Are Peeps Past Their Prime? Reevaluating an Easter Staple

Few candies divide parents as passionately as Peeps. According to a recent Finance Buzz poll, 25 percent of Americans claim there’s no seasonal treat they love more than these vibrant, sugar coated marshmallows. But not everyone is convinced: 16 percent say they’d rather eat anything but a Peep. And this debate isn’t just about taste – it also involves serious concerns around controversial ingredients like Red Dye No. 3. Whether you’re in the camp that eagerly awaits these sugary chicks every spring or among those who can’t stand their gritty sweetness, there’s no denying Peeps have become one of Easter’s most contentious topics.

Peeps have built a sticky sweet legacy spanning more than 70 years. First introduced by the candy company Just Born in 1953, Peeps originally took an exhausting 27 hours each to create by hand. Thanks to modern manufacturing, that process has been cut down to just six minutes, enabling Just Born to produce over 2 billion Peeps each year. The iconic treats have evolved dramatically since their modest beginnings as simple yellow chicks, now appearing in a vibrant rainbow of colors and shapes, and even branching into numerous limited-edition flavors like Hot Tamales, Dr Pepper, and Cotton Candy. Yahoo News recently highlighted three new additions for this season – Cookies and Cream, Tropical Punch, and Chocolate Pudding – designed to appeal to adults and kids alike, keeping Peeps relevant across generations.

For many, Peeps evoke feelings of nostalgia. Their chewy texture, sugary crunch, and unmistakably vivid colors remind fans of childhood Easter mornings filled with egg hunts and candy filled baskets. Jennifer Osborn from Kitchen Serf perfectly captures this sentiment, explaining, “I didn’t give a peep about Peeps as a child, but now that I’m solidly middle aged, these sugar coated, unnaturally colored marshmallow candies are an essential part of my holidays.” Osborn doesn’t stop at Easter, either. “I celebrate every holiday with Peeps – not just Easter. There are Valentine’s Peeps, Ghost Peeps for Halloween, Reindeer Peeps at Christmas – the possibilities are endless.”

But Peeps are more than just a nostalgic snack; they’ve found a secondary life as whimsical decorations and creative culinary ingredients. Fans proudly place Peeps in festive cocktails as garnishes, dip them in chocolate, stage them in microwaved “sword fights” using toothpicks, and even incorporate them into colorful Easter themed charcuterie boards.

Nevertheless, Peeps have their vocal critics. Popular YouTube personalities Rhett and Link, hosts of the show “Good Mythical Morning” (with more than 19 million subscribers), recently placed Peeps second in their ranking of “Worst Easter Candies.” Michelle Price from Honest and Truly expressed similar disdain: “I like marshmallows, but Peeps aren’t marshmallows. They’re a nasty candy masquerading as marshmallows. They’re cute and fun, but they do not taste good.” However, Price admits she still includes them in Easter baskets for her child who enjoys them, though she adds, “they get thrown away after the meal.”

Beyond taste debates, Peeps face scrutiny for their ingredients – most notably Red Dye No. 3, an artificial coloring linked to health concerns and recently banned in cosmetic products. Following significant public pressure, Just Born announced that it would phase out Red Dye No. 3 from all Peeps products. Yet for many consumers, especially parents, the damage may already be done. Tamara Tsaturyan of Thriving in Parenting underscores this concern, explaining: “As a mom prioritizing a healthy lifestyle, I would never buy my kids Easter Peeps. They’re full of artificial colors, corn syrup, and preservatives – ingredients I actively avoid. The Red Dye No. 3 controversy only proves my point.”

Adding to health concerns, USA Today notes that each serving of Peeps contains over 34 grams of sugar – more sugar than a typical can of soda. For health conscious families like Tsaturyan’s, homemade treats like peanut butter brownies offer a healthier, more memorable alternative to store bought Easter candy. “My kids don’t need neon-colored marshmallows filled with questionable ingredients to celebrate the holiday,” she emphasizes.

Nevertheless, Peeps maintain their popularity, especially in online communities. TikTok users actively debate the merits of Peeps – some sharing videos of enjoyment, others expressing humorous disgust. Viral Peeps challenges have emerged, such as microwaving them to observe their expanding size or freezing them to experiment with their texture. Additionally, Peeps’ unexpected collaborations keep them in the spotlight. News Press recently reported an unusual partnership: Milk-Bone dog treats launched marshmallow-flavored dog biscuits shaped like classic Peeps chicks and bunnies for Easter.

Despite controversy and evolving consumer tastes, Peeps continue thriving due to their clever reinvention. Limited-edition flavors, unusual collaborations, and quirky DIY projects – like elaborate Peeps dioramas – ensure these candies remain a seasonal mainstay. Each year, Peeps rank among the top-selling Easter treats. While some may permanently cancel Peeps from their holiday festivities, millions more eagerly add them to their baskets annually.

Ultimately, Peeps’ lasting success highlights an undeniable truth: love them or hate them, these colorful marshmallow candies aren’t disappearing anytime soon.