The Most Popular Halloween Candy in Every State
Autumn leaves paint the trees in hues of scarlet and gold, but another colorful tradition is capturing children’s hearts across the nation: Halloween.
Here at Livability, we take our research very seriously, and during a recent team conversation, we were asked whether we were pro-candy corn or anti-candy corn. (Editor’s Note: For the record, our team was almost evenly split, but since I’m editing this story, I’ll say we were definitively pro-candy corn.)
We all know this spooky celebration usually involves creative costumes and delightful decorations. But did you know that the National Retail Federation estimates that consumers spend roughly $3.5 billion on Halloween candy annually? That is a significant chunk of change – and it begs the question: which treats reign supreme?
Check out the list below to uncover the most popular Halloween candy in every state, according to this TOP Agency report.
In This Article
1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
It’s hard to pass up the iconic marriage of creamy peanut butter and rich milk chocolate, which is probably why this perennial leader often takes the cake in Halloween candy polls. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups began in 1928 with H.B. Reese, who started in the candy business at the Hershey Chocolate Company before going on his own and creating the peanut butter and chocolate combination that would later become his claim to fame.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the favorite Halloween candy in 18 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin.
2. Kit Kat
This renowned chocolate-covered wafer is famous for its catchy “break me off a piece” slogan that you probably heard hundreds of times growing up. But the candy’s history spans over eight decades. Kit Kats were initially created in York, England, in 1935 and marketed as “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.” The creator wanted a tasty, portable snack you could easily enjoy on a lunch break. In 1937, the name changed to “Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp” before landing on its final iteration as simply “Kit Kat.” Some say this name derived from the 17th-century term “kit-cat,” which referred to a popular mutton pie at the time.
Kit Kats are the most popular Halloween candy in nine states: Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia.
3. Skittles
Those bite-sized, fruity candies may taste like the rainbow, but did you know they’ve been delighting audiences for decades? A British company called Rowntree’s created Skittles in the 1970s. They were initially inspired by fruit pastilles, small, sugar-coated candies made with fruit juice. When these tasty treats debuted in America in 1979, they quickly gained popularity, even though the original bags only contained five flavors: grape, lemon, lime, orange and strawberry.
Skittles claim the title of most popular Halloween candy in five states: Arizona, Minnesota, North Dakota, Tennessee and Washington.
4. M&M’s
When you think about the most popular Halloween candy, you probably can’t help but think about these iconic chocolate treats covered in colorful candy shells. M&M’s have a rich history that spans nearly a century, starting with their creation in the 1940s. Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie set out to create a chocolate candy that wouldn’t melt in your hands, and aren’t we all glad they did? These gained popularity locally but grew in notoriety when they were included in American soldiers’ rations during World War II.
M&M’s are the top-selling Halloween candy in five states: Colorado, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wyoming.
5. Starburst
Originally sold as “Opal Fruits,” Starburst originated in the United Kingdom in the 1950s. Mars Limited developed them, and they quickly gained popularity among candy enthusiasts in the region. The original flavors were strawberry, lemon, orange and lime, but today, you can find all kinds of fun and funky flavors when you rip open a bag of these chewy, fruit-flavored candies.
Starbursts are the favorite Halloween candy in three states: Delaware, Michigan and Texas.
6. Snickers
Snickers have long been a popular Halloween candy, but the Mars Company originally introduced them in 1930. Franklin Clarence Mars founded the candy company, and he named this particular candy bar after one of his favorite horses. Its peanuts set it apart from the many other candy bars on the market, offering a spectacular experience that was crunchy and chewy, salty and sweet. If that’s not a winning formula, what is?
Snickers are the top-selling Halloween candy in four states: Alaska, Idaho, North Carolina and Rhode Island.
7. Milky Way
As far as classic candy bars are concerned, Milky Way is a beloved favorite among candy connoisseurs. This favorite Halloween candy was introduced in 1923 when Frank C. Mars, founder of the Mars Company, set out to create a candy bar that tasted like malted milkshakes. In 1932, the company launched variations of the original, including Milky Way Dark and Milky Way Jr. While today’s version includes caramel, the original did not. It wasn’t until 1925, when the Milky Way Double Bar debuted, that these fan favorites included a chewy caramel layer to complement the iconic nougat.
Milky Way bars are the most popular Halloween candy in three states: Florida, Maryland and Nebraska.
8. Hot Tamales
You might be surprised to find Hot Tamales on the list of favorite Halloween candies, but Montana and Vermont are big fans of these fiery, cinnamon-flavored chews. These unique candies have been tantalizing taste buds for decades. The Just Born candy company (which also created the iconic marshmallow candy, Peeps) created them in the 1960s. Their sweet-and-spicy combination made them stand out among other popular candies of the time, and they have since expanded with variations and limited-edition flavors, such as Hot Tamales Tropical Heat and Hot Tamales Licorice Bites.
Hot Tamales are the most popular Halloween candy in two states: Montana and Vermont.
9. Butterfinger
Celebrated for their unique combination of crisp layers and creamy peanut butter, Butterfingers earned a well-deserved spot on the list of most popular Halloween candies. They debuted in 1923 as “Curtiss Butterfingers,” after the creators at Curtiss Candy Company. A Chicago newspaper eventually ran a contest to rename the candy bar, resulting in the simple but accurate Butterfinger label. Today, a few spinoffs exist, such as Butterfinger Bites and Butterfinger Cups, along with other iterations that cater to different tastes and cravings.
Butterfinger claims the title of most popular Halloween candy in just one state: Kentucky.