Chocolate Covered Ants: Are They Safe to Eat? Do They Taste Good?

Different types of chocolate
© ivan_kislitsin/Shutterstock.com

Written by Angie Menjivar

Updated: June 17, 2023

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You may have seen a worm in a tequila lollipop or tried some dried insects as on-the-go snacks for protein. But what about a sweet and zesty ant snack? Are chocolate-covered ants safe to eat? And if they are, do they taste good?

Ant colony

Eating ants can add protein and antioxidants to your diet.

©iStock.com/Cabezonication

Are Chocolate-Covered Ants Safe to Eat?

Although many people throughout the U.S. think eating insects is gross, it’s a fairly popular practice in other regions of the world. Eating ants delivers protein and antioxidants to your diet, which keeps your heart in good working order. Whereas ants provide your garden with tons of benefits, these little creatures can also help you keep a nutrient-dense diet, which serves your health well.

Ants alone are safe to eat, but it depends on which type of ant. Some of the most popular ants that make for a good snack include black ants, honey ants, weavers, and leaf-cutting ants. Although they can be served as a stand-alone snack, they can also be sprinkled into other dishes for extra protein. Different parts of the world have specific preparations. For example, in Colombia, you can pick up fried leaf-cutter ants when you head out to a local market.

Leaf cutting ants carrying pieces of leaves back to their nest.

©Adrian Pingstone / public domain – Original / License

When you add chocolate to ants, you add a sweet flavor to the protein-laden snack. If you’re interested in adding ant protein to your diet, this could be a good first snack to try. You don’t get the brunt of the ant taste and can instead enjoy a sweet flavor as you chow down on these insects or their larvae.

Do Chocolate-Covered Ants Taste Good?

Everyone’s palate is different so what may be scrumptious to you may be nauseating to another. However, the taste of ants without chocolate is surprising. Although you might think the flavor is meaty or nutty, the flavor of ants is more acidic and citrusy. With a chocolate-covered ant, you’d be getting a citrusy chocolatey flavor with each bite!

Where to Find Chocolate-Covered Ants

The beauty of the internet is its ease of use. A quick search for ‘chocolate-covered ants’ and you are directed to various online companies offering these unique, tasty snacks. Even Amazon offers a unique option that pairs real farm ants with an apple-flavored candy. As you conduct your search, you may also uncover a variety of other unusual snacks, some chocolate-covered and some that just need a squirt of lime and your favorite chili. Who knows? Your pantry may start looking a bit different from now on!


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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

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