The 5 Best Buc-ee’s Snacks You Should Never Skip

Imagine you’re a weary traveler, driving across the vast desert of West Texas in your old Honda Accord. Has it been hours… or days? You need sustenance and to pee, bad. Then you see it. Buck teeth glittering on a yellow sign peaking out between sharp rays of the relentless Texas sun. Is it an angel? Almost. It’s a beaver. No, you’re not in Heaven. You’re at Buc-ee’s—close enough. 

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Buc-ee’s is a paradise off the highway, stocked to the brim with hot food, road trip snacks, premium fuel, and clean bathrooms galore in a store so big it’s set world records. The Texas-based chain—which is rapidly expanding outside of its home state—is best known for its snacks. I’m a snack lover who’s traveled far and wide across the Lone Star State, so let’s just say, I’ve indulged. Here are my picks for the best of the best snacks in the beaver’s domain.

Beaver Nuggets

Of all the bagged snacks at Buc-ee’s, Beaver Nuggets are probably the most iconic. It’s honestly more fun to not know exactly what they are before you dive in, but I’ll tell you anyway. They’re sweet, puffy corn pieces, kind of like extra-fluffy kettle corn sans any kernels. They come in a few flavors, like sea-salt caramel and cinnamon, but I prefer the plain ol’ nuggies, which let the flavor of sweet corn do the talkin’.

Jerky

Buc-ee’s jerky beats out even the best grocery store jerky brands, no contest. Bohemian garlic is a fan favorite and my personal go-to, but there’s a flavor for every taste on the store’s literal wall of jerky. Jalapeño-honey is a nice mild, swicy option, while ghost pepper is only for those who live and die by capsaicin. Cherry maple is a contentious one but worth a try for adventurous palates. In truth, the texture of the jerky (just the right amount of chewy with a melt-in-your-mouth quality) is so good that every flavor is delicious. 

Pudding

When most people hear anything about Buc-ee’s pudding, they think of banana. It’s true, banana pudding is a Texas mainstay and it’s delicious at Buc-ee’s—like Grandma used to make, some might say. But the chain’s key lime pudding often gets put on the back burner and I think that’s a crying shame. It’s extra, extra tart, so it’s only for real citrus fans (not fake fans). If you’re a Floridian visiting Texas, you’re sure to appreciate it.

Overbites

These giant, stuffed chocolate treats are stamped with the beaver’s likeness and come in cookies and cream, peanut butter, caramel, and truffle flavors. You can choose from milk or dark chocolate for each variety, but I always go with dark chocolate, especially for the peanut butter flavor. These quarter-pound monster candies have much more genuine cocoa taste than most cheap chocolate, plus they’re the perfect size for sharing or devouring solo if you’re really itching for a candy fix. You won’t find Overbites outside Buc-ee’s, so grab one if it’s your first visit. 

Candied Pecans

No visit to Buc-ee’s is complete with stocking up on the beaver’s fresh-roasted, warm, candied pecans. You’ll find them in little sacks under a heat lamp where they stay nice and toasty and this is what separates them for your average candied nuts at the store. They’re loaded with crystals of brown sugar and cinnamon that give the soft nuts a nice exterior crunch. There are other nut options here, like almonds, but don’t take your eyes off the pecans—they’re perfectly buttery, delicate, and a Texas staple.