We at NerdLeaks are passing along a fresh set of Strands answers and hints that, according to Insider Gaming, solve New York Times Strands Game #867. Take this with a pinch of salt — the breakdown below is sourced from Insider Gaming and should be treated as published puzzle answers rather than investigative intelligence. That said, if you’re stuck on today’s puzzle, these are the exact entries and clues reported.
What Was Reported
According to Insider Gaming, Strands Game #867 (the daily NYT puzzle labeled for Saturday, July 18, 2026) features a theme whose answers are "all related to a very specific and healthy breakfast option," if true. The reported theme answers for this puzzle are:
- OATY
- CRUNCHY
- WHOLESOME
- SWEET
- SALTY
- NUTTY
The Spanagram revealed for the deeper theme is reported as: BOWLOFGRANOLA.
Hints, Starter Words, And Mechanics
Insider Gaming also lists the in-puzzle hints and several starter words that may help players unlock the theme:
- Hints: "The opposite of salty." "Cap'n Crunch definitely has this quality; it's in the name." "When someone is very pure and kind, they might be called this."
- Starter Words Worth Trying: OATS, LARGE BOWL, SWALLOW, GRANOLA
Additional in-game mechanics reiterated by the report: words of three letters or fewer do not count; words that reveal the correct theme appear in blue; the Spanagram turns yellow when found; and finding three words that don't fit the theme will reveal a hint.
The Source & Credibility
Insider Gaming published the roundup of hints and solutions, with the piece attributed to Robert DeFelice. The write-up frames itself as a help guide for players who are stuck on Strands Game #867 and explicitly labels its content as spoilers for that day's puzzle.
We should be clear: the items above are presented by Insider Gaming as puzzle answers and game hints, not as independent verification. The report references canonical details about the game — that Strands is a daily word search puzzle offered by The New York Times, launched in 2024, using a 6×8 letter grid — and credits Juliette Seive with the original concept and Tracy Bennett as puzzle editor.
Take the reported answers and guidance with a grain of caution. While the content is straightforward puzzle spoilers rather than contentious claims, our standard caveat applies: use the answers as presented by the source, and consider them verified only within the context of the published hints and solutions from Insider Gaming.
What It Could Mean
If Insider Gaming’s list is accurate, Strands #867 leaned heavily into a cohesive food-based theme — specifically, what the source labels as a "very specific and healthy breakfast option." The choice of answers like OATY, CRUNCHY, and NUTTY aligns with the Spanagram reveal BOWLOFGRANOLA, which ties the clue set together neatly, if true.
For players, the reported starter words and the listed hints could significantly speed up solving the puzzle. The mechanic that three wrong words will trigger a hint is useful to know if you’re trying to coax the theme out without outright spoilers. If you prefer to keep the challenge, consider avoiding the starter suggestions.
From a design standpoint, the puzzle — as described by the source — appears to follow the Strands formula of guiding solvers toward a central theme through both individual word finds and a spanagram reveal. That dynamic is likely why a food-centric theme like "bowl of granola" can be teased out by adjectives and textures such as crunchy, nutty, and oaty.
Why This Matters
This matters because daily puzzles depend on small, satisfying reveals — and according to Insider Gaming, Strands #867 delivered one with a tightly-knit theme and a clear spanagram payoff. For regular players, knowing the reported answers and hints can rescue a stuck streak or demystify an especially tricky day.
We’ll caution again: take this with a pinch of skepticism. These are published spoilers from a single reporting outlet, and while they read as straightforward puzzle answers, the right approach for many players is to try the puzzle unaided and consult spoilers only if you truly need them.
Finally, for those tracking the daily puzzle rhythm, the source notes that
