Tootsie Roll Has Just Released A Whole New Candy

When fast food mascots finally get their day in the sun, it feels like a vindication. For years, these characters can lie either dormant or play second-fiddle to others, sitting in the shade of irrelevance while all the attention is hoovered up elsewhere. Grimace might be the clearest example of this: The purple McDonald’s character had, for decades, been overshadowed by Ronald McDonald, until 2026 brought us a surfeit of Grimace merch, purple burgers, and appearances in the chain’s World Cup meals. 

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Mr. Owl, of Tootsie Roll fame, doesn’t quite have the same competition that Grimace does – but it’s fair to say that his presence has been subtle for a while. Yes, he pops up on Tootsie Roll packaging, but not in any notable way. That’s all about to change, though, thanks to Tootsie Hoots. 

Tootsie Hoots

Tootsie Hoots are a brand new candy from Tootsie Roll, which convert its mini log-shaped pieces into little balls covered in a thin candy coating. There will be two varieties: The Fruit Ones, which will contain cherry, lemon, orange, strawberry, and blue raspberry flavors, and Chocolatey & Vanilla Ones, which have…chocolate and vanilla. Unlike Tootsie Rolls, they’re not individually wrapped. 

Tootsie Hoots were officially announced by Tootsie Roll yesterday, but @markie_devo on Instagram had the scoop on them almost a week ago – so anticipation has been building for a while (well, it’s been building for almost a week). And as for Mr. Owl? He’s front and center, baby. We can thank the owl mascot for being both the face and the name of this one. He’s got a promotion; no longer is he a tiny little picture on the side of the packages. Guess that’s what you get for decades-long loyalty. 

A Hooting Hit

Tootsie Hoots haven’t been out for long, but they’re already making quite an impact; in short, people love them. “I’ve eaten through 3 bags of the fruit ones this week,” said one person on Tootsie Roll’s Instagram post announcing the candy, while another person called them the “best candy ever.” It also feels like a slightly more modern move for Tootsie Roll, a brand that’s typically banked on nostalgia and its retro nature. That’s not a problem, of course, but it’s nice to see some variety here. If you want to hoot and holler your way to candy glory with these, Tootsie Hoots are now available at Walmart and Dollar Tree, just in time for Halloween.