Popping in with Skittles Pop’d

If you’re a diehard Snackology reader, you’ve probably noticed that things have been slow lately. Not that there isn’t a lot out there to review — it’s just that I haven’t found any fun new releases the past few weeks. (The Barbenheimer mania of Krabby Patty/Chicken Big Mac week is over.)

I promise you that I’ve been making the rounds in the Target seasonal section now that they’re shifting over to Christmas. And while I’ve yet to find M&Ms Toasty Holiday Peanut, I did find a very non-Christmas-y candy on an end cap in the seasonal section during our second visit to Target this past weekend. (Yes, second visit. Buying new Christmas lights is like launching a nuke. I’m not turning my key unless Caitlin is there to turn hers too.)

At the back of the Christmas section, both the original and sour varieties of Skittles Pop’d were waiting for me.

Skittles Pop’d are Mars’ big entry into the world of freeze-dried candy. This genre of candy has grown in popularity the past few years, partially thanks to TikTok. Instead of the chewy center you’d usually expect from a Skittles candy, these fellas are crunchy.

Was this a necessary evolution of the classic Skittles candy? How do they live up to the Skittles we know and love?

Where I found it

As I mentioned, I found these at Target. If you’re looking for them, check the end caps facing the walls.

What I paid

Each variety of Skittles Pop’d was $6.29 for a 5.5 oz. bag.

My thoughts

I love a bag of Skittles. At various times in my life, they’ve been part of my daily routine. Maybe it was swinging by the school store on the way to the bus since they sold the blue-bag variety. Maybe it was eating a bag while on deadline at my first newspaper job since they were a reliable option in the unreliable vending machine.

I’ve never had freeze-dried candy, so I was curious what Skittles Pop’d would be like. True to their name, each piece of candy looks like the inside of the Skittle has exploded, pushing out the candy shell while still somehow holding onto it. And true to the promise on the bag, Skittles Pop’d are “crispy and crunchy.”

They’re good, I guess?

I like them. But I’m not sure if there’d ever be a situation where I would choose Skittles Pop’d over normal Skittles. I had Caitlin try a few, and she instantly remarked that they’re missing the experience of what makes eating Skittles eating Skittles.

Then there is the sour variety.

I remember when Sour Skittles first debuted. I found them at a gas station during the drive to or from a family vacation. (Gas stations always come through when it comes to new candy.) It’s been a long time since I had Sour Skittles, but back then they were coated in that same sour sugar combo that you’ll find on Sour Patch Kids. If regular Skittles eventually wear away at the linings of your cheeks, Sour Skittles would do that work in a tenth of the time.

Sour Skittles Pop’d are very sour. They start kind of slow before escalating to the kind of sour where you’re forced to close your eyes for a moment. I have a full bag of Sour Skittles Pop’d in our kitchen now, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be returning to it.

Final verdict: BUY FOR THE EXPERIENCE

If Target had had a random freeze-dried candy sitting on those end caps, there’s no chance I would have bought them. Skittles are an institution, though, and I needed to see what the freeze-dried version tastes like. If you’ve never had freeze-dried candy, Skittles Pop’d are a reasonable gateway entry into the world.