Breakfast, lunch, and dinner may be the main culinary events, but the best snacks, we’d argue, are the unsung heroes of our daily routines. A handful of popcorn can power you through an afternoon slump. A little sweet treat may be the perfect way to wrap up a long, chaotic workday.
However convenient as snacks are supposed to be, it’s not always easy to find one that truly satisfies. You’ve probably grabbed a bite-size delight only to be disappointed when it falls flat, which is where SELF’s 2025 Pantry Awards come into play. For months, SELF editors taste-tested dozens of bags of popcorn, nuts, trail mixes, and gummies. Whether you’re after a salty crunch or a burst of sweetness, these are the 12 winners that checked all the boxes of a truly great snack: good for you, convenient, and most importantly, delicious.
Pantry Awards 2025: Best Snacks
Shop your favorite category below or keep scrolling for the year’s very best popcorn, nuts, bars, and more.
Best Snack Bar
Best Snack Bar: Kind Snacks Seeds, Fruit & Nut Bars
Why we love them: Kind’s a household name for good reason, but its new flavors are anything but predictable. Now, you can grab orange cranberry seed, strawberry sunflower seed, and dark chocolate raspberry pumpkin seed, which each provide a deliciously sweet, tart, and nutty crunch.
One tester said: “I loved the strawberry one—and that’s coming from someone who is NOT a fruit-and-nut snack bar person. It was chewy and filling without tasting like a solid brick of sugar.”
Best Popcorn
Best Popcorn: Angie’s BoomChickaPop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
Best Popcorn
Angie’s BoomChickaPop Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
Why we love them: The best popcorn is the one you accidentally finish in one sitting. Light, airy, and too good to put down, this winner from Angie’s will take care of both your sweet and salty cravings.
One tester said: “This has been a pantry staple in my house since I was in middle school, and it’s my favorite popcorn in the whole wide world. It’s unbeatably crunchy and, perhaps most importantly, doesn’t get stale quickly.”
Best Nuts
Best Seasoned Nuts: Setton Farms Dry Roasted Buffalo Wing Pistachios
Best Seasoned Nuts
Setton Farms Dry Roasted Buffalo Wing Pistachios
Why we love them: Each bite-size pistachio kernel is coated in spicy cayenne, bold paprika, and a tangy dash of vinegar, delivering that buffalo wing flavor you love (minus the sticky mess of a sauce).
One tester said: “So tasty with just the right amount of spice. It’s not SO overwhelming that you can’t enjoy its savory saltiness. I had to hold myself back from eating the whole bag!”
Best Nut Mix: Blue Diamond Almonds’ Almonds and More
Best Nut Mix
Blue Diamond Almonds’ Almonds and More
Why we love them: This almond mix also includes pistachios and cashews dusted in flavors like Smokehouse, Roasted Sea Salt, and Honey Roasted—which one tester could only describe as “downright delicious.”
One tester said: “Highly recommend to anyone who craves salty snacks but wants a higher-protein alternative. This one has almonds, cashews, and pistachios—I’m so thrilled someone finally made a mix with all three of my favorites!”
Best Trail Mix: Second Nature Snacks Dark Chocolate Medley
Best Trail Mix
Second Nature Snacks Dark Chocolate Medley
Why we love them: Chocolate and nuts are a match made in heaven, offering protein, fiber, and a fix for your sweet cravings. One major selling point, according to a SELF tester, is that this medley doesn’t skimp on the chocolate chunks.
