So you've decided to take the plunge and try eating bugs. Great call. But now comes the real question: where to buy edible bugs that are actually good? Not the sad, stale novelty crickets from a gas station rack — but real, high-quality, delicious insect snacks that will make you a convert for life.
The edible insect market has exploded in recent years. What was once a niche corner of the internet is now a thriving industry, with dozens of brands offering everything from roasted cricket snacks to mealworm protein bars to chocolate-dipped scorpions. The challenge isn't finding bugs to eat anymore — it's knowing which sources are worth your money.
This guide breaks down exactly where to look, what to buy, and what to avoid — whether you're after protein-packed cricket powder for your morning smoothie or a snack box that'll genuinely impress at your next dinner party.
Why Buy Edible Bugs Online?
The short answer: online is almost always your best option. While a handful of specialty grocery stores and health food shops are starting to stock edible insects, the selection is usually limited to one or two products — and freshness can be hit or miss. Online retailers, especially dedicated edible insect brands, offer a far wider range, better quality control, and the ability to read detailed sourcing and ingredient information before you buy.
There's also the freshness factor. Properly packaged insect snacks have a long shelf life, and ordering directly from a specialist means shorter supply chains and products that haven't been sitting in a warehouse for months. When you're buying something as niche as roasted mealworms, going straight to the source matters.
The Best Places to Buy Edible Bugs Online
1. Erbies — The Best All-Around Edible Bug Shop
We might be a little biased here, but hear us out. Erbies (that's us, at eaterbies.com) was built specifically to make edible insects approachable, delicious, and genuinely exciting. Our lineup includes roasted cricket snacks in multiple flavors, mealworm trail mix, cricket protein powder, and chocolate-covered insects — all sourced from human-grade facilities that meet the highest food safety standards.
What sets Erbies apart is flavor. A lot of bug food companies treat taste as an afterthought — we treat it as the whole point. Every product is developed to actually taste good, not just to be nutritious. Because let's be real: you're not going to keep eating bugs if they taste like cardboard, no matter how many grams of protein they contain.
2. Amazon — Convenience, But Do Your Research
Amazon carries a growing selection of edible insect products, including cricket flour, flavored roasted crickets, and novelty bug candy. The convenience is hard to beat, and Prime shipping means you can have a bag of seasoned crickets on your doorstep tomorrow. The downside? Quality control varies wildly between sellers, and some listings lack transparency about sourcing and production methods. Stick to established brands with strong review histories and detailed ingredient lists.
3. Specialty Health Food Retailers
Retailers like Thrive Market and iHerb have begun stocking cricket protein powders and insect-based energy bars from brands like Bitty Foods and Gym-N-Eat Crickets. These platforms are great if you're already shopping for health food staples and want to add a few insect products to your cart. Prices tend to be competitive, and you often get detailed nutritional information and customer reviews to guide your choice.
4. Dedicated Insect Food Brands
The edible insect space has produced some genuinely excellent specialist brands worth bookmarking. Entomo Farms (Canada) is one of the most well-known, offering whole-roasted crickets, cricket powder, and mealworms through their website. Don Bugito (California) focuses on artisanal Mexican-inspired insect snacks. Hotlix has been making insect candy and lollipops since the 1990s and remains a go-to for novelty bug gifts. Each brings a different angle — shopping direct from these brands usually gets you the freshest product and the most variety.
What to Look for When Buying Edible Bugs
Not all edible bug products are created equal. Here's what to check before you buy:
Human-Grade Sourcing
This is non-negotiable. Insects farmed for human consumption are raised under strict conditions — clean feed, controlled environments, proper harvesting and processing protocols. Insects farmed for reptile food or fishing bait operate under completely different (and far less stringent) standards. Always confirm the product is explicitly labeled for human consumption and that the farm or processor is transparent about their practices.
Clean Ingredients
The best edible insect products have short, recognizable ingredient lists. If you're buying roasted crickets, the ingredients should be crickets, oil, and seasoning — not a paragraph of additives and preservatives. For cricket protein powder, look for single-ingredient products (just cricket powder) or minimal additions like cocoa or natural flavors. The cleaner the label, the better.
