Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
No. Calling insects “poor people’s food” turns a varied set of food traditions into a misleading stereotype. In many communities, edible insects are familiar foods or delicacies, and FAO says that in most countries people eat them by choice rather than necessity. Insects can also help provide food or income and buffer seasonal shortages in particular places—so poverty and food insecurity may matter, but they do not explain insect eating everywhere.
Why the stereotype is misleading
Entomophagy—the practice of eating insects—is found in many countries, especially in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America. FAO’s overview of insects for food and feed says approximately 2 billion people have diets supplemented by insects and lists more than 1,900 edible insect species. Those are FAO’s overview figures; they are not a current count of insect eaters by income group.
FAO’s 2013 book, Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security, says that in most countries insect consumption is a matter of choice rather than survival. Its wording matters: “most countries” does not mean that no household ever relies on insects because other food is scarce.
FAO’s Insects for Food page calls the idea that people resort to insects because of hunger an erroneous Western perception, noting that insects are often considered delicacies in their places of origin. That does not make insects a delicacy in every community, or rule out food insecurity as a factor in particular circumstances.
#1 Best Overall
- Mixed Trail Mix Edible Insects – This edible insects bag of mixed edible dried bugs comes with a variety of bug snacks including edible crickets, Black Crickets, Grasshoppers, Silkworm Pupae, and Sago Worm Pupae to expand your taste bud palette.
- Deliciously Crunchy, Seasoned Flavor – We properly season our dried insects snacks to ensure they taste far better than they look. In fact, the amazing taste overshadows the ideas you’re eating bugs, so they actually become a snack that fills you up.
- Natural Protein-Packed Snacks – Believe it or not bulk edible bugs are rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and essential proteins. It’s even estimated they’re 20% more protein efficient than cattle. Time to try out some new bug burgers.
- Hilarious Novelty Gag Gift Idea – Erbies edible insects for humans make a great birthday or anniversary gift, or as a Christmas stocking stuffer, so you can surprise your kids, teens, or even friends at work. Don’t worry, they’re 100% food grade safe.
- Safe and Edible from GAP-Certified Farms – All of our insects are collected fresh from GAP certified farms and then cleaned, quick frozen, dehydrated, seasoned, and packed in a special vacuum pouch with an oxygen absorber ready for shipping.
How insects can fit into diets and livelihoods
The role insects play depends on the community, species, season, access and preparation. A particular insect may be an ordinary food, a valued delicacy, a seasonal fallback, or something collected partly for sale. Wild gathering and farming are also different ways of obtaining insects; neither describes every local food system.
FAO’s 2014 study of edible insects in Lao PDR discusses wild collection and traditional knowledge alongside food-safety and marketing issues. FAO’s 13 September 2022 feature describes caterpillars as a seasonal food for the Ngandu people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Such examples show how insects can contribute to local diets and livelihoods; they should not be generalized into a claim about all people who eat insects.
Rank #2
- SIX DELICIOUS FLAVORS – These dried crickets and larva snacks come in six familiar flavors: For the crickets we have Sour Cream & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, Bacon & Cheese, and the larvae comes in BBQ, Mexican Cheese, and Cheddar Cheese. While bugs aren't your typical snack, the bold seasoning makes each bite surprisingly tasty. Every flavor is crafted to highlight the natural crunch of the insects, offering a memorable, adventurous experience for anyone looking to try something new.
- WHAT'S INSIDE THE PACK – Each order includes a total of six individually wrapped edible insect snack packs. Each pouch contains either crickets or larvets in one of six bold flavors, offering a variety of options for sampling or sharing. Lightweight and compact, these packs are easy to store or gift. Whether you're planning a prank, building a novelty snack collection, or simply trying something different, there's a fun surprise in every box.
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS, BIG FLAVOR – Made from real, farm-raised crickets and larvae, each insect is dried and roasted to enhance texture, then seasoned with familiar, savory flavors. There are no artificial fillers—just whole, edible bugs prepared for safe snacking. The ingredients are minimal but flavorful, delivering a clean, crunchy taste. These are snacks designed to be unusual, but still easy to enjoy thanks to their seasoning and simplicity.
- FUN TO TRY, SAFE TO EAT – These snacks are fully cooked and ready to eat—no prep, refrigeration, or tools needed. Just open a pack and try them solo or with friends. They’re a hit at themed parties, white elephant gifts, or adventurous food challenges. All insects meet Culinary Grade A standards and follow the Edible Insects Grading System (EIGS), ensuring the product is processed under safe, clean conditions for a reliable snacking experience.
- ABOUT HOTLIX – With years of experience creating novelty and exotic snack products, HotLix follows strict safety standards to ensure product consistency. Every bug is carefully handled and prepared to meet food-grade quality levels. Customers can trust they’re getting a well-sourced, novelty snack that’s clean, safe, and thoughtfully packaged.
FAO’s 2013 book also cites an estimate that 350 million of the world’s poorest people, including 60 million Indigenous people, depended on forests and trees for daily subsistence and long-term survival. That is contextual evidence about forest dependence, not a count of insect eaters.
What the evidence does—and does not—show about income
The cited FAO sources describe cultural acceptance, food-security roles and livelihood examples, but they do not establish a global comparison of insect consumption by income group. Their figures on people whose diets include insects and on edible species do not tell us whether poorer or wealthier people are more likely to eat them. “Poor people’s food” is therefore not a reliable general description.
Rank #3
- THREE FAMILIAR FLAVORS WITH A TWIST – These edible crickets are seasoned in three recognizable flavors: Sour Cream & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, and Bacon & Cheese. Although insects aren't a typical snack, the flavors make each bite approachable and surprisingly enjoyable. The texture is light and crunchy, offering an adventurous option for anyone curious about trying something out of the ordinary.
