The Most Popular Halloween Candy in Every State
Autumn leaves are painting the trees in hues of scarlet and gold, but there’s another colorful tradition capturing the hearts of children around the nation: Halloween. We all know this spooky celebration usually involves creative costumes and delightful decorations. But did you know National Retail Federation also estimates that consumers spend an estimated $2.3 billion on Halloween candy each year? That’s 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.
See more: The History Behind 5 Classic Halloween Candies
View this post on Instagram
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 originally entered the candy business under Hershey Chocolate Company before venturing out 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 a grand total of 18 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin.
View this post on Instagram
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 actually spans over eight decades. Kit Kats were originally created in York, England, in 1935 and marketed as “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.” The creator wanted to make a snack that was both tasty and portable, aiming for something 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.
View this post on Instagram
3. Skittles
Those bite-sized, fruity candies may taste like the rainbow, but did you know they’ve been delighting audiences for decades? Skittles were created in Britain in the 1970s by a company called Rowntree’s. They were originally inspired by fruit pastilles, which are 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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
See more: 10 Spooky Halloween Cocktail Recipes for a Scary-Good Party
View this post on Instagram
5. Starburst
Originally sold under the name “Opal Fruits,” Starburst originated in the United Kingdom in the 1950s. A company called Mars Limited developed them, and they fast-tracked their way to favoritism 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.
View this post on Instagram
6. Snickers
Snickers have long been a popular Halloween candy, but the Mars Company originally introduced them in 1930. The candy company was founded by Franklin Clarence Mars, and this particular candy bar was named after one of his favorite horses. Its inclusion of peanuts set it apart from the wealth of other candy bars on the market, offering buyers a spectacular candy experience that was simultaneously 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.
See more: 20 Spooky Halloween Party Recipes
View this post on Instagram
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. Starting in 1932, the company launched different spins on the original, including Milky Way Dark and Milky Way Jr. While the candy bar we know and love today includes caramel, the original version 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.
View this post on Instagram
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 tastebuds for decades. It all began with their creation in the 1950s by Just Born candy company (who also created the iconic marshmallow candy, Peeps). Their sweet and spicy combination made them a standout among other popular candies of the time, and they have since expanded to include other variations and limited-edition flavors over the years, 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.
See more: Did You Know the History of Halloween Comes From Agriculture?
View this post on Instagram
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. These made their debut in 1923 as “Curtiss Butterfingers,” harkening back to their 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 there are a few spinoffs, such as Butterfinger Bites and Butterfinger Cups, as well as other iterations that cater to various tastes and cravings.
Butterfingers claim the title of most popular Halloween candy in just one state: Kentucky