The Most Popular Junk Food in Australia: Revealing the Favorites

Choose the snack you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 3, 2023 08:19)
Welcome to StrawPoll's ultimate showdown of Australia's most popular junk food! We invite you to dive into the delicious world of irresistible guilty pleasures that have Aussies coming back for more. From mouth-watering meat pies to crave-worthy Tim Tams, our ranking is a celebration of scrumptious snacks that have captured the hearts (and taste buds) of the Land Down Under. Join the gastronomic adventure and cast your vote for your all-time favorite or champion a missing contender worthy of a spot on our list. Discover if your top pick reigns supreme, and let's settle the great debate of Australia's most popular junk food once and for all! Happy munching, mates!

What Is the Most Popular Junk Food in Australia?

  1. 1
    48
    votes
    Tim Tams
    Bilby · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Tim Tams

    Arnott's Biscuits Holdings
    These chocolate biscuits are a beloved Australian staple and have been around since the 1960s. They are often used in baking and are a popular snack with a cup of coffee.
    Description
    Tim Tams are a popular brand of chocolate biscuits in Australia. They consist of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit, separated by a light chocolate cream filling, and coated in a layer of smooth milk chocolate. The biscuits are rectangular in shape and are known for their unique texture and rich chocolate flavor.
    • Shape: Rectangular
    • Layers: Two
    • Biscuit Type: Chocolate malted
    • Filling: Light chocolate cream
    • Coating: Smooth milk chocolate
    Tim Tams in other rankings
  2. 2
    41
    votes
    While not necessarily a junk food, this spread made from yeast extract is a quintessential Australian food item. It is often smeared on toast or crackers for a quick snack.
    Description
    Vegemite is a dark brown savory spread that is widely popular in Australia. It has a smooth and thick texture with a salty and slightly bitter taste. Vegemite is made from yeast extract, vegetables, and spices, giving it a rich umami flavor. It is commonly spread on toast, crackers, or sandwiches, and can also be used as a flavoring agent in cooking. Despite its strong taste, Vegemite is loved by many Australians and considered a national treasure.
    • Color: Dark brown
    • Texture: Smooth and thick
    • Taste: Salty and slightly bitter
    • Ingredients: Yeast extract, vegetables, spices
    • Flavor: Rich umami
  3. 3
    31
    votes
    These cheese-flavored corn snacks have been around since the 1950s and are a favorite among Australians of all ages.
    Description
    Twisties are a popular corn-based snack in Australia, known for their iconic twisted shape. They are crunchy and have a distinctive cheese flavor. Twisties are a beloved junk food and are often enjoyed as a snack or as part of a party platter.
    • Shape: Twisted
    • Base: Corn
    • Flavor: Cheese
    • Texture: Crunchy
    • Popular Variants: Cheese, Chicken
  4. 4
    14
    votes
    Another popular snack made from corn flour, Shapes come in a variety of flavors and are often eaten as a quick snack or added to lunch boxes.
    Description
    Shapes is a popular range of savory biscuits produced by Arnott's, an Australian food company. These biscuits are known for their unique and bold flavors that make them a favorite snack among Australians. Shapes are loved for their crispy texture and distinct shape, which makes them perfect for dipping or enjoying on their own.
    • Flavors: Shapes come in a variety of flavors, including Pizza, Barbecue, Chicken Crimpy, Cheddar, Cheese & Bacon, and Vegemite.
    • Texture: Shapes have a crispy and crunchy texture that adds to the overall snacking experience.
    • Shape: These biscuits are traditionally rectangular with rounded edges, making them easy to hold and enjoy.
    • Ingredients: Shapes are made with high-quality ingredients, including wheat flour, vegetable oil, and various seasonings.
    • Versatility: Shapes can be enjoyed on their own, dipped in sauces, or even used as a topping for soups and salads.
  5. 5
    11
    votes

    Allen's lollies

    Allen's Confectionery
    Allen's is a popular brand of lollies (or candy) in Australia. Some of their most popular products include Snakes Alive, Party Mix, and Red Frogs.
    Description
    Allen's lollies are a popular brand of candies in Australia. They are known for their wide variety of colorful and flavorful lollies that cater to different taste preferences. Allen's lollies are loved by both kids and adults and are often enjoyed as a tasty treat or used in baking and desserts.
    • Variety: Allen's lollies offer a wide range of flavors and textures, including gummy, chewy, and hard candy options.
    • Fruit Flavors: They feature fruit flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, pineapple, orange, and more.
    • Shapes: Allen's lollies come in various shapes, including gummy bears, snakes, frogs, and fruit wedges.
    • Sizes: There are different package sizes available, ranging from small snack packs to larger sharing bags.
    • Colorful: The lollies are vibrant and visually appealing, making them attractive for consumers.
  6. 6
    18
    votes
    Caramello Koalas
    Dan arndt · CC BY-SA 4.0
    These chocolate koalas filled with caramel are a favorite among children in Australia.
    Description
    Caramello Koalas are a popular type of confectionery in Australia. They are small chocolate koala-shaped treats filled with caramel. The outer layer is made of smooth milk chocolate, while the inside is filled with sweet, gooey caramel.
    • Type: Junk food
    • Shape: Koala
    • Flavor: Caramel
    • Outer Layer: Milk chocolate
    • Filling: Sweet caramel
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    Cherry Ripes
    Evan-Amos · CC0

