Trick or Treat: Our Favorite Halloween Candy

From Twix, to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, to Jolly Ranchers, to Snickers, we’re celebrating the best Halloween candy.

From haunted houses, to theme parks, to over the top costumes, to horrifyingly real decorations, Halloween has taken on a life of its own. But when you’re a kid, it’s still all about the candy. It’s that excitement at the end of the night when you get home, unload your trick or treat bag and figure out what cool candy you got. Sometimes you’re lucky enough to find a house that gives out full size packages, while other times you get multiple pieces of your favorite. Frankly, as long as we don’t get something like candy corn or black licorice, most of us are happy. To get in the spirit of spooky season, we’re taking a look at Black folks’ favorite Halloween candy and why we’re obsessed with them.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
‘Origin’ Star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor: Ava DuVernay Is “A Freedom Fighter Posing As A Director”

Snickers

Photo: Getty Images Chris Hondros

The classics are classics for a reason. There’s something undeniable about that perfect blend of nougat, caramel, peanuts and chocolate.

Kit Kat

Cookie wafers covered in chocolate will never disappoint. Plus, it’s always fun to take your time breaking off each piece and really savor those four bars.

M&Ms

Whether it’s peanut, caramel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, mint, pretzl, peanut butter, or the seasonal pumpkin pie, you really can’t go wrong with M&M’s. There’s something for everyone.

Jolly Ranchers

Photo: Shutterstock George Sheldon

If you ask “What’s the best Jolly Rancher flavor?” in the wrong company, you will start a debate from which there is no escape. While watermelon tends to top a lot of lists, everyone has their favorite and they feel extremely strong about it. No other candy strikes this sort of passionate response.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

There will always be something magical about the way chocolate and peanut butter compliment each other. And Resse’s are the perfect format for that pairing.

Reese’s Pieces

If you love chocolate and peanut butter, but the texture of the Cups aren’t for you, Reese’s Pieces are a delicious alternative. Plus, you can usually make these last longer than the Cups.

Starburst

Photo: Shutterstock Sheila Fitzgerald

This is one we don’t have to argue about. Strawberry is hands down the best flavor of Starbursts. End of discussion. Also, be careful with those party mixes, because you may end up with piña colada.

Now and Later

An uninformed person might try to tell you that Now and Later, Jolly Ranchers and Starburst are interchangeable. Don’t believe them. While the flavor is stronger in Jolly Ranchers and Starbursts, Now and Laters are definitely sweeter, so it just depends on what you’re looking for.

Red Vines/Twizzlers

Yes, we know Red Vines and Twizzlers aren’t the same. However, it is a one or the other situation. If you’re a Red Vines person and you get Twizzlers in your trick or treat bag, it feels like the Halloween gods are playing in your face.

Hershey’s Chocolate Bar

Photo: Shutterstock mares90

When you don’t know what to hand out, you can’t go wrong with an old fashioned Hershey’s Chocolate Bar. And if you want to get creative, try the Special Dark, Cookies and Cream, Almond, or other specialty flavors.

Blow Pops

Photo: Shutterstock Keith Homan

The most popular lollipops are probably Blow Pops. The gum isn’t great, but their size makes them last longer than other lollipops. This is yet another candy where the flavor argument can get heated.

Gummy Bears/Worms

Photo: Getty Images Justin Sullivan

Gummy bears or gummy worms are definitely an acquired taste. As good as they are, the texture isn’t for everyone. Fair warning, if you live in a warm climate, keep these in the fridge. They don’t have a great shelf life in the heat.

Sour Patch Kids

Photo: Getty Images Michael M. Santiago

If you love Gummy Bears, but want that crazy hit of sour to ruin your taste buds for the rest of the day, Sour Patch Kids are your choice. Eating a bag of these is like going into battle with your tongue. How many will you eat before it taps out and says it’s done with the sourness.

Twix

Photo: Shutterstock Allmy

A cookie topped with caramel and chocolate is all you need in your candy life. The fact that you get two of these in a package makes it feel like you’re getting bonus candy. If you get a Twix in your Halloween bag, that’s a big win.

Skittles

As hard as it is to imagine, chocolate isn’t for everybody. Skittles are such a fruity, sweet treat, they’re one of the few candies you might consider setting aside to enjoy after Halloween.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Everything You Need To Know About Fredi Washington, The Black Hollywood Star Who Refused To Pass As White

Everything You Need To Know About Fredi Washington, The Black Hollywood Star Who Refused To Pass As White

Here’s everything you need to know about Fredi Washington, the Black woman who refused to pass as White in a time when it would’ve benefited her …
Shadiest Posts Trump's Made on Social Media

Shadiest Posts Trump’s Made on Social Media

From jabs towards Iran to questionable AI-generated images of himself as a king, Trump uses social media every… single… day …
Could This Black Man Flip the House Seat Left Vacant by Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Could This Black Man Flip the House Seat Left Vacant by Marjorie Taylor Greene?

