Ranking 16 Favorite M&M Flavors – Do You Agree?
M&M’s have been delighting our taste buds since 1941, transforming from the classic milk chocolate variety into a vibrant rainbow of flavors that cater to every sweet tooth.
As a lifelong candy lover, I’ve taken it upon myself to sample every M&M flavor that’s graced the shelves. From classic milk chocolate to unique seasonal varieties, I’ve been on a delicious mission to taste it all.
After countless taste tests (and probably a few too many sugar rushes), I’ve compiled my definitive ranking of the best M&M flavors ever created. Get ready for a sweet journey through the ultimate M&M flavor lineup!
1. Peanut M&M’s: Nutty Perfection
My love affair with Peanut M&M’s began during college all-nighters. That perfect combination of crunchy peanut, creamy chocolate, and candy shell creates a textural masterpiece unlike any other candy.
The yellow package has always signaled good times ahead. Whether shared with friends during game nights or secretly stashed in my desk drawer for afternoon energy boosts, these nutty treats never disappoint.
The peanut variety actually contains more protein than other M&M’s, which I’ve always used as an excuse to call them a “somewhat healthy” snack. Who am I kidding? I’d eat them regardless of any nutritional benefits!
2. Peanut Butter M&M’s: Creamy Dream
Holy moly, these are game-changers! Imagine the perfect marriage between a Reese’s cup and an M&M – that’s exactly what you get with these orange-packaged treasures. The smooth peanut butter center creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s utterly addictive.
I once brought these to a potluck dessert table, and they vanished faster than anything else there. My friend’s five-year-old son actually hugged my leg in gratitude!
Introduced in 1990, these gems have remained largely unchanged for over 30 years. When something’s this perfect, why mess with it? The balance of sweet chocolate and savory peanut butter makes these impossible to eat just one.
3. Caramel M&M’s: Gooey Goodness
Caramel M&M’s burst onto the scene in 2017 and immediately stole my heart. The moment you bite in, that luscious caramel center oozes out, creating a textural symphony that’s simply irresistible.
These candies are substantially larger than regular M&M’s, which means more of everything good! I keep a stash in my car’s glove compartment for traffic emergencies – nothing cures road rage like gooey caramel.
My nephew calls these “magic melty middles,” and honestly, that’s the perfect description. The contrast between the crunchy shell and the soft, buttery caramel center creates a candy experience that feels like it was designed by dessert scientists who really understand joy.
4. Classic Milk Chocolate: The Timeless Original
Nothing beats the original! The first M&M’s I ever tasted were these simple milk chocolate gems, and they’ve remained a constant companion through movie nights and road trips ever since.
The perfect balance of smooth chocolate inside that signature candy shell creates that unmistakable crunch followed by melt-in-your-mouth goodness. I remember sneaking these from my mom’s baking cabinet as a kid, thinking she wouldn’t notice the missing handful.
Did you know the original M&M’s were created for soldiers during WWII because the candy shell prevented the chocolate from melting? That practical innovation still makes them the perfect portable treat today!
5. Crispy M&M’s: The Comeback Kid
Remember when these disappeared for a decade? I literally wrote a letter to Mars begging them to bring back these light, crunchy delights! The crisp rice center adds an airy texture that makes these uniquely satisfying.
After their triumphant return in 2015, I bought ten bags just in case they vanished again. Their distinctive blue package now holds a special place in my pantry. The lighter texture somehow tricks my brain into thinking I can eat twice as many!
Fun fact: these were so missed during their hiatus that people were paying outrageous prices to import them from Europe where they remained available. Now that’s dedication! The lighter crunch makes these perfect for mixing into popcorn for movie nights.
6. Pretzel M&M’s: Sweet Meets Salty
Whoever invented Pretzel M&M’s deserves a Nobel Prize in snacking! The genius combination of salty pretzel center, sweet milk chocolate middle layer, and candy shell creates the perfect trifecta of flavors and textures.
