Fill out the ballot now—the last day to vote is December 10—and then we’ll announce the winners of the readers’ ballot on December 23, the day our Sporked Awards winners start rolling out. Plus, by filling out the ballot, you’ll automatically be entered in a drawing to win a free piece of Sporked merch. May the best snacks win! 

By submitting your email address to participate in the Sporked Awards 2024 Readers Ballot, you are signing up to receive Sporked‘s bi-weekly email newsletter, as well as future emails regarding the Sporked Awards. Upon receiving your first email, you can unsubscribe by clicking “Unsubscribe” at the bottom.

The post Vote for the Best New Snacks, Sodas, and More in the Sporked Awards! appeared first on Sporked.

Turkey Hill Mini Maple Syrup Jug

When the corn syrup-based pancake syrup at the diner just won’t do, it’s a boon to have a little jug of real maple syrup in your pocket or purse. Sure, one small spill will make the local dry cleaner your new best friend, but if you are shopping for someone who is willing to risk it all for the sweet, sweet flavor of real Canadian maple syrup, this is the perfect World Market stocking stuffer.

Read our ranking of the best pancake syrup

Jacobsen Salt Co Pure Sea Salt Slide Tin

Is your friend always complaining her food is bland? Give the gift of salt! This tiny tin of sea salt is adorable and it’s the perfect thing to make a mid dish a 10 out of 10. This is the perfect World Market stocking stuffer for people who aren constantly enduring seasoning emergencies. And hey, at least if this one spills in your purse, it’ll be a little less messy than the maple syrup.

Mini Truff Black Truffle Hot Sauce

Miniature bottles of hot sauce are always among the best World Market stocking stuffers because a little goes a long way. But this hot sauce is a perfect pick for other reasons, too. See, TRUFF hot sauce is kinda pricey at around 15 bucks a bottle. Before you splurge on buying a full-size bottle of their unique blend of hot sauce and truffle flavor for someone who may or may not like it, you can test the waters with this micro bottle of TRUFF black truffle hot sauce from World Market. Now, that’s thoughtful!

Read our ranking of the best hot sauce

Fishwife Smoked Rainbow Trout

Tinned fish in a stocking?! Why the heck not! Tinned fish was made to fit into a stocking, and Fishwife tinned fish is extremely adorable sans wrapping paper, which makes it a perfect World Market stocking stuffer for the foodies in your life. World Market is a tinned fish mecca, and you can’t go wrong with this Fishwife smoked trout, which tastes “rustic and homemade,” according to Sporked‘s own taste testers. I mean, stick this in a stocking and you just might be treated to smoked trout omelets on Christmas morning. Not a bad deal!

Read our ranking of the best Fishwife products

Goodman’s Pure Vanilla Extract

Imitation vanilla extract is cheap, but the real deal stuff will cost you. If you’re shopping for World Market stocking stuffers for a serious baker, this little bottle of genuine vanilla extract is a lovely gift. Sure, getting excited about vanilla extract in your stocking on Christmas morning is peak adult, but I can’t lie, I’d be pretty pumped, too.

World Market Holiday Blend Ground Coffee

A 2 oz bag of coffee won’t get you very far. It is, however, just the right amount for people who like variety and simply cannot commit to an entire 10 oz bag of grounds. It’s also perfect for travel (just pack a pour-over setup) and for people who might want to give World Market coffee a shot. Also, I know this is a list of World Market stocking stuffers for adults, but this little bag of coffee is just plain adorable.

Mrs. Bridges Mini Preserves Collection

This is like the uber-mega-budget version of Bonne Maman’s mini spreads advent calendar (not that an advent calendar could fit in a stocking, I suppose). This three pack of preserves from World Market is perfect for people who couldn’t possibly dream of consuming 24 little jars of jelly. Honestly, getting someone the Bonne Maman calendar is kind of like buying them a pet parrot or something. It’s a big commitment to foist on a foodie friend! Anyway, this three pack of lemon curd, orange marmalade, and strawberry preserves is much less of a project.

Stirrings Old Fashioned Cocktail Mixer

This is the foundation for the best one-two punch Christmas gift. Fill their stocking with a few bottles of this old fashioned mix from World Market. Then give them a bottle of bourbon all wrapped up. A powerful pairing and the perfect World Market stocking stuffers to help anyone get through even the worst of holidays with the in-laws!

The post World Market Is a Treasure Trove of Stocking Stuffers for Grown-Ups appeared first on Sporked.

