
Chick-O-Stick is a candy manufactured by the Atkinson Candy Company that was introduced in the 1950s. The candy bar has a peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup filling and is coated in toasted coconut. The Chick-O-Stick was initially called Chicken Bones and featured a chicken on the wrapper, but this was changed in 1955 due to copyright claims and misunderstandings about the candy's flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | Atkinson Candy Company |
| Manufacturer Location | Lufkin, Texas |
| Ingredients | Peanut butter, cane sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavor, salt |
| Dietary | Kosher, gluten-free, vegan-friendly |
| Variants | Original, spicy Pic-O-Sito, sugar-free |
| Former Name | Chicken Bones |
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What You'll Learn

Chick-o-Sticks were first introduced in the 1930s
Chick-o-Sticks, the peanut butter and coconut-coated candy, were first introduced in the 1930s. They were originally called "Chicken Bones", a name that may have been inspired by the stick's resemblance to fried chicken. The candy was initially wrapped in paper featuring a chicken, but this only served to confuse consumers, who began to associate the treat with chicken flavour. As a result, the chicken was removed from the wrapper, and in 1955, the name was changed to "Chick-o-Stick" to avoid copyright issues.
Chick-o-Sticks are produced by the Atkinson Candy Company, a family-owned confectionery that has been operating since 1932. The company has been manufacturing the candy since the 1950s, and the product has become one of its classic creations. The treat is known for its unique combination of honeycombed peanut butter and desiccated toasted coconut coating.
When Chick-o-Sticks were first introduced, they featured artificial red and blue colouring ingredients, which gave the candy a bright orange hue. However, in recent years, Atkinson has made a concerted effort to simplify the recipe and use more natural ingredients. In 2019, the company announced that it would replace the artificial colourings with natural alternatives like vegetable juice concentrations and turmeric to achieve a more natural colour.
The Atkinson Candy Company has also taken steps to meet the needs of ingredient-conscious consumers by removing hydrogenated oils and artificial preservatives from the recipe. This change aligns with the company's statement, emphasising its commitment to creating candies that consumers can feel good about. The formula has been tweaked to ensure that the product remains vegan-friendly and free from artificial ingredients.
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The candy was originally called Chicken Bones
Chick-O-Stick candy has been manufactured since the 1950s by the Atkinson Candy Company. The candy is primarily made from peanut butter, cane sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavour, and salt. There are no hydrogenated oils or artificial preservatives added.
The Chick-O-Stick candy is unique in that it has a honeycombed texture, with a centre filled with peanut butter and a coating of toasted coconut. The exterior coconut coating may have contributed to the name change, as it resembled fried chicken coating.
The Atkinson Candy Company has speculated on the reason for the name change, stating on their website: "The real answer [to the origin of the name] has probably been lost in our corporate history." They suggest that the name may have been inspired by the toasted coconut coating, which some people associate with fried chicken.
Today, Chick-O-Stick candy is still a popular treat, enjoyed by many for its unique flavour and texture. The candy is now produced in a naturally-coloured stick form, with ground coconut dusting, and no longer features the bright orange colour of its earlier versions.
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The name was changed to Chick-o-Stick in 1955
Chick-O-Stick is a candy produced by the Atkinson Candy Company. It has been manufactured since the 1950s, although it was first introduced in the 1930s. The candy was initially called "Chicken Bones", but the name was changed to "Chick-o-Stick" in 1955 due to copyright claims. The original name may have come from the fact that there was a chicken on the wrapper, and people misunderstood it to be a chicken-flavoured candy. The candy's toasted coconut coating may also have made it look like fried chicken coating.
Chick-O-Sticks are peanut butter sticks with a honeycombed texture and a toasted coconut coating. They are made with peanut butter, cane sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavour, and salt, and contain no artificial preservatives or hydrogenated oils. The candy is naturally coloured and is available in a sugar-free version that uses Splenda as a sweetener.
