24 Peeps Items Ranked From Worst To Best

Peeps very well might be the most polarizing candy in all the land. These marshmallow-based candies are made to look like baby chickens. Once formed, they're rolled around in colored sugar and then the chicks are given an eyeball made from wax. The first time you eat Peeps, you will either think it's the best candy or the worst candy — there's not much middle ground.

The history of Peeps dates back decades. When this candy was first developed back in 1953, one Peep took 27 hours to make. Since then, this candy has managed to become a fixture in America — particularly around Easter. On that holiday, colorful marshmallow chicks and bunnies are everywhere you look — and we have Peeps to thank for that phenomenon.

These days, Peeps can be found in a multitude of flavors and shapes, and Peeps have even been incorporated into other products. In this list, we'll rank Peeps items beginning with the worst and saving the best for last.

One of the strangest inventions of all-time has to be Sugar-Free Peeps. Regular Peeps are made almost entirely out of sugar. Unsurprisingly, the sugar-free version is a massive letdown. All the sugary goodness is gone and in its place is an overwhelming amount of obviously fake sweetness. The worst part about putting one of these things in your mouth has to be the chemical aftertaste.

It should be obvious to everyone that traditional Peeps aren't a healthy food for you to eat. Not only are they packed with sugar, they have a number of other questionable ingredients in them. But, no, these Sugar-Free Peeps are not the answer. They taste bad and they actually still have 50 calories per serving. Do yourself a favor and stay as far away as you can from this abomination of a candy.

There was understandably a lot of excitement when Hot Tamales Peeps were announced to the world. In theory, these Peeps should be spectacular and a big hit in the eyes of candy connoisseurs. Imagine the sweetness of Peeps counterbalanced by the fiery, cinnamon-powered greatness that is Hot Tamales. Your taste buds should experience a roller coaster of unending delight, right?

Tragically, reality isn't as tasty. Instead, Hot Tamales Peeps don't taste much like cinnamon at all. There is also no fiery kick to keep you entertained. Rather than being the best of both worlds, this candy tastes like an annoyingly chewy version of Hot Tamales that have inexplicably lost most of their flavor.

As it turns out, you'd be much better off to eat Peeps and Hot Tamales separately than to try to combine their forces. It was a noble attempt — but, ultimately, Hot Tamale Peeps are a failure that should be avoided. 

Much like Hot Tamales Peeps, the theoretical hope of what Peeps Cereal could be is much, much better than the actualized version. When this cereal was announced, fans of Peeps hoped that it would be a modernized and improved alternative to Lucky Charms. As it turns out, it's a cereal you may buy once for the novelty of it but you won't even consider buying twice.

The first problem is the sweetness of Peeps Cereal. Even if you have a sweet tooth that is head over heels for everything that is sugary, you too will be grossed out by how sweet this cereal becomes with each passing mouthful. You might enjoy your first bite, but the sugariness soon overpowers all of your senses, and you'll need to take a break.

To make matters worse, the marshmallows you're expecting in the Peeps Cereal are smaller and less prevalent than you're imagining. Before you finish your first bowl, you'll realize that Lucky Charms is a much superior cereal.

Peeps and cotton candy have a lot of things in common. Not only are both foods fun to eat and enjoyed by people of all ages, they are both primarily made of sugar and feature a unique texture. Unfortunately, their marriage is a rocky one. Cotton Candy Peeps aren't terrible, mind you, but there are definitely better Peeps options on the market.

The overriding issue is the texture. Compared to normal Peeps, Cotton Candy Peeps are harder and grittier. Perhaps that was by design, but the result is a treat that feels and tastes like it has gone stale. After you eat one of these Peeps, you'll be so sure that the piece of candy is old that you'll check the expiration date on the wrapper.

Unless eating stale bread is your idea of a good time, you can do a whole lot better than Cotton Candy Peeps. Move on to one of the items higher on this list.

Do you remember JELL-O Pudding Pops? Back in the 1980s, those frozen treats were hyped to the moon and back for supposedly replicating everything you like about chocolate pudding while placing it frozen on a stick to make it even easier to eat. However, Pudding Pops ended up being discontinued. Don't be surprised if Chocolate Pudding Peeps meet the exact same fate.

