When it comes to cookies, one debate never seems to go out of style: crispy or chewy? According to a CivicScience poll running over the last two years with nearly 78K responses, Americans have a clear favorite. Fifty-six percent say they prefer chewy cookies, compared to 20% who favor crispy cookies, while 25% say they enjoy both equally.

Preferences are fairly consistent across age groups, though there are a few subtle differences. Baby Boomers have a slight lead in preferring crispy cookies, while Millennials are the most likely to favor chewy cookies. Regionally, those in the Northeast lean slightly toward crispy cookies, while Midwesterners and Westerners show a modest preference for chewy options.

But demographics aren’t the only thing separating cookie lovers. CivicScience data reveal some fun and telling differences between crispy and chewy cookie fans:

• Raw cookie dough: Crispy cookie fans are nearly twice as likely to say eating raw cookie dough is “very risky.”
• Cookie cake: Crispy cookie fans are more than twice as likely to say they love cookie cake (25% vs. 10%).
• Halloween candy: Chewy cookie fans are over twice as likely to prefer Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and are also more likely to choose Butterfinger. Meanwhile, crispy cookie fans are three times as likely to say Kit Kats are their favorite and are 10 points more likely to prefer Twix.
• Snack preferences: Chewy cookie fans lean heavily toward sweet snacks (57% vs. 36% of crispy fans), while crispy cookie fans are far more likely to prefer savory snacks (64% vs. 43%).
• Ice cream style: Crispy cookie fans are five points more likely to prefer their ice cream in a cone, while chewy cookie fans are six points more likely to choose a cup and seven points more likely to order a milkshake.

Whether it’s a gooey center or a crunchy bite, cookie preferences go beyond texture—they reflect broader tastes and habits, from how Americans snack to how they treat themselves. And while chewy cookies clearly take the lead, the crispy camp still has plenty of loyal fans holding their ground.

Love taking polls? Sign up to receive topical polls straight to you inbox every day in The CivicScience Poll of the Day here.

This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.