Picking out the best Halloween candy every year for the annual neighborhood trick-or-treating night can be a difficult choice. Do you opt for a classic like Skittles or go all-in with full-size chocolate bars — and no, don’t even think about handing out toothbrushes. I polled our staff to find out the most popular Halloween candy for you to get this year. While this wasn’t a 100% scientific poll, I 100% believe it covers the best of the best (30 to be exact!) Halloween candy options.
Of course, you should always take a look at our Halloween deals so you know you’ll be getting the best deals from tricks to treats.
30. Candy Corn / Brach’s Pumpkins
Listen, Candy Corn (and Brach’s Pumpkins by extension) have their fans, but it’s hard to distribute this candy out to the kiddos at Halloween. Save these for your next Halloween party or for making scary good Halloween treats.
29. Tootsie Rolls
Getting this chocolate taffy in your Halloween bag was like getting the worst of chocolate and caramel, making Tootsie Rolls one of the worst Halloween candies to give out.
28. Whoppers
Whoppers are malted milk balls covered in “chocolate covering.” Which isn’t chocolate. The odd inner texture isn’t too appealing, which makes it a candidate for one of the worst Halloween candy to receive.
27. Baby Ruth
While Babe Ruth might have been one of the best baseball players of all time, Baby Ruth is not one of the best Halloween candies you can get in your bag. The ratio of peanuts, caramel, and nougat isn’t balanced enough to be considered one of the greats.
26. Junior Mints
If you’re giving out Junior Mints for Halloween, you might as well be giving actual mints out for Halloween.
25. Pop Rocks
Pop Rocks might be one of the best popping candies on the market right now, but the popping only lasts a few seconds, making Pop Rocks one of the least popular Halloween candies to distribute on Halloween.
24. Butterfinger
When you get a Butterfinger in your Halloween bag, you get a flaky peanut butter bar covered in chocolate. Which makes it a less appealing version of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
23. Heath Bar
If you’re a fan of toffee, you’ll like Heath Bars. Its hard toffee center is disliked by most (with the exception of dentists).
22. Sour Patch Kids
We’re not saying that Sour Patch Kids are bad. But getting Sour Patch Kids is like getting Swedish Fish with all the extra sugar on top. Too sweet and unnecessary.
21. Nerds
The problem with these pebble-shaped candies is that they’re too much like sand. Small, irritating, and they seem to go everywhere no matter how careful you are.
20. Jolly Ranchers
Getting Jolly Ranchers on Halloween is a disappointment to get because they seem so small compared to the other Halloween candy treats. Plus, the wrapper always seems to be stuck to the candy, making it one of the hardest (and least rewarding) candies to eat.
19. Twizzlers
Let’s face it, Halloween Mini Twizzlers hit differently. They are chewier and more flavorful for some reason. If only Twizzlers were like this year-round.
18. Hot Tamales
If you’re getting cinnamon candy, you can’t go wrong with Hot Tamales. It’s the best cinnamon Halloween candy you can get on the market.
17. Hi-Chew
Hi-Chews have become increasingly popular throughout the years, making them a more popular option for the best Halloween candy for the kiddos.
16. Laffy Taffy
There are several different flavors of Laffy Taffy, but we can all agree that banana is the best flavor. Plus, you’ll get a few jokes to go along with your candy. And if you’re looking for some fun trivia questions to go along with your candy, check out our list of best trivia questions for kids.
15. Three Musketeers
A quintessential Halloween candy bar (that also doubles as a Halloween costume) combines chocolate mousse covered in chocolate. This one hits the middle of my list because it’s not the best or worst Halloween candy that you can give.
14. Crunch Bar
Crisped rice and chocolate make this chocolate bar one of the most popular Halloween candies that you can get, especially if you like a crunchy, sweet dessert.
13. Kit-Kat Bar
These days, you can get Halloween-themed Kit-Kat bars during the season. That includes Pumpkin Spice and Witch’s Brew (marshmallow) Kit-Kat Bars. They’re smaller than the typical bar, but definitely worth a try.
12. Mounds/Almond Joy
We couldn’t decide between Mounds and Almond Joy, so we paired them up here. If you like coconut, this might be the best Halloween candy for you, but if you aren’t a fan, then you might want to pass on this one.
11. Milk Duds
Be sure to eat Milk Duds one at a time since the chewy candies can get stuck between your teeth very easily. It’s one of the better Halloween treats you can get and give out.
10. Starbursts
There are plenty of Starbursts flavors out there, and getting these as Halloween candy is always a treat. Especially if they’re pink.
9. Dots
Dots are a severely underrated Halloween candy. They last forever, and, if you have any left over, you can use them as decorations for your next holiday treat.
8. Swedish Fish
What does Swedish Fish taste like? Apparently, it’s supposed to taste like lingonberry, which is a European berry. The individual packets they put in Halloween packs are some of the best Halloween candy to give.
7. Skittles
Tasting the rainbow should be easy on Halloween, so you should always be trying to get Skittles for Halloween. It comes in a variety of flavors and is easy to transport.
6. M&M’s
The perfect candy to carry around since they won’t melt, M&M’s come in little packs that are a great option for Halloween candy.
5. Milky Way
Milky Ways are the perfect combinations of nougat, caramel, and chocolate. While the Baby Ruths don’t have the balance of nougat to chocolate right IMO, Milky Ways get it right.
4. Twix
Twix is one of the most popular Halloween candies because it adds an extra layer of sweetness to a shortbread cookie. The layers of caramel and chocolate add to the appeal of the candy.
3. Snickers
Adding to the Milky Way, Snickers add in peanuts. An easy candidate for the best Halloween candy you can get. And when you can get the mini versions for Halloween? It’s the best treat in one tiny bite.
2. Hershey’s Chocolate
A classic chocolate brand that comes in a variety of styles. You’d be hard-pressed to find a person that wouldn’t want Hershey’s chocolate for Halloween candy. In fact, the beloved Halloween treat is only beat out by one other candy …
1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
What’s the most popular Halloween candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, of course. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty, chocolate and peanut butter, portability and accessibility … Bonus points if you’re getting the pumpkin-shaped Reese’s.
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