Kit Kat Vs Reese's Sticks Vs Nutty Buddy: What's The Difference?

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If you're craving a chocolate treat that offers a bit more flavor and texture than something like a Hershey's Kiss, your choice might come down to Kit Kat, Reese's Sticks, or Nutty Buddy. Each is a sweet chocolate bar layered with crunchy wafers. However, there are major differences between the three that will factor into which one ends up being your go-to dessert.

A traditional Kit Kat (as opposed to the miniature or snack size varieties) is a milk chocolate bar that is segmented into four snapable chocolate sticks. Each one consists of layers of chocolate and crispy wafers of crushed biscuits. Breaking the bar apart into its thinner, smaller chocolate sticks is a big part of the joy of eating a Kit Kat.

The candy isn't overly sweet, and it has a delicate crunch that sets it apart from a Reese's Sticks or Nutty Buddy, both of which are thicker and more textured. And unlike the other two candies, it doesn't contain any peanut butter. If you're not a fan of the flavor or sticky texture of peanut butter, then this is the treat for you.

Kit Kat is a tried, true, and impossible to beat candy bar that still has many fans. In a Reddit post comparing Reese's Sticks to Kit Kat bars, one person said they preferred Kit Kat as they are "Much more dense ... [Reese's] Sticks are airy and I don't care for the texture." However, some still prefer the Sticks. As one person explained, "Reese's sticks are far superior. Taste and texture blow Kit Kats away."

Reese's Sticks are one of many popular Reese's candy varieties. They come in single bars rather than a large bar that is snapped apart, and are more like a Nutty Buddy than a Kit Kat. In fact, they taste as if a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup were turned into a crunchy candy bar.

Each stick-shaped bar is formed from a milk chocolate shell encasing crispy layers of wafers and smooth, creamy Reese's peanut butter. This candy has less of a crunch than a Kit Kat, but the addition of peanut butter elevates it to a new level. However, if you've noticed that Reese's products taste different lately, potentially due to changes to its iconic original recipe, Hershey's plans to return to real chocolate in 2027, which may restore the beloved peanut butter and milk chocolate combination you know and love.  

Even without those changes, Reese's Sticks may be a more exciting choice compared to a classic Kit Kat. Says one person on Reddit, "Reese's Sticks make Kit Kats look like kindling." Another person agreed, adding, "Reese Sticks are so underrated. That crunch with that bold pb is to die for." So even if you're a die-hard fan of Kit Kat bars or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, you may find that Reese's Sticks are actually the better candy, as they're essentially a delightful combo of both, packed with flavor and crunch. 

Nutty Buddy bars are one of the earliest Little Debbie snacks, and they still remain a best-seller. The similarity in flavor profiles and construction of Nutty Buddy and Reese's Sticks has led to obvious comparisons. Because Nutty Buddy was introduced in 1959, while Reese's Sticks were introduced by Hershey in 1998, the former is essentially the older, wiser cousin in the chocolate and peanut butter candy family.

Nutty Buddy bars are formed from four layers of wafers and peanut butter stacked together and covered with a creamy chocolatey coating, or compound chocolate. If you prefer couverture to compound chocolate, you may enjoy Reese's Sticks more, as they are made from real milk chocolate. However, if you're a PB fan, you may prefer Nutty Buddy bars as the thin chocolate coating allows the peanut butter flavor to shine through.

In a Reddit post asking which of the two is better, one person who prefers Nutty Buddy said, "While I love Reese's peanut butter, the Sticks ... just don't taste as good as a classic Nutty Buddy." Another person disagreed, saying, "Nutty Buddy's are gross. Reese's Sticks taste way better." Yet Nutty Buddy bars have a distinctly nostalgic appeal for those who grew up between the '60s and '90s. They were an iconic snack bar feature at roller rinks, sports games, movie theaters, and schools. Their delightful crunch and peanut butter-forward flavor make them one of the best Little Debbie snacks to this day.