their clever “once you pop, you can’t stop” slogan, it seems many snackers are indeed stopping after a few chips. The main criticisms center around Pringles’ thin, fragile texture and highly processed nature. Unlike traditional potato chips that offer a satisfying crunch, Pringles have a lighter snap that many find disappointing. They’re made from a paste of dried potatoes rather than actual potato slices, giving them a uniform shape but a less authentic potato flavor.
Another strike against Pringles is their coating, which leaves a powdery residue on fingers that many find annoying. While the stackable design and resealable container were once considered innovative, they’re now seen as gimmicky compared to the robust texture and flavor of kettle-cooked or ridge-cut chips. The rankings also noted that despite offering numerous flavor options, most taste artificial and don’t deliver the bold flavor punch promised on the packaging. The once-novel shape and packaging can’t make up for what many now consider a subpar snacking experience.
Hershey’s chocolate loses sweetness appeal
Fourth from the bottom in the rankings is Hershey’s chocolate bars, a surprise to many who consider them an American classic. The famous silver-wrapped bars are taking heat for being too sweet with a grainy texture that pales in comparison to other chocolate options now available to American consumers. As people have become more familiar with European and craft chocolates, Hershey’s distinctive tang (caused by the use of butyric acid) has become more of a liability than a beloved trademark flavor.
The rankings specifically called out Hershey’s for containing too much sugar and not enough actual cocoa, giving it a waxy texture that melts differently than higher-quality chocolates. Many tasters noted that the chocolate flavor gets completely overwhelmed by sweetness, making it one-dimensional and cloying. While Hershey’s still dominates the American chocolate market in sales, its reputation among chocolate enthusiasts has taken a serious hit. This poor showing in the rankings reflects changing American tastes and higher expectations for even everyday chocolate treats.
Planters peanuts too salty for their own good
Rounding out the bottom five are Planters Peanuts, which the rankings described as “incredibly salty” with freshness issues. The iconic Mr. Peanut mascot might be charming, but he’s not enough to save these nuts from a low ranking. The main complaints focused on inconsistent quality and an overwhelming salt level that masks the natural flavor of the peanuts. When you open a can or bag of Planters, you’re often hit with a sodium overload that leaves you reaching for water rather than enjoying the nuts themselves.
Another issue identified in the rankings was freshness. Many people reported getting stale or rancid peanuts despite purchasing within the sell-by date. The vacuum-sealed cans that once kept Planters fresh don’t seem to be doing their job as effectively anymore. Compared to other nut options that focus on highlighting natural flavors with lighter seasoning, Planters came across as heavy-handed and outdated. Their poor showing suggests that even classic American snacks need to evolve with changing tastes and quality expectations.
Animal crackers seem too plain and boring
Animal crackers secured a spot in the bottom ten of the rankings, with many people wondering how these bland cookies have remained popular for so long. These mildly sweet, animal-shaped crackers might be fun for kids to play with, but they offer very little in terms of actual snacking satisfaction. Most tasters described them as “cardboard-like” with barely any flavor beyond a hint of vanilla and sugar. Unlike other cookies that deliver rich flavor or interesting textures, animal crackers seem to coast by on nostalgia and child appeal alone.
What’s interesting is that even the cute animal shapes couldn’t save these snacks from their low ranking. The boxed variety with the string handle that’s meant to look like a circus cage gets points for creative packaging, but the actual product inside disappoints. Compared to graham crackers, which have a similar plain profile but more distinct honey and cinnamon notes, animal crackers taste like they’re missing something. Their dry texture and lack of flavor complexity make them a snack that adults endure rather than enjoy, landing them firmly in the bottom tier of American snacks.
Graham crackers fail to excite modern taste buds
Speaking of graham crackers, they didn’t fare much better in the rankings. These honey-sweetened wheat crackers ranked poorly despite their versatility as a base for s’mores and pie crusts. The problem? On their own, they’re just too plain and one-dimensional for today’s snackers. What was once appreciated as a simple, not-too-sweet option now comes across as boring and uninspired. The light honey and cinnamon notes that define graham crackers aren’t strong enough to make them stand out in a world of bold, flavor-packed snack options.
The rankings also noted that graham crackers have a texture issue – they’re neither crisp enough to be satisfying like a cookie nor substantial enough to feel like a real snack. They often become soft quickly after opening, losing what little crunch they had to begin with. Even their rectangular shape with perforated lines feels utilitarian rather than fun. While they continue to play an important role in certain recipes, as a standalone snack, graham crackers simply don’t deliver the experience modern snackers are looking for, earning them a spot in the bottom tier of American snacks.
Kettle chips crowned the ultimate snack champion
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kettle chips were crowned the king of American snacks in the new rankings. These thick, extra-crunchy potato chips have surged in popularity over the past decade, and the rankings confirm what many snack lovers already knew – they’re simply superior to regular chips. The robust crunch that comes from their kettle-cooking process creates a more satisfying bite, and their thicker cut allows them to hold up better to dips without breaking. When you grab a handful of Kettle chips, you’re getting a substantial snack experience.
What put Kettle chips over the top was their flavor intensity and variety. Unlike some of the lower-ranked snacks that rely on excessive salt or sugar, Kettle chips focus on natural potato flavor enhanced by well-balanced seasonings. Whether it’s the classic sea salt, bold jalapeño, or more adventurous flavors like Korean barbecue or truffle, the taste comes through clearly without seeming artificial. Their rise to the top spot shows that Americans are increasingly looking for snacks with authentic ingredients, substantial texture, and sophisticated flavor profiles – a far cry from the overly processed options at the bottom of the list.
This new ranking has certainly stirred up the snack world, with beloved classics taking a hit and newer favorites rising to the top. What’s clear is that American snack preferences are evolving toward more authentic, complex flavors and satisfying textures. The disgraced snacks at the bottom of the list might need to rethink their recipes if they want to regain their former glory in our pantries and lunch boxes. As for Snickers, its fall from grace might be the biggest surprise of all – proving that even the most famous brands can’t rest on their laurels in today’s competitive snack landscape.
