As Halloween approaches, New Yorkers may be less interested in candy than residents of most other states, according to a new survey.
New York ranked No. 10 among the least candy-loving states in the country for 2026, based on a survey by health consumer blog Innerbody
. However, Google search data showed that New Yorkers favor Kinder chocolates, including Kinder Bueno and Kinder Joy, as well as KitKats.Americans set a record for candy sales in 2025, reaching $55 billion, according to Innerbody. The report said 99.8% of American households purchased candy, chocolate or gum at least once. Halloween candy purchases accounted for 18.4% of confectionery industry sales in the United States in 2025.
Here's a look at which states search for candy the
most and which treats are favorites across the country.
What is New York's favorite candy?
According to Google search data analyzed by Innerbody, Kinder chocolates, including Kinder Bueno, Kinder Joy and Kinder Love, are New York's favorite candy. Florida and California also favored Kinder products.
Notably, New York, Florida and California all ranked among the 10 least candy-loving states based on candy-related searches.
Other states showed regional preferences. New Mexico favored Hot Tamales, while Pennsylvania's favorite was Hershey's Kisses. Haribo stood out in Wisconsin, home to the brand's first U.S. manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, while Lemonheads were a favorite in Oklahoma, where the candy is also manufactured.
What is America's favorite candy?
Sour Patch Kids ranked as America's favorite candy in 2025, followed by Skittles, Snickers, Starburst and Twix, according to Innerbody.
Candy corn, a Halloween staple that divides candy fans, ranked among the country's most-searched treats, coming in eighth on the national list. Searches for other popular Halloween candies also shifted in the weeks leading up to the holiday. M&M's, Milky Way and Haribo, for example, climbed more than five spots in October compared with the rest of the year.
The 10 most-searched candies in the U.S.
- Sour Patch Kids
- Skittles
- Snickers
- Starburst
- Twix
- KitKat
- Reese's
- Candy corn
- Twizzlers
- Nerds
The 10 least-searched candies in the U.S.
- Dubble Bubble
- Lemonheads
- Hot Tamales
- Blow Pops
- York
- Milky Way
- Life Savers
- Airheads
- Salt water taffy
- Sour Punch Straws
Top 10 candy-loving states in the U.S.
Utah ranked as the most candy-interested state in the country, overtaking Nebraska, the previous year's leader. Several Midwestern states, including Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Ohio, also made the top 10.
Innerbody noted that Utah had the country's highest per-capita sugar consumption as early as 1919. The state's demographics may also contribute to its ranking, with more than 25% of its population younger than 18, according to the report.
The 10 most candy-loving states were:
- Utah
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Wisconsin
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Delaware
Top 10 least candy-loving states in the U.S.
Several coastal states, including Hawaii, Florida, California and New York, ranked among the 10 least candy-loving states based on candy-related searches.
The 10 states and jurisdictions at the bottom of the list were:
- Hawaii
- Washington, D.C.
- Florida
- California
- Colorado
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Alaska
- Washington
- New York
Hawaii ranked last, but Innerbody said that doesn't necessarily mean residents dislike candy. The state's Japanese and Chinese cultural influences contribute to interest in sweets that are less common elsewhere in the United States, including White Rabbit milk candy, rice cakes and li hing mui, a dried plum. Three Musketeers was identified as Hawaii's favorite American candy.
Despite their low overall rankings, New York, New Jersey, California, Florida and Maryland all showed a preference for Kinder chocolates in Google searches. Kinder ranked No. 20 nationally, according to Innerbody.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York among America's least candy-loving states ahead of Halloween
