The best Halloween candy isn’t just for trick-or-treaters. We all should be able to enjoy some spooky treats in the month of October (and beyond, because that’s when the candy goes on sale and you can buy a ton for cheap!). But what is the best Halloween candy to buy? Well, we conducted multiple taste tests to find out.
Halloween candy used to be limited to smaller versions of everyday candy. But in 2023, Halloween candy has stepped up its game. There are new flavors, creative packaging, and interesting textures. There are objects that ooze, sweets that scare, and candies that will haunt your dreams! Okay, probably not. But they are spooky and fun! So, when it comes to the best Halloween candy, 2023 edition, there’s a lot to choose from. Whether you’re looking for chocolate or gummies or big ol’ bags of minis for handing out to trick-or-treaters, here’s all the very best Halloween candies we’ve tasted in one handy list.
- Brach’s Candy Corn
Brach’s Candy Corn is a much-debated Halloween treat. Some people absolutely hate it, and some people swear by it. Either way, you can’t deny that it is a Halloween staple and some of the best candy for Halloween if you want a stone cold classic. I am always surprised by how good candy corn tastes. In my mind, it’s like flavorful wax. In reality, candy corn is pretty good! Brach’s has a sweet, vanilla-y flavor and a nice chew. No, it’s not the best Halloween candy for everyone, but it’s enjoyable and certainly iconic! — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Trader Joe’s Halloween Gummies
Fruit snacks for Halloween? You bet. These Trader Joe’s Halloween gummies come in spooky shapes like bats, skulls, bones, and pumpkins. And the flavors are bright and fruity and a little bit tart. Plus, they’re made without gelatin so they’re vegan! They’re naturally colored with things like black carrot, apple, pumpkin, and blackcurrants. But they still come in cute little Halloween graphic baggies, so no one will think you’re a square for handing out fruit snacks to trick-or-treaters. And they’re definitely the best Halloween candy to toss into a lunchbox. — Justine Sterling
Related: Best Halloween Gummy Candy
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Kirkland All Chocolate
Of course the best Halloween candy mixed bag comes from Costco. Where else would you go for a massive amount of something? The 5.6lb Kirkland All Chocolate Mix includes Twix, Reese’s, Snickers, Peanut M&Ms, 100 Grands, and even York Peppermint Patties. There’s really something for everyone (as long as you enjoy chocolate). And there is just so dang much of it. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Russell Stover Dark Chocolate Coconut Creme Pumpkin
Russell Stover makes really good chocolate. (They make one of the best chocolate Easter bunnies and some of the best boxes of Valentine’s Day chocolate.) You might not expect it—the packaging could use a little updating, for sure. But seriously, the chocolate is really high quality. It practically tastes European. And these palm-sized filled chocolates are no exception. The coconut is rich and creamy and gooey. The chocolate coating is rich with cocoa butter and a hint of fruity cacao. At just over $1 each, they’re maybe a bit too pricey to give out as trick-or-treat candy if you live in a high-trafficked area. But they’re the best Halloween candy for you to enjoy. Yes, you get a treat, too. — Justine Sterling
Related: Best Chocolate Halloween Candy
Credit: Liv Averett / Albertsons
- Ghoulish Green Twix
There is nothing different about the Ghoulish Green Twix other than the fact that the cookie is green. While it’s not as interesting as some of the other Halloween candies we tried, it is still delicious and cute—and it ranked near the top in our best chocolate Halloween candy taste test. Twix is one of the best candy bars as it is, so what’s not to love about a green Twix? It’s a seasonal take on a classic we know and love. It’s reliable, and that’s something you don’t always get with Halloween candy. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Stop & Shop
- Nerds Candy Corn
If you don’t like candy corn, don’t worry. These taste absolutely nothing like candy corn in any way, shape, or form. They actually taste exactly like SweetTARTS—mostly sweet, but a little sour. They’re super chewy. The colors are cute. They do not come individually wrapped or in small packages, so it’s not the best Halloween candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. Instead, fill a bowl with these and enjoy them all October long. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Popping Potion Milk Chocolate Bars with Popping Candy
These mini candy bars are different from any other Halloween candy we tried. You take a bite, you chew, you enjoy the smooth, creamy chocolate—and then the popping and fizzing begins. The popping candy activates and your mouth sounds like static on the radio. It’s wild. If you’re looking to give kids a treat and an activity (the activity being freaking other kids out with the noises coming from their mouths), then this is the best Halloween candy to buy. — Justine Sterling
Related: Best Target Halloween Candy
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Haribo Sour Vampire Bats
Haribo rarely misses when it comes to the best gummy candy. Their Sour Vampire Bats are simply exquisite. They’re super tart and sour without the aid of any sour sugar coating. They’re shaped like adorable bats. They come in different colors. They’re packaged in a share size OR in little baggies in the Haribo Trick-or-Treat Mix, perfect for trick-or-treaters. If you’re going gummy this year, this is the best candy for Halloween. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Witch’s Brew Kit Kats
When I first tried the Witch’s Brew Kit Kat, I thought it was just a green Kit Kat. Boy, was I wrong! The Witch’s Brew Kit Kat is a white chocolate Kit Kat with a marshmallow creme filling. It is incredible. Yes, they’re so sweet that your teeth start to hurt after a few, but just pace yourself. Plus, I think the witch on the packaging is so cute. And they’re individually packaged so they are some of the best candy for Halloween trick-or-treaters. Buy these ASAP and thank me later. Boo! — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Reese’s Bats
Before you pledge your loyalty to the Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins (most people’s Halloween candy of choice) or even the new Reese’s Skeletons (which are good but too small), try the Reese’s Bats. It’s the taste you know and love from a Reese’s peanut butter cup, but much, much better. They have the perfect ratio of peanut butter to chocolate. Better than any other Reese’s product, in fact. Yes, even the eggs! I’m not even that into peanut butter and these swept me off my feet. This is the best Halloween candy we tasted and I will be buying these this October. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Best Classic
Best Fruit Snacks
Best Bagged
Best Dark Chocolate
Best Green Candy
Best Unique
Best Fun
Best Gummy
Best New Flavor
Best of the Best
Bad time of the year to have a peanut allergy. I’ll console myself with bags of Tootsie Rolls 🙂
Candy corn in any form is an abomination like circus peanuts!! This is the “candy” that is left in the bag until it hardens and your mom throws out because you swear, you’re going to eat it after all of the other candy is eaten.
100% agree with the reeses bats pick! They are even superior to the pumpkins- perfect ratio of peanut butter to chocolate!
I knew I loved but Jordan, but it was solidified when I saw candy corn getting the respect it deserves