When we think of mealworms, it doesn’t sound like an appetizing treat at all. While they might not be our go-to snack, animals of all shapes and sizes, from amphibians and reptiles to fish and birds, all enjoy a juicy, crunchy mealworm as part of their diet. If you don’t believe us, take a bowl of mealworms to a chicken farm and you’ll be ambushed!
Packed with healthy proteins and fats, mealworms offer immense nutritional value for the growth and development of various species, but they can be expensive and very difficult to store if they’re alive. It’s a good idea to get dried mealworms unless you have a way to dry them yourself and to learn more about the crunchiest dried mealworms in 2025, let’s worm our way into our top picks and buying guide (pun definitely intended).
Choose one — top-notch quality or ample quantity. Want both? Then you should consider these dried mealworms from Hatortempt. These mealworms are of the highest quality and bred on wheat and vegetables to make sure no compromise is being made on your animals’ safety or the nutrients they’re getting, and they come in a 10-pound bag so you can stock up for future feeding times.
With no added preservatives, these dried mealworms are non-GMO and 100% natural, and they’re quick-dried for a crisp, crunchy texture. Made up of 52% protein and 20% fat, these dried mealworms can be a healthy addition to your animals’ diet and they come in a resealable zip-lock bag to keep them fresh.
Buying dried mealworms in bulk is always recommended because it cuts down on shipping costs and you won’t have to keep re-ordering them. With a healthy 10-pound offering of dried mealworms, Picky Neb brings you the perfect treat for your pet animals or poultry.
Free from preservatives, dust, and GMOs, these dried mealworms are packaged in a box with side handles to avoid spillage. High in proteins and immune-boosting nutrients, these crunchy mealworms are sustainably bred and a great way to keep your chickens and other mealworm-munching critters happy and healthy, especially in the winter. Not only can they keep your chickens healthy, but these mealworms can also help with egg production and feather growth, leaving both you and your hens happy.
Whether you’re a pet parent or keep animals for commercial farming purposes, you want your animals to thrive. One way you can help your animals thrive is with a well-balanced diet, an integral part of any animal’s well-being. Downtown Pet Supply’s sun-dried mealworms offer a rich diet of nutrients that are essential for the well-being of certain animals.
Apart from high protein and fiber content, these dried mealworms contain all the vitamin B12, Vitamin B5, and omega fatty acids to keep your animals in tip-top shape and happy while they munch away. These dried mealworms are also free from preservatives and GMOs, and they come with a long shelf life.
With any product, customer service and a refund policy can help you make a decision instantly. If you want your pet to try out dried mealworms for the first time, go for these Amzey mealworms. They offer high-quality, all-natural mealworms, and if you’re not satisfied they offer a 30-day, hassle-free full refund or exchange — you won’t even have to tell them why.
A great choice for many animals, feathered or not, these dried mealworms are bigger in size, juicier, and thicker than other mealworms, and they come in a large five-pound package with a long shelf life, making storage easier.
Contrary to popular belief, mealworms aren’t worms. Sure, they look and feel like a worm, but in reality, they’re the larvae of a darkling beetle (similar to how a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly). These live mealworms are then dried either by heating them in the sun or using a freeze-drying method.
A great thing about dried mealworms is that they can last up to one and a half years without needing to be refrigerated. All you need to do is store them in a cool, dry place, preferably an airtight bag or jar, and you’re good to go. You can easily buy dried mealworms in bulk without having to worry about them spoiling or rotting.
Proteins make up approximately half of the nutrient content of mealworms, making them a great dietary option for animal growth and development. Mealworms also contain ample amounts of fats and fiber, as well as essential multivitamins like Vitamins B12 and B5 and minerals like calcium.
Unlike their live counterparts, dried mealworms are inexpensive yet still nutritious. There are also no overhead costs involved for breeding or storage, as there are for live mealworms.
Feeding insects to animals and birds can be a messy and daunting task. Even if you’re professional, crawling worms and insects can be a less-than-pleasant sight. Dried mealworms, on the other hand, are just as healthy and enjoyed by animals as much as live ones while also being drastically easier to handle.
Because they’re a part of the diets of many birds, amphibians, and fish, dried mealworms naturally appeal to animals, and once introduced they’re sure to love this crispy treat.
Instinctually, most animals are used to hunting and eating live insects. Unmoving and dehydrated, dried mealworms may put some animals off in the beginning, but over time most animals adapt and come around to them.
Some animals might miss the juiciness of a live worm and find it difficult to chew on a dehydrated mealworm. Some dried mealworms also tend to break and turn to powder when they’re over-dried. If your pet doesn’t enjoy dried mealworms too much, you can soak them in water to give them some moisture.
Every brand will naturally claim that its product is the top choice on the market, but it’s up to you to make sure that you’re feeding the highest-quality food to your pets. Read the ingredients label to ensure that no artificial additives such as preservatives are present, and the mealworms should also be GMO-free and bred in a sustainable, healthy environment. Another factor to consider is the presence of external additives such as rocks, dust, or bugs, which can be dangerous to your pet and is a sign of unhygienic production and poor quality control.
The size of the package depends solely on your requirements. If you’re a poultry or fish farm owner, you’ll naturally require dried mealworms in larger amounts. If you’re a pet parent, a small bag should do the trick. If you require a lot of mealworms, it’s recommended to buy them in bulk because it’s cheaper and more convenient.
Good packaging is crucial, as it ensures that the mealworms are delivered in their original state and makes storage a breeze. Reusable bags with a ziplock or seal at the top, boxes with an airtight lid, or glass/plastic jars are all solid options that can keep mealworms cool, dry, and easy to handle.
The price of a bag of dried mealworms goes down as the size of the package increases. Generally, dried mealworms can cost from $4 to $9 per pound depending on the quality and size of the package.
Once introduced, you can expect birds to consume approximately 100 mealworms in a day.
No — mealworms are considered a dietary supplement, which means you need to feed them in addition to other food sources. Overfeeding mealworms can be problematic and can cause health issues in animals.
Most wild birds enjoy dried mealworms, especially soft-billed and perching birds. A few examples include sparrows, starlings, and robins.
The easiest way to dry mealworms yourself is to grill them. First, freeze the worms to kill them, then spread them out on a roasting pan. Cover the pan and let them grill for 4 to 5 hours, then collect them in a container and coat them evenly in a powdered supplement. You can also sun-dry mealworms, but this is a long and tedious process.
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