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America is the place to be if you are a snacker. Snacking is practically a national pastime, and one trip to the grocery store can leave you dizzy with the sheer number of options. But which snack brands do Americans love the most?
A new study by Snipp Interactive used YouGov data and analyzed Instagram hashtags to find out which brands have the most loyal and engaged fanbases.
Here are the top 10 most beloved snack brands in the U.S.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 784,364
It seems America doesn’t mind getting its fingertips orange and sticky, with Cheetos ranking as one of the nation’s favorite snack brands. Since hitting the shelves in 1948, these puffy, habit-forming, spicy corn-based snacks covered in red dust have expanded to become a cultural landmark and one of America's most-sold salty treats.
In 2021, 59% of consumers confessed their cheesy love affair, saying they bought Cheetos in the previous three months. And with close to 800,000 Instagram hashtags, it’s clear people aren’t shy about sharing their love and loyalty for the classic snack.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 795,842
Ranking just above Cheetos, another all-American favorite has been crunching its way into lunch boxes, BBQs, and snack tables everywhere since 1932. Lay’s — the salty, perfectly engineered chip — has secured its spot in snack lovers' hearts (and pantries).
Fans stay loyal, not just for that tantalizing crunch, but because of the brand’s time-tested consistency. Lay’s still uses potatoes from the same farms across the country, from back when your grandparents were sneaking an extra handful.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 904,509
Coming in at eighth place are Pringles, the stackable chips that have been defying snack conventions since the '60s. The loyal fanbase and cult-like following of these nostalgic crisps have to do with the neat, clean snacking experience, given how messy eating chips can get. (See which flavor came out on top in our Pringles taste test.)
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 969,059
There's nothing America loves more than combining sweet and savory, and when it comes to peanut butter cups, Reese's has a sort of reputation for royalty. Be it nostalgia or consistency in flavor, Reese's — owned by Hershey’s — has remained one of the most beloved snacks in the country, and it's been on the market for over a century.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 1,020,212
Vermont’s finest has made it halfway through the list of America's most beloved snacks. Besides outselling every other ice cream brand in 2023, Ben & Jerry’s was mentioned over a million times in Instagram posts. It seems not many can resist those chunk-filled pints with their punny flavor names.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 1,060,904
With a solid 1,060,904 Instagram hashtags to its name and 98% of people recognizing it, according to YouGov, Hershey’s holds the fifth spot among America’s favorite food brands. It’s the cornerstone of every camping snack and the main ingredient of every s’more.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 1,066,146
Two elements make a chip brand successful: addictive flavor and crunchy texture, and Doritos has nailed them both. Sure, it leaves you with a dusty, orangey mess after eating, but that's a small price to pay for America’s favorite savory indulgence. In 2022 alone, Doritos sold $3 billion worth of chips, outpacing Lay’s and Frito.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 1,756,558
Around 15 million Snickers bars are produced daily, and Americans can’t seem to get enough and have been craving the combo of nougat, caramel, and peanuts since 1930. Consistently ranking as one of the most given-away Halloween candies, Snickers is also the third-most-popular candy in America, with nearly 2 million Instagram hashtags.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 3,783,190
Made by The Hershey Company, Kit Kat holds a special spot in America’s snacking hall of fame. The wafer cookie covered in chocolate has been mentioned close to 4 million times on Instagram, and it has been a beloved treat since its U.S. debut in 1969.
Number of Instagram Hashtags: 9,776,758
Americans scarf down 20 billion Oreo cookies every year. Yup, you read that right — with a “b.” Since hitting shelves in 1912, we've been dunking, twisting, and devouring the cookie that has easily claimed the title of the most popular snack brand in the U.S with close to 10 million Instagram hashtags, over 3.6 million followers, and endless user-generated content, from Oreo milkshakes to cakes. The YouGov data additionally show that 98% of people know the brand, with 76% having a positive opinion.
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