Is Candy Corn The Most Hated Halloween Candy?

We’re just a week out from Halloween, that magical time when adults pretend to buy candy “for the kids,” but really it’s just a socially acceptable excuse to inhale chocolate before dinner. And with prices the way they are, people are hunting for value or just grabbing what they personally love, because let’s be honest… a bag of mini Snickers is never making it to Halloween night.

But you know who’s not winning this year? Candy corn. If you’re still buying it, you’re either trolling your neighborhood or trying to get your house egged. A new report says candy corn is down another 9.1% in popularity, and somehow still not the biggest loser. That honor goes to licorice, down 13.6%. Which makes sense, because unless your name is Grandma Edna and you keep Werther’s Originals in your purse, who’s even eating that stuff?

Marshmallow candies and caramel apples are slipping, too, probably because no one wants to risk pulling out a filling while dressed like a vampire.

Meanwhile, the cool kids are upgrading their sugar game. Haribo gummies are crushing it (up 48%), Baby Ruth bars are making a random comeback (up 42%), and Hershey’s Kisses are getting more love than ever (up 37%). Even matcha cookies are suddenly trendy, because apparently, Halloween has gone gourmet.

So this year, fill that bowl with candy you love. And if you sneak a few before the doorbell rings… well, consider it “parent tax.”

Doug O’Brien