As a Gardetto’s fan and the taste tester who led our cheddar cheese taste test, I feel highly qualified to tell you whether Aged Cheddar Gardetto’s are worth your hard-earned snack cash. If I promise not to tell any more boring stories, will you read my review? 

New Product!

Gardetto’s Aged Cheddar

Amazon

This snack mix contains rye chips, pretzels, breadsticks that look like little loaves of bread, and little square crackers that look like Cheez-Its (maybe they are Cheez-Its—the packaging doesn’t mention the components). The breadsticks and the Cheez-Its appear to have cheese baked in, but all of the morsels are coated in a cheesy flavor dust. 

Pros: I swear the rye chips in this new Gardetto’s snack mix taste more like rye than the rye chips in the original Gardetto’s mix. Or like pumpernickel bread, maybe. Either way I can taste the actual chip here, which I guess you could count as a plus even though it mostly means this mix is very unevenly seasoned. Some bites are super cheesy, some are super bland. I do like these breadsticks, though. Typically, breadsticks are my least favorite snack mix element because they taste like almost nothing, but these seem to actually have some cheese baked in, so they have a little more flavor. The Cheez-It crackers are good, too—anecdotally, those were the most seasoned elements in the bag I got. 

Cons: This mix just can’t hang with regular Gardetto’s. That savory, Worcestershire sauce sort of flavor is irresistible. Aged Cheddar doesn’t make enough of an impression.

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

The post A New Gardetto’s Snack Mix Just Dropped and We Tried It appeared first on Sporked.

Nancy’s Petite Quiche

We strongly believe Thanksgiving appetizers are made to be picked up and eaten anywhere but at the dining table. You’re going to be stuck at that table for ages waiting for some great aunt to finish her vittles, so the best Thanksgiving appetizers can be eaten while you circulate. Nancy’s frozen mini quiches are small, satisfying, and perfect to eat while you artfully dodge awkward conversations with distant relatives. The box comes with two flavors—lorraine and florentine—and they’re really good. The crust is buttery and savory, and the fillings are well-crafted and complex. We could even taste some tarragon in the lorraine. Sorry, freshly cleaned floors, but these are worth scattering a few crumbs.

Read the full ranking of the best quiche at the grocery store

Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese Bites

If you’re not serving mac and cheese as a side dish with dinner, serving mac and cheese bites as an easy Thanksgiving appetizer is a perfect way to get some cheesy goodness back on the menu. We taste tested a lot of mac and cheese bites, and Stouffer’s makes the best. They’re stuffed with loads of gooey cheese, big, fluffy pieces of elbow macaroni, and they have a coating that makes them taste a lot like the breadcrumb-topped baked mac and cheese people crave.

Read the full ranking of the best mac and cheese bites

Trader Joe’s Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions

Trader Joe’s sells a lot of good frozen apps, but these are a standby. The cheese and caramelized onions are a delicious blend of sweet and salty flavors—and the little pastry cups are perfectly bite-sized, so you can scarf them down without paying too much attention to how many you’ve had (as we said, appetite-ruining is encouraged!). If you do choose to make these part of your Thanksgiving appetizers spread, make sure you buy extra—these things go fast.

Read the full ranking of the best Trader Joe’s frozen appetizers

Marketside Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Thanksgiving is all about tradition, for better or worse. And if we’re talking tradition, what other dip is more fitting to go with your fresh veggie platter or chips than our favorite spinach and artichoke dip? With three different cheeses and full chunks of artichoke in the mix, just make sure you don’t dip your fingers straight in there. Or do. Nothing like some outrage at the Thanksgiving table to kick off the festivities. 

Read the full ranking of the best spinach dip

MyThreeSons Pimento Cheese Emmy’s Original

Listen. There are certain truths we hold to be self-evident, and one of them is that you can never have too many dips on the Thanksgiving appetizers table. So why not add some pimento cheese to the mix? This creamy, decadent, pepper-speckled cheese spread is a surefire way to put a Southern twist on Thanksgiving, even if you’re thousands of miles away.

Read the full ranking of the best pimiento cheese

Trader Joe’s Natural Turkey Summer Sausage

Yes, it’s called summer sausage, but this stuff is for eating when the temps start to drop. Trader Joe’s Natural Turkey Summer Sausage topped our summer sausage ranking due to its unique flavor and blend of spices that make it just that much more interesting to eat. If you need something meaty to snack on before the turkey lands on the table, this turkey summer sausage is both delicious and on-theme. 

