Sour candy fans can be an inconsistent bunch. Our heads are easily turned by new sensations: unexpected textures, bright colors, nostalgic twists, and any inventive way to remix those sweet-and-sour flavors. And the options are endless—think the sticky crunch of Nerds Gummy Clusters, the soft chew of Starburst Sour Fruit Chews, or the fruity punch of Retro Sours.
This is exactly why one of the most iconic brands on the market, Sour Patch Kids—known for its coarse, almost painful sour pucker outside and sweet relief inside—is once again trying to reimagine its signature flavors in a new form.
Has it cracked the code on the next sour-candy craze? We’ll see.
New Sour Patch Kids Chews Are Coming To Stores
Sour Patch Kids just unveiled its new Chews—a candy that “breaks all the rules,” which honestly feels very on-brand.
Allrecipes / Sour Patch Kids
This time, the classic formula is turned completely inside out. The new Chews feature a sweet, chewy outer shell with a burst of sour filling inside. It flips the entire tagline: No more “first they’re sour, then they’re sweet.” Now the sweetness hits first, then the sour sneaks up on you in that mischievous Sour Patch way.
They’re not kids anymore, either. Instead, each piece has a smooth, rounded, oval shape, almost like an extra-large Jelly Belly.
Chews come in the five signature Sour Patch flavors and are designed for a longer-lasting bite you can savor. Plus, they’re individually wrapped, naturally slowing down the pace at which we’d normally scarf down a regular serving.
When the new candy was announced online, fans were immediately interested: “As someone whose favorite candy has always been Sour Patch Kids, I’m so excited,” one person wrote. Another declared, “Not a want but a need.”
We Tried the New Sour Patch Kids Chews
But to be totally honest, when we got an early taste at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) trade show this fall, even as big Sour Patch fans, we weren’t totally sold on the new style. The Chews texture threw us off and reminded us a bit of a stale Airhead.
“I have to admit, I won’t be getting these again,” said Allrecipes editor Andrea Lobas. “The sour middle slightly redeemed the candy, but these just aren’t for me—or my teeth, with how ‘chewy’ they really are.”
You can’t win ’em all—even if you’re Sour Patch Kids. For now, we’re sticking with the OG Kids, at least until a new release piques our interest again.
But everyone’s candy preferences are different, so it’s worth trying them for yourself while they’re available. Sour Patch Kids Chews will hit Target in January 2026 and roll out across the U.S. in the following months, priced between $2.49 and $5.09. Give them a taste and see if the brand’s newest experiment can outshine its original sour-then-sweet troublemakers.
