There are few candies odder than jelly beans, but when it comes to finding the best jelly beans for Easter, fans have plenty of strong opinions. Making candy in the shape of beans is already a mystery to me, but the truth is, they scratch an itch that most candies can’t. Jelly bean fans all have their favorite flavors and brands — Starburst, Jelly Belly, and yes, even Dunkin’ — but which is the best of the best? Whether you’re stocking up for Easter or just avoiding movie theater candy prices, here are the top jelly bean brands to go for — and the ones to avoid.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Best: Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
$14.89 from Amazon
I’m not quite sure how anything else was expected to stand a chance. Those Starburst beans are tasty, but it’s impossible to match Jelly Belly. With hundreds of flavors and standard-setting texture, there’s no competition. In one scoop of a Jelly Belly bag, you’ve got the chance to land everything from Cotton Candy or Root Beer to Juicy Pear or Buttered Popcorn. I love the way you can create little recipes when you pair them up, and 49 flavors per variety pack is an unbeatable deal. Bonus points for Jelly Belly Sours, too, because that’s some of the best sour candy you can find.
Big Chewy Nerds Jelly Beans
$3.79 from Target
Here’s a brand that I was unaware was slinging J-beans. These are a mystery; the shell is covered in bumps and they’re slightly bigger than classic jelly beans, but the flavor is decent. If you like Nerds and jelly beans, you’ll like these. I sure do.
Starburst Jellybeans
$4.47 from Walmart
I had heard a lot of great things about Starburst’s beans, so I was excited. They more or less lived up to the hype, I suppose. I prefer the texture that Jelly Belly has going on — these feel more like a crunchy, dissolvable shell. The good news is, Starburst flavor is waiting inside, and I’m the first to admit how good it is.
Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Flavored Jelly Beans
$17.25 from Walmart
Did you know America’s favorite doughnut chain made jelly beans? I sure didn’t. I guess they’re going for some sort of connection between jelly beans and coffee beans but this was a shock to me. These are pretty baffling, but I have to tell you, I don’t mind them. Butter Pecan and Hazelnut are a little gross, but I actually very much like the French Vanilla and the Caramel Latte flavors. I don’t think we’ll be labeling these as America’s favorite jelly beans any time soon, but a dish of about five of them would make for a great little after-dinner treat.
Just Born Fruit Flavored Jelly Beans
$15.95 on Walmart (2 pack)
Just Born Fruit Flavored Jelly Beans are a classic chewy candy bursting with bright, fruity taste in every bite. Known for their smooth candy shell and soft center, these colorful jelly beans come in a variety of fruit-inspired flavors that make them fun to snack on, share, or use in festive treats.
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Sweetarts Jelly Beans
$3.59 from Amazon
There is a very strange scientific phenomena happening inside of these beans. Each one tastes cold. To be clear: They are not cold, but they taste cold. What on Earth is that about? As for flavor, it seems like the most popular flavors have been abandoned in favor of whatever these are supposed to taste like. I’d stick with regular Sweetarts — by the way, did you know that’s how you spell it? Coulda sworn it was Sweet Tarts.
Harry Potter Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans
$5.99 on Amazon
This shouldn’t be a surprise. You already know this. Just Born might have some weird stuff going on with its spice beans, but at least it’s not flavored like vomit or soap. Even the worst Jelly Belly flavors (Toasted Marshmallow) are better than anything designed to taste like earwax. These are a novelty, not a food.
