Every spring, marshmallow chicks and bunnies flood store shelves in a rainbow of colors and flavors. In this article, I put a lineup of Peeps flavors to the test—rating them on taste, sweetness, and overall snackability—to find out which ones deserve a spot in your Easter basket and which ones are better left on the shelf.
Dr. Pepper Peeps: When I open the package, the smell is identical to the drink. They are an interesting color, but the dark red matches the famous soda. When I bite into the fluffy chick, I don’t taste much Dr. Pepper flavor at all. I can taste some hints of cherry, and it almost seems as if it’s Coca-Cola. These Peeps definitely have an acquired taste; if you are someone who likes outrageous things, you should try these Peeps, but I wouldn’t recommend them to any picky eater. Overall, a solid Peep. My rating is a 7/10.
Party Cake Peeps: My first impression of these Peeps is wow: they have a nice exterior that looks just like a cake-flavored Peep should—cream colored peep with rainbow specs to mimic sprinkles. Unfortunately, when I smell the chick, it has an unpleasant smell. A Peep shouldn’t smell like melted butter, but this one did. When I tasted the marshmallow, it seemed as if I had eaten a regular Peep. I was very disappointed, especially since I had high hopes and expectations for this flavor. Not a bad taste, but definitely not how a cake Peep should be. If you are someone who likes the normal Peeps, give Party Cake a try, but if you want something extraordinary, opt for another fun flavor. I would rate the Party Cake Peeps a 6/10; not a bad taste, but definitely not how I would have liked it.
Rice Krispies Treat Peeps: I believe in love at first smell, and this Peep smelled divine. Similar to a sugary vanilla smell, this cream colored Peep already had me on the edge of my seat. My first bite was pretty good, almost like a sugar cookie; however, it was not like a Rice Krispies treat. Overall, the color looks similar to a Rice Krispies treat. I would say the smell is identical to vanilla. A super good flavor, but one that doesn’t taste like Rice Krispies, overall 8/10.
Cotton Candy Peeps: My immediate reaction when I saw these Peeps was, ” Wow, these look divine. I get a whiff of the pink and blue spotted Peep, and I smell a scent identical to cotton candy; just what I want, a sweet and sensational smell. I give props to Peeps because the color also does a great job at replicating what cotton candy should and does look like. This Peep flavor blew me away. It truly encapsulates what cotton candy tastes like. After eating this Peep, I immediately added more packs to my cart. If you are someone who likes sweet, sugary things, or even Peeps in general, you should definitely give Cotton Candy Peeps a try. This flavor is my new favorite, so it deserves a 10/10: it’s the perfect Easter sweet treat!
Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart Peeps: First, I notice that the smell is identical to a sweet perfume. The scent is super strong and intimidating; a good smell, but not one that smells edible. When I tasted the pink-speckled Peep, I was amazed because it tasted so good. I was immediately hit with a strawberry and cream flavor. While it wasn’t what I expected, a strong and artificial taste, it was still very enjoyable. I highly recommend this flavor of marshmallow Peeps, and it deserves a 9/10. If you see this one at your local grocery store, I’d say try it out!
Sour Watermelon Peeps: I want to start by saying I’m scared. The super-strong smell is almost identical to a Sour Patch Watermelon. I almost feel threatened by the bright green sugar that looks radioactive. Straight away, I am hit with a sour flavor that is not enjoyable. After trying this Peep, I can confidently say that the sour coating is overwhelming and takes over the watermelon flavor. While I can’t say that I finished eating this Peep, I can definitely tell you to avoid it at all costs. This flavor was disappointing. I had high hopes for this, seemingly, fun flavored peep. Unfortunately, my expectations were too high. This flavor receives a 3/10 from me. If I were you, I’d say walk past this flavor on the shelves.
After tasting my way through a lineup of colorful marshmallow chicks and bunnies, one thing became clear: not all Peeps are created equal. Some flavors stayed true to the soft, sugary charm that made Peeps a classic, while others tried to push the limits with bold twists. Whether you prefer the original classic or enjoy trying the newest experimental flavors, Peeps continue to be a fun part of the Easter candy tradition.