Read the full ranking of the best summer sausage

The post Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers from Our Many Taste Tests appeared first on Sporked.

Président Brie

A well-appointed appetizer table is essential to a good Friendsgiving. Especially when you have a friend group like I do. God forbid anyone gets anywhere on time! The beauty of stocking up on Friendsgiving appetizers at Costco is that you’ll have plenty of food to keep the early arrivals satiated until your “fashionably” late friends stumble through the door right before the turkey gets cold. Président’s Brie is perfect to simply plop on the table with some crackers and a nice summer sausage, but this would also be perf for baked brie, brie bites, or other recipes if you really love your friend group.

Read our ranking of the best brie

Cedarlane Foods Turkey Sausage & Herb Stuffing

Every Friendsgiving needs stuffing. And I’m not necessarily talking about the food! Ayy-oooo. Well, okay, in this instance I am talking about the food. When I was looking for what to buy at Costco for Friendsgiving, I found two stuffing options, but I quickly learned no two stuffings are the same. The other option was a dried stuffing, which I’m sure tastes great and is plenty easy to prepare, but you gotta love a Friendsgiving side dish you can just pop in the oven. Plus, this stuffing has turkey sausage—even the best instant stuffing can’t hang with that.

Read our ranking of the best instant stuffing mix

Noel Consorcio Serrano Ham Reserva Leg

If you’re busting out this entire leg of jamon serrano for Friendsgiving (it costs around 120 bucks), then you are certainly in another tax bracket than me. But please do invite me over. This is swanky. This is elegance. This should require an online course to properly dish it out. But it doesn’t, so you can just throw it in your cart at Costco and hope for the best! You never know what you’ll find through those doors and I find that so beautiful.

Wellington Bites by Chef Gordon Ramsay

Okay, if an entire ham leg isn’t in your budget, you can still add a little cheffy flair to the Friendsgiving spread without going broke. Gordon Ramsay’s Wellington bites are classy and you don’t even have to futz with any puff pastry. Costco makes it easy to cook Gordon Ramsey’s signature dish and in a poppable form, which is scientifically proven to make eating 200% more enjoyable.

Read our ranking of all the Gordon Ramsay frozen meals

The Snak Yard Sweet Potato Sticks

Sweet potato casserole is a classic for a reason, but who says classics can’t be upgraded?! What do you think of pairing these dried sweet potato sticks with a big ole jar of marshmallow fluff?? All the flavors and none of the hassle! Unfortunately, Costco doesn’t sell five gallon buckets of marshmallow fluff in their stores, so you’ll have to get a more reasonably sized container at your local supermarket. Probably for the best!

Read our ranking of the best marshmallows

Darigold Classic Eggnog

You might turn some heads when you pull out a carton of eggnog from Costco this early in the year, but there are no rules for Friendsgiving! I like to think of it as the perfect way to usher in the holiday season. Pour everyone a glass and raise a toast to the time you’re about to spend with friends and family—not to mention that bitchin’ annual bonus you’re about to get. Then you can buy that ham leg!

Read our ranking of the best eggnog

Delizza Patisserie Belgian Mini Cream Puffs

See, poppable foods are in! My mouth. Poppable foods are in my mouth because they’re just too damn easy to eat. While there are quite possibly too many dessert options at Costco to bring to a Friendsgiving, I finally landed on these mini cream puffs. Your job as a friend group is to bring as much food to share as humanly possible so there’s no feasible way anyone will have room for dessert. Enter the mini cream puff. These things are transportable! And poppable! (Did I mention they’re poppable?)

Soul of Spain Wine Box

I know very little about wine. When it comes to pairing wine varietals with certain dishes, I’m as clueless as Alicia Silverstone. Soul of Spain wine seems to have solved all of my issues by creating one simple box with five options. I’m popping open all five bottles and just letting my Friendsgiving guests choose their own adventure. That’s the power of buying in bulk from Costco!

The post What to Buy at Costco for Friendsgiving appeared first on Sporked.

And we have good news because two new Cheez-Its just dropped: Cheez-It Smoked Cheddar and Cheez-It Smoked Gouda. I know the saying is smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, but did Cheez-It nail it? We tasted both new flavors to find out.

New Product!

Smoked Cheddar Cheez-It

Instacart

If you like classic Cheez-Its—naked cheese crackers with a tasteful sprinkle of salt—these might be a bit much for you. As soon as you open the box, you can see they’re very coated in flavor dust—which, hey, some people probably love!