When eaten fresh, Chick-O-Stick is dry and brittle, but it can become hard and chewy if left in the open air for too long. The colour of the candy used to be a bright orange produced by artificial red and blue colouring ingredients. However, in 2019, Atkinson announced that the recipe would be simplified to use natural colours and simple ingredients, including vegetable juice concentrate-derived colours and natural turmeric.
Chick-O-Sticks are a classic candy creation from the Atkinson Candy Company, a family-owned confectionery since 1932. The company has been making the candy at its factory in Lufkin, Texas, where it has been producing toasted coconut and fresh roasted peanut butter since the 1940s.
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Chick-o-Sticks are one of the few unintentionally vegan candy bars
Chick-o-Sticks are a candy produced by the Atkinson Candy Company that have been manufactured since the 1950s. They are made primarily from peanut butter, sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavour, and salt, with no hydrogenated oils or artificial preservatives added. The candy is currently produced as a naturally-coloured stick of varying length and thickness, dusted with ground coconut. The interior of the stick is honeycombed with peanut butter and a hardened syrup/sugar mixture that also forms the shell. When eaten fresh, the candy is dry and brittle, but it can become hard and chewy if exposed to the air for an extended period.
The candy was initially called "Chicken Bones" and was changed to "Chick-o-Stick" in 1955 due to copyright claims. The mention of the word "chick" in the name has led some people to believe that the candy contains chicken or has a chicken flavour. However, there is no chicken flavour included in Chick-o-Sticks, and the name was chosen by a salesman because it sounded catchy. The Atkinson Candy Company has speculated that the toasted coconut on the outside of the candy may have made it look like fried chicken coating.
While Chick-o-Sticks have been vegan for a long time, they are now listed as vegan-friendly on the manufacturer's website. This change reflects a growing awareness of ingredient consciousness among consumers. The candy is widely distributed at convenience stores, candy shops, and online retailers like Amazon.
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They are made with peanut butter, sugar, and coconut
Chick-O-Sticks, the beloved candy, first hit the shelves in 1955, and they've been a sweet treat for generations since. These candies are unique, with a crunchy, flaky texture and a delicious blend of peanut butter, sugar, and coconut. The combination of these three core ingredients creates a moreish, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness that has kept fans coming back for more for over six decades.
Peanut butter is, of course, a staple in many American homes, and its use in Chick-O-Sticks is genius. It provides a creamy, savory base that is perfectly complemented by the right amount of sugar. The sugar adds a touch of caramelization during the cooking process, giving the candy its distinctive golden color and a deeper, more complex flavor. Then there's the coconut, which brings a subtle fruity, almost vanilla-like taste, enhancing the nuttiness of the peanut butter and providing a lovely, light texture.
The process of making Chick-O-Sticks involves cooking the peanut butter and sugar together, creating a thick, sticky, and deeply flavored mixture. The coconut is then carefully blended in, adding those subtle fruity notes and a beautiful, delicate texture. Once set, the candy is cut into sticks, creating that iconic shape that has become so recognizable. Over the years, the Chick-O-Stick has become a symbol of American confectionery, with its unique flavor and texture setting it apart from other candies.
While the core ingredients are simple, the balance and cooking process are key to creating this iconic candy. The result is a moreish, crunchy treat with a unique flavor that has endured the test of time. It's a testament to the power of keeping things simple yet delicious. So, the next time you enjoy a Chick-O-Stick, remember the magic that comes from peanut butter, sugar, and coconut, and the joy that these simple ingredients have brought to so many.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick-O-Stick candy was introduced in the 1930s, but it was known as "Chicken Bones" at the time.
The candy was renamed to Chick-O-Stick in 1955 due to copyright claims.
The original name of "Chicken Bones" led people to believe it was a chicken-flavoured candy, due to the image of a chicken on the wrapper and the toasted coconut on the outside making it look like fried chicken coating.










































