Skittles were invented in 1974 (in the UK) and made their way to the USA in 1979.
And ever since then, they’ve absolutely been a pillar of our candy habit.
Sure, they’re no M&Ms…but if you’re looking for a taste of fruit and tons of sugar, Skittles have always had your back.
(And they’ve gotten smarter about all kinds of new flavors over the years too!)
But let’s face facts…
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
It’s 2025, and there are a lot of great options out there today to get you that fruit candy fix.
Some are healthier, some are organic, some are allergen-free or skip out on the weird chemical dyes…
And some just plain taste better!
(At least, according to their fans.)
Here are seven for your consideration:
Shutterstock
I feel like Starburst minis are pretty close to equivalent to skittles in general – they’re small, they’re flavorful, they pack a punch.
One of the major differences (aside from, of course, some flavor choices) is that they don’t have the hard candy shell that Skittles have.
And honestly, in my view that’s an upgrade. I sometimes feel like I’m about to break a tooth when I’m eating Skittles.
Shutterstock
Not to harp too much on Starbursts, but their jelly beans are hands-down my favorite jelly beans, and they’re one of the best when it comes to fruit candy more generally.
The fact that each jelly bean is individually flavored (strawberry, orange, green apple, grape, lemon, or cherry) vs the general “sugar” taste you get from so many jelly beans is obviously huge all on its own.
And the flavors are great, too. But they’ve also got a great mouthfeel – they’re small but not too small, with a firm yet chewy coating that preserves texture without tipping over into the harder shell of Skittles.
Shutterstock
Mike and Ikes are another great fruit snack option – they’ve got good flavors (cherry, strawberry, orange, lime, and lemon) and a robust texture.
Plus, if you don’t like their normal flavors, they’v egot options like sour blue raspberry, sour watermelon, berry blast, and more.
And you won’t break a tooth on them, either. (Although they do tend to get gummed up everywhere…)
What’s not to like?
Shutterstock
If you need your fruit candy fix but want a healthier option, I love SmartSweets.
(And so do my kids. Especially the gummy worms.)
There’s nothing that’s directly analogous to Skittles, but they all operate in that same general “candy with fruit flavors” arena – but SmartSweets brings some cool stuff to the table
– No added sugar
– Colors from plants instead of your Red whatever dyes
– Lower calorie
– Higher fiber
Shutterstock
Swedish Fish are one of those guilty pleasures we’ve all indulged in over the years.
There’s just something…weirdly…right about that very specific bright red color and the taste. It’s indescribable.
(Also, if you are looking for an easy alternative, try Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers, which are…well…pretty obivously a ripoff. And also they go lighter on the dyes!)
Shutterstock
Hi-Chew is a Japanese candy that has made pretty significant inroads in the USA, because it’s essentially a direct alternative to Starburst.
Same chewy texture, roughly same size and shape, somewhat different flavors but still in the same ballpark…
And that means, among other things, that they last longer than any individual Skittle.
Try them. You’ll love them.
Shutterstock
YumEarth’s sour beans are jelly beans (why didn’t they just call them YumEarth sour jelly beans? Anyway…), and they’re quite good.
In addition to that, they’re organic and non-GMO, so you know that the candy you (or your kids) are consuming is…quite a bit more natural than most of the nonsense out there.
(And certainly more than Skittles.)
You’ll find them in most grocery stores. Give them a try – I think you’ll be surprised how good they are!
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
Ok, listen, I know I just spent a bunch of time talking about how all these competitors are better than Skittles.
And I said it because I believe it!
But let’s be honest – Skittles are amazing, and there’s a reason they’re the standard against which everyone compares themselves.
They’re an instant classic!
And even leaving aside the traditional flavors – you’ve also got tropical and wild berry mixes too, plus their newer lines of gummies and more.
Shutterstock
So there you have it – seven candies with a good argument for why they’re better than Skittles.
But here are the big two questions:
#1: Has Skittles been dethroned? Are one or more of these better?
#2: Did I miss any good ones?
Let us know in the comments!
Shutterstock
Leave a Comment