- INCLUDES 3 SINGLE-SERVE PACKS – Each order contains a 3-pack of dried cricket snacks with 1 pouch of each flavor. The packs are individually sealed to preserve freshness and are compact enough for gifting, parties, or personal tasting. With a balanced mix of variety and portability, this sampler makes it easy to share with friends or include as a novelty in gift baskets or themed events.
- REAL ROASTED CRICKETS, SIMPLY PREPARED – These snacks are made with whole farm-raised crickets that are dried and roasted to deliver a natural crunch. Each insect is then seasoned with popular flavor blends to create a unique but familiar snack experience. There are no artificial fillers or substitutions—just real ingredients in a novelty format that’s both eye-catching and snackable.
- READY TO TRY, NO PREP NEEDED – Each cricket snack pack is ready to enjoy straight out of the pouch—no cooking or refrigeration required. Great for food tastings, snack challenges, or fun group activities, they can be shared at parties or added to themed gift sets. These snacks are shelf-stable and lightweight, making them a convenient way to enjoy something new and fun.
- ABOUT HOTLIX – With years of experience creating novelty and exotic snack products, HotLix follows strict safety standards to ensure product consistency. Every bug is carefully handled and prepared to meet food-grade quality levels. Customers can trust they’re getting a well-sourced, novelty snack that’s clean, safe, and thoughtfully packaged.
A more accurate account asks what a food means in a specific place: Is it eaten routinely, prized as a delicacy or gathered seasonally? Is it kept for household meals, sold for income or both? Is it collected in the wild or farmed? Those distinctions explain more than a broad label based on income.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Traditional food still needs safe handling
A food tradition does not make every insect or preparation method safe. FAO’s material flags safety and hygiene across harvesting and the food value chain. Species identification, harvesting conditions, handling, processing and local rules all matter. Do not eat unidentified wild insects or assume that a species or preparation is safe simply because insects are eaten in a nearby community.
Rank #4
- THREE FAMILIAR FLAVORS WITH A TWIST – These edible crickets are seasoned in three recognizable flavors: Sour Cream & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, and Bacon & Cheese. Although insects aren't a typical snack, the flavors make each bite approachable and surprisingly enjoyable. The texture is light and crunchy, offering an adventurous option for anyone curious about trying something out of the ordinary.
- INCLUDES 6 SINGLE-SERVE PACKS – Each order contains a 6-pack of dried cricket snacks with two pouches of each flavor. The packs are individually sealed to preserve freshness and are compact enough for gifting, parties, or personal tasting. With a balanced mix of variety and portability, this sampler makes it easy to share with friends or include as a novelty in gift baskets or themed events.
- REAL ROASTED CRICKETS, SIMPLY PREPARED – These snacks are made with whole farm-raised crickets that are dried and roasted to deliver a natural crunch. Each insect is then seasoned with popular flavor blends to create a unique but familiar snack experience. There are no artificial fillers or substitutions—just real ingredients in a novelty format that’s both eye-catching and snackable.
- READY TO TRY, NO PREP NEEDED – Each cricket snack pack is ready to enjoy straight out of the pouch—no cooking or refrigeration required. Great for food tastings, snack challenges, or fun group activities, they can be shared at parties or added to themed gift sets. These snacks are shelf-stable and lightweight, making them a convenient way to enjoy something new and fun.
- ABOUT HOTLIX – With years of experience creating novelty and exotic snack products, HotLix follows strict safety standards to ensure product consistency. Every bug is carefully handled and prepared to meet food-grade quality levels. Customers can trust they’re getting a well-sourced, novelty snack that’s clean, safe, and thoughtfully packaged.
The FAO publications cited here discuss safety principles, but they do not provide jurisdiction-specific, current instructions for consumers. For a particular product, follow applicable local regulations and reliable food-safety guidance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UNIQUE EXOTIC SNACK EXPERIENCE: Hotlix Chocolate Dipped Insects (3-Pack) brings a bold and unique snacking experience, featuring real crickets and worms coated in a smooth chocolate-flavored shell. These exotic snacks are perfect for adventurous eaters who enjoy trying weird and exciting foods.
- DELICIOUSLY DARING CANDY PACKS: This 3-pack of bug candy delivers a unique mix of crickets and worms, all dipped in rich chocolate-flavored coating. These candy packs provide a fun, flavorful, and exotic twist on traditional snacks, making them perfect for adventurous weird candy and food lovers.
- PERFECT FOR HALLOWEEN & GIFTING: These edible insect gifts are ideal for Halloween or as a quirky gift for those who enjoy daring treats. With real bugs dipped in chocolate, they make for a fun, unexpected snack gift pack that is sure to surprise and delight anyone who loves trying new things.
- SUSTAINABLY RAISED & ECO-FRIENDLY: Our chocolate-coated insect snacks provide a delightful combination of sweetness and crunch, featuring farm-raised insects dipped in rich, chocolate-flavored coating. Sustainably and organically produced, these eco-friendly treats offer a fun, safe, and adventurous experience. Perfect for adding a unique twist to Halloween or any party, they’re sure to surprise and excite your guests!
- 100% SAFE & EDIBLE FOR HUMANS: HotLix uses Culinary Grade A insects according to the Edible Insect Grading System (EIGS) Standards, ensuring their products are safe to eat. All of them are dried to perfection to ensure a beautiful crunch. Perfect for adventurous eaters or those who enjoy exotic snacks, these bug candies are both shocking and enjoyable.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
