Fan Favorite Snacks That Are Totally Not Worth The Money

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Usually, when you think of snacks, the first options that come to mind are budget buys like old-school candy bars, classic chip varieties, ice cream, and baked goods made from scratch. Nowadays, however, the snack food category has grown to include far more niche fare that you may or may not have heard of in your culinary travels. Whether these newfangled munchers cater to individuals with particular dietary restrictions and consumers chasing the latest trends or are simply made with higher quality ingredients, they tend to share a common theme: The cost of admission is far higher than your standard snack pick.

To be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with splurging on a snack since it is, of course, the best meal (or meals) of the day. But we all have our spending limits, after all, and it doesn't hurt to be mindful of how your snack habit could be impacting your budget. Below we've highlighted some pricey treats across the full snack spectrum — from fancified brownies and chocolate bars to alternative jerky and ice cream pints — that just aren't worth the investment.

Considering the exorbitantly high price of Sugarfina gummies, it would make perfect sense to assume that they're prepared with a certain Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen-approved ingredient that shall currently remain nameless. But while there may be smoke, there is definitely no fire on that front. Well, if that's not the case, perhaps there's something else in there. Since some of the most popular offerings have names like Rosé All Day Bears and Champagne Bubbles, you might think that you're spending that extra money for a boozy infusion. Nope. All of Sugarfina's candies are non-alcoholic and completely kid-friendly.

So why are these gummies so dang expensive? Given that they're sumptuously supple and full of juicy flavor, they are absolutely better than your average gummy bear. But the main reason people are willing to pay a premium is likely for the full package, namely the little clear cube that houses Sugarfina's confections. It's certainly a classier alternative to your run-of-the-mill bag, especially if you plan on serving candy at a swanky event. But for general snacking purposes, it simply ain't worth the upcharge for a piece of plastic that is just going to end up in the garbage or recycling bin immediately after you polish off your sweets.

It wasn't that long ago that edamame was a relative rarity on the menu of stateside Japanese restaurants. Of course, nowadays, the salted pouch of green soybeans is as much of a fixture on the table now as sushi and tempura.

Its popularity can be easily explained. There is no doubt edamame is a healthy and shareable pre-meal snack. Plus it's fun to eat. Slurping those soybeans and enjoying their sweet nutty flavor and semi-soft texture is a pretty satisfying experience for the diner. But for the restaurant, the benefits are even greater. Edamame itself is super cheap, as there is nothing else to preparing the dish beyond steaming the beans and adding a sprinkle of salty seasoning. It's the perfect combination of big margins plus minimal effort (the kitchen staff doesn't even have to shuck the pods!) which is why servers often nudge a table to order it. With all that in mind, paying several bucks for a small bowl of edamame while dining out isn't worth it, especially since you can make a quick and simple batch at home for mere pocket change.

If you are an ice cream fan (who isn't?), you've probably noticed an influx of low-calorie pints taking up precious real estate in the supermarket freezer aisle. Well, you have Halo Top to thank, or perhaps lambast for that trend. Over the last few years, this "diet" ice cream has become a massive phenomenon that offers a multitude of flavors, each less than 400 calories for the entire pint.

Sounds too good to be true? Pretty much. Let's start with the presumed health benefits compared to your standard ice cream. Healthline noted that, while Halo Top is comparatively low in calories, neither is it a nutrient-rich powerhouse. And as for that magic calorie count, well that's largely a lot of hot (or rather cold) air. According to Time, you should really be paying attention to the weights, given that a pint of Halo Top is only a little more than half the weight of a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It's no wonder it's easy to down the whole shebang in just one or two snacking sessions.

As for the taste, it's no surprise that lowering the fat content and swapping a portion of sugar for the sweetener substitute stevia results in an admittedly inferior flavor and texture. If you're going to pay premium ice cream prices, you're better off just sticking with the real deal and simply consuming your ice cream in moderation.

The meaty, buttery macadamia is arguably at the summit of the nut hierarchy and unfortunately, you're also going to have to pay a king's ransom to enjoy them. Granted, the hefty price tag is certainly warranted. According to Business Insider, it takes up to a full decade for an individual tree to start producing the nuts, making the whole process agonizingly slow and therefore pretty darn expensive.

Even with that in mind, the cost, which can be upwards of $20 a pound, is a little too nutty for our tastes. If you happen to be heading home from the Maui airport and forgot to buy a gift for your loved ones, then by all means, grab some macadamias. And for a batch of white chocolate chip cookies or for an occasional indulgence, we're on board too. But as an everyday snack, we're happy to just slum it with almonds, peanuts, and pistachios.

Chicago's own Garrett Popcorn Shops has been a local favorite since 1949. But it became an international sensation in 2002 when the popcorn purveyor received an endorsement from Windy City legend Oprah Winfrey after the company's oversized tins appeared for the first of many times on her Favorite Things List. According to CNN, the surge in interest definitely boosted sales, though it proved tough for Garrett employees to keep up with the demand at first. It's since become a go-to gift from many an aunt and uncle and we certainly don't object to having a massive haul of flavored popcorn delivered to our door.

Garrett's large, crunchy kernels definitely impress and the company's signature sweet and savory duo of CheeseCorn and CaramelCrisp offers a highly munchable one-two flavor punch. But for $33 a bucket (and that's the small version) it's simply not a snack that we're inclined to order for ourselves on the regular.

Far be it from us to second guess an Oprah-approved snack, but if you're enjoying popcorn at home there is no reason you should be paying movie theater prices, at least not all the time.

These small-batch fruit, nut, seed, and herb studded crackers are at the top of their class. We're talking whole grains, no preservatives, and all-natural flavors up in this crisp. Raincoasts are so fancy that the pack day, batch number, and unit number are printed right on the front of the box. That type of luxury comes at a hefty price, however, which is basically around the cost of a freshly baked boule from a high-end bakery.

And sure, Lesley Stowe makes a mighty fine product, perhaps even the best in the biz. But for snacking purposes, a cracker ultimately takes a back seat to its topping, be it cheese, meat, produce, or all of the above. Essentially you're paying Ted Lasso money for a Coach Beard product. And as much as we love Coach Beard, he simply ain't Ted Lasso. Our advice: don't blow your budget on the second fiddle and use those savings to invest in some top tier queso.

First things first: Of course, peanut butter is a snack. Few things are more satisfying than spooning into the jar and then making a beeline directly to your mouth. And while there is room for debate whether to go chunky or smooth, there is no denying that classic brands like Skippy and Jif more than adequately fulfill our peanut butter needs.

Yet, there is always room for more competition and Justin's is, without a doubt, a welcome addition to the crowded space. Each jar of the classic version contains only two ingredients: dry roasted peanuts and palm oil. (You can also opt for flavored versions that contain all-natural additions such as maple, honey, and coconut.) And yes, the streamlined approach results in, dare we say, a superior peanut butter product. As for the economic aspect of the comparison, though, is it three times better than the competition? For the price, our childhood faves still get the edge.