My movie theater smuggling routine always includes these orange-packaged wonders. Something about the salt-sweet combo makes them pair perfectly with popcorn. I’ve converted at least seven friends to the pretzel side after insisting they try just one.
These actually contain fewer calories than most other M&M varieties, which I use as justification to eat the entire bag in one sitting. The satisfying crunch of the pretzel center makes these uniquely addictive – I dare you to eat just a handful!
7. Almond M&M’s: Sophisticated Snacking
Almond M&M’s feel like the grown-up version of the candy – they’re what I reach for when I want to feel fancy while still indulging my sweet tooth. Each piece contains a whole roasted almond, making them substantial and satisfying.
The teal package signals something special inside. I remember my grandmother always kept these in her purse, and getting one felt like receiving a precious jewel. Now I continue the tradition with my nieces.
These beauties have been around since 1988, though they were initially limited edition. Thank goodness they became permanent! The combination of crunchy almond, smooth chocolate, and candy shell creates a textural wonderland that makes them impossible to put down.
8. Fudge Brownie M&M’s: Dessert in Candy Form
Chocolate squared! These newcomers took the M&M world by storm in 2020. Biting into one reveals a chewy brownie-flavored center that genuinely tastes like someone miniaturized a fudge brownie and wrapped it in more chocolate.
During lockdown baking experiments, I discovered crushing these and using them in cookie dough creates the ultimate chocolate cookie. The brownies inside brownies inception moment blew my mind!
These are substantially larger than classic M&M’s, which feels like getting more bang for your buck. The texture stays chewy even after the candy shell and chocolate layer have melted away, creating a multi-stage snacking experience that keeps your taste buds entertained from start to finish.
9. Peanut Butter & Jelly M&M’s: Childhood Nostalgia
Launched as a limited edition flavor, these PB&J candies captured the essence of everyone’s favorite sandwich in candy form! The combination of peanut butter and berry flavors creates an unexpected but delightful nostalgic experience.
I hoarded these when they were available, rationing them like precious gems. My coworkers would barter snacks just to get a few from my secret stash. The purple and brown swirled colors made them as fun to look at as they were to eat.
What made these special was how the flavors evolved as you ate them – first the candy shell, then chocolate, then the magical peanut butter and jelly fusion. Finding these now is like discovering treasure, and I still check every candy aisle hoping for their return!
10. Mint M&M’s: Refreshingly Sweet
Cool mint meets creamy chocolate in this refreshing twist on the classic M&M. The first time I tried these, I was skeptical – mint and chocolate can go very wrong – but these nailed the balance perfectly!
The green and white packaging signals the coolness waiting inside. I’ve found these make the perfect after-dinner treat when you want something sweet but not too heavy. My dentist friend claims the mint makes them “practically oral hygiene,” which is definitely not true but a delightful justification!
During holiday seasons, these become my go-to baking addition. Crushed mint M&M’s in chocolate cookies create a festive treat that disappears from cookie exchanges in record time. The cool mint flavor lingers pleasantly, making these uniquely satisfying.
11. Coffee Nut M&M’s: Morning Motivation
Coffee and chocolate belong together, and these brilliant candies prove it! Selected as the winner of a flavor contest in 2016, Coffee Nut M&M’s combine the richness of coffee with the crunch of peanuts and sweetness of chocolate.
I keep these in my desk drawer for afternoon slumps. While they don’t contain actual caffeine, the coffee flavor creates a psychological boost that gets me through the 3 PM energy crash. My coffee-obsessed friend claims these are “acceptable substitutes” when brewing a fresh pot isn’t possible.
The beige packaging with coffee bean imagery makes these instantly recognizable. What makes them special is how the coffee flavor isn’t artificial or overwhelming – it’s a sophisticated hint that elevates the chocolate-peanut combination to gourmet territory.
12. Dark Chocolate M&M’s: Sophisticated Sweetness
For the grown-up candy lover in all of us! Dark Chocolate M&M’s offer a slightly bitter edge that balances perfectly with the sweet candy shell. The sophisticated flavor profile makes these feel like a legitimate adult treat.