Though these things are edible, that's about as much praise as they deserve. When you first open the package of Chocolate Pudding Peeps, you'll be hopeful because it has a strong chocolatey smell. Sadly, once you put this candy to your lips, all your hopes and dreams disappear. The chocolate flavor is extremely mild. To compound the problem, the aftertaste has a pungent flavor that doesn't taste much like chocolate at all.

We were all wrong to rave about Pudding Pops in the '80s. In the 2020s, avoid a similar mistake and pick better Peeps.

If you can't get enough of the taste of blue raspberry, you can thank ICEEs for that invention. The flavor came to life in the 1950s and remains a favorite to this day. Compared to regular raspberry flavor, blue raspberry is a little bit different. It's difficult to put your finger on the exact difference but, at the very least, the flavor has more tartness to it.

That said, if you love blue raspberry, you will probably be underwhelmed by Blue Raspberry Peeps. These Peeps taste a lot more like regular raspberry than the blue raspberry flavor that we've grown to know and love over the last 60-plus years. There's a tiny amount of sourness at play but it's not enough to be especially pleasurable.

If you're craving blue raspberry, ignore these Peeps and go back to where it all started and get a blue raspberry Icee at your nearest corner store.

Like the previously mentioned Peeps Cereal, the problem with Fruit Punch Peeps is the staggering amount of sweetness you encounter with each and every bite. Eventually, you'll get tired of these Peeps and move on to something that won't inundate your taste buds with a relentless amount of sweetness.

Hawaiian Punch, which has a history dating back all the way to 1934, is the most comparable flavor to Fruit Punch Peeps. However, to get the real picture, imagine pouring yourself a glass of Hawaiian Punch and then adding about five tablespoons of sugar. If you stirred up that fruit punch and then took a big gulp, that's what Fruit Punch Peeps taste like.

If you're someone who thinks regular Hawaiian Punch isn't sweet enough, maybe you'll find joy in these super sweet Peeps. For everyone else on the globe, you won't want to eat more than one of these Fruit Punch Peeps.

Peeps Dipped in Milk Chocolate are the first Peeps on this list that can be fairly described as above average. These aren't the best of the best — but you also won't be dismayed if you give these bad boys a try.

This candy is just like regular Peeps except there is a layer of chocolate on the bottom. Truth be told, the chocolate will leave you feeling a little disappointed. First, there's hardly any chocolate. Second, the milk chocolate is needlessly sweet. Why use sweet milk chocolate when the Peeps are already sweet? Third, the texture is flimsy. Even worse, the chocolate melts all over your hands and makes a huge mess.

If you purchase Peeps Dipped in Milk Chocolate, consider popping them in the microwave. That may sound weird but the result is actually quite tasty. It will taste like you made s'mores without needing a campfire.

Savory sweets can be a gamble, especially when the flavor in question is anything popcorn related. Jelly Belly was able to pull off both buttered popcorn and caramel corn bean flavors that are remarkably faithful reproductions of their real-world counterparts. But that doesn't mean these flavors always pop. And when adding any flavor to a Peep, the tendency toward either sweet, tangy, or spicy flavors has been the preferred formula. What are the results of adding something sweet and savory at the same time?

Pretty deflating, it turns out. The flavor notes of corn and caramel are so faint, there's only a suggestion of real caramel corn. These Peeps carry the aroma of the flavors more than the tastes, which brings great anticipation when opening the package and great disappointment upon tasting. Repeated samplings did nothing to amp up the flavor, nor did eating more than one Peep at a time. While the concept is fun in theory, the execution is poor, resulting in a dud of a Peep without enough pep to pop. With Kettle Corn Peeps being a Kroger exclusive, the disa-Peep-ment may be kept to a minimum.

Peeps join the decorated egg bandwagon with marshmallow eggs dressed in their Easter Sunday best. In this instance, "Easter Sunday best" means stark white eggs with simple lines and dots piped on them. In years past, Peep chicks were offered inside a milk chocolate egg shell, creating a fun breakaway double-confection. You could eat the chocolate to get to the Peep first, eat the chocolate and save the Peep for later, or go for the gold and eat both together. In that form, a Peep-and-egg combo gave the original chewy chickadee a bit of sugary razzmatazz to woo customers.

