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
That’s So Raven Dad Pleads For Donations From Hospital Bed

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

A Peek Inside Lena Horne's Legendary $1.2 Million New York Home

A Peek Inside Lena Horne’s Legendary $1.2 Million New York Home

Iconic actress and activist Lena Horne’s home in Queens is finally under contract to be sold. Let’s take a look inside! …
Pioneering Black Women Who Made Hip‑Hop What it is Today

Pioneering Black Women Who Made Hip‑Hop What it is Today

Black women were instrumental in the early stages of hip-hop and continue to make history today. We’re looking at those who made their mark doing what they love …
Kamala Harris Claps Back at Nicki Minaj, and the Barbz Respond

Kamala Harris Claps Back at Nicki Minaj, and the Barbz Respond

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is letting it be known she’s not here for Nicki Minaj’s alleged spread of misinformation. Now, the Barbz are responding! …
Brandy Speaks Out After Ray J Goes Off on These Popular Rappers Over Dating Rumors

Brandy Speaks Out After Ray J Goes Off on These Popular Rappers Over Dating Rumors

After Shyne and Ma$e reminisce about 90s romance on the “It Is What It Is” podcast, Brandy shuts down the rumors and distances herself from her brother’s erratic behavior …
New Southwest Seating Policy Sparks Discrimination Concerns Among Black Women

New Southwest Seating Policy Sparks Discrimination Concerns Among Black Women

First, Southwest took away free checked bags and open seating. Now, Black women are speaking out on a new seating policy that allegedly causes more harm than good …
States Seeking Refund for 330,000 Businesses After Billions Lost to Trump's 'Illegal' Tariffs

States Seeking Refund for 330,000 Businesses After Billions Lost to Trump’s ‘Illegal’ Tariffs

Over 15 states penned a letter to Congress demanding they receive compensation following Trump’s “illegal” tariffs …
Former Magic City Dancer Enters the Conversation After NBA Cancels Collab With Atlanta Hawks

Former Magic City Dancer Enters the Conversation After NBA Cancels Collab With Atlanta Hawks

A former Magic City dancer just gave her two cents amid ongoing fallout from the Hawks’ collaboration with the popular strip club …
‘Scandal’ Stars Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn Share Their Sexiest Scenes—But These Are Our Faves!

‘Scandal’ Stars Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn Share Their Sexiest Scenes—But These Are Our Faves!

Kerry Washington and her ‘Scandal’ costar Tony Goldwyn are looking back at some of their steamiest moments. But there are some they’ve missed, let’s take a look! …
Don't Start Your Spring Cleaning Without These Old School Hacks That Will Make Granny Proud

Don’t Start Your Spring Cleaning Without These Old School Hacks That Will Make Granny Proud

Go old-school with your spring cleaning for a house as clean as your grandma’s …
GA Tax Preparer Accused of Stealing Thousands and Leaving Clients in Major Debt

GA Tax Preparer Accused of Stealing Thousands and Leaving Clients in Major Debt

A Georgia woman accused of swindling customers didn’t even have a Preparer Tax Identification Number …
New York Black Man Spent 19 Years in Prison for a $550 Robbery He Didn't Commit

New York Black Man Spent 19 Years in Prison for a $550 Robbery He Didn’t Commit

Prosecutors said Kenneth Windley, now 61, did not steal $550 after two other men who were convicted of similar robberies confessed …
How Afroman Scored Big Legal Win Against Ohio Police After Dissing Officers in Famous Songs

How Afroman Scored Big Legal Win Against Ohio Police After Dissing Officers in Famous Songs

Grammy-nominated rapper Afroman just testified in court after being sued by Ohio law enforcement over his many diss tracks against them …
How the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect's New Motion Could Backfire on Trump

How the Black Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect’s New Motion Could Backfire on Trump

Attorneys for Brian Cole Jr. argue Trump’s previous pardons should also apply to him …
New Video Sheds Light on Deion Sanders and Karreuche Tran Romance Rumors

New Video Sheds Light on Deion Sanders and Karreuche Tran Romance Rumors

Deion ‘Coach Prime’ Sanders and Karreuche Tran have been romantically linked since July 2025, but nothing concrete has ever been shared. Until now! …
The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

The Real Reason Black Journalists Are Calling Out Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown spoke out on why content creators deserve to be in elevated spaces like the Oscars. But some journalists aren’t seeing eye to eye with her stance …
Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee Moves to Impeach AG Pam Bondi, But Will She Succeed?

Rep. Summer Lee just moved to impeach AG Pam Bondi, marking the second time in March that articles of impeachment have been brought against her …
Farrah From Destiny's Child Responds to Terrence Howard's Dating Claims

Farrah From Destiny’s Child Responds to Terrence Howard’s Dating Claims

Terrence Howard said he had a romantic connection with singer Farrah Franklin years ago. Now, she’s speaking out and telling a different side to the story! …
Black TikToker Claims He 'Scammed' MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

Black TikToker Claims He ‘Scammed’ MAGA Supporters Out of Thousands

One Black TikToker allegedly scammed MAGA supporters out of thousands of dollars. Now, his story is going viral …
Michael B. Jordan's Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Michael B. Jordan’s Schoolmate is Getting Dragged After Asking This from the Oscar Winner

Oscar-winner Michael B. Jordan’s former classmate, who used to bully him, is seemingly getting a taste of her own medicine online…yet again …
Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA's Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA’s Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

After 17 months of heated negotiations, the WNBA avoided the first work stoppage in league history by reaching a historic deal with its Players Association …