Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Snack Awards: Top Nutritional Picks Unveiled

Taste panels and expert reviews uncover treats that deliver flavor without compromise.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 23, 2025

Taste panels and expert reviews uncover treats that deliver flavor without compromise.

Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Snack Awards: Top Picks for Taste and Nutrition

Every year, thousands of snack foods hit the shelves, promising everything from bold flavors to wellness benefits. But which ones truly deliver in both taste and nutrition? Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Snack Awards answers that question, spotlighting standout choices after months of tasting, label scrutiny, and rigorous evaluation by registered dietitians, food scientists, chefs, and over 1,000 at-home testers. Read on for this year’s must-have snacks across every aisle.

How the Snacks Were Chosen

To make the 2023 Snack Awards list, each product underwent thorough investigation. The Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab and culinary experts tested thousands of entries, rating them on factors such as:

Ingredient quality (real, recognizable foods only)
Flavor and texture (including at-home taste panels)
Nutritional value (fiber, protein, sugar, calories, sodium)
Packaging and innovation
Convenience and accessibility

To be eligible, snacks had to meet these nutritionist-backed criteria:

Made with ingredients you can pronounce and recognize
Feature fiber-rich and/or protein-rich sources
Free from artificial flavors, food dyes, trans fats, and partially hydrogenated oils
300 calories or less per serving
No more than 10g of added sugar per serving
400mg of sodium or less per serving

Best Bars and Bites of 2023

Whether you need energy on the go or a midday pick-me-up, these bars & bites deliver big on taste and nutrition:

Best Crunchy Bar: Tosi Cashew Coconut Crunchy Snack Bar – super crisp with rich nutty coconut flavor.
Best Protein Bar: Aloha Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Bar – a plant-based bar high in protein with a chewy texture.
Best Date Bar: Realsy Almond Butter Dates – blends natural sweetness and creamy almond butter for a satisfying boost.
Best Low-Carb Bar: Blueprint White Cocoa Butter Macadamia Protein Bar – low in carbs, yet indulgently creamy.
Best Granola Bars: Junkless Chewy Granola Bars – delivers classic chewy goodness, free from artificial additives.
Best Refrigerated Bar: Mush Double Chocolate Chip Protein Bar – features a fresh, soft-baked texture and decadent chocolate taste.
Best Mini Bar: Perfect Bar PB&J Mini – mini-sized, protein-packed with nostalgic PB&J flavor.
Best Superfood Bite: Defi Dark Chocolate Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Crispy Superfood Bite – crunchy chocolate bites full of sprouted buckwheat and protein.
Best Functional Bar: Step One Foods Lemon Almond Bar – formulated for specific nutrition needs, with a bright citrusy twist.
Best High-Fiber Bar: Be Free Bar Blondie Coffee and Blueberry Burst – combines fiber, flavor, and real fruit.

Chips, Crackers, and Puffs Winners

Savory snack enthusiasts will love these top contenders which turn the classics into better-for-you options:

Best Cheese Crackers: Simple Mills Cheddar Pop Mmms – a cheesy snack made with wholesome ingredients.
Best Seed Crackers: Top Seedz Grab & Go Sea Salt Crackers – loaded with seeds for fiber and crunch.
Best Snack Mix: Marimix Chocolatey Sea Salt Crunch-Baked Snackmix – combines sweet and salty flavors in a satisfying mix.
Best Organic Crackers: Mary’s Gone Crackers Super Seed Crackers – a blend of seeds for flavor and texture.
Best Potato Chips: Boulder Canyon Wavy Cheddar Sour Cream Potato Chips – real potatoes, bold cheddar, and better-for-you oils.
Best Protein Chips: SimplyProtein Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips – breaks the chips mold with extra protein.
Best Rice Cakes: Lundberg Family Farms Organic Fiery Hot Rice Cake Minis – crispy and lightly spicy for a crunchy fix.
Best Puffs: Like Air Classic Puffcorn – melts in your mouth, reminiscent of classic puffed corn snacks without the grease.
Best Onion Rings: LesserEvil Moonions in Intergalactic Onion – ring-shaped, onion-flavored snacks made with cleaner ingredients.
Best Sweet Potato Chips: Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips with Sea Salt – crispy, sweet-n-salty, and always gluten free.
Best Popcorn: Well Market Ghee & Pink Salt Popcorn – corn popped in ghee for richness, finished with pink Himalayan salt.
Best Protein Crackers: Milton’s Protein Crackers in Zesty Ranch – boosts protein content while offering classic ranch flavor.
Best Gluten-Free Crackers: Savoritz Almond Flour Crackers – gluten-free meets snackable crunch at an accessible price.
Best Crispbread: Wasa Cinnamon Crisp Creations – a sweet, fiber-packed twist on traditional crispbread.

