Skittles Is Releasing a Wild New Candy—and I Tried It First

Skittles have long been a favorite for chewy candy fans. They offer the best of both crunchy and chewy worlds, with a hard shell that cracks between your teeth to unveil a gummy, melt-in-your-mouth center. However, even with the rise in popularity of chewy candy like Nerds Gummy Clusters, many sweets lovers have been turning to even crunchier treats. 

It was predicted that freeze-dried candy would be a major trend in 2024, and that has certainly been the case. A quick search for “freeze-dried candy” on TikTok, and you’re greeted with hundreds of videos of creators trying things like freeze-dried Skittles, freeze-dried gummy worms, and freeze-dried peach rings.

Previously, these candies have only been available through third-party sellers, like Amazon and TikTok Shop, but now Skittles is hopping on the trend and bringing its own freeze-dried candy to markets.

What Is Freeze-Dried Candy?

Freeze-dried candy is simply candy that’s been placed in a special vacuum chamber that sucks out its moisture. This process leaves a dry, shelf-stable treat with all the same flavors but in a crunchier form. 

Freeze-dried fruits, like strawberries, raspberries, and apples, have been popular for a few years now. However, before freeze-dried candy took off on TikTok, the most well-known freeze-dried treats were the ones sold at science museums, called Astronaut Ice Cream.

The freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches are available in multiple flavors and have been around for 50 years. Now, the space food tech has reached the minds over at Mars Wrigley.

Mars Wrigley Introduces Skittles Pop'd Freeze-Dried Candy

Skittles is releasing new Skittles Pop’d freeze-dried candy in both its classic Original and a new Sour variety. The “crispy and crunchy” candy in the Original pack features the same Strawberry, Lemon, Lime, Orange, and Grape flavors. Meanwhile, the Sour pack offers brand new flavors, including Sour Lemonade, Sour Blue Raspberry, Sour Strawberry, Sour Watermelon, and Sour Cherry. This is different from the usual Sour Skittles, which typically have the same flavors as the Original, just with a tart dusting.

In a nod to its virality, Skittles Pop’d will first be available exclusively on TikTok Shop beginning Oct. 21. Then, Skittles Pop’d Original and Sour will launch at select retailers later this fall—and roll out to nationwide retailers in 2025. 

I got the chance to try the new Skittles Pop’d before they hit the market—here’s my honest review.

I Tried Sour Skittles Pop'd

Before this launch, I hadn’t gotten on the freeze-dried candy train just yet. I was definitely the kid who bought Astronaut Ice Cream on my school trip to Washington, D.C., but I haven’t felt the need to order the candy on TikTok Shop. 

I will say when Shipley Do-Nuts introduced doughnuts topped with freeze-dried Skittles, I was intrigued—but because I don’t live near a location, I couldn’t try them. 

So, Sour Skittles Pop’d were my first taste of the trend, and it turns out I’ve been really missing out. I love Sour Skittles in general, but I’m a big fan of the new flavors in the Pop’d pack. As a Blue Raspberry Jolly Rancher stan, the Sour Blue Raspberry is my favorite new addition. 

In terms of flavor, these taste exactly like regular Skittles—the only thing that’s missing is the grainy citric acid that coats your tongue when you eat regular Sour Skittles. And, I have to say, I don't miss that feeling.

The biggest difference, unsurprisingly, is the texture. I love Skittles because they’re both crunchy and chewy, so I was afraid I wouldn’t like the freeze-dried version as much. However, it’s a completely new experience that you really can’t compare to eating regular Skittles. 

Skittles Pop'd have a satisfying crunch you can’t get from other hard candies—unless you’re willing to risk breaking your teeth. It’s almost like eating a pretzel that is actually sour and sweet instead of savory and salty. 

Skittles Pop’d will never replace Skittles for me because they're two completely different things for separate cravings. But I will be keeping a bag around for when I want a crunchy snack that still satisfies my sweet—and sour—tooth.