- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Cranford Today
By the People, for the People
Cashews Reign Supreme as America's Favorite Nut, but Snacking Styles Vary by Region and Generation
Nuts.com study reveals distinct snacking preferences across the country ahead of National Snack Day.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Ahead of National Snack Day, a new study by family-owned snacking company Nuts.com reveals that cashews are the nation's favorite nut for snacking and trail mixes, with boomers leading the charge. However, the data also shows distinct regional and generational divides in snacking preferences, from the Southwest's love of peanuts and spicy flavors to the Midwest's nostalgia for classic salty and cheesy snacks. While crispy texture reigns supreme overall, younger consumers are driving a 'sensory snacking revolution' with a preference for bold, adventurous flavors and textures.
Why it matters
The Nuts.com study provides valuable insights into the evolving snacking habits of Americans, highlighting how preferences can vary significantly by geography and age. This information is crucial for snack brands and retailers looking to cater to the diverse tastes of today's consumers, especially as snacking continues to grow in popularity and younger generations seek more unique and innovative offerings.
The details
The study found that cashews are the overall favorite nut for snacking, with 43% of Americans naming them a top pick. However, regional differences emerged, with the Northeast favoring a balance of creamy and crispy textures, the Southeast leaning into sweet and indulgent pecan-based snacks, the Southwest craving fiery peanut-forward options, the Midwest gravitating toward nostalgic and pistachio-powered snacks, and the West preferring baked and buttery treats. Generationally, younger consumers are driving demand for more adventurous flavors and textures, such as chewy, crunchy, and even 'bouncy' snacks, while older generations stick to classic crispy, creamy, and cakey favorites.
- The Nuts.com study was conducted from February 13-19, 2026.
The players
Nuts.com
A family-owned, direct-to-consumer snacking and specialty food company that has been delivering exceptional quality and variety to nearly one million customers for nearly a century.
PJ Oleksak
The CEO of Nuts.com.
What they’re saying
“For nearly a century, Nuts.com has known that snacking is personal — and we've built our business on delivering exceptional quality and variety. Today, we serve nearly one million customers with tastes ranging from timeless favorites to bold, globally inspired flavors. National Snack Day is a chance to celebrate that individuality and the joy of discovery.”
— PJ Oleksak, CEO, Nuts.com
What’s next
Nuts.com plans to continue expanding its selection of premium nuts, dried fruits, snacks, and other specialty food items to cater to the diverse tastes of its growing customer base across the country.
The takeaway
The Nuts.com study highlights the importance for snack brands and retailers to understand and adapt to the evolving regional and generational preferences of American consumers, who are seeking a balance of classic comfort and bold, innovative flavors and textures in their snacking experiences.