Pros: If someone handed me an unlabeled box of these, I would guess they are bacon-cheddar Cheez-Its. That flavor profile already exists in Duoz form and while I didn’t taste these head-to-head with those, I think it’s safe to say these have a similar vibe. 

Cons: As I mentioned, these are very flavor blasted. That might be a pro for some people (lookin’ at you, Jordan Myrick and Mythical Chef Josh), but for me it’s a bit much. I love the flavor of Cheez-It crackers and all that powder makes it tough to taste the cracker itself. These have a very powerful fake cheese flavor that settles a little as you eat. Sure, they taste like smoked cheddar, but they taste like that really fakey, squishy smoked cheddar you get in a Hickory Farms box that can inexplicably be stored at room temperature.

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

New Product!

Smoked Gouda Cheez-It

Instacart

These new Cheez-Its are also coated in flavor powder, but it’s a much more manageable amount. They’re a more subdued version of a smoked cheese Cheez-It—and they’re good.

Pros: These really taste like smoked gouda! The combo of the deep, cheesy flavor of the cracker with the dusting of flavor powder is absolutely addictive. They’re smoky, they’re a little funky. They would taste really good with some sliced-up summer sausage. The smoke is more restrained, but it’s definitely there. I had a friend over and we absolutely plowed through this box of crackers while we watched junk on TV. Oh, and the box we got had a lot of overcooked crackers (dream scenario!), which made them taste even more delicious.

Cons: If you’re a Cheez-It purist who does like flavor powder or the addition of smoke flavoring, these will probably be too weird for you. But if you like to mix things up, give these a shot.

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

The post We Tried 2 New Cheez-Its Flavors: Smoked Cheddar and Smoked Gouda appeared first on Sporked.

Hold on, are you saying that Lay’s Crunch Tators chips are back?

Oh yeah! Our boy is back. And he’s back in three flavors: Cowboy, Naked, and Spicy Naked. Oh, sorry, I was just talking about that little alligator mascot again. Lay’s Crunch Tators chips are back in Mighty Mesquite, Original, and Hoppin’ Jalapeño. And while Original and Mighty Mesquite Crunch Tators have been spotted during the last two holiday seasons in Dollar General stores, the Hoppin’ Jalapeño flavor is here for the first time since the ’90s. Previous releases appeared to be contained to a few random stores across the United States, but my guess is that you’ll have more luck finding them this year, as they’re already being spotted at Dollar General stores nationwide. And, naturally, people are thrilled.

For those of you who were merely a glimmer in their parents’ eyes when Lay’s Crunch Tators were on shelves the first time around, one of the things that’s kept their memory alive is that a bag of the chips can be spotted in the background in a scene in the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone (when Kevin is “eating junk and watching rubbish”). They’re also fondly remembered for their unique texture—they were extra crunchy kettle chips before Kettle became a household name. As one Instagram commenter aptly put it, “I love em, but my teeth dont.” But if you think that you can handle the crunch, visit your nearest Dollar General store now to find the three flavors for a limited time. Enjoy yourself, you filthy animal!

The post What’s That Sound? These Super-Crunchy ’90s Chips Are Back in Stores appeared first on Sporked.

We stocked up on all sorts of marshmallows—gigantic ones intended for s’mores, itty-bitty ones for hot cocoa and casseroles, and regular ol’ marshmallows for toasting over a fire. We tried all the marshmallows at room temperature and toasted, not over an open flame (we work in an office, not the wilderness) but briefly broiled in our trusty countertop oven. 

We were looking for marshmallows with some bite—they shouldn’t be total mush—and a pleasant, vanilla-tinged flavor. We also wanted marshmallows that toasted nicely without turning to liquid or taking on a chemical aftertaste once they were browned. Some marshmallows we liked at room temp tasted really bad once they were toasted. Those didn’t make the cut. What we have here are the best of the best marshmallows, including the best vegan marshmallows, the best mini marshmallows, and, of course, the best marshmallows for s’mores.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Fruity Marshmallows

