This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more. Show This Website Uses Cookies By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more. Trick-or-Treat: Most loved and most hated Halloween candies Learn which candy trick-or-treaters are dying to have and which ones they don't want to see in their haul. Correction: A previous version of this video used imagery that does not align with USA TODAY’s standards. With Halloween around the corner, kids, teenagers and even some adults will be getting their costumes ready in hopes of scoring big with a pillowcase or bucket full of candy from trick-or-treating. While it may seem exciting to see all the candy piling up, going through all of it after getting back home can be frustrating if you see too much of a candy bar you cannot stand. After the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a dip in candy sales across the country in 2020, Halloween is expected to be somewhat near its pre-pandemic celebration. According to the National Retail Federation's annual 2021 Halloween spending survey, around $3 billion is expected to be spent on candy this year, with $10 billion expected to be spent on all things Halloween. That may seem like enough money to make sure only the best candy ends up in our hands. If people needed ideas, or were curious, as to which ones to buy, America has spoken when it comes to the most and least popular candy in the country. From Hot Tamales to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, as well as the ever-lasting debate on candy corn, here is what the country had to say, according to CandyStore.com. What is the most popular candy?Candy Store has been delivering and distributing bulk orders of candy across the country since 2007. Using their sales data since then for the time period before Halloween, they determined which candy was the most popular with the winner being: Reese's Cups. Here are the top 10 candies in America, according to CandyStore.com:
Which candy won the most states?Candy Store also used the data to determine the most popular candy in each state. A total of 19 different candies got the top vote across the country, and while Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is the overall top candy, it didn't win the most states. That title actually belongs to Starbursts and Sour Patch Kids, each being the top candy of choice for six states. Starburst was the most popular candy in Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, South Dakota and Texas. Sour Patch Kids was the most popular candy in Alaska, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska and New York. In second place was Reese's and M&M's with five states each, followed by Tootsie Pops which was the most popular in four states. What is the 'best' candy?This title differs from the most popular candy in that this contest used a voting system. To determine the best and worst candies ever, Candy Store used rankings from multiple websites, as well as surveying over 17,000 people on their favorite candies. Candy Store then used a point system where a candy voted No. 1 received 10 points, voted No. 2 received nine points and so on. Collectively, the best candy is also the most popular – Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Here are the top 10:
What is the 'worst' candy?The war on candy corn rages on. Despite being the 10th most popular candy in the U.S., candy corn was voted as the worst candy of all time. Here are the rest of the 10 "worst" candies ever:
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
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The weather is getting cooler, creepy decorations are filling up the shelves at stores, and pumpkin-flavored everything is back on the menu at restaurants around the country. Of course, that can only mean one thing: Halloween is fast approaching. However, when it comes to Halloween candy, not all treats are created equal. A new survey from Zippia reveals the most popular Halloween treats in the U.S., so read on to discover which candy is the most sought-after in your state. And if you want to make some better choices after the candy-filled holiday, check out the 100 Healthiest Foods on the Planet. Favorite Halloween candy: Skittles If you live in Alabama, make sure to load up on Skittles if you're buying candy for trick-or-treaters this Halloween. The state is one of three to prefer the colorful candy. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Milky Way The most popular candy in Alaska is none other than a Milky Way bar. The state is one of two that likes the chocolate-coated candy bar the best. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat While Starburst was the most popular candy on Zippia's list last year, this year, Kit Kat took the crown. A total of five states claim the crunchy candy bar as its top Halloween treat. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Skittles Alabama isn't alone in loving Skittles. It was also voted the most beloved candy in Arkansas. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy What does the biggest state on the West Coast prefer when it comes to Halloween treats? A western-themed candy, of course! Favorite Halloween candy: Black Licorice If you think nobody's eager to get black licorice in their treat bag this Halloween, think again. It was named the most popular Halloween candy in Colorado—and yes, they're the only state to say so. Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat The Constitution State's full of chocoholics, it would seem! Much like Arizonans, Connecticuters are crazy for Kit Kats. Favorite Halloween candy: Smarties If you're in Delaware, make sure you've got plenty of Smarties on hand this Halloween. Delaware was the only state in the nation to call these chalky candies their favorites. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy California's not alone in thinking Jolly Ranchers are the crème de la crème—the Sunshine State seems to agree! ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Skittles Handing out peach rings in Georgia might be a little too on the nose. Instead, make sure to load up on Skittles if you're handing out candy to trick-or-treaters in the Peach State. Favorite Halloween candy: Crunch Bar Hawaii is unique in many ways—and its residents' favorite candy is no exception. The Aloha State is the only one in the nation to think Crunch bars are Halloween's top treat. Favorite Halloween candy: Dum Dums Make sure you've got lots of lollipops on hand if you're passing out candy in Idaho. The Gem State is one of three that loves this classic candy. Favorite Halloween candy: AirHeads AirHeads may have been originally created in Kentucky, but their popularity is widespread. In fact, they're the most popular candy in this Midwestern state. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Peanut M&Ms Want to make trick-or-treaters in Indiana happy? Then make sure you've got plenty of Peanut M&Ms to hand out. Indiana isn't alone in thinking they're a top-tier confection, however: Zippia reports that, with sales of $712 million, M&Ms earned more revenue in the U.S. than any other candy company in 2020. Favorite Halloween candy: Tootsie Pop Dum Dums aren't the only popular lollipops this year, it would seem. Iowa was one of two states to call Tootsie Pops their fave. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Peanut M&Ms Indianans aren't the only ones with a penchant for Peanut M&Ms. The crunchy candy is the most popular treat among Kansas residents, too. Favorite Halloween candy: 100 Grand Bar You can't go wrong with a classic in Kentucky, it would seem. The state's favorite Halloween candy is the 100 Grand Bar, first produced in 1964. Courtesy of StarburstFavorite Halloween candy: Starburst Starburst was the most popular candy in the U.S. on Zippia's list last year, and it's still the top treat in Louisiana. Surprisingly, however, Louisiana was the only state where Starburst was the most popular treat this year. Favorite Halloween candy: Dum Dums Idaho isn't alone in its passion for Dum Dums. Maine also seems to consider the lollipops a particularly welcome treat. Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat The Old Line State is one of five states that call Kit Kats their favorite Halloween candy. While it may be popular in the U.S., the candy actually hails from England! Favorite Halloween candy: Twix While Massachusetts was once home to Necco, one of the most famous candy brands in the U.S., Twix—a Mars confection—earned the top spot in the state. Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat If you're breaking off a piece of that Kit Kat bar, hand one to your favorite Michigander. The state is one of five that loves this crunchy treat above all others. Favorite Halloween candy: Twix It seems Massachusetts isn't alone in its passion for Twix. Minnesotans also give the chocolate and caramel confection high praise. Favorite Halloween candy: Dum Dums Mississippi rounds out the trifecta of states that call Dum Dums their favorite Halloween candy. The brand has had plenty of time to build its audience, too—Dum Dums were first produced in the U.S. in 1924. Favorite Halloween candy: 100 Grand Bar Kentucky isn't alone in thinking 100 Grand Bars are the cream of the crop, it appears. The treat is also the most popular candy in Missouri and one other state. Favorite Halloween candy: Baby Ruth Residents of Montana just can't get enough of the peanut-caramel-nougat-and-chocolate combo of a classic Baby Ruth bar. And what a fitting present for the candy's 100th birthday this year! Favorite Halloween candy: Tootsie Pop How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Just ask a Nebraskan! ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Nerds It may not be nice to call someone a nerd but handing out Nerds this Halloween is a different story. The crunchy, colorful candy earned high marks in Nevada, one of two states to consider it their top treat. Favorite Halloween candy: Milky Way It seems New Hampshire residents want an out-of-this-world experience when it comes to their candy. The state joins Alaska in considering Milky Way the best candy there is. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Sour Patch Kids Want your house to be the most popular one on the block? If you live in the Garden State, loading up on Sour Patch Kids might just be the way to do it. Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat New Mexico is the last of five states to call Kit Kat its favorite Halloween candy, making it one of the two most popular candies in the nation this year, along with Twix. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Reese's Pieces New Yorkers are notoriously hard to please. Luckily, there's an easy way to get Empire Staters to come around this Halloween: just hand out Reese's Pieces! Favorite Halloween candy: Twix Twix is a relatively new entrant to the candy market, having only been introduced in the U.S. in 1979. However, it's gained a rabid following since then, with North Carolina numbering among five states that consider Twix its top treat. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Whoppers6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e Originally called Giants, the candies now known as Whoppers were first produced in the U.S. in 1939. The malted milk balls were bought by Hershey in 1996 and their popularity has continued to soar—especially in North Dakota, it would seem! Favorite Halloween candy: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are a classic Halloween treat. The iconic brand has gotten into the Halloween spirit in recent years by offering the beloved candy in several spooky forms, from pumpkins to ghosts to bats to half-green Frankencups! ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Circus Peanuts If you've ever wondered who those Circus Peanuts in candy variety bags are for, there's finally an answer. Apparently, Oklahomans just can't get enough of the fluffy orange candy. Favorite Halloween candy: 100 Grand Bar From Portland to Prineville, Clackamas to Central Point, Oregonians can't get enough of 100 Grand Bars at Halloween. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Good & Plenty Want to get in good with your neighbors in Pennsylvania? Then make sure to have plenty of Good & Plenty on hand this Halloween! Favorite Halloween candy: Heath Bar The smallest state in the nation has a big appetite for chocolate! Rhode Island stands out as the only state that calls Heath Bars its favorite candy. Courtesy of Sour Patch KidsFavorite Halloween candy: Sour Patch Kids Zippia's research found that the U.S. was pretty divided in terms of candy preference, with 28 states preferring chocolates and 22 preferring gummies, fruit-flavored candies, and other non-chocolate treats. You can definitely count South Carolina among the latter group! Favorite Halloween candy: Snickers Snickers numbered fourth on Zippia's list of biggest candy brands in the U.S., raking in $394 million in sales in 2020 alone. However, South Dakota was the only state to claim it as its most beloved candy this Halloween! Courtesy of RuntsFavorite Halloween candy: Runts Residents of Tennessee have some unique taste when it comes to satisfying their craving for sweets. The state was alone in calling Runts its favorite Halloween treat. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Texas is known for its cattle ranches, and it seems the state loves candies that live up to its cowboy image. The Lone Star state is one of three that consider Jolly Ranchers the best treat out there. Favorite Halloween candy: Twix There's no denying Twix's popularity in Utah and beyond: the candy earned $297 million in U.S. in 2020 alone, according to Zippia. Favorite Halloween candy: 3 Musketeers While Vermont is the only state to call 3 Musketeers its favorite Halloween candy, there's still plenty of love for this treat throughout the U.S. In 2020 alone, $187 million worth of the candy was sold in the States. ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Reese's Pieces While New York and Virginia may differ in many ways, they've got one thing in common: their love for Reese's Pieces! ShutterstockFavorite Halloween candy: Nerds Both Nevada and Washington heralded Nerds as the top Halloween treat this year. It seems the candy company has Halloween on the mind, too—it just rolled out a new candy corn this year! Favorite Halloween candy: Candy Corn Candy corn is a polarizing product: people either love it or hate it with a passion. It seems that residents of West Virginia fall into the former camp—the state's the only one giving the candy such high praise this year. Favorite Halloween candy: Twix Wisconsin may be the birthplace of a number of beloved local confections, including Cowpies, but it wasn't one of the state's classic offerings that earned top marks. Instead, Wisconsinites prefer a different type of chocolatey treat: Twix! Courtesy of Swedish FishFavorite Halloween candy: Swedish Fish Wyoming boasts the lowest population density in the U.S., but its 581,000 residents seem to have one thing in common: a love for Swedish Fish, the state's most popular candy this year. If you want to make healthier choices this Halloween, check out The Worst Candies You Should Never Eat, and for more healthy eating news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter! Read more:
Sarah Crow Sarah Crow is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, where she focuses on celebrity news and health coverage. Read more about Sarah More content from Groceries |