For years, Skittles has been a top pick for chewy candy lovers. They deliver that satisfying mix of a crunchy outer shell and a chewy center that melts in your mouth. But recently, fans have been craving even crunchier sweets.
With chewy candies like Nerds Gummy Clusters gaining popularity, Skittles decided to join the latest trend with a twist.
As predicted, freeze-dried candy has become a massive hit in 2024. A quick scroll on TikTok reveals tons of videos featuring freeze-dried treats—Skittles, gummy worms, peach rings, you name it.
Until now, these goodies were mainly sold through third-party vendors, but Skittles has officially jumped on board with its version of freeze-dried candy, and it’s finally hitting the market.
What Exactly Is Freeze-Dried Candy?
Freeze-dried candy is just like it sounds—candy that has gone through a freeze-drying process. It’s placed in a vacuum chamber where all the moisture is removed. The result? A crunchy, shelf-stable treat that keeps all the flavors you love.
While freeze-dried fruits like strawberries and apples have been widespread, freeze-dried candy gained a severe following on TikTok. Before that, most people associated freeze-dried treats with Astronaut Ice Cream—the classic snack you might remember from school trips to science museums.
With their crispy, crumbly texture, freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches have been around for over 50 years, and now, Mars Wrigley is bringing that space-age crunch to Skittles.
Skittles Pop’d Freeze-Dried Candy.
Skittles is releasing a new product line called Skittles Pop’d freeze-dried candy, available in an Original and a brand-new Sour variety. The Original flavor pack features all the classics—strawberry, Lemon, Lime, Orange, and Grape.
Meanwhile, the Sour version adds an exciting twist with flavors like Sour Lemonade, Sour Blue Raspberry, Sour Strawberry, Sour Watermelon, and Sour Cherry. It’s a bit of a departure from the usual Sour Skittles flavors, which generally get a sour coating rather than entirely new flavors.
In a nod to its viral fame, Skittles Pop’d will be available exclusively on TikTok Shop starting October 21. It will hit select retailers later in the fall, and a nationwide rollout is planned for 2025.
My First Experience with Sour Skittles Pop’d
I’ll admit I was late to the freeze-dried candy craze. I tried Astronaut Ice Cream once as a kid but have yet to sample the freeze-dried candies available online.
I was tempted when Shipley Donuts launched a donut topped with freeze-dried Skittles, but unfortunately, I don’t live near one of their locations.
So, Sour Skittles Pop was my first real dive into the trend, and I was pleasantly surprised. As a fan of Sour Skittles, I loved the new flavors in the Pop’d pack, especially the Sour Blue Raspberry, which reminded me of my favorite Blue Raspberry Jolly Rancher.
Flavor-wise, they taste just like regular Skittles. The only difference is the missing grainy sour coating that usually leaves your tongue feeling tingly after eating regular Sour Skittles. I honestly didn’t miss that sensation.
The Unique Texture of Freeze-Dried Skittles
One of my concerns was that I might like the texture of freeze-dried Skittles less than the original. Skittles have always been crunchy and chewy,
so I wondered if the freeze-dried version could live up to the classic. However, I quickly realized that they offer a new experience.
Skittles Pop has a delightful crunch you can’t get from regular hard candies—unless you risk a chipped tooth. The best way I can describe it is like eating a pretzel that’s sweet and sour instead of salty. It’s a whole new type of snack.
Will Skittles Pop replace the original for me? Probably not—they’re two very different experiences. I’ll still reach for classic Skittles when I want something chewy, but Pop is an excellent option when I crave a satisfying crunch with a blast of sweet and sour.
I’ll be keeping a bag around for when those cravings hit.
In the end, freeze-dried Skittles are worth trying if you’re into crunchy treats. The new Sour flavors add an extra twist that’s fun to explore, and the TikTok exclusivity only adds to the excitement. If you’re curious, take your chance to try them when they drop on October 21.
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