Here’s everything to know about Shawn Harris, the Democratic candidate in Georgia aiming to fill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s House seat …
DaBaby Goes Off on Fan for Painting His Kids, His Reaction Has The Internet Divided

DaBaby Goes Off on Fan for Painting His Kids, His Reaction Has The Internet Divided

Rapper DaBaby is making news for how he responded to a fan who painted a picture of his daughters. Let’s get into it …
Terry Crews' Wife Reveals Shocking Health Diagnosis

Terry Crews’ Wife Reveals Shocking Health Diagnosis

Rebecca Crews, the longtime wife of actor Terry Crews, is opening up like never before about her health. And it’s something nobody saw coming …
Trick Daddy Defends His Music After Performance at AKA Event is Cut Short

Trick Daddy Defends His Music After Performance at AKA Event is Cut Short

The room was filled with AKAs of all generations. So when Young began performing his hit songs like “I’m a Thug,” many were caught off guard …
Why Black Folks Are Side-Eyeing Jonathan Majors’ New DEI-hating Boss More Than His Set Accident

Why Black Folks Are Side-Eyeing Jonathan Majors’ New DEI-hating Boss More Than His Set Accident

Jonathan Majors’ falls out of window while filming action movie with Daily Wire, causing crew members to walk off set …
Why Black People Dress up On Easter

Why Black People Dress up On Easter

While Easter is dedicated to serving the Lord, it’s also been a time for Black people to serve looks while honoring the ancestors …
The GOP is Losing its Black Voices as Trump Fails to Turn Endorsements into Black Votes

The GOP is Losing its Black Voices as Trump Fails to Turn Endorsements into Black Votes

MAGA is obsessed with advertising Black conservative candidates… but rarely do these Black GOP leaders get support they need to reach Black voters …
The African Pope Behind Easter That You Never Heard of

The African Pope Behind Easter That You Never Heard of

African-born Pope Victor I (c. 189–199 AD) pushed for Easter to be celebrated on Sundays and shaped early Christian practices, leaving a legacy that still shows up in how we honor the holiday today …
LeBron James' Comments About Memphis Have Some Calling Him a Culture Vulture

LeBron James’ Comments About Memphis Have Some Calling Him a Culture Vulture

NBA superstar LeBron James made it plain that he’d rather not have to spend a night in Memphis when he’s on the road. But his comments have garnered a strong reaction online …
Why A League of Voting Rights Group Are Challenging Trump's Latest Executive Order on Mail-in Ballots

Why A League of Voting Rights Group Are Challenging Trump’s Latest Executive Order on Mail-in Ballots

A coalition of voting rights groups is challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order regarding mail-in ballots …
The Easter Speech Is The Original Masterclass of Black Excellence

The Easter Speech Is The Original Masterclass of Black Excellence

Long before they became icons, voices like Martin Luther King Jr. and Oprah Winfrey were shaped in the Black church, where generations of children found their first stage and audience through the Easter speech …
Dawn Staley's Dominant Win Brought Out  Geno Auriemma's White Male Privilege

Dawn Staley’s Dominant Win Brought Out Geno Auriemma’s White Male Privilege

The UConn Huskies’ coach tried to ruin Staley’s moment after the South Carolina Gamecocks incredible victory …
Three Black Easter Fashions That Need to Be Laid to Rest

Three Black Easter Fashions That Need to Be Laid to Rest

A professor gives a loving critique of church hats, loud suits, tired traditions, and why that little boy deserves better …
Dr. King's Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Dr. King’s Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Fifty-eight years after Dr. King was killed, let’s take a closer look at little known facts about the life and legacy of one of the most famous men in history …
Keke Palmer Finally Speaks On That Shocking SXSW Proposal

Keke Palmer Finally Speaks On That Shocking SXSW Proposal

Keke Palmer is opening up about that shocking and scary impromptu proposal she received at SXSW. But her experience and explanation is sadly one that most women are familiar with …
Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

An anti-affirmative action organization has filed a lawsuit against Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s scholarships aimed at helping disenfranchised Black students …
Michael Jackson's Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Michael Jackson’s Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Ahead of his biopic, we’re laying out a full timeline of the allegations and legal drama surrounding the King of Pop …
Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

John Bol Ajak is headed back home to Sudan after spending more than a month in ICE custody …