8 Classic North Carolina Snacks That Locals Still Brag About

Growing up in North Carolina, I learned that our state’s food identity goes way beyond barbecue.

We’ve got snacks that define childhood memories and spark fierce hometown pride.

When I moved away for college, these were the treats I’d beg my parents to ship in care packages.

From fizzy sodas born in small-town pharmacies to peanuts boiled roadside in salty brine, these eight iconic North Carolina snacks continue to spark joy and nostalgia for locals like me.

1. Cheerwine: The Cherry-Red Nectar Of The Carolinas

My grandpa introduced me to Cheerwine when I was seven, and that first sip of cherry-flavored fizz felt like a rite of passage. This burgundy-colored soda was born in Salisbury in 1917 during a sugar shortage in World War I, when L.D. Peeler created a cherry drink that needed less sugar but packed more flavor.

Despite the name, there’s no wine in this bubbly beverage – just a distinct cherry taste that’s simultaneously sweet and slightly tart. Locals keep bottles stashed in their fridges for special occasions.

During summer cookouts, you’ll find Cheerwine slushies, floats, and even barbecue sauce made with this iconic drink. When North Carolinians move away, this ruby-red refreshment is often the first thing they seek when visiting home.

2. Lance ToastChee Crackers: The Lunchbox Legend

Bright orange, perfectly rectangular, and filled with peanut butter – Lance ToastChee crackers saved me from countless hunger emergencies during school field trips. These iconic sandwich crackers started in Charlotte back in 1913 when food broker Philip Lance began selling roasted peanuts, eventually expanding to these beloved cracker sandwiches.

The distinctive yellow packaging signals comfort to any North Carolinian. The crackers themselves deliver that perfect balance of saltiness and sweet peanut butter that somehow tastes better than homemade versions.

Gas stations across the state keep them stocked near the register for hungry travelers. I’ve witnessed heated debates among locals about which flavor reigns supreme – the original peanut butter, the cheese with peanut butter, or the newer varieties – but ToastChee loyalists typically stand firm on their childhood favorite.

3. Boiled Peanuts: Highway Stand Treasures

Nothing announces “you’re in the South” quite like spotting my first roadside boiled peanut stand on Highway 64. The smell of peanuts simmering in salty brine draws you in from a quarter-mile away! These soggy legumes might confuse outsiders, but they’re summer staples for North Carolinians who know the joy of pinching open the soft shells.

Most locals prefer them heavily salted and still warm, eaten right from a paper bag that gradually develops translucent grease spots. The texture falls somewhere between bean and nut – completely different from their roasted cousins.

Family recipes for the perfect boil are guarded secrets, with debates about adding cajun seasoning or keeping it traditional. I’ve watched tourists wrinkle their noses at these mushy treats, while we natives smile knowingly at what they’re missing.

4. Livermush: The Breakfast Block That Divides Families

“You’ll thank me later!” That’s what my uncle always said when slicing the gray-brown loaf of livermush for my breakfast plate. This uniquely Carolinian creation – a mixture of pig liver, head parts, cornmeal, and spices – looks questionable but fries up into crispy slices that convert skeptics with one taste.

Western North Carolina claims ownership of this Depression-era staple. Towns like Shelby even host annual livermush festivals celebrating this humble food that sustained families through hard times.

Locals debate the proper serving method: some swear by livermush sandwiches with mustard on white bread, while others wouldn’t dream of eating it any way except fried crisp with eggs and grits. It’s our version of scrapple, but don’t tell a North Carolinian that – we’re convinced ours is superior in every way.

5. Mt. Olive Pickles: Cucumber Perfection In A Jar

The satisfying pop of a Mt. Olive pickle jar opening takes me straight back to my grandmother’s kitchen table. These tangy, crisp delights come from the tiny town of Mount Olive, where the company began in 1926 as a way to prevent local cucumber crops from going to waste.

What makes them special isn’t just the perfect balance of vinegar, garlic, and dill, but the hometown pride they inspire. The annual New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop attracts thousands who watch a glowing pickle descend at midnight instead of a ball.

Every true North Carolinian knows the difference between the varieties – bread and butter for sandwiches, kosher dills for straight-from-the-jar snacking, and sweet pickles for relish trays. I’ve witnessed pickle juice drinking contests at family reunions and heated arguments about whether the juice cures muscle cramps (it totally does).

6. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: The Original Hot Light Phenomenon

I still make illegal U-turns whenever I spot the glowing red “Hot Now” sign at Krispy Kreme. These pillowy clouds of fried perfection originated in Winston-Salem in 1937, when Vernon Rudolph started selling his yeast-raised doughnuts through a hole in the wall to passersby attracted by the heavenly aroma.

The magic happens when the warm doughnuts pass under the waterfall of sweet glaze. That first bite – when the outside offers the slightest resistance before yielding to the airy interior – creates a sensory experience that’s converted generations of North Carolinians into devoted fans.

Local schools fund entire programs through Krispy Kreme fundraisers, and we gift these treats by the dozen for everything from office meetings to hospital visits. Out-of-state chains have tried to compete, but we stand by our hometown doughnut with fierce loyalty.

7. Moravian Cookies: The World’s Thinnest Treat

“Don’t breathe too hard or they’ll disappear!” That’s the running joke about paper-thin Moravian cookies, a North Carolina treasure brought by German-speaking Moravian settlers to Winston-Salem in the 1700s. My first taste came from a distinctive red tin my teacher brought after Christmas break.

These spice cookies are so thin you can almost see through them, yet they pack an intense flavor punch of ginger, cloves, and molasses. The traditional method requires rolling the dough almost transparently thin and cutting perfect circles with absolute precision.

Old Salem bakeries still make them by hand during the holidays, creating lines that stretch around the block. While the traditional spice flavor reigns supreme, locals also treasure the lemon, black walnut, and chocolate varieties. Gift a tin to any North Carolinian living elsewhere and watch their eyes light up with homesick recognition.

8. Carolina Kettle Chips: Small-Batch Potato Perfection

“Y’all tried the Carolina BBQ flavor yet?” That question sparked a heated debate at my family’s last cookout. Carolina Kettle Chips might be newer to our state’s snack scene, but they’ve quickly become a point of pride with their locally-inspired flavors and Raleigh roots.

Founded by a NC State student, these kettle-cooked potato chips come in varieties that pay homage to our state’s flavor traditions – like the tangy vinegar-based Eastern Carolina BBQ and the spicier Southern Sweet Heat. The company even donates a portion of proceeds to local food banks.

The extra-crunchy texture comes from cooking in small batches, creating those perfect air pockets and ridges that hold just the right amount of seasoning. I’ve converted many out-of-state friends with a single bag, proving that North Carolina’s snack innovation continues to evolve while honoring our culinary heritage.