Halloween

15 Halloween Candies: Ranked From Best to Worst

Updated on October 25, 2019 by Laura Grande

Halloween is right around the corner, and most kids (and adults!) can agree that all that free candy plays a pretty big role in how much everyone enjoys the big day. But while they say beggars can't be choosers, we disagree. Here are the most common trick-or-treat candies, ranked from most coveted to most dreaded.

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Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

<p> Increasingly becoming the unicorn of Halloween loot because of heightened awareness of nut allergies, this melt-in-your-mouth puck of peanut butter and milk chocolate is the ultimate trick-or-treat score. It's a bona fide classic that will never go out of style. </p> <p> Once Halloween is over, you can still enjoy the gooey goodness of this chocolate favourite by making your own <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/blog/easy-vegan-peanut-butter-cups-35302/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2-ingredient vegan peanut butter cups</a>. </p>
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Skittles

<p> Taste the rainbow, they said – and we've never stopped. These chewy, fruity and vibrant little candies are a Halloween staple. Bonus points for families dishing out the sour variety. Pucker up! Fun fact: according to sources, more than 200 million Skittles are produced daily. </p> <p> If you've unintentionally stocked up on more Halloween candy than you could possibly need, make this <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/halloween/blog/candy-filled-pumpkin-pail-cake-for-halloween/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">candy-filled pumpkin pail cake</a>. </p>
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Kit Kat

<p> Next to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, this light and thin wafer is probably the second most in-demand chocolate bar of the season. Did you know that Kit Kat’s unique snappy square shape came about because the company wanted to make a chocolate bar that people could easily add to lunch bags as a little treat? </p> <p> Speaking of chocolate, try these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/halloween/blog/gory-white-truffles-halloween-recipe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">make-ahead gory truffles for your Halloween bash</a>. </p>
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Nerds

<p> These adorable, itty-bitty rainbow-hued candies offer up a tangy sweetness we've come to love for decades. The classic treat allegedly got its name from the Dr. Seuss book, <em>If I Ran to the Zoo</em>, wherein the narrator encounters a creature called a "nerd." Fun fact: the most popular Nerd flavour combo is strawberry and grape. </p> <p> If you're hosting a "chilling" party this year, give these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/halloween/blog/make-these-spooktacular-halloween-pretzels-and-watch-them-disappear/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">spooktacular Halloween pretzels</a> a whirl. </p>
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Snickers

<p> Ah, the trusty Snickers bar – rich in chocolate content and generous when it comes to all things peanut and caramel, so what's not to love? It's also that rare treat that will fill you up, even if it's the mini version! </p> <p> What's October without pumpkin seeds to enjoy? We especially love this scrumptious <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/blog/the-best-pumpkin-seed-granola-recipe-to-make-after-pumpkin-carving/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pumpkin seed granola</a>. </p>
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M&M's

<p> The classic candy-coated chocolates easily trump Smarties when it comes to most popular Halloween treats, but they're still a little plain and boring when compared to other candies on the market around this time of year. It's hard not to swoon over the cocoa content, but they still leave something to be desired. </p> <p> Get the low-down for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/halloween/photos/monster-munch-30-super-creative-halloween-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">50 killer recipes for your Halloween party.</a></p>
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Mars

<p> Kids and candy-stealing parents alike fawn over Mars, the gooey treat slathered in chocolate and packed with caramel and nougat. Although not as popular as other chocolate bars handed out to eager trick-or-treaters, it's still a satisfying runner-up. For more inspiration, check out <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/anna-olson-best-chocolate-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anna Olson's best chocolate recipes</a> to curb those cravings. </p>
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Rockets

<p> These little sugar pellets in twisted plastic wrap remain a Halloween trick-or-treat staple, despite the fact that, even with their variety of colours, all virtually taste the same – and it's an almost non-existent flavour at that. Fun fact: produced in both New Jersey and Ontario, Rockets have a different name depending on where you're located. While Canadians call them Rockets, many U.S. states know them as ... Smarties. </p>
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Dubble Bubble

<p> Every kids' eyes light up when they see that little pink nugget get tossed into their loot bags, but not even five seconds into the chew, they remember that it's actually quite gross, loses its flavour quickly and is totally not worth the aching jaw. That being said, we never really learn our lesson, do we? We know of a few adults who still love to indulge in this mediocre Halloween treat. </p> <p> Get the recipe for these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/halloween/blog/witches-cauldron-cupcake-recipe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">witches' cauldron Halloween cupcakes that are wickedly delicious.</a></p>
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Chocolate Pumpkins

<p> Of all the chocolate treasures we consume around this time of year, none are more offensive than these crumbly, tasteless pumpkin-shaped balls. Yet, even after all these years, they remain the go-to for last-minute this-is-all-that's-left candy people buy out of sheer desperation the night before Halloween. Plus, foil. Mega cumbersome and not exactly eco-friendly. </p> <p> If you're craving something sweet, make your own <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/homemade-chocolate-hazlenut-spread/21800/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homemade chocolate hazelnut spread</a> for dipping fruits. </p>
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Tootsie Rolls

<p> Not quite <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/white-taffy/18422/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">taffy</a>, this chocolate-flavoured gummy candy has been a trick-or-treat go-to since time immemorial – OK, not <em>really</em>, but it sure does feel that way sometimes. Do kids actually even eat them nowadays? Fun fact: they're allegedly named after the inventor's daughter, who was affectionately nicknamed Tootsie. Although some claim it's an urban myth, it's a charming side story to an otherwise mediocre Halloween candy. </p>
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Candy Corn

<p> You either live for these or loathe them, but there's no middle ground. (And we feel you'd be hard-pressed to find many who claim to love them.) The only consistency to this otherwise blah candy is the fact that, after eating a small handful, you will undeniably get sick to your stomach from the pure sugar and corn syrup content. Fun fact: the original name for the candy was Chicken Feed. Lovely! </p> <p> Instead of eating the candy, opt for this <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/candy-corn-cheese-tower/22110/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">candy corn cheese tower.</a></p>
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Hard Candies and Suckers

<p> Unless it's a Tootsie Pop with the promise of a fulfilling – albeit still kind of gross – chocolate fudge centre, no one wants plain old suckers or hard candies like <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/peppermint-candies/7889/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">peppermint candies</a> that just wind up reminding us of Christmas. The only time to get excited about those is when you get them with your bill at restaurants – and only because they're free. </p>
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Pop Rocks

<p> Fruity, tangy fizzy candy that could potentially get stuck in your teeth before it explodes in your mouth? No thanks! Fun fact: they were accidentally invented by a chemist who worked for General Foods. While working on creating an instant soft drink, he conjured up the original Pop Rocks recipe instead. </p>
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Raisins

<p> Parents probably appreciate this healthy "treat", but kids across the country cringe when they see those little red boxes. Don't do this to the kids – it's the one time of year where they get to indulge in some good old-fashioned junk food. No one wants your shriveled grapes, Sun-Maid Lady! </p> <p> Make use of those raisin packets and whip up a batch of these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/rum-and-raisin-cookies/18179/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rum and raisin cookies</a>! </p>
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