The 10 Best Gummy Bear Brands You’ve Ever Tried

No matter what stage of life you’re in, there’s no pick-me-up quite like a gummy bear. Believe it or not, these chewy, teddy bear-shaped candies are a fool-proof way of boosting both your energy and mood, what with their high carbohydrate content (the body’s №1 preferred source of fuel!) and adorable shapes that are *almost* too cute to eat. We researched the best gummy bears for you to add to your snacking arsenal based on numerous factors, including taste, ingredients and packaging.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GUMMY BEAR

There are a few things to look for when selecting the perfect gummy bear snack.

• Flavour: Typically, the label will display a bag’s flavour selections. Check them out to see if they’re to your liking (or if there are any off-limits ones you’d rather not go for). Then again, you don’t need to write off a whole bag if there’s one flavour you’re not into — we’re positive a hungry friend or co-worker would take them off your hands! If it’s the long-lasting intensity that won’t fade mid-chew that you’re after, look for the addition of citric acid, which works to “wake up” the flavour.
• Dietary restrictions: A gummy bear (and all candy, for that matter) is considered vegan-friendly if it’s void of animal byproducts. Many types of gummy bears are made with gelatin, a derivative of pig collagen, so definitely steer clear of that if you’re leading a strictly plant-based diet. Additionally, gummy bears tend to be high in sugar. If you currently suffer from any conditions that might prevent you from safely consuming sugar or experiencing insulin spikes, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or migraines, you’ll want to check with your healthcare practitioner before treating yourself to gummy bears (you can also opt for a sugar-free version). Luckily, there are tons of gummy bears on the market that are geared toward folks with all kinds of dietary preferences and restrictions, whether you’re eating keto, paleo or allergen-free.
• Packaging: Did you know that we, as humans, eat with our eyes first? As trivial as it may seem, there is a lot to be said about an alluring bag that’s emblazoned with bold colours and patterns. Let your eyes guide your taste buds when choosing the perfect bag. It’s seriously part of the fun!

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1. HARIBO GOLDBEARS GUMMI CANDY

Best Overall Gummy Bears

Hailed as the original gummy bear, Haribo’s gummi candy has been tantalizing our taste buds for just shy of 100 years!

WHAT WE LIKE: The vibrant colors of these candies, which come 12 bags to a box, are to *dye* for. They have citric acid to keep them fresher, longer, and certain flavors, like pineapple and strawberry, come in unexpected colors (strawberry is green and pineapple is white, for instance), to keep your tongue guessing. The gold packaging, meanwhile, is evocative of the sought-after Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka’s famous Wonka Bars, further adding to its nostalgic appeal.

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2. SMARTSWEETS FRUITY GUMMY BEARS

Best Low Sugar Gummy Bears

With just 4 grams of sugar per bag, SmartSweets’ fruity gummy bears are packed with raspberry, apple, lemon and peach flavors that largely rely on natural sugar alternatives, such as allulose, monk fruit and natural fruit juices.

WHAT WE LIKE: Doesn’t it feel good to dig into the *whole* bag? In addition to their energy-boosting carbs, these single-serve bags are oh-so-satisfying to devour thanks to the 9 grams of prebiotic fiber they’re loaded with to promote better gut health. The sour, sugar-free coating also lends a surprising zest that will leave you feeling totally blissed out — and reaching for seconds.

3. ALBANESE 12 FLAVOR GUMMI BEARS

Best Gummy Bear Flavors

Life is like a bag of gummy bears: You never know what you’re going to get! That’s especially true of this five-pack of Albanese gummy bears, which comes jammed to the brim with 12 different flavors in a sweet, soft and chewy bite.

WHAT WE LIKE: These flavors are a departure from your standard lemon and cherry. Here, you’ve also got mango, pink grapefruit and blue raspberry, to name a few, making for an entire dessert table in a bag. They contain carnauba leaf wax to prevent sticking plus citric acid to boot.