Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the top Halloween candy in America again, according to DoorDash’s latest seasonal trend report. The company says Reese’s held the national No. 1 spot for the third year in a row, with Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars and M&M’s next on the list.
What DoorDash’s Halloween candy data found
DoorDash published its 2026 Halloween trend report in mid September, using U.S. ordering data from October 1 through October 31, 2025. According to the company, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups ranked as the top Halloween candy nationally, followed by Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars and M&M’s. The report also said Reese’s was the most locally loved candy in 17 states.
That state count is the core detail behind the “favorite Halloween treat” claim. DoorDash said Reese’s led in 17 states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and Washington. The New York Post’s October 3 story matched that broad takeaway, reporting that Reese’s was the national favorite and led the state-by-state results.
DoorDash also framed the result as a continuing streak, not a one-off win. Its report says Reese’s has held the No. 1 national position for three years in a row. For shoppers, that makes this less of a surprise upset and more of a sign that the peanut butter cup still has a firm grip on Halloween candy bowls.
The state-by-state map gets more unusual fast
Outside the national top spot, DoorDash’s candy map gets much more specific by state. The New York Post reported that Laffy Taffy led five states, with wins in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin, while California favored Red Vines. The same story said seven Southern states leaned toward Dollar General’s Sweet Smiles assortment.
Some of the strongest trend lines were not about the top overall winner at all. DoorDash said candy corn orders were up 30% year over year, despite the candy’s reputation as a divisive Halloween staple. Raisin orders rose even faster, up 60% year over year, according to the company.
DoorDash also pointed to a broader shift in how people are buying treats. Its report said full-size and king-size candy grew from more than 15% to 20% of candy order share. That suggests some households are choosing larger handouts, even while nostalgic picks and less fashionable classics continue to show surprising staying power.
What it means for Halloween shoppers this season
For home shoppers, the clearest takeaway is simple: if you want the safest bet for a crowd, Reese’s is still the pick DoorDash’s data backs most strongly. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars and M&M’s also remain near the top, which keeps the leading choices firmly in the chocolate lane.
DoorDash’s report also offers a small reality check for anyone planning last-minute candy runs. The company said Halloween candy ordering spikes between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Halloween, then climbs again later in the day and peaks around 6 p.m. as households realize they are running low.
Dinner patterns shift, too. DoorDash said pizza orders jump 20% on Halloween night, even as most other dinner categories decline. For families balancing trick-or-treat timing with dinner, that detail may matter almost as much as the candy ranking itself, especially if the bowl starts looking emptier than expected before the night is over.