I discovered these during a late-night grocery run when I was craving something less sweet than usual. The dark green package caught my eye, and it was love at first bite! Now they’re my go-to when I want to feel slightly more sophisticated about my candy choices.
These actually contain antioxidants thanks to the dark chocolate, which I use as justification for the handful I enjoy with my afternoon tea. The less sweet chocolate center creates a more complex flavor experience that evolves as you eat them.
13. Hazelnut Spread M&M’s: Nutella’s Candy Cousin
Imagine Nutella in M&M form – that’s exactly what these teal-packaged treasures deliver! The creamy hazelnut spread center creates a rich, indulgent experience that feels like a gourmet upgrade to the classic candy.
I discovered these during a road trip and nearly caused an accident with my enthusiastic reaction to the first taste. The creamy center has a distinct European sophistication that sets them apart from other varieties. My Italian friend claims they’re “almost as good as actual Nutella” – high praise indeed!
These larger-sized candies require a different eating approach – bite rather than whole-mouth popping. The reward is that luscious hazelnut spread flavor that slowly melts across your palate. Perfect for savoring one at a time rather than handful munching.
14. Birthday Cake M&M’s: Party in Your Mouth
Sprinkles inside candy? Genius! Birthday Cake M&M’s capture the essence of celebration with their cake batter flavor and tiny colorful sprinkles mixed into the chocolate center.
I first tried these at my nephew’s birthday party and immediately stole the bag for myself (don’t worry, I replaced it before anyone noticed). The flavor genuinely tastes like cake batter ice cream in portable candy form. The white package with colorful confetti design perfectly telegraphs the party happening inside.
These make perfect gifts – I’ve tucked them into birthday cards as a sweet surprise. The nostalgic flavor of birthday cake somehow makes any random Tuesday feel special. Each bite delivers that distinct vanilla cake batter flavor that’s impossible not to smile about.
15. Coconut M&M’s: Tropical Vacation Vibes
Coconut M&M’s transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with each bite! The white chocolate center infused with coconut flavor creates an island getaway experience without leaving your couch.
I discovered these during a particularly brutal winter and they became my little mental escape. The white and light blue packaging even looks like a beach scene! My coconut-obsessed friend claims these are the only acceptable alternative when fresh coconut isn’t available.
Limited edition status makes these rare treasures when you can find them. The coconut flavor isn’t artificial or sunscreen-like (a common coconut candy pitfall) – it’s subtle and authentic. Paired with white chocolate instead of milk chocolate was a brilliant choice that enhances the tropical flavor profile.
16. Crunchy Cookie M&M’s: Cookie Jar Surprise
Cookie lovers, rejoice! These ingenious candies include crunchy cookie pieces mixed right into the chocolate center, creating a texture and flavor reminiscent of chocolate chip cookies.
I stumbled upon these during a late-night grocery run and impulsively bought three bags. Best impulse purchase ever! The crunchy bits stay crisp even surrounded by chocolate, creating a textural masterpiece. My cookie-obsessed roommate actually gasped when trying them for the first time.
The light brown packaging with cookie imagery sets appropriate expectations. What makes these special is how they manage to capture not just cookie flavor but that distinctive cookie texture in candy form. They’re like having portable cookies without the crumbs – perfect for secret desk drawer snacking!
17. English Toffee Peanut M&M’s: Buttery Brilliance
Winner of a flavor vote competition, English Toffee Peanut M&M’s combine buttery toffee flavor with crunchy peanuts for a sophisticated candy experience. The moment these hit your tongue, you’re greeted with that distinctive caramelized butter note that makes toffee irresistible.
I discovered these during a movie night and nearly forgot to watch the film! The toffee flavor creates a rich butterscotch dimension that elevates the peanut center to new heights. My British friend claims they’re “a proper tribute” to English toffee.
The light brown packaging with gold accents signals the premium experience inside. What makes these special is how the toffee flavor permeates both the chocolate layer and the candy shell, creating a unified flavor experience that’s greater than the sum of its parts.