The Best American Candy to Try in NZ
American candy is known for big flavours, bright colours and fun formats – theatre boxes, sour drums, gummies and chocolate-coated bites. Here are the American candies we stock at International Sweets, and how to choose between them.
What makes American candy different?
A lot of American candy comes in shareable theatre boxes – the size you'd pick up at the movies – and the flavours tend to go big: very fruity, very sour or very sweet. For anyone who grew up in the US it's a taste of home, and for everyone else it's a fun way to try something new.
Our picks of American candy to try in NZ
1. Mike and Ike – chewy fruit candy
Soft, chewy fruit-flavoured candies from Just Born, in 120g theatre boxes. Start with Mega Mix (ten fruit flavours in one box) or Berry Blast. If you like it sour, try Mega Mix Sour. See all Mike and Ike.
2. Toxic Waste – extremely sour candy
Hard candy with a very sour coating and fruit flavour underneath. Try the Nuclear Fusion Drum 42g, or Slime Licker for a roll-on sour liquid candy. Start with one piece and follow the warning on the pack. See all Toxic Waste.
3. Cookie Dough Bites – chocolate-coated
Taste of Nature Cookie Dough Bites are bite-sized cookie dough coated in milk chocolate, in 88g theatre boxes – Choc Chip or Peanut Butter. Their Muddy Bears are fruity gummy bears coated in milk chocolate. See all Taste of Nature.
4. Albanese – soft, juicy gummies
Albanese 12 Flavor Gummi Bears mix twelve fruit flavours in one bag, and True to Fruit Exotic Fruits go tropical. See all Albanese.
5. Hot Tamales – cinnamon candy
Chewy cinnamon-flavoured candies with a spicy kick, from the makers of Mike and Ike. See Hot Tamales.
6. Hostess Twinkies – a lunchbox classic
Not strictly candy, but an American favourite: golden sponge cake with a creamy filling. See Hostess Twinkies.
Candy-flavoured drinks and spicy snacks
WarHeads sour sodas put the sour-candy kick in a can, and Kool-Aid Soda turns the drink mix into a fizzy bottle. For something savoury, Takis are the rolled tortilla chips with a chilli kick.
Other American candy classics
You might also know Jolly Rancher hard candies, Sour Patch Kids, Reese's peanut butter cups, Twizzlers, Skittles, Starburst, Airheads and Laffy Taffy. We don't stock these at the moment – see our American candy range for what's available now.
How to choose
- Chewy and fruity: Mike and Ike
- Sour: Toxic Waste or Mike and Ike Mega Mix Sour
- Chocolatey: Cookie Dough Bites and Muddy Bears
- Gummies: Albanese
- A bit of heat: Hot Tamales (cinnamon) or Takis (chips)
Good to know
Imported American candy can differ from versions sold elsewhere, so check the pack for ingredients and allergen information. Some items are dated stock, priced to clear – the best-before date is on each product page.
We deliver anywhere in New Zealand: flat-rate $7.90, $9.00 rural, free over $120. Browse all American candy or everything in American food.