Buying Guide
Best American Snacks in UK Supermarkets
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In short
American snacks have properly landed on UK supermarket shelves. It used to be Oreos and Pringles and not much else; now it's Takis, Cheetos Flamin' Hot, Reese's, and Pop-Tarts too, all sitting in mainstream supermarkets at prices that won't sting. Below is what's on shelf right now, sorted by retailer.
Why Do American Snacks Cost More in the UK?
Genuine US imports attract customs duties and transport costs on top of the shelf price, before the retailer marks up. That's why specialist American candy shops charge £3–6 for a single bag.
The snacks you find at Aldi, Morrisons, and Iceland are a different story. Cheetos Flamin' Hot, for instance, are manufactured in the UK by Walkers, PepsiCo's UK snack arm, so they're priced like regular crisps. Same goes for officially distributed Takis, which Barcel Snacks UK manufactures to a UK-specific recipe.
If a bag is under £2 in a mainstream supermarket, you're looking at locally produced stock. If it's £4–6 in a specialist shop, that's a US import, sometimes worth it for exclusive flavours.
Crisps and Salty Snacks
Takis are the spiciest American arrival of recent years. The rolled corn tortilla chips, famous for their intense chilli and lime punch, are officially stocked at Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland, Aldi, and Farmfoods, and have also turned up in some Nisa Local stores. Fuego (the original) and Blue Heat are the most widely available flavours. Use the Takis Near Me search tool to find your nearest stockist by postcode, or see our complete UK Takis buying guide for the full breakdown.
Of the other major American crisp brands with genuine UK distribution, Cheetos Flamin' Hot are the closest heat match. Walkers brought them over under the PepsiCo deal, which means mainstream supermarket prices rather than import markups. The ridged Twisted variety is the better texture match to Takis; the Puffs are a softer, different experience.
Doritos have been here so long they barely feel American any more, but Chilli Heatwave is worth picking up if you want something in the Takis zone. Corn base, chilli seasoning, every supermarket shelf. Pringles cover the hot-and-smoky end with Hot & Spicy and Paprika, neither of which approaches Takis-level heat but both of which are widely available when nothing else fits.
For a fuller side-by-side of every Takis-adjacent option, see our Takis alternatives guide.
Chocolate and Candy
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the most successful American candy crossover in the UK. They've earned it, too: permanently stocked in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and most convenience stores. The chocolate-to-peanut-butter ratio is exactly why they've caught on here.
Bigger supermarkets carry the cups, pieces, and Reese's-branded bars. Look in the confectionery aisle, or near the checkouts for the single-cup impulse packs, or browse Reese's on Amazon UK Ad.
Hershey's chocolate bars and Kisses are available in Tesco and Asda. British chocolate fans often find Hershey's divisive: the tanginess comes from the Hershey Process, which gives the chocolate a distinctive sour note.
Still, it's an authentic American experience, and Kisses are an affordable novelty that kids tend to love. Usually shelved in the American snacks or world foods section, or browse Hershey's on Amazon UK Ad.
M&Ms and Skittles are American brands (both Mars group) that have been here for years. The core ranges are in every supermarket. American-exclusive flavours and giant formats are available through Amazon UK and specialist importers.
Cookies and Biscuits
Oreos, which Mondelez bills as the world's best-selling cookie, are widely available in the UK. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl all carry the standard variety, with Tesco and Sainsbury's stocking Thins, Double Stuf, and rotating seasonal flavours.
UK Oreos are made to a slightly different recipe to their US counterpart: the filling-to-biscuit ratio and overall sweetness differ slightly, though most people can't tell. Usually in the biscuits aisle, occasionally in a dedicated American snacks section.
Breakfast and Pastry
Pop-Tarts are a permanent fixture in UK supermarkets. Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons all stock them, with Strawberry and Blueberry the most common flavours. They're best toasted; eating them cold dramatically undersells them. Look in the cereal or breakfast section.
Lucky Charms are available in larger Tesco and Asda stores, shelved in the world foods or cereals section. More of an occasional novelty at UK prices than a daily breakfast choice, but they're on mainstream shelves now, which wasn't true a few years ago.
Where to Find American Snacks in UK Supermarkets
- Tesco and Sainsbury's: broadest range. Most items on this list are stocked here permanently.
- Asda: strong for American candy, especially Reese's and Hershey's.
- Iceland: a surprisingly good source for American snacks, including Takis and Cheetos.
- Morrisons: stocks Takis, Reese's, and a growing American section in larger stores.
- Farmfoods and Aldi: reliable for Takis; other American products rotate in and out as special buys.
- Amazon UK Ad and Ocado: best for variety and harder-to-find flavours without visiting a specialist.
- American candy shops: retailers like American Fizz carry the widest ranges, including US-exclusive flavours unavailable in supermarkets.
Availability varies significantly by store size and region: a large out-of-town superstore will carry far more than a small city-centre branch.
Frequently asked questions
A wide range of American snacks are now stocked in mainstream UK supermarkets, including Takis, Cheetos Flamin' Hot (sold in the UK under the Walkers brand), Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Oreos, Pop-Tarts, Doritos, and Hershey's. Availability has grown significantly since around 2023.
Tesco and Sainsbury's have the broadest range of American snacks in the UK. Iceland is a surprisingly strong source, stocking Takis and Cheetos. Morrisons carries Takis, Reese's, and a growing American section in larger stores.
Yes. Takis have been sold at Morrisons, Co-op, Iceland, Farmfoods, and Aldi in the UK. Fuego and Blue Heat are the most widely available flavours. Use the Takis Near Me search tool to find your nearest stockist by postcode.
American Fizz carries the widest online range, including US-exclusive flavours not available in supermarkets. Amazon UK also stocks a broad selection. Online prices are generally higher than in-store.
Prices vary by product and retailer. Takis typically cost £1.49–£2.00 in Aldi, Morrisons, Co-op, Farmfoods and Iceland. US candy brands like Reese's and Hershey's generally run £1.50–£3.00. Specialist imports from American candy shops tend to cost more – typically £3–6 per bag or bar.