Jet-Puffed Fruity Fun

Instacart

I have to be totally honest: I don’t know what fruity marshmallows are for. I mean, I bet you could make some pretty fun Rice Krispies Treats with these, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen them in the wild. Maybe they’re just for snacking? That’s fine! Anyway, if you came here looking for the best fruity marshmallows, we can tell you that Jet-Puffed makes fruit-flavored marshmallows that taste much better than the generic brands we tried. These come in three flavors: Orange, Strawberry, and Lemon & Lime. They all taste good separately and even better together. The fruit flavors aren’t overpowering, but you can actually taste them, which is more than I can say for some of the generic fruity marshmallows we tried. If you think the best marshmallows taste a lil like Froot Loops, give these little suckers a shot. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Mini Marshmallows

Dandies Vanilla Flavored Mini Vegan Marshmallows

Instacart

Spoiler: Dandies makes the best vegan marshmallows (see #3 on this list), but the company also makes the best mini marshmallows overall (which happen to be vegan). They’re a little bit denser than other mini marshmallows, but I think that’s a good thing. They’ll heat nicely on top of a casserole without turning to soup. They’ll hold up a little longer in a cup of hot chocolate. Mini marshmallows should have a little more body! Both Jet-Puffed or Kroger make tasty mini marshmallows, too, but these are a more inclusive purchase since they don’t contain gelatin. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Snack

Stuffed Puffs Classic Milk Chocolate Filled Marshmallows

Walmart

Stuffed Puffs are great in theory. Chocolate-stuffed marshmallows you can simply toast and stuff between a couple of graham crackers? Easily the best marshmallows for s’mores, right? Well, not quite, because when we tried these heated up, the chocolatey center didn’t really melt the way we hoped it would. Still, the flavor is really incredible. The milk chocolate stuffed in the middle provides a nice contrast to the one-note sweetness of the marshmallow itself. Yo, I dipped these in coffee and they were great. Keep them around for snacking purposes. And go ahead and use them for s’mores, but just try to melt the marshmallow slowly so the chocolate interior gets melty, too. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Marshmallows for S’mores

Jet-Puffed S’more Vanilla Marshmallows

Target

Jet Puffed S’more Vanilla marshmallows are ethereal, square-shaped pillows with a lovely hint of vanilla flavor. The flavor is great, and these marshmallows are much more sizable than the Jet Puffed original. These are made for s’mores, and we really do think they are the best marshmallows for s’mores. Are they so big that they will most certainly ooze out over the edges of a graham cracker sandwich? Most certainly.There’s potential for it to be a mess, but there’s also potential to achieve the perfect s’more with these guys. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Vegan Marshmallows

Dandies Vanilla Flavored Vegan Marshmallows

Instacart

These vegan marshmallows are much sweeter than other marshmallows. They are a little stiffer and don’t have the same sort of give when you bite into them. But if you don’t eat gelatin, you’re gonna love these. The center is so decadent. And they taste like something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I asked my colleague, Mythical Chef Josh Scherer to weigh in, and he suggested Circus Peanuts—I think he might be onto something. The texture is definitely a bit Circus Peanut adjacent. They’re lovely! Roasted, they’re excellent. And they’re less runny than regular marshmallows, which is nice. I think you could totally replace your regular marshmallows with these vegan marshmallows and no one would know the difference. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Marshmallows for Toasting

Jet-Puffed Marshmallows

Instacart

I tried these alongside a lot of generic brands of marshmallows and they’re basically perfect, but our #1 pick for the best marshmallows just have more marshmallow flavor. These are still a gold standard, though. They’re so light and airy. They’re sticky on the outside—stickier than other brands—which means they brown nicely when you roast them over a fire. But if you’re just raw dogging marshmallows or making Rice Krispies Treats, Kroger would be my first choice. You won’t regret buying Jet-Puffed, though, especially because you aren’t tasting the marshmallows head to head. I heated these in the toaster oven and they taste better toasted than any of the other marshmallows we tried. They get VERY nice and brown on the outside and the caramelization tastes excellent. Grab some skewers—these are the best marshmallows for your next bonfire. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Kroger Marshmallows

Ralphs

Okay, Jet-Puffed marshmallows are great, but I swear these Kroger marshmallows have a richer marshmallow flavor than Jet-Puffed, and they’re also less sticky despite being just as sweet. Some marshmallows aren’t sweet enough. Some are too dense. These are just as light and airy as Jet-Puffed, but they have a nicer flavor. They taste exactly like Lucky Charms marshmallows—super sweet and vanilla-y—but soft and squishy instead of crunchy. We actually tasted Lucky Charms-branded marshmallows and these taste more like Lucky Charms marshmallows. Toasted, these taste almost as good as the Jet-Puffed but not quite, so while they’re definitely the best marshmallows to melt into Rice Krispies or to munch on as a snack. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Happy Belly, Good & Gather, Stuffed Puffs Chocolate on Chocolate, Stuffed Puffs Cookies n’ Cream, Great Value, Yummallo Vegan, Yummallo Unicorn Poop, Frankford Sour Patch Kids, Campfire Giant Roasters, Great Value Marshmallows, Great Value Mini Marshmallows, Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows.

