Halloween candy is serious business in the United States. The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, and $4.1 billion of that on candy. With trick-or-treating on a Saturday this year, a lot of households are wondering the same things: what candy do kids actually want, how much should I buy, and what if a child has allergies?
This guide covers the 2026 rankings, the best and worst candy debates, how much to buy, and how to make your porch friendly for every trick-or-treater.
The most popular Halloween candy of 2026
Every fall, CandyStore.com ranks Halloween candy using projected seasonal sales across states, based on many years of its own orders and data from manufacturers and distributors. Here’s the 2026 national top 10:
| Rank | Candy |
|---|---|
| 1 | M&M’s |
| 2 | Sour Patch Kids |
| 3 | Skittles |
| 4 | Reese’s Cups |
| 5 | NERDS Gummy Clusters |
| 6 | Hot Tamales |
| 7 | Starburst |
| 8 | Candy Corn |
| 9 | Hershey’s Mini Bars |
| 10 | Butterfinger |
The big stories this year
- M&M’s held onto No. 1 for the second ranking in a row
- Sour Patch Kids climbed to No. 2 and tied M&M’s for the most state wins, with ten each
- NERDS Gummy Clusters are the breakout newcomer, debuting at No. 5 nationally and finishing in the top three in seven states
- Reese’s Cups slipped from No. 2 to No. 4 and now lead in only two states, Kentucky and New Hampshire
- Butterfinger lost several states but stayed at No. 10
Fruity and sour candies are clearly gaining on chocolate, especially with kids.
Best and worst candy: what people say they like
Sales and opinions don’t always match. CandyStore.com also runs a separate survey where people rank what they like rather than what they buy. In 2026:
- Snickers finished first, the first time Reese’s hasn’t topped that survey since it began in 2014
- NERDS Gummy Clusters debuted at No. 3
- Candy corn was voted the worst Halloween candy, even though it’s still in the sales top 10
Other surveys show a similar split by age. A survey of parents by children’s clothing brand Little Sleepies found adults lean toward chocolate classics like Reese’s, Snickers and Kit Kat, while kids prefer sweeter, fruity options like Sour Patch Kids and Skittles. Parents ranked candy corn, licorice and Circus Peanuts as the worst candy to get.
Takeaway: A mixed bowl of chocolate and fruity candy keeps both kids and parents happy.
Regional favorites
What’s popular depends on where you live. CandyStore.com’s map shows M&M’s and Sour Patch Kids are the only candies that win in all four regions of the country. DoorDash’s separate analysis of Halloween-season orders found Reese’s still led in many Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern and Pacific Northwest states, Red Vines topped orders in California and Arizona, and value mixes like Sweet Smiles were popular across much of the South.
If you’re new to your neighborhood, the easiest way to know what kids like is simple: watch which candy disappears first from your bowl.
How much candy should you buy?
It depends on how many trick-or-treaters you get. If you don’t know, these ranges help:
| Your street | Likely trick-or-treaters | Candy to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet street, apartment or rural area | 10–30 | 1 large bag (100–150 pieces) |
| Typical suburban street | 50–100 | 2–4 large bags (200–400 pieces) |
| Popular “Halloween street” | 150–500+ | 5+ bags; ask neighbors for a better estimate |
A common plan is one or two pieces per child. With Halloween on a Saturday, expect more visitors than a weeknight, and earlier ones too.
Tips for buying smart
- Buy variety packs for a mix of chocolate and fruity candy
- Shop in two rounds: buy most of it a week early, then top up on the day if needed
- Check for post-Halloween sales on November 1, but don’t count on them for the night itself
- Keep the bowl out of sight until Halloween, or you’ll be buying twice
- Think about the weather: chocolate can melt in warm states, so fruity candy travels better
Allergy-friendly Halloween
Food allergies are common among children. For kids with allergies, a bowl full of peanut and tree nut candy can make trick-or-treating stressful.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) runs the Teal Pumpkin Project. Placing a teal pumpkin on your porch signals that you have non-food treats available, so children with allergies or other dietary restrictions can join in.
How to take part:
- Buy or paint a teal pumpkin, or print a sign
- Keep non-food treats in a separate bowl from candy
- Add your home to FARE’s online Teal Pumpkin map if you’d like families to find you
Non-food treat ideas
- Glow sticks and glow bracelets
- Stickers and temporary tattoos
- Mini notepads, pencils and erasers
- Bubbles
- Bouncy balls and small toys
- Spider rings and vampire fangs (for older kids)
Avoid tiny toys for very young children because of choking risk.
Allergy-friendly candy
Many fruity candies don’t contain common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, milk or wheat, but ingredients and factory practices change. Families with allergies should always check labels. As a host, offering non-food items is the safest way to include everyone.
Candy safety for parents
- Check candy before kids eat it, and throw away anything with torn or unusual wrappers
- Avoid homemade treats from people you don’t know
- For toddlers, remove hard candies, gum, small round candies and anything with nuts, which can be choking hazards
- Set a daily limit so the haul lasts and teeth stay healthy
- Have kids brush their teeth after eating candy
What to do with leftover candy
If you end up with too much:
- Freeze chocolate for baking, like cookies, brownies and trail mix
- Make Halloween bark with chopped candy on melted chocolate
- Bring it to work for coworkers
- Donate it: some dental offices run candy buy-back programs, and some organizations collect wrapped candy for troops or shelters. Call ahead to check what they accept
A note for newcomers
If you’re new to the US, handing out candy is one of the friendliest ways to meet neighbors. You don’t need decorations or a costume; a bowl of wrapped candy and a porch light are enough. If you’d rather not take part, keep your porch light off, and trick-or-treaters will usually skip your home.
Candy by price: getting the most for your money
| Option | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Large variety packs | Most homes | Mix of chocolate and fruity; easiest choice |
| Fun-size chocolate bars | Popular streets | Kids love them; cost more per piece |
| Fruity chews and lollipops | Warm climates, tight budgets | Don’t melt; often cheaper per piece |
| Full-size bars | Small streets, the “famous house” | Memorable, but expensive at volume |
| Non-food treats | Allergy-friendly bowl | Glow sticks often cost less than candy per child |
Store-brand variety bags can cost noticeably less than name brands. Warehouse stores sell bulk bags, but compare the price per piece before buying.
How to hand out candy like a pro
- Let kids choose from the bowl if your line is short; it’s more fun and reduces waste
- Hold the bowl when it’s busy so the first group doesn’t take a handful each
- Keep a second bowl of non-food treats for kids with allergies
- Have a backup bag within reach so you don’t run out at peak time
- Turn off the porch light when you’re done; it’s the universal signal that the candy is gone
When trick-or-treaters come in 2026
Because Halloween is on a Saturday this year, families with young children may start earlier, around 4:30 or 5 p.m., while older kids often go out after dark. Most activity ends by 8:30 or 9 p.m. Some towns set official hours, so check your city or community website.
Candy for teens and older kids
Older trick-or-treaters often prefer sour candy and full chocolate bars. If you get lots of teens, keep a few favorites aside for later in the evening. A friendly “Happy Halloween” goes a long way; many teens are just enjoying one of their last years of trick-or-treating.
Final thoughts
This year’s rankings show a shift toward fruity and sour candy, but chocolate is far from out. A mix of M&M’s, Sour Patch Kids, a chocolate bar or two and a separate bowl of non-food treats will cover nearly every trick-or-treater who rings your bell on Saturday, October 31.