    Cherry Ripes

    Cadbury
    This chocolate bar is made with cherries and coconut and has been around since the 1920s. It is often considered one of Australia's favorite chocolate bars.
    Description
    Cherry Ripes is a popular chocolate bar in Australia known for its distinctive combination of cherries, coconut, and dark chocolate. It is a sweet and indulgent treat enjoyed by many Australians.
    • Flavor: Cherries, coconut, and dark chocolate
    • Texture: Soft and chewy
    • Size: Approximately 52g per bar
    • Calories: Approximately 244 calories per bar
    • Ingredients: Sugar, cherries, coconut, dark chocolate, glucose syrup, vegetable fat, milk solids, cocoa powder, emulsifier, flavorings
  8. 8
    3
    votes
    Burger Rings
    Zemzerrett · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Burger Rings

    Smith's Snackfood Company
    These crispy, onion-flavored snacks have been around since the 1970s and are a popular choice for snacking.
    Description
    Burger Rings are a popular type of junk food snack in Australia. They are small, ring-shaped snacks with a crunchy texture and a distinct burger flavor. The rings are made from corn and wheat, coated with a savory seasoning that includes onion and tomato flavors.
    • Size: Small, ring-shaped snacks
    • Texture: Crunchy
    • Flavor: Distinct burger flavor
    • Ingredients: Corn and wheat
    • Seasoning: Savory with onion and tomato flavors
  9. 9
    6
    votes

    Chiko Roll

    Frank McEncroe
    This deep-fried snack is filled with meat and vegetables and has been a popular choice in Australia since the 1950s.
    Description
    The Chiko Roll is a unique Australian fast food item that resembles a large spring roll. It is known for its crispy golden-brown exterior and a filling made of meat, cabbage, carrot, barley, celery, and spices. The Chiko Roll is popular due to its convenience and delicious flavors, often enjoyed as a snack or a quick meal on the go.
    • Size: Approximately 6 inches (15 cm) in length
    • Shape: Cylindrical, resembling a thick spring roll
    • Filling: Meat (beef and chicken), cabbage, carrot, barley, celery, spices
    • Coating: Crispy golden-brown pastry exterior
    • Deep-fried: Yes
    Chiko Roll in other rankings
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    These chewy caramel candies are often enjoyed while watching a movie in Australia. Each wrapper includes a trivia question about a famous Australian actor or actress.
    Description
    Fantales is a popular chewy caramel candy in Australia known for its rich chocolate coating. It is often enjoyed as a decadent treat or used as a sweet ingredient in baking. The candy has a distinctive rectangular shape and is individually wrapped for convenience.
    • Flavor: Caramel
    • Texture: Chewy
    • Coating: Rich chocolate
    • Shape: Rectangular
    • Packaging: Individually wrapped

Missing your favorite snack?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular junk food

  1. Sales figures
    The number of units sold or the revenue generated from the sales of a particular junk food item can be a strong indicator of its popularity.
  2. Market share
    The percentage of the junk food market that a specific product occupies compared to its competitors can help determine its popularity.
  3. Social media engagement
    Analyzing the number of social media posts, shares, likes, and comments about a specific junk food item can help gauge its popularity among consumers.
  4. Brand recognition
    Established and well-known brands typically have more popular products, so the degree to which a junk food item's brand is recognized by consumers can be a determining factor.
  5. Availability
    The more widely available a junk food item is across the country (i.e., offered in various supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast-food chains), the more likely it is to be popular.
  6. Cultural preferences
    Understanding the unique tastes and preferences of Australian consumers can help identify which junk food items are more likely to be popular. For example, certain flavors or ingredients may be more appealing to the Australian palate.
  7. Nutritional information and labeling
    Although junk food is generally not considered healthy, some consumers may opt for products that are slightly less unhealthy, impacting the popularity of certain items.
  8. Price
    Affordability can play a significant role in the popularity of a junk food item, as consumers may be more likely to purchase a lower-priced product.
  9. Advertising and promotions
    The frequency and visibility of advertising campaigns and promotions for specific junk food items can influence their popularity among consumers.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular junk food in Australia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or snack is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1228 views
  • 190 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each snack once every 24 hours. The rank of each snack is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular junk food in australia

Australia is known for its love of food and the country has a thriving food culture that is influenced by various cuisines from around the world. Among the many food options, junk food stands out as a popular choice for many Australians. Junk food is typically high in calories, sugar, and fat, and low in nutritional value. Despite this, it remains a popular choice for snack foods and meals on-the-go. Some of the most popular junk foods in Australia include burgers, pizzas, hot chips, chocolate bars, and ice cream. But what is the most popular junk food in Australia? To find out, we turned to our StrawPoll community to get their opinions on this deliciously controversial topic.

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