The most popular snacks in Iowa are Rice Krispies Treats, Doritos

The popular creation of an Iowan, the Rice Krispies Treats, is fittingly the state’s favorite snack.

National Snack Day is March 4, and Hubscore, which connects businesses to marketing and public relations agencies, released the favorite snacks of every state in 2024, with Doritos, Cheetos and Rice Krispies Treats reigning supreme across most of America.

What are the five most popular snacks in Iowa?

Rice Krispies Treats aren’t the only things Iowans are munching on. Here are the four other most popular snacks in Iowa:

• Doritos
• Chex Mix
• Fritos
• Goldfish

More: This Iowa candy has driven fans into hysterics for a century. Is it ready to go national?

Who invented Rice Krispies Treats?

Mildred Day, an Iowan, alongside co-worker Malitta Jensen, created the Rice Krispies Treats. Day, born Harriet Mildred Ghrist in 1903, tested recipes at Kellogg’s. The pair were possibly inspired by an earlier recipe that used puffed wheat and molasses, the Des Moines Register reported in 2017.

Day, described by her daughter as “ahead of her time,” was born in Durham in Marion County and later enrolled at Iowa State University. In addition to testing recipes for Kellogg’s, Day conducted cooking schools for the company’s customers across the country, the Register reported in 2017.

She died in 1996 at 92.

More: From the archives: Love Rice Krispies Treats? You have an Iowan to thank

What are the most popular snacks in America?

Rice Krispies Treats beat Doritos as the most popular snack in the country, with the chewy treat taking the No. 1 spot in 18 states (including Iowa). Doritos took the top position in 16 states.

Rice Krispies Treats came out on top in several Midwestern states including Minnesota, Kansas and Missouri, though the reach of this sweet snack goes far beyond the Midwest — Rice Krispies Treats were the most popular snack in Maine and Alaska as well. The snacks that made the No. 1 spot for other states are:

• Cheetos
• Lays
• Chex Mix
• Fritos

More: Candy corn? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? Chocolate? Iowans have a new top Halloween candy

What is the Rice Krispies Treats recipe?

Kellogg’s features the original Rice Krispies Treats recipe on ricekrispies.com. The ingredients needed for the recipe are butter, marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal.

To make Rice Krispies Treats, melt the butter in a saucepan and add the marshmallows in. Stir until completely melted. Remove your saucepan from heat and stir in the cereal before pouring your mixture into a pan and letting it cool. Cut your bars into 2-inch squares.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.