The post The Best Marshmallows for S’mores, Bonfires, Casseroles, and More appeared first on Sporked.

Aries (March 21-April 19): Cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles

It doesn’t get more quintessentially Ruffles than Cheddar & Sour Cream. If you were to ask a random person to tell you their favorite Ruffles flavor, they would probably choose this one (probably because this is the only one they know about). Similarly, Aries people are popular, love to be number one, and are also bright orange and cheesy (especially when they get a spray tan while telling dad jokes)—certainly the Cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles of people.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Ruffles Queso

What is more comforting than queso? Well, nothing. But if I had to choose something, it would be a hug and a long chat with a Taurus friend. They just know how to diffuse the tension in any room and turn any situation chill, and thus have to be Queso Ruffles.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Flamin’ Hot Cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles

What’s this? The two most iconic Ruffles flavors coming together to make one even more iconic, even Rufflier mega flavor bomb? Geminis all have a spicy side, and a cheesy side, and this chip perfectly embodies that Gemini spirit. The light and dark, the red and orange, the chaos and the cheese.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Jalapeño Ranch Ruffles

Now, your first thought upon seeing this is probably, “WHHHAT?!?! These exist?” and your second thought is probably, “Hmmmmmm, I don’t know that I want peppers jalap-in-my ranch.” Then your third thought is probably, “Let’s try them!” and once you do you will see that you should never judge a Ruffle by its cover, because these bad boys will surprise you with their bold flavor and tang. They may not be bright orange, but they pack a punch. Likewise, Cancers may not seem all that exciting at first glance but talk to them for even five seconds and you will find out just how wrong you were.

Leo (July 23-August 22): Flamin’ Hot Ruffles

I mean, come on. Bright red? Check. Flames on the bag? Check. Famously one of the most popular flavors of chips or literally any snack ever? Triple check. Flamin’ Hot snacks get a lot of attention and we all know who else would love that kind of spotlight.

Virgo (August 23-September 22): Original Ruffles

Original Ruffles are so dang good, but more importantly, they are practical. Why? Because they are a delightfully greasy and salty vehicle for literally any dip. Spinach and artichoke? Slaps. French onion dip? Made for ruffles. Queso? Bean dip? Buffalo chicken dip? Yes, yes, and yes. Our lovely type-A Virgos can rest easy with these chips knowing that whichever dip they choose for the party, Original Ruffles will pair beautifully.

Libra (September 23-October 22): Lime & Jalapeño Ruffles

These chips are the definition of salt, fat, acid, and heat, and there are few things more Libra than that delicate balancing act, except maybe trying to organize a dinner party with multiple friend groups or dipping your pretzels in Nutella.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21): Korean-Style Sweet Chili Ruffles

These were out for a limited time earlier this year, truly killed the game, and then disappeared back into the potato chip flavor development ether forever. Where did they come from? Where did they go? If your name is Cotton Eye Joe, you legally have to tell us where these sweet chili chips went. But I digress. The point is they were tasty, fleeting, and oh-so mysterious, with a delicious yet hard-to-pin-down flavor profile and a super quick run on shelves. The whole thing is VERY Scorpio of them, and we are here for it.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21): All-Dressed Ruffles

What do you get if you cross an elephant with a rhino?

‘Ell if rhi know!

What spices and flavors go into all-dressed chips?

Same answer.

But Sagittarians are all about seeking knowledge, new adventures, and following their curiosity wherever it takes them, so I bet curious Sagittarians (or Canadian ones, at least) have tried these bad boys and can pinpoint exactly what is going on with them flavor-wise. Is it a combo of all chip flavors? Is it just BBQ and salt and vinegar and ketchup? Only true Sagittarians know (or you can find out here).

