Mexican Candies That You Need In Your Life ASAP (2024)

Growing up next to the border was a blessing because I had the chance to experience many American foods, snacks, and the like while also having the chance to eat certain delicacies only available in Mexico. Needless to say, moving to San Diego was nota very large food culture shockbut it did make it hard to fulfill my need for Mexican candy. With the popularization of the chile mango drink aka a mango-nada/chamango and tostilocos, I realized that if my friends enjoyed this beautiful combo of sweet and spicy, they would enjoy all the other candies that Mexico has to offer!**

* Note: This is not an exhaustive list

The Sweet and Sour

Pulparindo

Think of a jolly rancher square bar and now imagine it being chewy and a mixof sweet and spicy. Boom, you’ve got the pulparindo’s. Probably one of the more popular items due to its small size and ability to make your mouth confusedwith its mix of flavors, it is a well-known classic.

Skwinkles/Salsagheti

Two different names, same sweet taste. If you’re a fan of stringy items (string cheese, nerds string rope, etc) then you’ll love these. What really gives this sweet candy that extra kick is the special little sauce (chamoy). Additionally, this candy comes in the “Rellenos” version which is pineapple flavored on the outside and has that sweet tamarind filling on the inside.

Rebanaditas

Who doesn’t love a lollipop? Now take that sweet goodness and add a layer of a salty,spicy chili coating that slowly turns into watermelon goodness as you keep licking. If watermelon isn’t your thing, don’t despair because they make these in an Elote (corn) shape (but not flavor) and a mango flavor too.

Serpentinas

By now you’ve probably realized the sweet and spicy trend and this one is no different. If you’re a fan of unraveling candy, think Rip Rolls, this is Mexico’s take at the game. It is one big wheel of candy that you slowly roll outlike a fruit roll-up but it stillmakes your tastebuds go wild with its tamarind flavor.

Tama-Roca

Although these may look like beef jerky sticks, they are far from its drier and meatier counterpart. As you may have guessed, this tamarind candy is sweet and spicy and you tear into it the same way you would lick the sugar off your empty cotton candy stick.

Pelon Pelo Rico

There’s something enjoyable about having to put in some effortin consumingyour candy and that is what makes Pelon Pelo Rico so special. Much like play-doh toys that squeeze out dough in various shapes and sizes, in order to eat this Mexican candy, you must push down on the side tabs for the candy “hair” to come out. The flavor? Tamarind, of course.

Rellerindos

I like to think of these as the hard candy version of gushers, except there’s only one flavor (tamarind). There is a hard outside layer anda chewy core. Be warned, its intense flavor will leave your tongue and taste buds in a state of shock.

Bolitochas

This is the Mexican version of a Blowpop, sweet on the outside (there’s also chili covered versions) and filled with flavor (watermelon, mango, pineapple, strawberry, and tamarind) on the inside. Slightly smaller than a bouncy ball, the addictive flavor makes you want to eat more than just one.

Rockaleta

Probably the most popular lollipop I know, its black wrapper makes it edgy and its ability to change colors as you keep licking makes this one a crowd favorite. The chile layer on the outside paves theway to the sweet side after much licking and similar to a Blowpop, ends with a chewy gum center. You really taste the rainbow here.

The Sweet Side

It’s almost odd to find a candy that isn’t a mix of sweet and sour but below are some top childhood picks if you aren’t up to trying anything remotely spicy.

Obleas

Watching catholic movies, I was always jealous of the people who got to eat the body of Christ because it looked so darn delicious. I got my answer and stopped being jealous when I discovered this Mexican candy which is simply two obleas sandwiched between a layer of cajeta (basically caramel).

Duvalin

According to Buzzfeed, this candy was the Nutella of the 90’s but it was also so much more. Coming in the Neapolitan classic flavors of strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla, arguably the best part about this candy was eating it with the plasticspoon that came with the packaging.

Mazapan

A peanut butter lovers dream, this is the ultimate classic and probably the most recognized candy out there. Whether you’re sharing or eating it yourself, its delicacy and ability to easily crumble is what makes eating it so darn fun. The heavenly flavor of nutty goodness has not been replicated elsewhere, get one now.

Carlos V

Unlike the United States which has a wide variety of popular candy bars, Mexico has one highly recognized chocolate bar and that is Carlos V. It is your typical milk chocolate bar and is even made under Nestle so if you are feeling pretty safe, you can try this one out first.

The OddOne Out

Cacahuates Japones

Better known as “Japanese Peanuts,” and popular all around Mexico, these snacksare the ONLY peanuts I want served to me on plane rides. They remind me of Pringles because you can’t just have one andthey make the perfect combo with chamoy or chile and limón.