The U.S. and Canada may have a lot of similarities, but America is definitely lacking when it comes to its snack game.
It turns out that there are tons of Canadian snacks that you'd have a pretty hard time finding south of the border.
From quintessential Canadian chip flavours to chocolate and candies that you won't see on U.S. grocery shelves, Americans don't know what they're missing.
Here are 12 Canadian snacks that Americans just don't know the joys of eating.
Ruffles All Dressed Chips
What would this list be if it didn't mention All Dressed Ruffles chips?
The chips are exactly what they sound like — a ruffle chip flavoured with ketchup, barbecue, sour cream and onion, and salt and vinegar (basically, all the chip flavours).
The chips were invented in Canada and have a taste that is salty, sweet and savoury all in one bite.
While they may be available in certain areas, they're definitely not as common in the U.S. as they are in Canada.
Coffee Crisp
Coffee Crisp is a uniquely Canadian chocolate bar that's been a favourite in the country for decades, according to Nestlé.
The treat consists of alternating layers of vanilla wafer and coffee cream, with the whole thing covered in a layer of milk chocolate. The treat makes for a satisfying snack that isn't too sweet.
The chocolate bar is a staple in Canada, especially on Halloween. A love of coffee also isn't required to find it delicious.
Pizza Pops
This pizza-loaded, calzone-style snack food is a staple in every Canadian household and apparently is the number one pizza snack in the country.
According to Global News, Pizza Pops were first invented by a local in Winnipeg in 1964, and the food is still made there today.
The pies come filled with "pizza stuff" (as old commercials for the food would say) and are available in classic pizza-topping flavours like pepperoni, cheese, Hawaiian and deluxe.
Mr. Noodles
Mr. Noodles is a classic Canadian instant noodle brand that Americans are missing out on.
Manufactured by Beltek Foods of Huizhou, China, the popular instant noodles product dates back to the 1970s and comes in a variety of flavours, including beef, vegetable, chicken and shrimp.
A staple in any Canadian pantry, they're great to have on hand when you're crunched for time or can't be bothered to cook something fancy.
The noodle packages come with the basics -- a block of pre-cooked, fried ramen noodles, a packet of seasoning, and usually a second packet with dried vegetables.
While basic, you can easily spice them up by adding in some protein or additional veggies for a meal that's practically gourmet.
Jos Louis
A Jos Louis is a sponge cake dessert with layers of creamy filling that's wrapped in a coating of chocolate (think of it as Canada's version of a Twinkie).
A symbol of Canadian culture, the snack is downright museum-worthy.
In fact, the home of the founder of Vachon, the company that makes Jos Louis, is now a museum in Quebec, preserved for being the birthplace of the iconic cakes.
Today, the cakes are still produced in Quebec in a plant in Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce, and the cakes are an essential aspect of Canadian life.
Swedish Berries
Outside of Amazon and certain candy importers, Americans will find it hard to find Swedish Berries in the U.S., and, boy, are they missing out.
Produced by Maynards, the classic Canadian confection consists of red berry-shaped gummies with a light berry flavour that makes for a satisfying bite.
The treat can be commonly found in stores in Canada and is a popular candy to pass out on Halloween.
Ketchup Chips
Canadians love their ketchup chips. The chips, which are covered in a tangy red powder, may as well be the country's national food.
Famously only available in Canada, the country seems to wholeheartedly agree that the unique flavour is one of the best.
What they can't agree on, however, is which brand makes the best version -- some may say Lays, while others may argue that the Old Dutch version (another popular snack) is better.
Aero
One of the most loved chocolates in the U.K. and Ireland, Aero is also a popular treat here in Canada.
The candy bar consists of aerated milk chocolate inside a milk chocolate coating that makes for a bubbly chocolate experience.
It's a staple you'll find in Canadian grocery stores, especially on Halloween -- it's nearly impossible not end up with tons of the little bars in your bag as a trick-or-treater.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the U.S. -- you'd be hard-pressed to find the candy in America, outside of Amazon.
Kit Kat
While you'll find KitKat chocolate in both Canada and the U.S., they are not equal.
If you've somehow never bitten into a KitKat bar before, the classic treat consists of a wafer enrobed in smooth milk chocolate.
Even though both chocolates have the same name, they are actually made using different recipes. Canadian KitKat is made by Nestlé, while the American version is actually produced by Hershey.
The companies' ingredients for the chocolate bars also slightly differ, impacting the taste, according to TikTokers, who generally seem to agree that the Canadian version tastes better.
Kinder Surprise
Did you know that Kinder eggs, as Canadians know them, are banned in the U.S.?
Kinder Surprise, which consists of a hollow milk chocolate egg that contains a toy inside, is likely a familiar treat to Canadians, especially around Easter.
However, you won't find the chocolate south of the border -- and can even get in trouble for trying to take it with you into the U.S.
In 2011, a Ferrero spokesperson told Metro that "Kinder Surprise is not available in the United States as the [FDA] has taken the position that a specific regulation relating to non-nutritive objects embedded in food stuff makes Kinder Surprise not suitable for sale and distribution in the U.S."
Essentially, the eggs are banned due to the choking hazard posed by the toy hidden inside the egg.
While the U.S. does have Kinder Joy eggs (a different treat that contains scoopable creamy layers of milky and chocolatey creams, topped with wafer bites and a surprise toy separate from the chocolate) they just aren't the same, and Americans won't know the joy of breaking open that milk chocolate egg and discovering the toy inside.
Nanaimo Bars
This no-bake dessert is uniquely Canadian (sorry, USA).
If the name didn't already give it away, the treat is named after Nanaimo, B.C., where it was popularized in the years following the Second World War, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia.
The creamy, chocolatey dessert traditionally consists of a graham wafer crumb and shredded coconut base, a layer of custard-flavoured butter icing in the middle, and a topping of chocolate ganache.
Similar to the butter tart, it's a classic Canadian treat well enjoyed with a hot cup of tea (or coffee). While Americans may be able to purchase the bars online, you'd likely be pretty hard-pressed to find them across the country.
Smarties
While Canada and the U.S. both have a candy called "Smarties," these treats are notably different in each country.
In Canada, Smarties are round, milk chocolate tablets covered in a hard shell of candy. They're a staple treat for any Canuck, especially on Halloween.
In the U.S., however, the candy known as "Smarties" is much different, more like what Canadians would call Rockets.
Called a "candy wafer roll," U.S. Smarties are disc-like sugar wafers in pastel colours.
Apparently, the U.S. doesn't have anything similar to the Smarties we have in the True North, which means they probably wouldn't understand if you asked them if they eat the red ones last.
