Airheads are one of the most recognisable American taffy bars around, known for an intensely sour "Xtremes" line and a soft, stretchy bite that's very different from most UK penny sweets — which is exactly why UK shoppers hunting for imported American candy keep searching for them.
An 80s American taffy brand
Airheads launched in the US in 1985, made by what's now Perfetti Van Melle, and built its identity around an individually wrapped taffy bar with a distinctive soft, chewy — almost fluffy — texture, sold in bold, brightly wrapped bars by flavour. The brand later expanded into sour "Xtremes" belts and bite-sized versions, which became especially popular through American candy shops and cinemas.
Part of the American-candy import wave
Airheads is one of a handful of US candy brands — alongside names like Warheads and Jolly Ranchers — that built a strong following in the UK almost entirely through imports and specialist American sweet shops, rather than mainstream UK supermarket listings.
What we actually stock right now
We don't currently stock Airheads directly. If it's a soft fruit-taffy chew you're after, we do carry Starburst Minis Original Fruit Chews Bags 45g and Starburst Vegan Chewy Fruit Flavoured Sweets 45g, both in stock. For other genuine American candy, we also stock Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Pouch 90g — Case of 10 and Milk Duds Chocolate & Caramel Candy Theatre Box 141g — Case of 12, both currently in stock.
FAQ
Do you stock Airheads?
No — we don't currently import or stock Airheads. We carry Starburst as the closest fruit-taffy alternative, along with other genuine American candy.
Who makes Airheads?
Perfetti Van Melle, following the brand's original 1985 US launch.
What's the difference between Airheads and Airheads Xtremes?
The original Airheads are a single-flavour taffy bar; Xtremes is the sour, multi-flavour belt and bites line launched later.
What American candy do you actually have in stock?
Reese's Pieces and Milk Duds are both currently in stock, alongside Starburst fruit chews as a taffy-style alternative to Airheads.