We Ate Dozens of Little Debbie Snacks in One Day—Here Is Our Definitive Ranking
Nothing screams nostalgia quite like childhood snacks. Whether you were a fan of Lunchables or more of an Uncrustables kid, there was no better way to round out your school lunch than with a Little Debbie treat. You probably remember the popular ones like Cosmic Brownies and Nutty Buddies, but there are dozens of Little Debbie snacks on the market.
So in an effort to inform the public (but also fulfill our childhood dreams) we taste-tested 24 of the most iconic Little Debbie snacks you can buy. This is nowhere near all of them—we decided to forgo the seasonal offerings and focus exclusively on the most well-known snacks that you can find year round. While some still have the same taste we remembered, others were proof our tastebuds have evolved. Here's our ranking of the best Little Debbie snacks, from worst to best.
Looking for more food rankings? We have opinions on the best potato chips, frozen french fries, and Oreo flavors.
Mini Zebra Donuts
These donuts were too dry for us to even finish. Cute, yes, but they don't make the cut.
Banana Marshmallow Pies
This was an extremely polarizing pick among our tasters. Some fell head over heels for the bouncy marshmallow center and the nostalgic banana flavor. Others could barely keep a bite down. If you're among the sick people who actually enjoy eating banana Laffy Taffy, this one's for you.
Mini Brownies
We spent the entire time eating these wishing that we were eating Cosmic Brownies instead. They're not bad, but why eat them when there's a near perfect alternative offered by the same brand?
Cherry Pies
The Cherry Fruit Pies get points for the pastry, but the filling doesn't really deliver a cherry flavor. It's more like a generic sweetness.
Donut Sticks
These donuts, like the other Little Debbie donut options, are on the dry side. But as one taster noted, the sweet, crisp glaze redeems it. You definitely want to dunk these into a cup of coffee.
Unicorn Cakes
Not going to lie—many of us were scared to try these Unicorn Cakes. You definitely can't find these colors out in nature. But once you get past the vibrant hues, these cakes taste like strawberry lip gloss in a good way.
Snickerdoodle Creme Pies
Snickerdoodle Creme Pies are a relative newcomer to the Little Debbie lineup. We absolutely loved the cinnamon-sugar crystals that added a surprise burst of crispness in the cookies, but they overall didn't read as snickerdoodles.
Zebra Cakes
Zebra Cakes are one of the more nostalgic offerings in the Little Debbie lineup. And for the most part, the flavor holds up to the test of time. One of our tasters said, "I love how plushy it is."
But we also think our younger selves were easily swayed by the striped design. There are other Little Debbie snacks that probably deserve more hype instead.
Fudge Rounds
The Little Debbie Fudge Rounds are super decadent, so much so that we would struggle to eat an entire one on our own. But if you're looking for an extra indulgent treat it's a solid pick.
Honey Buns
Many of us have fond childhood memories of Honey Buns, but did they hold up in the taste test? Yes and no. Some said they were too sweet, but we love them for their soft texture and the mems, of course.
Chocolate Chip Creme Pies
Frosting lovers, rise up! The cookies in this Chocolate Chip Creme Pie are essentially there just to be a vehicle for the rich, vanilla creme in the center.
Star Crunch Cosmic Snack Cookies
The Star Crunch Cookies are a serious textural experience. You get the sticky caramel in the center, the melty chocolate, and the crispness of the puffed rice coating. We wouldn't call it a crunch necessarily, but it's still really enjoyable.
Oatmeal Creme Pies
These classic cookies weren't quite as we remembered—perhaps a bit too sweet. But regardless, they're still a favorite. "The classic. I'll always love these," wrote a tester. "Sweet, but the oat balances out."
Birthday Cake Mini Muffins
All of the nostalgia of an elementary school birthday party in a mini muffin package.
Strawberry Shortcake Rolls
Imagine if you take a Twinkie, then added a bright pink strawberry jelly in the center. The texture of the Strawberry Shortcake rolls are soft and pillowy, and strikes the right level of sweetness without being excessive.
Blueberry Mini Muffins
There's something about a pre-packaged blueberry muffin that evokes a delightful nostalgia. And these mini muffins are no different—they're by far the best mini bite in the Little Debbie lineup.
Nutty Buddy Wafer Bars
Chocolate, peanut butter, and crunch—what more could you ask for? While some thought there was too much wafer, others enjoyed this one. "Perfection. Truly," wrote one tester.
Jelly Creme Pies
We suspect that this is the same jelly that's found in the center of the Strawberry Shortcake Rolls—which is definitely a good thing. The bright, nostalgic artificial fruit flavor pairs perfectly with the crisp cookie, the fluffy creme, and the rich chocolate coating.
Pecan Spinwheels
We loved the cinnamon and pecan flavor of these, but wish there were more pecans. The outside was a bit dry, but the inside was our favorite part.
Chocolate Cupcakes
What's not to love about the Chocolate Cupcakes? They're creamy, fudgy, rich, and just quintessentially Little Debbie. No notes.
Apple Pies
Can we just say that the pastry on Little Debbies fruit pies is a star in its own right? It's crisp, flaky, and absolutely perfect. The sticky, cinnamon-scented apple filling also serves as a nice counterbalance to the crust.
Swiss Rolls
"Swiss Rolls Slap!!" wrote one tester. We especially liked the soft cake rolled around a creamy filling.
Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
That's right, these underrated bars beat out the Nutty Buddy. Testers liked the smooth, creamy peanut butter center. "Reese's meets Twix," wrote another.
Cosmic Brownies
"Can never go wrong with the OG!" wrote one tester. This is why Cosmic Brownies take the top spot. These chocolate brownies are topped with fudgy icing and chocolate candy. "Nostalgia!!" and "10/10" wrote others.
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