Why You Should Be Adding These Old School Candies To Your Halloween Candy Bowl

Looking to change up your usual mix of candy for trick-or-treaters this year? You’re not the only one. As it turns out, plenty of people are swapping Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (in one of those Halloween-inspired shapes, of course) for some surprising candy choices.

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That’s because old school candies are back. Research conducted by DoorDash points to a Halloween trend no one expected: Households are buying candies that haven’t been popular in quite a while. But don’t worry, Reese’s are still America’s number-one candy.

Based on DoorDash’s data from 2025, old school candy is seeing a resurgence. Candies your kids probably haven’t even heard of are suddenly jumping in popularity — and yes, even the divisive staple candy corn (and raisins, for some reason?) is getting more popular. As it turns out, consumer tastes are learning towards more intense candy flavors over sweet, chocolatey ones. Sour is having a moment, and so too are candies that offer an intense burst of something surprising.

So, if you’re looking for something new to toss in the trick-or-treat mix this year, you’re going to want to pick these candies up.

Circus Peanuts

Circus Peanuts are, frankly, a weird candy. I’ve never understood the appeal of this part marshmallow-inspired, part banana-flavored candy. They’re as light as packing peanuts, and they offer a similar taste (I imagine — I’ve never eaten styrofoam, but I assume it’s not heavily flavored). 

But Circus Peanuts are seeing a sudden surge in popularity. Orders for this old school candy have increased 350 percent, according to DoorDash. 

And they have a long history: Circus Peanuts actually date all the way back to the 1800s, when they first debuted as a penny candy. So, if you’re looking for something different this year and don’t mind a fluffy, marshmallow-y candy with a touch of subtle banana flavor, pick up these unique peanuts.

Lemonheads

Lemonheads are perhaps the perfect example of America’s sour-leaning tastes right now. According to DoorDash’s consumer data, this citrusy and flavor-packed hard candy saw its sales rise by 200 percent — meaning more people are returning to this classic, old-school pick.

The lemon-flavored hard candy has been on the rise for a bit now. Originally named for the former Ferrara Candy executive Nello Ferrara’s son (he had a lemon-shaped head, apparently), Lemonheads has been debuting new spins on its candy origins lately. Just take the new Lemonhead Core Pops, for example; this frozen pop turns the sour candy into a sweet, refreshing treat. 

Lemonheads have also been released in Pocket Packs, a reboot that puts the candy in smaller, trick-or-treat friendly packages — making this a perfect 2026 addition to your candy bowl.

Bit-O-Honey

Never heard of Bit-O-Honey? You’re not alone. While this old school candy does still appear at Cracker Barrel stores across the U.S., it isn’t exactly a popular pick that lines the aisles of drugstores or big retailers like Target and Kroger. Bit-O-Honey is a candy that dates back to 1924, but people are still choosing it. In fact, this classic candy saw demand rise 180 percent last year.

Bit-O-Honey is a taffy-like candy, with a smooth exterior that turns chewy and gooey in your mouth. Its flavor is creamy and rich in homey, though you might pick up a touch of maple in the mix. And there’s a pleasant surprise in each one: Chopped almonds.

These individually-wrapped old school candies make a great Halloween treat. Sure, they aren’t chocolate, but their sweet and rich flavor put them on par with more modern staples. Plus, if you’re a taffy fan, you’ll quickly see why Bit-O-honey is growing in popularity once again.

Dum-Dums

Haven’t seen a tiny Dum Dum in a while? You’re not alone; these little lollipops don’t often make an appearance as an everyday treat. But they do tend to reappear around Halloween, and this year? Odds are you’ll see more of them, since DoorDash’s data shows that their popularity doubled in the last year.

Dum Dums might date back to 1953, but they’re still around and kicking. They may be small, but these suckers pack an impressive flavor punch. And the availability of those flavors is impressive — there are 16 standard flavors, but Spangler Candy Company frequently rotates those with retro flavors, limited-edition options, and more. 

Another reason Dum Dums deserve a spot in your trick-or-treat candy mix? The classic suckers were just released in a brand-new flavor just for Halloween.