No such inspiration exists with Peeps Decorated Marshmallow Eggs. There's no dazzling, nearly natural coloring like the other Peeps have, and no special flavor ... not that egg would be an advisable addition to the Peeps flavor family. But cookies and cream, maybe? Or salted caramel? Anything to make a new addition to the line more enticing than the other Peeps already on the shelves. Alas, it isn't meant to be with these rotten eggs. While the plain Peeps flavor is passable, the lack of eye-catching hues puts this uninspired idea at the bottom of the basket.

While not actually a Peep itself, cans and bottles Pepsi x Peeps have hit store shelves for Peep fans and Pepsi drinkers alike to try for themselves. This novelty flavor, which was used as a giveaway in 2021, is available for purchase for the first time. The label proclaims this to be an artificial marshmallow-flavored beverage, which is presumed to mean a hearty helping of vanilla has been added to the Pepsi formula. Missing out on using the name "Peepsi" seems like an oversight, but Peeps-Flavored Pepsi is pretty fun to say, too. The real question for the marketing team at PepsiCo to answer is, who thought adding more sugar to an already syrupy drink was a good idea?

Some people found the so-called vanilla essence to be closer to salted caramel, while others liken the aroma to a Pepsi crème soda flavor, though the flavor is just more sugary than regular Pepsi. For an experimental sip, the results seem underwhelming, if not unexpected. There are only so many flavors you can add to cola to make it taste like something else. Peeps is not one of those flavors.

Party Cake Peeps are a fun choice if you go out hunting for Peeps. These joyous treats are mostly white. However, the party starts once you notice the explosion of colorful sprinkles that are added to each one. As you chow down on these Peeps, their look alone will put you in a celebratory mood.

Do these Peeps actually taste like cake or is that a marketing ploy? Yes, surprisingly they do taste like cake. If you've ever had Funfetti cake before, that's what Party Cake Peeps taste like. Don't expect a strong vanilla flavor, though. These Peeps are relatively subdued when it comes to their taste.

If you have a Peeps fanatic in your home, consider substituting out a birthday cake and replacing it with Party Cake Peeps. Buy a basket full of these candies and your Peeps fanatic will have a birthday that they will never forget — no matter what else happens that day.

Only in the 21^st Century can "sparkly" be considered a favorable candy feature. Actually, these glittery bunnies bear the flavor of wild berries, adding a blast of glam to the Peeps collection just in time for Easter. To call attention to the magical shine, the illustration on the packaging imagines one of the Peeps as a violet-haired unicorn rabbit, complete with a sparkly horn. Among the flavor blend, the sparkles, and the bright-haired bunnicorn fusion, a box of Sparkly Wild Berry Peeps throws a lot at its customers. Considering their willingness to believe sugar-crusted marshmallows are a candy worth purchasing, these may be the bunnies in wonderland Peeps diehards have been chasing down the rabbit hole.

Berry flavor added to the almost-vanilla flavor of marshmallow bunnies sounds like a winner, even if the berry part is artificial. Though some Amazon customers have deemed Sparkly Wild Berry too far afield from what Peeps should taste like, reviews have been mostly kind to the gleaming lavender treats, praising the surprising tang. With so much purple prose in play, Peeps may have an enchanting new winner on their hands.

While leaving marshmallows in the sun is never a good idea, taking them for a ride on the tropical side just might be. Tropical Burst is an exciting flavor fruit fans can take advantage of this island twist for Peep season. The image on the wrapper shows a Peep chick with a righteous tan, surrounded by oranges, limes, pineapples, and cherries. The Peeps in the package look a little closer to orange than golden brown, alerting shoppers that rather than each chick having its own fruit flavor, this mix is meant to add punch to Peeps all at once.

So how do Tropical Burst Peeps fare? The suggestion of tropical flavors merging with marshmallows calls to mind ambrosia salad, the creamy, fruity, mini-marshmallow concoction that found its way to dinner party tables and buffet lines for decades. This may not sound appealing to Peep eaters under the age of 40, but for the nostalgia set, marshmallows and fruit blend into a familiar flavor combination. Anyone new to the idea of a zingy, fruit-flavored marshmallow Peep should appreciate the addition of flavor of any kind to the largely unflavored marshmallow chicken it adorns.

