Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s time to stock up on candy for those trick-or-treaters. But no one wants to overspend or be known as the house with the sub-par treats. We’ve got you covered with tips on how to save money on candy while still offering the most popular choices this year.
Popular Halloween Candy for 2025
Before diving into the data, keep in mind that national trends show a shift: shoppers are choosing more non-chocolate, fruity, and gummy candies this season. At the same time, classic chocolate favorites remain strong. According to national ordering data, the top picks for 2025 are:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – still firmly at the top of the list.
Snickers – also in the top five nationally.
Fruity/gummy front-runners: Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, and HARIBO Goldbears are seeing strong growth in 2025.
State-by-State Dynamics
While national trends are helpful, local preferences still matter if you want your house to be the “go-to” spot on the block. Each U.S. state has its own favorite candy.
Want to see what the favorite in your state is? Here’s a comprehensive list state-by-state, according to DoorDash’s 2024/2025 ordering data.
Alabama: Sweet Smiles
Alaska: Nerds
Arkansas: Sweet Smiles
Arizona: Red Vines
California: Snickers
Colorado: Haribo Gummies
Connecticut: Sour Patch Kids
Delaware: Reese’s
Florida: Skittles
Georgia: Trolli Gummies
Hawaii: Cadbury
Idaho: Red Vines
Illinois: Twizzlers
Indiana: Reese’s
Iowa: Laffy Taffy
Kansas: Sweet Smiles
Kentucky: Reese’s
Louisiana: Sweet Smiles
Maine: Reese’s
Maryland: Snickers
Massachusetts: Airheads
Michigan: Twizzlers
Minnesota: Laffy Taffy
Mississippi: Sweet Smiles
Missouri: Twizzlers
Montana: Red Vines
Nebraska: Laffy Taffy
New Hampshire: Reese’s
New Jersey: Reese’s
New Mexico: Sweet Tarts
New York: Twizzlers
Nevada: Snickers
North Carolina: Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
North Dakota: Reese’s
Ohio: Twizzlers
Oklahoma: Sweet Tarts
Oregon: Reese’s
Pennsylvania: Twizzlers
Rhode Island: Trolli Gummies
South Carolina: Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
South Dakota: Sweet Tarts
Tennessee: Sweet Smiles
Texas: Trolli Gummies
Utah: Sweet Tarts
Washington: Twix
West Virginia: Reese’s
Wisconsin: Twizzlers
Wyoming: Reese’s
Vermont: Reese’s
Virginia: Reese’s
Holiday Spending
This year, spending on Halloween is expected to set a new record: about $13.1 billion is projected for 2025, with candy spending alone nearing $3.9 billion. With that in mind, staying on budget is more important than ever.
Saving Money on Candy
Here are smart ways to balance being generous with trick-or-treaters while keeping your finances in check:
Buy in bulk: Purchasing candy bags or large packs often gives you the best cost-per-piece price.
Discount stores and late deals: Keep an eye on discount chains or last-minute markdowns (just make sure the candy still looks fresh).
Portion control: Rather than handing out full-size bars (unless that’s part of your plan), you might give one piece per kid — plenty of households do this to balance cost and generosity.
Mix popular with value picks: Stock enough of the top candies (Reese’s, M&M’s) to satisfy most, and fill in with a good, affordable candy you like.
Know when to buy: Shopping early or right when seasonal candy hits shelves may give you access to better deals. Waiting too long might lead to higher mark-ups or fewer choices because the best stuff is already taken.
Make Smart Choices
With these tips in mind, you can make smart choices while buying Halloween candy. Aim to have a mix of bestselling chocolates plus some fruity/gummy options (since those are rising). Match your purchases with what’s trending nationally and what’s likely popular locally, so you’re prepared for the crowd at your door. You don’t have to break the bank to join in on the Halloween fun and maintain your financial well-being. Happy Halloween — and may your candy bowl be the envy of the neighborhood!
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