Cheese in a can, peanut butter with marshmallow, and sodas the size of your head—these are totally normal in the US. But in Europe, they’re eyebrow-raising. That’s the fun part of food culture: what’s everyday in one country can seem wild in another. Here are eight US foods that might leave Europeans amused and amazed.
8. Super-Sized Fountain Drinks
When you order a soda in the US, you might get a a 32-ounce cup, which is nearly a liter! Europeans are often shocked by the portion sizes, since soft drinks there often come in smaller glasses or bottles. The American versions also have more sugar. For instance, a US Fanta has roughly double the sugar content of its UK equivalent.
7. Sweet Breakfast Cereals
In the US, cereals like Lucky Charms and Froot Loops are basically candy in a bowl. Think sweet flavors, bright colors, and even mini marshmallows. Meanwhile, in Europe, breakfast cereals look simpler, like plain wheat flakes or muesli. Part of the difference comes from the fact that dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 6 (common in the US) are restricted in Europe.
6. Fluffernutter Sandwiches
Fluffernutter is a classic childhood snack in the US, made with peanut butter and marshmallow crème on soft white bread. For many Europeans, the marshmallow spread alone is surprising since it’s almost never found in their supermarkets. In the US, however, jars of “Fluff” are easy to find, made with corn syrup and whipped into a spreadable texture.
5. Pumpkin Pie (with Canned Pumpkin)
Most American Thanksgiving tables feature pumpkin pie, and a lot of them are also made from canned pumpkin purée. For Europeans, this is unusual because pumpkins are rarely used there for desserts. Canned versions are also hard to find in shops. The pie represents the US holiday culture and the convenience of canned goods—a combination that’s distinctly American.
4. Corn Dogs
A corn dog is about as American as it gets: hot dog on a stick, dipped in cornbread batter, and fried until golden. You’ll see them at fairs and ballgames, usually served with mustard or ketchup. For Europeans, the whole idea feels foreign because cornmeal batter isn’t common in their cooking and you won’t find fried meat on a stick at street stalls there. The hot dogs also raise eyebrows since US versions often include sodium nitrate, which is more tightly controlled in Europe.
3. Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches
Among many American kids, PB&J is as common as sugary cereals. Yet Europeans, who don’t use peanut butter much, often find the combo unusual. The US market is flooded with peanut butters with added sugar, while the EU tends to sell simpler versions. The latter also leans more toward fresh spreads like jam or Nutella.
2. Spray Cheese (Cheez Whiz & Easy Cheese)
There are few American things that are as iconic and weird as aerosol cheese that squirts from a can onto crackers. Yes, this exists, and to Europeans, it’s not just the form that’s shocking. The ingredient list is also astonishing as it contains stabilizers, colorings, and emulsifiers that keep the cheese squeezable and safe unrefrigerated.
1. Boxed Mac & Cheese
In the US, boxed mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. All you need to do is boil pasta, mix in a bright orange powder, and dinner’s ready. But in Europe, mac and cheese is usually a homemade dish made with béchamel sauce and real cheese, so the idea of the orange powder can be surprising. The neon colors of boxed mac and cheese also come from artificial food dyes, which are restricted or require warning labels in EU.