Chocolate Caramel Swirl Peeps aren't for the faint of heart. Compared to traditional Peeps, these treats are completely different. If you take a bite without knowing what to expect, be prepared to be stunned.

First of all, the marshmallow part of these Peeps tastes like a combination of caramel and milk chocolate. The combo is sweet — but not overly sweet. Next, the caramel chocolate marshmallow is dipped in more chocolate, much like the aforementioned Peeps Dipped in Milk Chocolate. Last, but certainly not least, is what's in the center. Much like Cadbury Creme Eggs, Chocolate Caramel Swirl Peeps have a surprise hiding in the middle. The secret is a center that is made out of creamy caramel is gooey and oh so yummy.

All told, while there is a lot going on with these Peeps and a variety of different textures at play, these things are worth at least trying once. Maybe you'll conclude that it's too much chocolate and too much caramel — but there's only one way to find out.

While flavored Peeps can sometimes struggle to match their desired flavor, that's not an issue with these Root Beer Float Peeps. Have someone eat one of these candies while blindfolded and they will guess right away that the candy has a root beer float flavor. Specifically, it tastes exactly like the root beer floats that A&W is famous for.

The first flavor you'll taste is the root beer. It's a deep flavor that will instantly cause you to smile due to its familiarity. The aftertaste is when the vanilla hits. Combined, these Peeps taste remarkably like glorious root beer with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream in it.

Pick up a few packs of Root Beer Float Peeps and you can have a scrumptious root beer float substitute any time of the day no matter where you are in the world. Even if you're on the go, pop one of these bad boys in your mouth and you'll instantly be transported to root beer float heaven.

If you want to experience the best raspberry-flavored Peeps, skip the Blue Raspberry Peeps and head directly to Raspberry Peeps Dipped in Fudge instead. These beauties are a huge upgrade. Try one of these Peeps a single time and you'll never go back to Blue Raspberry Peeps again.

Their vivid color is the first hint that you're in for a pleasurable ride. The marshmallow is bright, lively, and blessed with a strong raspberry flavor. On the bottom of each candy, you'll notice what appears to be white chocolate. It's actually fudge that is flavored like decadent cream. The taste of it is majestic. Most importantly, it's more rich than it is sweet.

Add it all up and the natural sweetness of the marshmallow combined with the richness of the fudge and the tartness of the raspberry is really, really good. Don't be shocked if these become your go-to flavor of Peeps.

With its Milk Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Chicks, Peeps wades into far-too-familiar Easter treat territory. Chocolate-covered marshmallow candy is a staple for many holidays, including Valentine's Day, Christmas, and ... oh yes, Easter. While the combination is familiar and welcomed by many candy lovers, Peeps jumping into the chocolate-marshmallow game feels like a bit of a cheat. Candy fans know what to expect with a Peep. As is true with most products in the world of confection, the presumption is that adding a chocolate coating can only improve things.

Customer reviews confirm the milk chocolate as a masterstroke, a mix that makes the most of Peeps' marshmallow middle while letting the coating work is creamy magic. The one drawback may be that these tasty treats are packaged individually, rather than in sweet flocks like their uncoated brothers and sisters. Quantity aside, for the peeps who avoid Peeps knowing the crunchy, sugary, marshmallow blandness in the plain version isn't their thing, giving the chocolate-coated alternative a try could provide a delicious bite of Peeps persuasion.

At first blush, you might think that a Froot Loops Peeps Pop is a gimmicky product that can't possibly live up to the fanfare. Peeps mixed with the flavor of Froot Loops cereal and then placed on a stick to make it look like a lollipop can't be a serious creation, can it? And it can't possibly taste all that good, right? Amazingly, not only is this product not a gimmick, it's one of the very best Peeps items you can purchase with your hard-earned dollars. Surprised?

There are green, blue, red, and orange Peeps on the stick, and they taste exactly like the beloved Froot Loops we all know and crave. These Peeps are extra soft, which makes the stick a welcomed addition because you don't need to worry about your fingertips getting sticky. If you have a hankering for your favorite childhood cereal, go ahead and buy these Peeps — your inner child will thank you.