Allergen Information
People with shellfish allergies should exercise caution — insects and crustaceans share similar proteins, and cross-reactivity is possible. A responsible edible insect brand will flag this clearly on the packaging and website. If you have a shellfish allergy, consult with a doctor before trying insect products for the first time.
Freshness and Packaging
Properly dried and packaged insects have an impressive shelf life — typically 12–24 months. Look for resealable bags, nitrogen-flushed packaging, or airtight containers to ensure maximum freshness. Check the best-by date if visible, and be skeptical of products without any date information at all.
What Kinds of Edible Bugs Can You Buy?
The edible insect market has grown into a surprisingly broad category. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll find:
Crickets are the most widely available and arguably the most versatile. You'll find them whole and roasted (often seasoned with flavors like BBQ, sea salt, or sriracha), ground into flour, or processed into protein powder. They taste mildly nutty and savory — think sunflower seeds with a bit more depth.
Mealworms are the larvae of the darkling beetle and have a mild, slightly nutty flavor. They're popular in trail mixes, granola, and as a crunchy topping for salads or rice bowls. Dried mealworms have a satisfying crunch and absorb flavors well, making them an easy ingredient to experiment with.
Chocolate-covered insects are hands-down the best entry point for bug skeptics. The richness of the chocolate does a lot of the heavy lifting, and most people find the experience surprisingly pleasant. Chocolate-covered crickets, ants, and scorpions are popular gift items and a great way to introduce friends to insect eating.
Cricket protein powder is a favorite among fitness enthusiasts. With 60–70% protein by weight, a complete amino acid profile (including all nine essential amino acids), and significantly more iron, B12, and omega-3s than conventional protein powders, it's genuinely impressive nutritionally. It has a subtle earthy taste that blends well into smoothies, pancakes, and protein balls.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy Edible Bugs?
Edible insects are more expensive than conventional snacks, but the gap is narrowing as production scales up. Here's a rough sense of what to expect:
A 1 oz bag of flavored roasted crickets typically runs $5–$8. A 4 oz bag of dried mealworms will cost around $8–$12. Cricket protein powder is priced similarly to premium whey — expect $25–$45 for a 500g bag, depending on the brand and blend. Novelty items like chocolate-covered insects and scorpion lollipops range from $5–$15 depending on size and packaging.
If you're buying in bulk — say, cricket powder by the kilogram for regular use — prices drop considerably. Many brands also offer subscription discounts of 10–20%, which can make regular insect protein use very cost-competitive with other premium protein sources.
Can You Buy Edible Bugs in Stores?
Increasingly, yes — but it depends on where you live. In the US, some Whole Foods locations and independent natural food stores carry cricket protein bars and snacks. In Europe, where the EU approved several insect species for human consumption in 2021, supermarket chains in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland routinely stock insect products. In Southeast Asia, edible insects are a staple in markets and street food stalls.
For most people in North America, though, online remains the most reliable way to access a decent selection of edible insect products. In-store availability is improving every year, but it's still inconsistent enough that ordering online is the safer bet for now.
Start With Erbies
If you're ready to try edible bugs but not sure where to start, Erbies is the obvious answer. Our products are designed to be delicious first and nutritious second — because the best bug food is the kind you actually want to eat. Browse our full selection at eaterbies.com and find your new favorite snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy edible bugs near me?
Your best bet is online — dedicated edible insect brands like Erbies (eaterbies.com) offer the widest selection and best quality. In-store, check specialty health food stores, Whole Foods, or international food markets. Availability in mainstream grocery stores is growing but still inconsistent across the US.
Are edible bugs sold on Amazon?
Yes, Amazon carries a range of edible insect products including cricket protein powder, roasted crickets, mealworm snacks, and novelty bug candy. Quality varies between sellers, so check reviews carefully and stick to established brands with transparent sourcing information.
How do I know if edible bugs are safe to eat?
Look for products explicitly labeled for human consumption and sourced from farms that follow food-grade standards. Reputable brands will be transparent about where and how their insects are raised. Avoid pet store or fishing bait insects — these are produced under different regulations. If you have a shellfish allergy, consult your doctor before trying insects, as cross-reactivity is possible.