Frozen Food Favorites

From breakfast bites to sweet tooth-satisfying treats, these picks prove frozen food can be fun, healthy, and quick:

Best Waffles: Evergreen Peanut Butter Banana Bread Mini Waffles – protein-rich, real fruit, and portable for busy mornings.
Best Chocolate-Covered Berries: Tru Fru Nature’s Raspberries – real frozen raspberries covered in premium chocolate.
Best Chicken Nuggets: Caulipower Dill Flavored Chicken Bites – gluten-free, veggie-boosted, and loaded with flavor.
Best Brownie Bites: Daily Harvest Fudgy Hazelnut Brownie Bites – bite-sized, super fudgy, and vegan-friendly.
Best Banana Bites: Diana’s Dark Chocolate Caramel Crunch Banana Bites – banana slices enrobed in dark chocolate with a caramel crunch.
Best Muffins: Veggies Made Great Double Chocolate Muffins – sneaks in vegetables for extra nutrition, no compromise on indulgence.
Best Biscuits: Mason Dixie Mini Buttermilk Biscuits – classic flavor, made in mini format for controlled portions.
Best Breakfast Stick: Applegate Naturals Pancake & Chicken Sausage Stick – portable all-in-one breakfast with real meat and no artificial junk.
Best Mac & Cheese Bites: Amy’s Kitchen Mac & Cheese Snacks – comfort food, bite-sized, and crowd-pleasing for all ages.

Outstanding Dips, Spreads, and Savories

Elevate your snacks and small meals with these palate-pleasing dips and spreads:

Best Fresh Guacamole: Good Foods Tableside Chunky Guacamole – a blend of Hass avocados, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and lime juice. Kept fresh via high-pressure processing, this guac stood out for its creamy yet chunky texture and real-food ingredients.
Other Noteworthy Dips: (Honorable mentions include hummus blends, plant-based veggie dips, and elevated salsa options, all praised for simplicity and flavor.)

Innovative Sweets and Dessert Snacks

Snacking doesn’t have to mean a sugar rush. These options deliver dessert vibes with nutritional balance and creative ingredients:

UNREAL Dark Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat Bars: Made without corn syrup or sugar alcohols and filled with caramel, peanuts, and fair-trade chocolate, these best-in-class bars offer 40% less sugar than competitors while getting top remarks for taste and chewy-nutty satisfaction.

Nutritionist Tips for Smarter Snacking

Winning snacks balance nutrients, flavor, and real-food ingredients. Here’s what nutritionists recommend keeping in mind:

Read ingredient lists—choose snacks where you recognize most or all ingredients.
Look for options with at least 2g fiber or protein per serving.
Watch added sugar and sodium—pick snacks with less than 10g added sugar and under 400mg sodium per serving.
Pair snacks with produce (fruit, sliced veggies).
Watch serving sizes. Mini bars, single-serve packs, and pre-portioned treats make it easier to stay on track.

Snack Awards 2023 Winners Table

Category	Winner	Ingredient Highlights
Crunchy Bar	Tosi Cashew Coconut Crunchy Snack Bar	Cashews, coconut, no artificial flavors
Protein Bar	Aloha Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Bar	Oats, plant protein, real chocolate chips
Potato Chips	Boulder Canyon Wavy Cheddar Sour Cream	Real potatoes, cheddar, better oils
Chocolate-Covered Berry	Tru Fru Nature’s Raspberries	Real raspberries, premium dark chocolate
Popcorn	Well Market Ghee & Pink Salt Popcorn	Non-GMO corn, ghee, pink salt
Guacamole	Good Foods Tableside Chunky Guacamole	100% Hass avocado, onion, garlic, lime juice
Mini Muffins	Veggies Made Great Double Chocolate Muffins	Vegetables, cocoa, whole grains
Dessert Bar	UNREAL Dark Chocolate Caramel Peanut Nougat	Fair-trade chocolate, roasted peanuts, caramel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How are the Snack Awards winners chosen?

A: A panel of Good Housekeeping registered dietitians, culinary experts, and over 1,000 at-home testers rate snacks on nutrition, ingredient quality, taste, innovation, packaging, and convenience after evaluating thousands of samples over several months.

Q: Are these snacks suitable for people with allergies or special diets?

A: Many winners cater to gluten-free, plant-based, or low-sugar preferences, but always check labels for allergens such as nuts, soy, and dairy to ensure safety for individual needs.

Q: Why is nutritional quality a focus in these awards?

A: With the rise of ultra-processed foods, the awards aim to celebrate snacks made from real, whole foods, free from artificial flavors, food dyes, trans fats, and excess sugar or sodium. This supports healthier snacking habits for both children and adults.

Q: Where can I buy these winning snacks?

A: Most winning snacks are available nationwide at major supermarkets, specialty stores, and online retailers. The awards are designed to highlight accessible options for all consumers.

Q: Will trying healthier snacks mean I have to sacrifice taste?

A: Not at all. Every winner was taste-tested by both experts and everyday eaters to ensure that nutritional excellence never came at the expense of deliciousness and satisfaction.

Final Thoughts: Snack Smart in 2023

Smart snacking is about balance: real ingredients, nutritional value, and—most of all—enjoyment. This year’s winning snacks prove you don’t have to settle for less in the name of health or flavor. Keep these top picks on hand, and you’ll be able to satisfy cravings, fuel up between meals, and discover new favorites all year long.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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