On Memorial Day, after enjoying a leisurely morning of sleeping in, you’re probably anticipating burgers and hot dogs for later. However, in Michigan, the most Googled Memorial Day food between last May and this year is peach cake, according to Axios. Seriously? You’d expect people to be searching for potato salad recipes or even peach cobbler, but peach cake? Hmmm….
Aside from the meals and dessert you will be enjoying, there will also be lots of snacks eaten. HubScore has conducted a study to uncover the most beloved snacks across each U.S. state and the results are crumby, cheesy, and crunchy. The snack attack across the states reveals a delicious tapestry of munchies contributing to a $32 billion industry by 2026. Here’s the scoop:
Cheerios: The Breakfast Boss (New Jersey)
New Jersey’s snacktime darling is Cheerios, the only cereal on the list. This oat-sational delight has been gracing our bowls since 1941, originally known as Cheerioats. General Mills gave it a snappy name change to Cheerios in 1945. From Honey Nut to Pumpkin Spice, Cheerios keeps rolling out the hits. It’s a top contender in 33 states and grabs the silver in five.
Lay’s: The Chip Champion (Connecticut and New York)
Lay’s potato chips are crisp royalty in Connecticut and New York. Born during the Great Depression and raised alongside Fritos, Lay’s flavors like Barbecue and Sour Cream & Onion have been crunching strong ever since. They make the top five in six states and come in second in one.
Chex Mix: The Party Pro (Hawaii, Montana, and North Dakota)
Chex Mix parties in three states, thanks to a 1955 holiday shindig where a Chex executive’s wife mixed cereals, pretzels, and bagel chips into a snack sensation. This mix-tastic treat hit store shelves in the 1980s and has been a staple ever since. It mixes it up in the top five of 14 states, ranking second in three.
Fritos: The Corny Classic (Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming)
Fritos are the crunchy corn chips that were invented by Charles Elmer Doolin after he spotted a tasty treat at a gas station, these chips have been a staple since the Great Depression. Fritos joined the Lay’s family in the 1950s and now pop up in the top five of 39 states, coming in second in 12.
Cheetos: The Cheesy Puff (Arizona, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas)
Cheetos reign supreme in eight states, with their crunchy and puffy variations keeping snackers smiling since the late 1940s. The brainchild of Doolin, Cheetos combined cheese and Fritos for a match made in munchie heaven. They sizzle in the top five of 31 states, grabbing the runner-up spot in eight.
Doritos: The Triangular Titan (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia)
Doritos dominate the southeastern U.S., crunching their way to the top in 15 states. Introduced in 1964 and spiced up with Nacho Cheese in 1972, these chips have been a snack sack favorite for decades. They rank in the top five of 39 states, and get second place in 16.
Rice Krispies Treats: The Gooey Grandmaster (Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin)
Snap, crackle, and pop your way to the number one snack! Rice Krispies Treats top the charts in 18 states. Born from a happy accident in the late 1920s, when Mildred “Millie” Ghrist Day mixed cereal with marshmallows, these squares have become an American icon. They bubble into the top five in 28 states, securing second place in six.
As you prepare for your Memorial Day festivities, consider adding some of these beloved snacks to your spread. Whether you’re a fan of the gooey delight of Rice Krispies Treats, the cheesy crunch of Cheetos, or the timeless appeal of Lay’s potato chips, there’s a state-favorite snack for everyone to enjoy. Happy snacking!
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