As Halloween approaches, the annual debate about the least-loved treats in the trick-or-treat bag returns. A survey of more than 1,000 people conducted by Shiny Smile Veneers highlights which candies are most likely to provoke groans instead of cheers. Below is a refreshed, clearer rundown of the candies voters disliked most this year, with concise explanations and the percentage of respondents who said they hate receiving each one.
20. Lemonhead
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 10.7%
Lemonheads divide candy lovers: their intense tartness appeals strongly to some but turns off others. As a Halloween treat they’re often considered a niche pick rather than a desirable score.
19. Dubble Bubble
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 10.9%
Bubble gum can be fun to chew but it’s rarely appreciated as a Halloween pick. Flavors fade fast and many kids would prefer a lasting candy or chocolate instead.
18. Laffy Taffy
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 11.4%
Laffy Taffy’s sticky texture and tendency to cling to teeth make it a turnoff for some. Although it comes in many flavors, many respondents felt the variations taste more similar than different.
17. Smarties
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 12.9%
Smarties are inexpensive and plentiful, but many describe them as small, chalky, and underwhelming. Fans of a larger style of Smarties do exist, yet the classic rolls are often seen as filler.
16. Jelly Beans
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 13.6%
While some jelly beans are tasty, they feel more suited to springtime holidays like Easter. Practical issues—such as loose pieces without individual packaging—also make them less appealing to hand out on Halloween.
15. Tootsie Roll
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 13.8%
Tootsie Rolls have a chewy, old-school chocolate flavor that some describe as dense or unusual. Still, many consider any chocolate a welcome addition to a Halloween haul.
14. Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottles
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 13.9%
Wax bottle candies deliver a sugary liquid when the top is bitten off. They were popular decades ago, and while some still enjoy the nostalgia, many respondents found them odd or unappealing.
13. Mentos
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 14.3%
Mentos are useful as a breath freshener, but many view them as a practical item rather than a fun Halloween treat—especially if the expectation is candy or chocolate.
12. Cadbury Creme Egg
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 14.6%
Cadbury Creme Eggs are rich and gooey—treats usually associated with Easter. Their seasonal association is likely why some respondents consider them out of place at Halloween, even though many still enjoy them year-round.
11. Red Hots
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 14.9%
Cinnamon-flavored Red Hots pack heat and sweetness. They can be too intense for small children and some adults, and they’re not everyone’s idea of a satisfying Halloween piece.
10. Almond Joy
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 16.7%
Almond Joy divides opinion: some dislike the combination of milk chocolate, coconut, and almond, while others prefer its counterpart, Mounds, which uses dark chocolate. Personal taste is the main driver of strong feelings here.
9. Dots
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 17.7%
Whether referring to the gummy Dots or the small candy dots on paper, many find these chewy candies sticky, cloying, or bland. For some, texture and aftertaste make them an unpopular choice.
8. Brach’s Pumpkins
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 18.5%
These mellowcreme pumpkin-shaped candies are sweet but lack actual pumpkin flavor. After a few, their uniform sweetness can be off-putting to many consumers.
7. Peeps
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 21.5%
Peeps have embraced Halloween with themed shapes like monsters and ghosts, but their sugary, marshmallow profile strikes some as overwhelmingly sweet. Despite that, kids often enjoy them for their novelty.
6. Bit-O-Honey
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 21.6%
This chewy, old-fashioned peanut butter-flavored taffy is nostalgic for some but unwelcome to others—especially those who find its texture hard on the teeth.
5. Jawbreaker
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 21.7%
Jawbreakers deliver a lot of sugar in a single hard piece. They’re entertaining for some, but their hardness raises concerns about dental safety and enjoyment.
4. Atomic Fireball
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 23.9%
Essentially a fiery, cinnamon-flavored jawbreaker, Atomic Fireballs are too intense for many. Complaints focus on both their heat and their potential to damage teeth.
3. Hot Tamales
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 26.1%
Another cinnamon-forward candy, Hot Tamales are spicy and often too strong for younger trick-or-treaters or those who prefer milder sweets. Some respondents also expressed concerns about unusual production stories they’ve heard.
2. Candy Corn
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Percentage of people who hate receiving this candy: 36%
At the top of the widely disliked list, candy corn is criticized for being excessively sweet with little complexity. Some people also object to the use of confectioner’s glaze derived from shellac, an animal-sourced ingredient. Still, candy corn remains a seasonal staple with a large production volume and a dedicated fan base.
1. Bonus: Circus Peanuts
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Circus peanuts did not make the ranked list but are frequently mentioned as a universally unpopular handout. These orange, banana-flavored marshmallow candies have a divisive texture and taste. Historically, they also played a role in product innovation: an early experiment placing chopped circus peanuts into cereal contributed to the creation of a popular marshmallow cereal concept.