We Taste Tested the Three New Peanut M&M Flavors. Here’s What We Thought.

Guess what? M&M’s Flavor Vote is back! Last year America voted for its favorite crunchy M&M flavor, and kept that flavor on the shelves for the rest of the year. Back by popular demand, Mars Incorporated (the company that owns M&M’s) is back with another Flavor Vote. But this time, they’re experimenting with Peanut M&M’s.

The new Peanut M&M flavors are… 

Last year’s three crunchy M&M were mixed with popular flavors that pair with chocolate—raspberry, coffee and mint. However, this year, M&M’s went “around the world” with internationally-inspired flavors. Each flavor is popular in the specific country that it represents: Mexican Jalapeño, Thai Coconut and English Toffee.  

Funky flavors seem to be M&M’s specialty lately. They released all sorts of delicious M&M’s flavors this year including White Cheesecake, Orange Vanilla and even Hot Cocoa. 

 Since I’ve become quite the candy aficionado lately (I’ve tasted all sorts of new flavors for Snickers, 3 Musketeers and even Reese’s), it only makes sense that I should taste the latest M&M’s creation. Here’s what I thought about the new three. 

Mexican Jalapeño 

Spicy chocolate sure is having a moment! Snickers released a “fiery” chocolate candy bar last year, but made it spicy by mixing in chili. Chili and chocolate are two classic flavors commonly seen together (kind of like our Orange-Chili Chocolate Cookies). But chocolate and jalapeños? Now that’s adventurous.

At first bite, the Mexican Jalapeño M&M seems like any normal peanut M&M. But after a few seconds, that jalapeño spice we all love starts to kick in. The spiciness is subtle, so you could easily eat the whole bag. 

Thai Coconut 

Next is the Thai Coconut. Before even tasting it, I knew I wasn’t going to like this flavor. Not because it isn’t a clever candy, because it truly is. It’s because I despise coconut. So, this one was a hard pass for me.  

But for some of my co-workers, the Thai Coconut was dubbed the best. Some compared it to pineapple fried rice (which I found strange, since you usually don’t find pineapple fried rice recipes with coconut in it), while others said it tasted like a piña colada. Which, of course, makes perfect sense given that piña coladas have coconut in them and the Peanut M&M on the package has a piña colada in its hand.  

One of the cleverest observations made about the Thai Coconut was how smart it was to mix this flavor with a Peanut M&M. Finding peanuts in Thai dishes is pretty common, just like this Thai Peanut Chicken and Noodles. 

English Toffee 

Last is the English Toffee. Given that this was the first bag to be completely emptied by my coworkers, I would have to say this was a crowd pleaser. 

The English Toffee was certainly overpowering in flavor compared to the subtleness of the Mexican Jalapeño, but it didn’t seem to bug the team. It made me want to whip up a batch of our English toffee to share, since we all liked this flavor so much. 

And the winner is… 

If I had to vote, I would probably say English Toffee was my favorite. Mexican Jalapeño comes in a second (mostly because it made me want some jalapeño poppers) and Thai Coconut dead last. Sorry, coconut lovers, but it’s just not for me.  

These three flavors are officially available at nationwide retailers, so go pick up some packs and find out which one you love! The M&M’s Flavor Vote will be going on until May 17, and the winner will be announced in August.

Bake up our best M&M cookie recipes

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Polka-Dot Macaroons

Macaroons studded with M&M's are easy to mix up in a hurry. That's good, because believe me, they never last long. —Janice Lass, Dorr, Michigan

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Giant Monster Cookies

Who can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M's and peanut butter? If your appetite isn't quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana

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Molasses Cookies

Making these soft, chewy cookies with a rich flavor has been a family tradition since my children were small. At Christmastime, I shape the dough into gingerbread men with tasty raisin eyes and buttons. —Sue Bartlett, Berlin, Wisconsin

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Beary Cute Cookies

These cheery and cute cookies will delight kids of all ages! I like to make fun foods but don't care to spend a whole lot of time fussing. So the idea of using candy for the bears' features was right up my alley. —Susan Schuller, Brainerd, Minnesota

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Peanut Butter Jumbos

Oats, peanut butter and chocolate make these soft, chewy cookies hearty and nutritious. My whole family agrees this recipe is a real winner. —Deborah Huffer, Staunton, Virginia

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Gingerbread Sandwich Trees

Fun and festive, these cookie sandwich trees will be a huge hit with kids of all ages. They're a super-cute holiday treat! —Steve Foy, Kirkwood, Missouri

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Snow Day Cookies

Clear your pantry to make these chocolate chip cookies loaded with goodies. We add oats, M&M’s, pretzels and even potato chips. —Brittney Musgrove, Dallas, Georgia

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No-Bake Christmas Wreath Treats

Cornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet no-bake treats from our Test Kitchen. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they're a fun addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Loaded-Up Pretzel Cookies

Coconut, M&M’s and salty, crunchy pretzels make these loaded cookies unlike any you’ve ever tasted—or resisted. —Jackie Ruckwardt, Cottage Grove, Oregon

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Polka-Dot Macaroons

Macaroons studded with M&M's are easy to mix up in a hurry. That's good, because believe me, they never last long. —Janice Lass, Dorr, Michigan

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Crisp Graham Cookies

I was delighted to find the recipe for these fun cookies. The peanut butter makes them extra special. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia

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Snowman Cookies

Wrap these chocolate-topped snowmen in colored tissue and place them inside holiday containers. Like real snowmen, they disappear fast! —Betty Tabb, Mifflintown, Pennsylvania

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Cookies in a Jiffy

You'll be amazed and delighted with how quickly you can whip up a batch of these homemade cookies. —Clara Hielkema, Wyoming, Michigan

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Halloween Cutout Cookies

Creativity and Christmas cookie cutters come together for these fun Halloween cookies kids will go batty for. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Easy Kitchen Sink Cookies

Crisp on the outside and soft inside, these cookies are packed with oats, coconut, chocolate and tons of flavor. —Brittney Musgrove, Dallas, Georgia

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Snowman Butter Cutouts

I have fond memories of baking and frosting these cutout cookies with my mom. Now I carry on the tradition with my kids. It's a messy but fun day!—Sandy Nace, Greensburg, Kansas

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Double-Dutch Chocolate Holiday Cookies

Rich dark chocolate and crunchy, colorful M&M's combine to make these cookies extra special. Who wouldn't want to receive this mix as a gift? —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Crisp Lemon Tea Cookies

Almost as much fun to eat as they are to decorate, these lemony cookies are the perfect backdrop for baking bits, sprinkles or glitter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The post We Taste Tested the Three New Peanut M&M Flavors. Here’s What We Thought. appeared first on Taste of Home.

Kiersten Hickman