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Snickers

Snickers is a chocolate bar made by Mars, Incorporated, consisting of nougat topped with caramel and peanuts, all covered in milk chocolate.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Snickers is a chocolate bar manufactured by Mars, Incorporated, consisting of nougat topped with caramel and peanuts, all covered in milk chocolate. Introduced in 1930, it is one of the world's best-selling candy bars. The brand name is said to originate from the Mars family's favourite horse.

History

Snickers was introduced by Mars in 1930 and became a flagship product for the company. The bar is associated with the Mars family, and the name is commonly described as having been chosen after one of their horses.

Composition

The standard Snickers bar is made with nougat, caramel and peanuts covered in milk chocolate. This combination gives the product its distinctive texture and flavour profile.

Brand and marketing

Snickers has been promoted with major advertising campaigns and broad international branding. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it was sold under the name Marathon until 1990, reflecting Mars's later push for global brand consistency.

Product line

The Snickers brand has been extended into multiple variations, including mini bars, white chocolate, dark chocolate, ice cream products and protein-oriented versions. These extensions build on the original candy bar's core ingredients and brand recognition.

Key facts

  • Snickers is a confectionery product made by Mars, Incorporated.
  • The bar combines nougat, caramel, peanuts and milk chocolate.
  • It was introduced in 1930 in the United States.
  • The brand name is said to come from the Mars family's favourite horse.
  • Snickers was sold as Marathon in the United Kingdom and Ireland until 1990.
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Canadian context

Snickers is sold in Canada as a widely available mass-market chocolate bar and is part of the broader North American confectionery market.

Frequently asked questions

What is Snickers?
Snickers is a chocolate candy bar made by Mars, Incorporated, with nougat, caramel and peanuts covered in milk chocolate.
When was Snickers introduced?
Snickers was introduced in 1930.
Who makes Snickers?
Snickers is manufactured by Mars, Incorporated.
Why is Snickers called Snickers?
The brand is said to be named after the Mars family's favourite horse.
Was Snickers always called Snickers in the UK?
No. It was sold as Marathon in the United Kingdom and Ireland until 1990.
What are some Snickers variants?
Variants include mini bars, dark chocolate, white chocolate, ice cream bars and protein versions.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snickers
    Supports: Product description, introduction date, manufacturer, name origin, variants, and historical notes.
  2. SnackHistory — https://www.snackhistory.com/snickers/
    Supports: Introduced in 1930, manufacturer, ingredients, country of origin, and former UK/Ireland name Marathon.
  3. Sugar Association — https://www.sugar.org/blog/snickers/
    Supports: Composition, manufacture by Mars, 1930 origin in Chicago, and reported global sales.