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I’ll die happy as long as I have all of my sweets with me! The picture above is actual footage of me in my grave, hopefully, many years from now!
Seriously though, moving or traveling abroad can be super rewarding, full of excitement, and can give you the joy of trying new things, but if you are gone from “home” long enough, you will miss some of the delicious things you are used to eating. And to think- you weren’t even grateful for them. Shame on you!
I’m actually typing this with a mouth full of Sour Patch Kids! I had no idea how much I would miss some of my favorite candies, crackers, and cookies until I could no longer have them.
You can watch me meet my beloved sweets once again at the American Snackery.
Can you see how my reaction was pretty “extra.” I mean, who jumps up and down at the sight of BBQ sauce? Anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to buy it for months, that’s who! Don’t you dare call me dramatic! 🙂
With further ado, I will outline below American snacks that are hard to find abroad so you can pack accordingly on your move or a long upcoming trip. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you can thank me later. 🙂
Sweet Candies that are hard to find abroad
Sour Patch Kids
Chewy Sprees
Nerds
Laffy Taffy
Starbursts
Skittles
Swedish Fish
Airheads
Jolly Ranchers
Pixie sticks
Just to name a few. These are some of my favorite candies that are not readily available at the local grocery stores. When I googled online to find them, I came across this website called American Snackery. My dreams came true!!!
You can always do a google search to try and find your succulent sweets too but if you aren’t as lucky as me, or if you want to save some money, fill up your suitcase before you head over.
Even though I feel extremely fortunate to have found my favorites, they still cost upwards of 4 times the amount you would pay for them on the shelves in the US.
I saw a box of Twinkies for over 9 euros when I know I can get them BOGO at Publix for around $4.99 total. It’s like highway robbery, but it’s the price you pay for staying abroad!
Chocolates that are hard to find abroad
Reese’s Cups
Butterfingers
Milk Duds
York Peppermint Patties
Nestle Crunch Bar
Most of the chocolates you are familiar with in the US will not be readily available abroad.
However, Italy specifically has some really amazing chocolate. I actually wrote a little bit about the chocolate in my Valentine’s Day Gift Guide under the “Not your Average Chocolates“ section. If you are a chocolate lover like me, go read about it to discover a new brand of deliciousness!
Nuts inside of chocolate are a delectable treat here but don’t think you will find peanut butter in the chocolate!
I mean really?! I don’t understand how they don’t find it absolutely delicious, but most Italians cringe at the mere thought of peanut butter inside of milk chocolate.
Cookies that are hard to find abroad
I’ve noticed in Italy there aren’t really chocolate chip cookies. They have tons of hard crunchy type cookies with powdered sugar but not the classic ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies that I love so much!
While Oreo’s are accessible almost everywhere, there are no chewy Chips Ahoy or Pillsbury cookie dough.
Actually, I haven’t seen any frozen break and bake cookies or boxed mixes. Yeah, I’m not doing so well in the cookie department.
Also, I miss my beloved thin mint girl scout cookies. So, if you love cookies, be sure to bring them with you, even if that means bringing a box mix so you can bake them yourself when you arrive!
After all, you don’t want to go without your favorite American snacks!
Cheesy Crackers that are hard to find abroad
Goldfish
Cheez-Its
Cheetos
What’s a girl to do without her cheesy crackers? It’s not even like I just can’t find the American snacks, I haven’t been able to find any type of cheesy crackers at all. Basically, there’s nothing to satisfy that dire need for my tummy.
I have found an off-brand of Cheetos though, they are called “Fonzies” here. They are really good but they aren’t the classic cheddar taste, instead they are white cheddar. I like them just as well.
Chips
While I have seen Doritos a time or two, I can’t find my favorite flavor anywhere!!! The Cooler Ranch flavor is where it’s at!
I’m not really a popcorn lover but I know it’s something my mom would really crave if she were abroad. I have to admit, I’ve not been to a movie theater here yet. Maybe if I did, I would miss it but so far, popcorn isn’t on my list of things I miss. Anyways, I haven’t seen it anywhere.
The good news is, there is an American snack in the chip department that is easy to find! Pringles! I’ve seen them at nearly every store I have been to. YAY!
I have made several purchases on Pringles because well you know…”Once you pop, the fun don’t stop!”
Spices & Sauces hard to find abroad
Everyone looks at me like I have 4 eyes when I ask for ketchup here. Did you know, they even charge extra for it at McDonald’s? That makes me downright salty!
While it is a staple they will bring me, it’s not commonly used here in Italy. Italians are really health conscious and they don’t use a lot of sauce on anything. That’s what makes the dish “unhealthy” to them. I’d like ketchup with my chicken, thank you very much! 🙂
While shopping, I haven’t seen BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or hot sauce. These are all things that I love.
I mean how can you even eat cauliflower if it’s not drenched in buffalo sauce? My BFF Natasha taught me how to make this delicious side dish and it’s seriously the only way I’ll eat cauliflower….well I guess I also eat it if it’s made into a pizza crust but that’s also something I’ve yet to see here.
Next time I make my buffalo cauliflower side dish, I’ll write up the recipe so you can try it at home too. 🙂
Spices are a whole other ordeal to talk about. Especially in Italy, making a meal typically involves very simple ingredients. Some examples are salt, pepper, fresh basil or thyme, and fresh garlic.
As an American, I’m used to dry spices like onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, etc. It doesn’t exist here.
Oh, how I wish I would have bought and packed a few taco seasoning packets to bring with me.
If you’re moving abroad, don’t be like me! Pack your favorites, the great thing about spices is they are light and compact.
The most popular dressing in America
Ranch! Ranch dressing is such a popular staple in America but not so much in the rest of the world. In fact, most people in Italy don’t even put “dressing” on a salad. They add oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s crazy!
If you want to eat salad on vacation, make sure you bring a little bottle of your favorite dressing with you! While you’re at it, bring some croutons. This is another salad must-have for Americans that I have yet to see!
Things you can usually find for lots of $$$
Most places abroad have figured out some of the big popular brands that Americans will go for! These include:
Coke
Pringles
Oreos
M&M’s
Snickers
Kitkats
Twix
And most places will have off-brand items like pretzels, potato chips, and even peanut butter but remember, they will cost you! A jar of peanut butter here in our local grocery store is nearly 7 euros. Yikes! At least you have the option when your craving hits!!
What Marco thinks about all my American Snacks
Directly after leaving the American Snackery, I was drinking my Yoohoo! It made me so happy as it brought up my childhood memories of being on road trips with my family. When we pulled over to get gas, I was allowed to pick out a drink inside and I always got a Yoohoo.
I asked Marco to taste it and tell me what he thought. I was so excited to be slugging it down and I said “This is the taste of my childhood! Taste it!!” His response “This is the taste of chemicals.”
If you could only see me roll my eyes so hard. Excuse me! I’m insulted!!
With that being said, I thought it would be fun to get an Italian take on American candy. Watch our video (COMING SOON!) for his jaw-dropping reviews.
Be Prepared!
I hope this article will help you prepare for your move or long vacation so that you won’t be unsatisfied in the snack department. American snacks are harder to find than I realized so share the news with any friends or family ready to head abroad!
Comment below with what American snacks you would miss so much if they weren’t accessible to you! I can’t wait to read about your favorites!
XOXOXO
Love this! Very entertaining article and love hearing about the differences found across this little world!
Thanks Kyle! There are tons of differences and it’s been fun finding them out and sharing them! 🙂