If you are in the mood for a unique snack that isn’t your run-of-the-mill potato chips or pretzels, here are 15 of the most underrated snacks in America. In some areas of the country, these snacks are virtually unheard of. Which ones have you tried?
Cheese Curds
If you live near the Midwest, cheese curds are likely something you’ve had before. A cheese curd is a young cheddar that hasn’t been aged and was separated from the whey while it was being produced. Many people like to fry their cheese cards to make this underrated snack even more delicious.
Boiled Peanuts
Although popular in the south, boiled peanuts are underrated in the rest of the country. Boiled peanuts are soft, salty, and different from other peanuts you have had.
Sesame Sticks
Sesame sticks are great for dipping and have sort of lost their popularity through the years. A sesame stick is crunchy and savory at the same time, it's more of a cracker than a chip but a unique snack.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds can be eaten alone as a snack, or you can put them on salads and even on yogurt. The seeds are roasted and seasoned, and you can find them all year long, not just in the fall.
Rice Cakes with Avocado
Rice cakes alone can be a little bland. However, when you spread a creamy avocado on them, it makes for a great snack. Play around with the flavor of rice cake you try this with, and you’ll see that this is most certainly an underrated snack.
Edamame
Here's a snack that’s a great choice if you are looking for something a little healthier. You can even get edamame already shelled, making it a super easy and light snack. Add some salt if you need something more savory, or just leave it plain.
Nuts and Raisins
Choose any nut you want, and mix it with some type of dried fruit. The mix doesn’t have to be prepackaged, but the combination is always good. Peanuts with raisins are a great place to start, and you can customize from there.
Wasabi Peas
If you like a little kick in your snack food, wasabi peas are a great option. These are crunchy and spicy and have a burst of wasabi heat that you won’t miss!
Corn Nuts
Corn nuts have had their fair share of popularity through the years, but they are still a bit underrated. With corn nuts, you can choose from a variety of flavors, but just make sure your teeth are ready; these guys are a little hard.
Seaweed Snacks
At first, seaweed may not seem like it will make it to the way of your best snacks list. However, if you haven’t given this one a try, it's worth it. Seaweed is light and salty, and its
light, salty, and with a distinctive umami flavor.
Dried Mango
Dried fruit, in general, can be a great snack. However, dried mango brings a unique, tangy and sweet flavor. The chewy texture makes this a fun snack to eat as well.
Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are so easy to make, and they are protein-packed. Customize the flavor you like and enjoy the crunch you can get from this fun snack.
Jerky
Jerky certainly isn’t as underrated as it once was. However, there are still large groups of people who have no idea how great of a snack jerky can be. If you want something that’s got some salt and protein, jerky is the way to go.
Fried Plantains
More popular in Latin America and the Caribbean, fried plantains are a fun snack that can be both sweet and savory. Pick your flavor and enjoy this very underrated snack.
Sourdough Pretzels
With the current sourdough craze, you can get your hands on some sourdough starter and create sourdough pretzels. The flavor is unique, and you can pair it with great mustard if that’s your kind of thing!
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