Italian Supermarket Snacks: Top Chocolates & Candies for 2026

Italy Shopping Guide

Must-Try Supermarket Snacks

ⓒ Text/Photos by Nomad Ssalmi

Picking up where we left off in Part 1, the Mulino Bianco cookie edition,

today I'm thrilled to be back with a special collection!

Get ready to discover

chocolates, candies, and snacks

you absolutely can't pass up at local Italian supermarkets,

plus a treasure trove of traditional Italian sweets!

Italy is a paradise for desserts,

combining premium hazelnuts, authentic espresso,

and baking techniques perfected over centuries.

What's more, you'll find items that are rare or have a much wider variety

than elsewhere, all at incredible prices,

making them perfect for gifts too!👍🏻

Whether you're looking for gifts for loved ones or a sweet pick-me-up during your travels,

I'm excited to share these perfect snack recommendations right now!

1. Chocolates & Candies

Italy boasts a global reputation for its chocolates and desserts.

These are some of the most beloved chocolates and candies that everyone enjoys,

making them perfect fuss-free gifts that appeal to all tastes.

✅ Pocket Coffee

Your #1 essential for Italian supermarket shopping!

Inside the chocolate, there's real, liquid espresso concentrate.

The moment it bursts in your mouth, the sweet and bitter espresso flavor spreads — it's truly a work of art!

(※ Heads up: It melts in summer, so it's mainly sold during the autumn and winter seasons.)

Some people melt it in warm milk to enjoy like a mocha, but I found that eating it plain delivered an instant caffeine kick, making it perfect when I needed a boost during my travels! 👍🏻

They also sell decaf versions!

✅ Baci Chocolates

These are Italy's national chocolates!

Inside each chocolate wrapper, you'll find quotes about love and friendship,

like a fortune cookie, adding a delightful little surprise!

✅ Novi Chocolates

Novi is one of the most commonly seen chocolate brands

in supermarkets.

I tried the one with whole hazelnuts,

and it had a rich, nutty flavor with a refined sweetness –

definitely another fantastic gift recommendation!

✅ Rossana Pistachio Candy

These candies have a pistachio cream filling.

I only managed to bring one back due to its weight, and I'm still

regretting not buying more!

As you gently let the candy melt,

it suddenly bursts with a rich pistachio cream –

it's absolutely divine! 😭

✅ Honey Candies

Highly recommended as a gift for adults,

these honey candies are just the thing.

When your throat feels a bit scratchy or dry,

I gave these as gifts, suggesting they have one whenever,

and they absolutely loved them.

2. Italy's Local Kinder & Nutella Special Line

As you'd expect from the home of Ferrero,

Italian supermarkets are brimming with

unique Kinder and Nutella products

that you won't easily find elsewhere!

✅ Nutella B-ready & Nutella Biscuits

Nutella B-ready features a crunchy baguette-shaped wafer

filled with Nutella cream,

while Nutella Biscuits are savory biscuits

packed with rich Nutella.

Nutella Biscuits also come in cylindrical packaging,

which means there's less risk of them breaking

during transit, making them a great gift option!

(Fair warning, they can still be quite weighty! 🥲)

✅ Kinder Breakfast Breads & Cake Series

Many Italians reportedly have fond childhood memories

of eating these for breakfast before heading out.

There are so many varieties to choose from, perfect for breakfast:

soft brioche with milk cream,

Colazione Più with a delightful cereal crunch,

moist chocolate cake Delice,

and Cornetti, a milk cream croissant.

With such a wide range,

they're perfect for picking out something different each morning.

And those thin, crispy Kinder Cards?

They're absolutely perfect as gifts for kids!

3. Traditional Italian Sweets & Misura Products

✅ Taralli

For those who prefer savory and plain flavors

over sweet ones, Taralli are a must-try

traditional Italian bread snack.

They're wonderfully aromatic with olive oil and rosemary,

and are absolutely fantastic paired

with wine or beer.

(They can be quite firm, so mind your teeth if they're sensitive!)

✅ Cantucci

These are traditional Tuscan biscuits,

known for their firm, almond goodness.

While delicious on their own, they truly shine when dipped in espresso

or enjoyed with a sweet dessert wine.

You know that kind of flavor that isn't overly strong

but makes you keep reaching for more? That's Cantucci!

✅ Misura Products

When I was deep into my diet,

I often bought Misura whole-wheat doughnuts.

But coming to Italy, their home country,

I was amazed by the sheer variety of Misura products available!

If you're feeling a bit guilty about indulging in Mulino Bianco or other snacks,

and want a healthier option,

then Misura products are definitely the way to go.

4. Buying & Shopping Tips

✅ Check Seasonal Items

Liquid chocolate products like Pocket Coffee

tend to melt in the hot summer months,

so they're mainly available from autumn through winter and spring.

If you spot them in a supermarket during your trip,

don't hesitate – grab them!

✅ Utilize Gift Box Packaging

Kinder Cards, Nutella B-ready, Novi chocolates, and similar items

often come in well-designed box packaging,

They're perfect for little gifts to share with your colleagues or friends,

making them incredibly useful!

🚫 Items to Skip

I actually tried the **alcohol-filled chocolates called Mon cheri**

after seeing them recommended somewhere,

so I picked them up at the supermarket.

But honestly, the artificial taste was just too strong,

and we really weren't fans.

Unless it's for a dare or a funny prank,

I definitely don't recommend buying them

as gifts or souvenirs!

5. Wrapping Up

Bringing together the perfect mix of sweet and savory,

Our Recommended Italian Chocolates & Snacks Lineup 🍪

So, if you happen to stop by an Italian supermarket,

along with the Mulino Bianco cookies from Part 1 of this series,

I hope you'll fill your suitcase to the brim

with the delicious snacks we introduced today!

I truly hope my post helps make your trip

even more enjoyable.