Capricorn (December 22-January 19): Sour Cream & Onion Ruffles

What is more classic than a sour cream and onion chip? Very little. Maybe that song by MKTO but honestly can’t think of much else. And seeing as Capricorns’ claim to fame is being classic, mature, sophisticated old souls, Sour Cream & Onion Ruffles seem like the perfect match.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18): Sour Cream ‘N Bacon Ruffles

I had not heard of this chip flavor before today (because I am not Canadian), but it sounds as innovative and revolutionary as it sounds divine. This is not unlike our queens of innovation and out-of-the-box thinking: Aquarians. Aquarians are not like the other girls and, gosh darn it, these Sour Cream ‘N Bacon Ruffles are not like the other chips. Match made in heaven. Also, can I just say, this is the last straw. Canada had truly been holding out on us for too long and now I think I may have to visit just to try these chips (along with the rest of my Canada bucket list: Mooses, Poutine, those dudes with the fun hats).

Pisces (February 19-March 20): Flamin’ Hot BBQ Ruffles

Pisces are not just spicy, they are so much deeper than that, much like these Flamin’ Hot BBQ Ruffles, which are spicy, yes, but they also have a bunch of classic BBQ chip warm spices and complex flavors that make them uniquely spicy AND nostalgic—the most Pisces combo of traits that I ever did see, if I do say so myself.

The post What Ruffles Flavor Are You based on your Zodiac Sign? appeared first on Sporked.

Are Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle Cheetos Really Dropping? 

According to the r/snacking Reddit, a Facebook post depicting a green and black bag featuring Chester Cheetah holding a pickle began circulating about a week ago, and ever since then crazed Cheetoheads have been trying to crack the code of if and when this new flavor will be dropping. 

A Facebook user claiming to be a Frito Lay worker commented on the post, saying, “They will be out as a limited-time only item in February.” Alas, even my Gen-Z internet-detective skills are no match for the challenge of verifying if any part of their claims are true—but Instagram user snackolator, who has proven to be a relatively reliable source, is also reporting that these spicy dill pickle snacks are on their way to shelves in February 2025. Can’t believe everything you see on Facebook—or can you? 

No, Really, Is This Real?

It’s not like we haven’t been faced with this debacle before. Thanks to stunts like Lay’s very real IHOP and very possible Cap’n Crunch collaborations, we here at Sporked are quite familiar with the work of major companies trying to trot out product excitement whether or not the product is even released. Ever heard of the hit marketing strategy “post an edit of the flavor you’re considering releasing online and see what the people say before you actually release it?” Hey, now you have. 

Though we don’t know if this is exactly what Cheetos is doing (or if it’s just a Facebook user with some really good Photoshop skills playing a massive prank on all the foodies on the internet, which would be kind of mean), it’s not stopping the rumor mill from churning out new content every day. Touche, Cheetos (or random Facebook user who’s really good at Photoshop. Touche). 

The post Is Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickles Cheetos Really Happening? appeared first on Sporked.

Kellogg’s Squishmallows Cereal

When it comes to gimmicky products, I typically keep my expectations low—especially when it comes to cereal. Still, this cereal is pretty perfect for parents to buy for their Squishmallow-loving kids. It’s apparently a lot like Lucky Charms—frosted cereal pieces mixed with crunchy little marshmallows—and there’s nothing wrong with that (besides the obvious: Why aren’t the marshmallows squishy??). The last thing you want is a tantrum in the morning when your kids don’t like eating the breakfast you cooked for them. Just give in and serve them what they really want: A bowl of sugary cereal.

Read our ranking of the best cereal for kids

Coconut Chocolate Pocky

Sometimes, the best things to buy at Costco are those products that just missed what you’d think would be their target season, like the time they released a dreamsicle-inspired dessert at the end of summer. They’re at it again with this tropical Pocky that would have been a perfect complement to a coconut cocktail. Instead, these Coconut Chocolate Pocky—one of Sporked’s favorite Pocky flavors—are one of the best things to buy at Costco in chilly November. Who woulda thunk it!

Read the full ranking of the best Pocky flavors

Kirkland Maple Butter Pecan Bar Cake

Okay, and now for a highly seasonally appropriate Costco treat: Kirkland Maple Butter Pecan Bar Cake. Maple and pecan are two flavors you simply can’t get enough of during fall and winter, so this cake seems like a no brainer to add to your list of what to buy at Costco in November. It’s made of vanilla sponge, a maple flavored buttercream mousse, and a layer of pecan praline. Insane. Bring it to a gathering and pass it out, or keep it in your fridge and slowly chisel away at it until your next trip back to Costco. You kind of can’t go wrong.

