Our Resident Snack Master Shares Top 2025 Pantry Picks

You may not see them in a store near you, but you’ll easily find them online.

Published January 03, 2025

AARP (Irvins, Ashapops, Endangered Species Chocolate, Bee Free, Whitney Jordan Naturals, Getty Images)

Imagine a land where 6-foot-tall Sour Patch Kids roam, chocolate fountains flow and Mr. P (of Pringles fame) wants to shake your hand and tell you about his newest flavor. Everywhere you look, sweet or savory snacks beckon: Mega M&M’s three times the size of the original gems, dill pickle-flavored gluten-free pretzels, jars of handmade, small-batch peanut butter crammed with white-chocolate cheesecake, rainbow sprinkles and chopped frosted circus cookies.

Friends, I have been to this magical land. It was the annual Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indiana, where more than 1,000 exhibitors gathered last June (National Candy Month) to debut their newest sweet, salty and sour offerings. After a gut-busting day of taste-testing, I head home with loaded bags of products and started sampling — my kids happy to help Mom with this particularly delicious aspect of her job.

I asked Indianapolis-based dietitian and personal trainer Wan Na Chun, MPH, RD, CPT and owner of One Pot Wellness if she encountered any products at this year’s expo that she thought would be ideal for Gen-X women like myself, most of whom were raised on Pixie Stix and Hostess Ding Dongs.

These are her picks:

Mae’s Apple Pie Warrior Snack Mix by BeeFree

Almonds are the first ingredient in this nutrient-dense mix (FYI: The first ingredient listed on a nutrition label is present in the most significant amount), along with pumpkin and sunflower seeds. All three provide protein for maintaining muscle mass and bone health, fiber for regularity and gut wellness and healthy fats to keep hunger pangs at bay throughout the day. With a touch of sweetness courtesy of honey and dried apples; it’s low in sugar, gluten- and grain-free and has a texture similar to crumbled granola bars. Enjoy it sprinkled on Greek yogurt, dunked in nut butter or straight from the bag.

Chocxo Dark Chocolate Lemon Crème Cups

Lemon-infused white chocolate filling enrobed in a 72 percent dark chocolate shell? Yes, please. These babies are individually wrapped for portion control and contain just 4 grams of sugar per cup (your typical chocolate PB cup has 11). They’re also made with sustainably sourced organic cocoa if you’re big on the environment. (According to the 2024 International Food Information Council Food & Health Survey, 37 percent of Gen Xers say a food’s climate friendliness influences their purchasing decisions.)

Cheddies Classic Cheddar Cheesy Crackers

Stop stealing your kids’ Goldfish snacks and try these savory cheddar-filled bad boys instead. Clocking in at 6 grams of protein per serving, they have twice the protein of most cheese crackers. Chun notes that each serving provides 8 percent of your daily calcium needs, vital for bone health. They’re free from artificial flavors and synthetic colors, and the company notes that they utilize better-for-the-planet farming techniques that reduce agricultural impact.

SimplyProtein Tortilla Chips

Level up your chips and guac game with these Sea Salt and Hint of Lime chips. Each 1-ounce serving (about 14 chips) provides 7 grams of plant-based protein, which Chun says “helps increase feelings of fullness and satisfaction,” supporting healthy weight management.

…Plus, Some Quirky Snacks That Caught My Eye:

Irvins Salmon Skin Snacks

Nicknamed “pork rinds of the sea,” these crispy small-batch snacks are made from salmon skins, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein (8 to 10 grams per serving). In unexpected flavors like Salted Egg, Smoked Cheese and Sour Cream & Onion (light versions have less cholesterol and sodium than the original), they reduce waste by upcycling part of salmon that might otherwise go to waste.

Endangered Species Grab & Go

There are all sorts of dark chocolate goodies including one with a raspberry filling. A kale salad they’re not, but not every snack needs to be an anti-inflammatory powerhouse.

Crackerology Red Wine & Rosemary Snackable Kit

With savory red wine crackers, cheese shmear, raspberry jam and a crunchy nut topping, this kit makes it easy to throw a last-minute girlfriend get-together without having to race to the store — just add your beverage of choice. Other kits include White Wine & Basil and Fiesta Forever.

Whitney Jordan Naturals Air-Dried Persimmon Slices

I’ve never met a fruit I didn’t like (other than papaya, the devil’s fruit), so I was excited to try persimmons for the first time. They taste a touch like honey, not overly sweet (the company’s president describes them as “mango without the tart”) and four pieces yield 4 grams of fiber — more than prunes! Pair them with trail mix or add them to your next charcuterie board; the protein and fiber will help balance the sugars in the fruit.

AshaPops

For serious hand-to-mouth action with a fresh twist, these popped seeds (they come from a type of Indian water lily) are more sophisticated than your everyday popcorn and deliver a little 2-gram hit of plant-based protein, too. In flavors like Turmeric Garlic Chili and Vegan Cheese, the crunchy spherical puffs check all the “No” boxes you could have. (No gluten, grains, corn or soy, non-GMO, yes vegan and Paleo.)

Issei Mochi Gummies

My animal rights activist older daughter misses gummy bears (almost all gummy snacks are made with gelatin), so I was psyched to give her these plant-based vegan alternatives. Like the ancient Japanese mochi dessert, they’re made with rice, which lends a soft, chewy texture and come in flavors like Yuzu, Sour Watermelon and Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberry.

What is YOUR go-to healthy snack? Let us know in the comments below.

Leslie Goldman is a Chicago-based writer who covers all things health, wellness, women and parenting. She is a regular contributor to AARP's TheGirlfriend.com, as well as O: The Oprah Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents and more. Her grandfather invented jogging, and Beyonce once touched her elbow. Read more of her work at lesliegoldmanwrites.com.