There is so much to love about Coconut Peeps Dipped in Dark Chocolate. If you've given up on Peeps due to the candy having a reputation of being monotonously sweet, give these bad boys a try before you throw in the towel. This candy has layers upon layers of goodness.

First, it starts with the coconut flavored marshmallow. The marshmallow is white as snow so you might expect it to taste like a regular marshmallow. But, instead, it tastes like extra fresh and extra flavorful coconut with just the right amount of sweetness. If you're a fan of coconut, these are the Peeps you should acquire.

The good news doesn't stop there. On the bottom of these Peeps is a coating of dark chocolate that is insanely rich. It supplies the perfect amount of bitterness and manages to make the coconut taste even better. If you love Mounds candy bars, you will adore Coconut Peeps Dipped in Dark Chocolate.

The Just Born company creates a cross-candy flavor mash-up with the Peeps Mike and Ike Flavored Pop. Not to be confused with Mike and Ike soda, which is a real thing, the Mike and Ike Flavored Pop contains a stack of marshmallow chicks with the flashy colors and tangy fruit flavors of Mike and Ike candy. It's not a bad way to capitalize on two treasured confections without having to pull in another brand. Whether customers can overlook the Peeps in the pack being impaled with the pop stick is another conversation.

Though the full suite of traditional Mike and Ike flavors includes cherry, lemon, lime, and orange, the Peeps pop omits the cherry and includes a four-piece selection in the other flavors instead. Images of plain old peeps being rolled in Kool-Aid powder spring to mind, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Considering the amount of sugar on the shell of a Peep, the mix of sweet and tangy is a fun and inspired combination. Fans of Mike and Ike can sink their teeth into their favorite flavors presented in a new format, and Peeps lovers can add another taste to their must-try list.

Attention, Walmart shoppers: If you're a Pepper and a Peeper, then you're in luck. Dr Pepper-flavored Peeps are now part of the flavor line-up. These Pepper Peeps are available exclusively at Walmart for sweets and soda aficionados to snatch up and sample. The 23-flavor formula loved in cans and bottles becomes a powder custom-made to fit around sugar-encrusted marshmallow birds. But can such a popular pop hold up when added to the properties of a proper Peep?

The answer is a resounding yes. A review on The Impulsive Buy calls out the unmistakable Dr Pepper aroma upon opening the package, though the flavor is fainter than anticipated. Walmart reviewers also gave these chewy chickens high marks for replicating the distinctive Dr Pepper essence. The flavor of a Dr Pepper Peep is faithful to the soda. At the intersection of Candy Fans Who Love Peeps and Soda Drinkers Who Dig Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper Peeps are flavorful enough to satisfy fans looking for a treat that blends the best elements of both.

If you've ever wished for a sour version of Peeps, your prayers have been answered by the candy gods. Sour Watermelon Peeps are everything you were hoping for — and more. These things are legitimately one of the best sour candies you can find everywhere.

A lot of candy that claims to be sour isn't actually that sour. That's not the case with Sour Watermelon Peeps. Sour is in its name and sour is exactly what it delivers. Your lips will pucker the moment these Peeps hit your taste buds. But, don't worry, it's not a harsh amount of sourness. There's a kick to it but it's fun more than it is painful.

Before the sour flavor of these Peeps can overwhelm you, the sweet aftertaste shows up along with the strong flavor of watermelon. Soon, you'll feel refreshed, relaxed, and ready for the next round of sourness to start your adventure all over again.

There are only two kinds of people in this world: those who love Peeps, and those who hate Peeps. If you're in the former group of people, no other kind of Peeps can ever compare to the greatness of Original Peeps. Sure, you might try some of the Peeps items mentioned above, but eventually you will find your way back to the originals.

When it comes to Original Peeps, don't be confused by the colors and the shapes. You can find yellow, green, pink, lavender, and blue versions of these Peeps — but they all taste exactly the same. You can find them in different shapes like chicks and bunnies — but, again, there is absolutely no difference when it comes to the taste.

For many people, spring wouldn't be spring and Easter wouldn't be Easter without the magic that is Original Peeps. If you're one of those people, don't try to figure out why that's the case. Just keep reveling in the glory of these Peeps.