Read our ranking of the best Costco bakery items

Heritage Specialty Foods Lasagna Soup

Now this is a winter dinner. It comes refrigerated and you get two pouches of lasagna soup in a box. It’s got those good crinkly noodles, beef, Italian sausage, in a tomatoey base. It seems like the kind of stuff that could warm you up enough to save some money on your heating bill. I can hear thermostat-obsessed dads everywhere rushing out to Costco as we speak.

Read our roundup of the best soup

Royal Asia Thai Fried Bananas

I really don’t like frying anything in my kitchen. I also don’t have a recipe handy for Thai fried bananas in coconut and sesame seed batter. So I truly lucked out with this next new Costco product to pick up this month. It’s just icing on the cake that these bananas come with both a coconut cream sauce and a caramel honey sauce all in one easy box in the frozen aisle of Costco. They really thought of everything—but don’t forget the vanilla ice cream.

East Coast Seafood Lobster Sliders

So your favorite tiny shack by the sea closed up shop for the winter? Don’t worry, Costco’s got you covered. These sliders may be tiny in stature but every last ounce of them is carefully crafted to blast your brain with flavor. Brioche slider rolls are filled with lobster meat and a heaping serving of lobster butter so you don’t have to go digging around your spice cabinet to add anything extra. Just heat it up and scarf it down in .5 seconds.

La Boulangerie Smoked Ham & Swiss Cheese Pockets

I’m a sucker for convenience and it doesn’t get much more convenient than this. And I really mean it. This box comes with six (!) sets of cooking instructions—so you can kind of heat them however you want. Then comes the price. Are you kidding me?! A ham and cheese croissant would cost me what a whole box of eight of these beauts cost at Costco.

The post What to Buy at Costco in November appeared first on Sporked.

Trust me when I tell you, SO MUCH. A lot of the best football snacks are actually vegetarian, and to help you pick the best ones we have created this list of the best vegetarian game day snacks. So whether you are a tailgating type or a chillin’-on-the-couch-alone-with-a-bowl-of-chips type, this list has a snack you’ll love. So let’s get (first) down to business and talk vegetarian snacks for game day.

Good Foods Spicy Chunky Guacamole

Is it a punt (get it?) to include a snack that’s always vegetarian on our list of the best vegetarian game day snacks? Maybe. But hear us out: You gotta have good guac on the menu. Everyone likes it—omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. And the fact of the matter is that a lot of store bought guac tastes bad! But before you bust out the molcajete to make your own, give this spicy guac a shot. It’s slightly spicy, it tastes fresher than most premade guac—and it doesn’t have tomatoes (decide for yourself if that’s a W or an L). Plus, it’s naturally vegetarian so everyone will know it’s safe to dig in.

Read the full ranking of the best store bought guacamole

Daring Buffalo Plant Chicken Wings

“Game day” and “wings” are as synonymous as two words can be—and thanks to these plant-based buffalo chicken wings, vegetarians don’t have to miss out on that staple of sports culture. Daring’s wings are vegan and gluten free, and they took the top spot in our vegan buffalo wings taste test because they have a bold Buffalo flavor and a surprisingly meat-like texture. Plus, you won’t find chicken bones crumpled in a napkin on your end table two weeks after the big game.

Read the full ranking of the best vegan Buffalo wings

Trader Joe’s Mini Vegetable Samosas

When you think game day spreads, you think finger foods, right? You can’t exactly fork-and-knife it when you’re sitting on a sofa next to friends who keep spontaneously screaming and flying out of their seats. Trader Joe’s veggie samosas are a perfect vegetarian finger food, and so much more fun than yet another veggies-and-dip platter.

Read the full ranking of the best Trader Joe’s frozen appetizers

MorningStar Veggie Corn Dogs

Corn dogs are another classic American staple that are closely associated with sports. But much like most other game day foods, a tasty vegetarian corn dog is pretty hard to come by. MorningStar is your best bet when it comes to fun, easy, vegetarian foods on a stick. With the right condiment pairings, your meat-eaters won’t even be able to tell them from real corn dogs. 

Read the full ranking of the best corn dogs

Kite Hill Spinach Artichoke Dip

Okay, this is another dip that’s pretty much always vegetarian, but what we’re recommending here is even more inclusive for your vegetarian game day snacks spread: yup, vegan spinach artichoke dip. This almond milk-based dip is dairy free, soy free, gluten free, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and it’s made from live cultures. This stuff is thick, so spring for some pita chips to go with.

Read the full ranking of the best spinach dip

The post The Best Vegetarian Game Day Snacks appeared first on Sporked.