Food
Most Popular Halloween Candy in America – Ranked by Sales Data
Americans spend roughly $3.5-4 billion on Halloween candy every year, with the average household buying about $31.69 worth for trick-or-treaters. About 68% of households stock up for the occasion. This ranking pulls from three major data sources to give a fuller picture than any single list can: CandyStore.com’s 15-year sales analysis (2007-2023), Instacart’s October 2024 weight-sold data, and Kroger’s transaction records. The DoorDash 2025 Halloween trends report fills in what’s changing right now.
The Most Popular Halloween Candies
| Rank | Candy | Source(s) | States Where It’s #1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups | CandyStore, Instacart, Kroger | 14-18 states |
| 2 | M&M’s (Peanut + Classic) | CandyStore, Instacart | 9 states |
| 3 | Kit Kat | Kroger, CandyStore | 9 states |
| 4 | Snickers | CandyStore, Kroger | 4 states |
| 5 | Sour Patch Kids | CandyStore, Instacart | 4 states |
| 6 | Skittles | CandyStore | 5 states |
| 7 | Starburst | CandyStore | 3 states |
| 8 | Hershey’s (Kisses + Mini Bars) | CandyStore | Various |
| 9 | Candy Corn | CandyStore | Midwest/Corn Belt |
| 10 | Butterfinger | CandyStore | - |
1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s has held the top spot on Instacart’s October 2024 weight-sold data, ranks #1 in 14-18 states depending on the source, and sits at the top of Kroger’s national transaction data. H.B. Reese created the candy in 1928 while working for the Hershey Company. The peanut butter and chocolate combination has made it the dominant Halloween candy for consecutive years across multiple data sets.
Part of Reese’s Halloween dominance comes down to format. The pre-wrapped cups are easy to portion, easy to hand out in a trick-or-treat bag, and have broad flavor appeal across age groups. Unlike candies that require biting into a bar or unwrapping multiple pieces, Reese’s cups deliver the core appeal in one self-contained unit. That practicality reinforces its rankings across every data source that tracks what actually moves off shelves in October.
2. M&M’s
CandyStore’s 15-year analysis ranks M&M’s #1 overall when combining years. Instacart splits the vote: Peanut M&M’s placed #2 and Classic M&M’s placed #3 in October 2024. Nine states, including Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, name M&M’s their favorite per CandyStore data.
Here the data sources diverge in a revealing way. Most retailers list Peanut and Classic as separate products, which fragments M&M’s showing in individual rankings. But CandyStore, which aggregates across years, effectively combines both varieties. If every retailer did the same, M&M’s combined count would likely outrank Reese’s. This is a reminder that rankings depend on how products are categorized, not just raw sales volume.
3. Kit Kat
Kit Kat originated in York, England in 1935 under the name “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp” before its current form took hold. Kroger ranks it #3 nationally, and Instacart places it #4. Nine states, including Maine, New York, and Virginia, name Kit Kat their top candy.
What works in Kit Kat’s favor is that it occupies a distinct structural niche. It is a wafer-based bar rather than a solid chocolate piece, which gives it a different texture and sweetness profile. For households that find pure chocolate too heavy or rich for a treat bag, the lighter wafer-and-chocolate combination reads differently. That difference is enough to hold a strong mid-tier position across all three major data sources.
4. Snickers
Mars introduced Snickers in 1930, naming it after his horse. Kroger ranks it #2 nationally, and Instacart places it #5. Four states name it their favorite: Alaska, Idaho, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.
5. Sour Patch Kids
Sour Patch Kids are the top non-chocolate candy in every major ranking. CandyStore ranks it #3 nationally, and Instacart places it #6. Four states lead in Sour Patch orders: Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas. The candy performs especially well in the Northeast and Texas.
6. Skittles
CandyStore ranks Skittles #4 nationally, and five states name it their favorite: Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington. It appeals to households looking for a nut-free option that still delivers fruity variety.
7. Starburst
CandyStore ranks Starburst #5 nationally. Delaware, Michigan, and Texas name it their top candy. The individual wrapper format makes it a practical choice for trick-or-treat bags.
8. Hershey’s (Kisses + Mini Bars)
Hershey Kisses rank #8 and Hershey Mini Bars rank #9 per CandyStore’s analysis. Combined, the Hershey brand would place in the top 5. DoorDash 2025 data shows Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme is surging fast enough that it could challenge Reese’s for the top spot.
9. Candy Corn
Candy Corn sparks more debate than almost any other Halloween candy. CandyStore ranks it #7 nationally. Yet production numbers tell a different story: roughly 17,000 tons are made every year, and Brach’s alone produces about 30 million pounds annually, generating roughly $75 million in sales. Unit sales have been declining since 2018, though price increases have kept revenue figures relatively stable.
Consumption patterns vary widely by state. Mississippi runs 92% above the national average for candy corn purchases. Hawaii sits 55% below average. The Midwest and Corn Belt remain its strongest territory.
10. Butterfinger
Butterfinger rounds out CandyStore’s top 10 national ranking. The peanut butter and chocolate bar has been a fixture since the 1920s and holds a loyal following in the Midwest.
11. HARIBO Goldbears
HARIBO Goldbears placed #7 on Instacart’s 2024 weight-sold list, showing that gummies hold a meaningful share of the Halloween bowl alongside chocolate. The German-made gummy bears have broad appeal precisely because they are nut-free, making them a safe choice for school settings and households with allergies. This reinforces a broader pattern in the data: non-chocolate candies perform best when they offer something chocolate does not, whether that is fruit flavor, a chewy texture, or allergen-friendly formulation.
How the States Break Down
Reese’s leads in 14-18 states, with its strongest presence in California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Kit Kat and M&M’s each win 9 states. Sour Patch Kids dominate the Northeast and Texas.
The South has its own flavor preferences. Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee lean toward what CandyStore calls “Sweet Smiles,” a mix of gummies and chocolate that reflects regional taste.
Utah buys candy at a rate 50% above the national average. Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, and Nebraska also rank well above typical consumption levels.
What’s Trending in 2025
DoorDash data shows retro candies are making a notable comeback. Baby Bottle Pop orders rose 641% year over year. Strawberry Bon Bons jumped 600%. Bit-O-Honey climbed 117%. Nostalgia appears to be a real driver alongside the perennial chocolate favorites.
Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme is gaining fast enough that some data suggests it could challenge Reese’s position in coming years.
Chocolate dominates the top of the rankings, but fruity and retro options are claiming more of the bowl every year. However your state ranks, Americans collectively spend roughly $4 billion on Halloween candy annually. That makes Halloween one of the biggest candy shopping events of the year, topped only by the winter holiday season.