Hold onto your trick-or-treat bags, because this year’s Halloween candy trends are absolutely wild! According to recent DoorDash ordering data, we’re not just seeing the usual chocolate suspects dominating—we’re witnessing a full-blown nostalgia revolution with some seriously surprising comebacks. From “grandma candy” spiking over 600% to raisins (yes, raisins!) staging a 522% resurgence, Halloween 2025 is shaping up to be the year of retro treats and comfort classics! 🍬
The Reigning Champions (With a Twist!) 👑
Let’s start with the obvious winner: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups still holds the crown as America’s #1 Halloween candy. No surprises there! But here’s where things get interesting. Many chocolate classics are absolutely dominating this year. M&M’s orders jumped 37%, Snickers climbed 52%, and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars surged 41% to crack the top three.
But the real star to watch? Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme is predicted to be 2025’s breakout candy based on ordering patterns from August through early September. Stock up now, because this one’s about to be everywhere!
New contenders that made the top 10 include Sour Patch Kids and Skittles, proving Americans are gravitating toward timeless classics over novelty items.
Comebacks Nobody Saw Coming 🧟
Ready for the statistics that’ll blow your mind? Baby Bottle Pop orders spiked an absolutely insane 641% compared to last year! That’s right: the iconic 90s candy that let you “lick, shake, pour” is crawling back from the dead and Gen Z and millennial parents are here for it.
Other face-puckering favorites are also making waves. Warheads jumped 114%, Lemonheads climbed 118%, and Dum-Dums rose 101%. There’s clearly a major craving for the sour, tangy, and nostalgic treats that defined childhood candy aisles!
Grandma Candy Is Cool Again (Seriously!) 👵
Here’s the plot twist nobody expected: Strawberry Bon Bons, the ultimate “grandma candy,” are back with sales spiking more than 600% year over year! These individually wrapped strawberry treats that used to live exclusively in grandparents’ candy dishes are suddenly trending hard.
Other retro candies are joining the party too. Bit-O-Honey (that honey almond classic from the 1920s!) jumped 117%, and Necco Wafers rose 48%. What was once considered “cringe” by younger generations is now being embraced as feel-good nostalgia.
The Raisin Redemption Arc 🍇
Here’s the comeback story of the century: raisins (those dreaded red boxes kids used to immediately trade away) staged a shocking 522% growth during Halloween week! Parents are clearly trying to balance the sugar overload with something more natural, and surprisingly, kids aren’t completely revolting against it.
Other savory snacks are sneaking into pumpkin buckets too, with crackers up 339% and pretzels climbing 93%.
The “Little Treat Culture” Effect 🍫
Parents want in on the Halloween fun, and the data proves it! Premium chocolates had a breakout year with impressive spikes: Lindt jumped 69%, Kinder Bueno rose 60%, Ghirardelli climbed 61%, and Toblerone increased 53% during October.
When these upscale sweets make their way into candy bowls, you know you’ve hit the neighborhood jackpot! This “little treat culture” trend shows that adults are elevating Halloween candy beyond the basic fun-size bars.
Regional Candy Personalities Worth Noting 🗺️
While Reese’s dominated nationally (holding the #1 spot in 14 states!), regional preferences revealed some fascinating quirks:
The Southern Sweet Spot: Across Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee, Sweet Smiles (the value candy brand found at Dollar General and elsewhere) came out on top. Southern hospitality means handing out candy by the handful!
The Great Licorice Divide: The Northeast and Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio) stand firmly on Team Twizzlers, while out West, Red Vines rule in Arizona, Idaho, and Montana. The licorice loyalty is real!
Sour Power States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah proved sour candies pack the sweetest punch by ranking SweeTARTS as their #1 choice.
Your Halloween Shopping Strategy 🛍️
Based on these trends, here’s what you should stock up on for trick-or-treaters:
The Safe Bets: Load up on Reese’s, M&M’s, Snickers, and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars. These chocolate classics never fail.
The Nostalgia Winners: Grab Baby Bottle Pop, Dum-Dums, and yes, even Strawberry Bon Bons! These retro treats are having a major moment and will make millennial parents smile.
The Premium Touch: Throw some Lindt, Kinder Bueno, or Ghirardelli into your candy bowl to become the legendary house on the block.
The Balance: Don’t sleep on adding some pretzels or crackers to give health-conscious parents another option.
The Halloween Rush Is Real
Here’s your timing tip: Halloween morning sees a 126% spike in candy orders as early as 7AM, soaring over 160% between 8-10AM compared to typical October days. The scariest hour? 6PM on Halloween, when emergency candy orders jump over 70% as kids start knocking!
Don’t wait until the last minute—stock up now while your favorite nostalgic treats are still on shelves! Whether you’re Team Reese’s or jumping on the Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme bandwagon, this Halloween is all about celebrating the classics that bring us joy. Happy treating! 🎃🍫