USA vs. Canada: 10 American Snacks That Are Just Better & 10 Canadian Snacks Worth Trying
USA vs. Canada: 10 American Snacks That Are Just Better & 10 Canadian Snacks Worth Trying
The Great North American Snack Showdown
Gearing up to watch a game between the USA and Canada? Well, you'll definitely need some grub, and for that, you might want to channel your national pride. Which country has the better treats to munch on? Let's dive in and settle the debate here as we cover 10 American snacks that reign supreme and 10 Canadian snacks that are absolute must-tries.
1. Ruffles
Produced by American giant Frito-Lay, Ruffles is one of the most popular chip brands in the US, offering a range of flavors from Jalapēno Ranch to Flamin' Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream. Sure, Canada might sell Ruffles in various assortments too, but it's the home country that does it best.
Ser Amantio di Nicolao on Wikimedia
2. Lay's
Depending on whether you like crinkle-cut chips like Ruffles or plain flat ones like Lay's, both are extremely addictive. Lay's is also known worldwide, offering international flavors like Wavy Tzatziki, Honey Butter, Braised Beef, Masala, and many more.
3. Oreo
Everyone knows this beloved chocolate sandwich cookie. Owned by American company Mondelez International, these creme-filled cookies have been a favorite since their introduction in 1912. The best way to eat them? By dunking them into a tall glass of milk.
4. Twinkies
A distinctly American snack consisting of a cream-filled sponge cake, it might surprise you to know that Twinkies were actually invented by a Canadian-born baker named James Alexander Dewar, who, at the time, was in Schiller Park, Illinois, working under the Continental Baking Company. The first iteration he made was one filled with banana cream, though this later changed to vanilla during World War II (WWII).
5. Tostitos
What's the best chip for salsa dip? Tostitos, of course. Another beloved brand made by Frito-Lay, you can either find these plain or with various seasonings, like Mexican-style Three Cheese or Black Bean & Garlic. Pick a sauce of your choice (Tostitos offers a range of dips, too), then scoop up with your favorite chip!
6. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Anybody who likes the pairing combination of peanut butter and chocolate will have eaten Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, which are produced by another confectionary brand we all know and love: Hershey's. Whether you're eating the full-sized or bite-sized variants, Reese's Cups make great treats for watch parties—and Halloween.
7. Chips Ahoy!
Sure, these can't beat a fresh, gooey homemade cookie, but there's a reason why Chips Ahoy! is so beloved. They're produced by the same manufacturer (Nabisco) that makes Oreo, which might be why they're as iconic as they are delicious.
8. Kraft Mac & Cheese
The biggest debate between Americans and Canadians is what this cheesy goodness is really called: Kraft Mac & Cheese or Kraft Dinner? Arguments aside, it just goes to show how iconic this box of macaroni and cheese is.
9. Rice Krispies Treats
Introduced by the Kellogg Company in 1939, Rice Krispies Treats are a favorite of kids (and adults) because they're sweet, chewy, and uber-delicious. They were an easy invention, too, made by combining Rice Krispies cereal, butter, and marshmallow together.
10. Snacks from Trader Joe's
Whether it's Brookie's Caramel Clusters or Chili & Lime Tortilla Chips, snacks from Trader Joe's are as iconic as they get—and they're not available anywhere in Canada. If you want to channel your patriotic pride, just open up a bag of goodies from Trader Joe's and soak in the glory.
But Canadian snacks aren't going to go down that easy, so let's take a look at what's on offer in the Great White North.
1. Hickory Sticks
If you've never had Hickory Sticks before, they're almost like a crossover between French fries and potato chips. Thin-cut and lightly seasoned, they're incredibly easy to eat by the handful. Since their introduction in the 1970s, they've been an essential snack in every pantry.
Thamizhpparithi Maari on Wikimedia
2. Ketchup Chips
Believe it or not, ketchup chips are a distinctly Canadian thing. Though you'll regularly see the flavor produced by various chip brands on the shelves in the True North, they're not as popular south of the border and are hard to come by.
3. Leclerc Cookies
Leclerc is another proudly Canadian-owned and made brand, most well-known for their Celebration product line. These butter cookies are topped with milk chocolate or stuffed with creamy filling, such as mint or cappuccino truffle.
4. Coffee Crisp
Another item you won't regularly find in the US is Nestle's Coffee Crisp. This delicious bar is coated in milk chocolate and filled with layers of crisp wafer and coffee creme, and even comes in other snack varieties, like Coffee Crisp Pops and Double Double Wafer Bar. It remains unclear why this isn't available to Americans, but it's one Canadians might keep to themselves forever.
Eyreland at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
5. Nanaimo Bars
Named after Nanaimo, a city in British Columbia and popularized after WWII, these decadent bars are an absolute must-try for anyone who has a sweet tooth. They consist of a crumbly coconut base, a custard middle, and a chocolate ganache topping—the perfect post-dinner treat.
6. Smarties
Americans reading this might imagine Smarties as the chalky pill-shaped sweet (which, fun fact, are called Rockets in Canada), but Smarties in the north are more like M&M's, a chocolate with a candy shell coating. As for why these aren't available in the US? Simple: trademark issues.
7. Aero
Canadians reading this might shocked that Aero, an aerated chocolate bar that melts into your mouth, is only available north of the border. That's right—though it's a frequent treat you can find anywhere in Canadian stores, it wasn't as marketable and loved in the US, so you're unlikely to find it there.
8. Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Sure, you'll find ginger ale sold under different brands, but Canadians will swear by the Canada Dry version, which is made with natural flavors and real ginger. What's even better? This can of pop can be found south of the border, and curious Americans are welcome to try.
9. Caramilk
Introduced in 1968, Caramilk is another beloved chocolate bar that's only limited to Canada. This decadent treat is filled with ooey, gooey—you guessed it—caramel, and they're only made at one location in the country: Toronto, Ontario.
darwin Bell from San Francisco, USA on Wikimedia
10. Caesar Cocktail
A classic Canadian cocktail and a spinoff of the well-known Bloody Mary, Caesars was invented by Italian-born bartender Walter Chell in 1969. As the story goes, he took his favorite pasta sauce as inspiration and made a tomato-clam juice cocktail spiked with vodka. If you try it, don't be surprised by odd garnishes, which range from spring rolls to lobster tails.
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