What Are Hickory Sticks? The Canadian Snack Americans Are Obsessed With

March 30, 2026

If you ask a Canadian about their favorite nostalgic snack, there’s a good chance they’ll say Hickory Sticks. They’re one of those classic Canadian treats that many people grow up eating, yet they’re surprisingly hard to find outside of Canada.

For Americans discovering Canadian snacks for the first time, Hickory Sticks are often one of the most surprising finds. They look different from typical potato chips, they taste smoky and savory, and they’re incredibly addictive.

So what exactly are Hickory Sticks—and why do Canadians love them so much?

What Are Hickory Sticks?

Hickory Sticks are thin, crispy potato sticks seasoned with a smoky barbecue-style flavor. Imagine the texture of matchstick fries, but fried until crunchy like potato chips.

They’re:

Ultra thin shredded potatoes
Deep fried for maximum crunch
Seasoned with smoky hickory flavor

The result is a snack that’s salty, smoky, crispy, and almost impossible to stop eating.

Unlike traditional potato chips, Hickory Sticks are small and crunchy strands, which gives them a completely different eating experience.

Why Hickory Sticks Are So Popular in Canada

Hickory Sticks have been a staple of Canadian snack culture for decades. They’re commonly found in:

Gas stations
Grocery stores
Convenience stores (known in Quebec as a dépanneur)
School lunches
Road trip snack bags

Many Canadians associate them with childhood because they were one of the most popular snacks in the 1980s and 1990s.

Part of their appeal is how different they are from normal chips. The thin sticks create a lighter crunch, and the smoky seasoning gives them a deeper flavor.

Another reason Canadians love them?
They’re dangerously snackable.

A small handful often turns into finishing the whole bag.

What Do Hickory Sticks Taste Like?

The flavor of Hickory Sticks is best described as:

Smoky
Savory
Slightly barbecue-like
Salty and crunchy

The seasoning is inspired by hickory wood smoke, which is often used in barbecue cooking. That smoky taste makes them stand out compared to regular potato chips.

For many Americans trying them for the first time, the closest comparison might be very thin BBQ potato chips—but crunchier and more intense.

Why Americans Are Discovering Hickory Sticks

Over the past few years, Canadian snacks have been gaining popularity in the United States. Social media, snack subscription boxes, and travel content have introduced Americans to treats they don’t normally see in U.S. stores.

Hickory Sticks are one of the snacks that frequently surprises people.

Americans love them because:

They’re different from typical U.S. chips
The texture is unique
The smoky flavor is addictive
They feel like a hidden snack discovery

Once people try them, they often say the same thing:

"Why don’t we have these in the U.S.?"

Fun Ways Canadians Eat Hickory Sticks

Some Canadians don’t just eat Hickory Sticks straight from the bag.

Creative snack fans sometimes:

Add them on top of hot dogs
Sprinkle them onto burgers
Use them as a crunchy salad topping
Add them to sandwiches for texture

They’re basically a crispy potato topping that works with almost anything savory.

Where to Buy Hickory Sticks

If you live outside Canada, finding Hickory Sticks can be tricky. Many American grocery stores don’t carry them regularly, which is why people often search online for them.

At NordSnacks, we ship authentic Canadian snacks worldwide so you can try classics like Hickory Sticks without needing to travel to Canada.

Whether you're curious about Canadian junk food or missing snacks from home, they’re one of the must-try Canadian classics.