It’s officially fall, which means pumpkin season is in full swing! While all of the “basics” out there are overpopulating Starbucks to get their daily fix of PSLs, stand out from the crowd by indulging in pumpkin flavor in food form. Many name brands have caught on to this fall trend and have created their snacks in pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavors. I decided to go out and try five popular food brands’ takes on the pumpkin trend. Here is how they ranked, from my least favorite to my favorite!
5. Archer Farms Pumpkin Spice Pretzels
I have never tried Archer Farms‘ products before, so I had no previous bias toward or against this brand. As soon as I opened the bag, I had a bad feeling I wasn’t going to like these. A strong spicy smell instantly arose, reminding me more of a pumpkin spice candle than something I should be eating. The taste itself was a lot more subtle than the smell, but it left an unpleasant and spicy aftertaste in my mouth, which is why I would rank it last out of the foods I tried.
4. Pumpkin Spice Cheerios
First of all, I want to say that I am a huge fan of Cheerios. Whether it’s the original or honey nut, I will eat them all. And although I gave this the rating of 4th place, I still really liked them! They had a small hint of pumpkin spice flavor, so it wasn’t too much and I could definitely eat a few bowls without getting sick of it. With that in mind, it received this ranking due to the fact that the pumpkin flavor wasn’t as strong compared to the other foods I tried. But, if you’re looking for a yummy and heart-healthy breakfast this fall, this cereal is the way to go!
3. Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts
Prior to trying these Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts, I was worried they were going to taste fake or be loaded with sugar. My low expectations were exceeded. These pastries kept the pumpkin flavor pretty tame and it were extremely delicious! Coming from someone who is a die-hard frosted strawberry Pop-Tart fan, I definitely recommend people to break away from their favorite flavor and try the pumpkin pie flavor while it’s available!
2. Nature Valley Pumpkin Spice Crunchy Granola Bar
As I have said with all of these other foods, I really did not know what to expect before trying these. I am so used to the original flavor of Oats n’ Honey and so pumpkin spice could either go really good or really wrong. When it came to the Nature Valley bars, they nailed it. The pumpkin spice flavor was not overwhelming whatsoever but there was enough of it that you would get your daily pumpkin fix. Also Nature Valley bars are portable so they make a great school snack!
1. Pumpkin Spice Oreos
Saving the best for last, Pumpkin Spice Oreos take the cake for my favorite! Being a lover of original Oreos, I tend to not stray away from my comfort zone, but the Pumpkin Spice flavor is addicting! I ate 6 in one sitting, but who’s counting? These had the perfect amount of flavor and are not overwhelming or too spicy or sugary at all. If you are only wanting to try one of the snacks on this list, Pumpkin Spice Oreos are the way to go (even though you really should try them all!).