The Worst Halloween Candy Ever Ranked From Bad To Worst

Memories of Halloween trick-or-treating are running through my head, and the fun part was the after-hours of walking and running. And cutting across Mr. Johnson's lawn to save time. Finally dumping a pillowcase full of candy that would make your dentist scream. The ranking of Halloween Candy was at hand.

There were always pieces of disappointment in your stash. For me, it was what they called "Circus Peanuts." It was like eating orange Styrofoam. The second was Good & Plenty, licorice candy. You didn't throw it away but you made sure it was the last candy you would eat months later when you depleted your sugar intake.

Back in the day, sometimes you would get pennies, nickels, dimes, and a quarter. But they would slow you down and make kids tired. Hard to keep up with the costumes back then. The masks were plastic with a tiny hole to breathe. A stretchy piece of string that dug into your brain.

I loved Butterfingers but hated what they did to my teeth. One of my favorites was the "Marathon" candy bar. It had the slogan "They last a good long time". The only problem was nobody passed that premium candy out on Halloween.

Then, some marketing guy thought making bite-size versions of the big candy bars would be funny. What a rip-off. Who came up with Trunk of Treats? How un-fun is that? Thinking back we had it pretty good back in the day. Yes, I did dress up as KISS one time. I got stuck being Peter Criss, but I thought it was cool. Check out the folks from Candystore.com and their list of the "Worst Halloween Candy" for 2023. The funny thing is the candy I hated as a kid I like it now. Like peanut butter taffy, Sour Balls, and Twizzlers have all found their way into my heart again.

Candystore.com surveyed  15,000 of our own customers. Then, they put the best and worst candies into a spreadsheet. Then tallied up the points and created our list. Keep in mind, the opinions expressed here are not those of CandyStore.com.

For the complete list of the worst candy for 2023 go to the list by clicking this link

Halloween is the time of year when spookiness takes center stage, and creative costumes rule the streets. It’s also the day of the beloved tradition, trick-or-treating. Whether you're a kid dreaming of a candy jackpot or an adult admiring the neighborhood's costume creativity while handing out treats, it's a highlight of the year.

However, you'll always find that one neighbor who likes to shake things up by handing out something other than candy. It's not always a bad thing, though. Some people do it for a good reason, like considering kids with dietary restrictions. But if you're considering going outside the box, you should avoid certain trick-or-treat handouts.

Let's talk about the Halloween horrors, the stuff no one wants in their trick-or-treat bag. First on the list are those infamous toothbrushes or dental floss packs. Halloween is the one night a year when kids can indulge in a sugar frenzy, and suddenly, you're handed a dental hygiene product. It's like being told to eat your veggies at a birthday party. Then there are the homemade treats. While some homemade goodies can be delicious, receiving unlabeled, homemade treats can make even the bravest trick-or-treater think twice; also, most parent's won't feel comfortable with that and may dispose of them. All of your hard work will go to waste! Safety is paramount on Halloween, and unwrapped or unlabeled edibles can raise concerns.

Another item to avoid is pennies. They're not even worth the trip to the store, and they make you question if you've accidentally stumbled into a time machine back to the 1950s. If you’re going to give out money on Halloween, make it worthwhile if you can swing it. While Halloween is all about surprises, pennies are definitely not the kind of surprises anyone hopes for.

Take a look at some of the worst trick-or-treat handouts for Halloween.

Keychains are handy, but they're not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that's sweet, not stuff for keys they don't have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.

We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It's a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It's like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it's not exactly exciting.

Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they're seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they're exciting/cool enough). Unless, you're giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.

Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren't exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They're hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.

Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don't make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don't really make the cut.

Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that's not Halloween.

Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid's stash of treats, you're basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it's safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?

Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That's just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it's not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it's just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child's candy.

Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don't really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you're trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.