Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year for many reasons—scary movies, dressing up in costumes, seeing Rocky Horror Picture Show with friends, and going to the pumpkin patch. One of my absolute favorite parts of spooky season, however, are Halloween treats.
As a scary snack expert, here’s my definitive ranking of the top 10 Halloween treats I look forward to every October.
- Caramel Apples
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No explanation needed. These sweet, sticky bundles of joy are absolutely delicious.
- Popcorn Balls
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It’s unclear why these sweet, crunchy snacks only can be found around Halloween, but I think that makes them all the more special. They’ve got the salty and sweet appeal of kettle corn but in a novelty ball shape—what more could you ask for from your snacks?
- Hot Spiced Cider
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Nothing tastes better after being out in the cold trick-or-treating than a warm mug of spiced cider. I especially love it when there’s a cinnamon stick in the mug that adds more flavor as you drink.
- Reese’s Pumpkins
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Reese’s cups are awesome all year round, but there’s something about the pillowy-soft pumpkin shaped ones that just hit different. Maybe the ratio of peanut butter to chocolate changes? Regardless, these are magical.
- Dirt Pudding
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This Halloween potluck staple was a favorite of mine as a kid, and I still get excited when I see a tray of chocolate pudding with Oreos crumbled on top. Bonus points if there’s a handful of gummy worms sprinkled over everything.
- S’mores
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Warm, ooey-gooey, and super sweet, s’mores around a campfire while you’re telling scary stories are a highlight of Halloween every year. They’re even interactive and customizable—I like mine with a golden-brown marshmallow and Hershey’s chocolate.
- Apple Cider Donuts
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My family could never go apple picking without bringing back a dozen of these. They’re a less common treat, so if you haven’t tried them you totally need to. The best ones are served warm, fresh from the fryer.
- Pumpkin Rolls
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I couldn’t make a ranking of Halloween treats without including something pumpkin! A slice of pumpkin roll cake with buttercream icing is always delicious, and they look beautiful on the dessert table at any Halloween party.
- Lofthouse Cookies
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These cakey-soft iced sugar cookies are available in grocery stores year-round, but I end up having them especially often around Halloween. They’re controversial for sure, but I think their smooth texture and thick layer of icing is satisfyingly sweet.
- candy Corn
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These are by far the most controversial candy served on Halloween. My official verdict is that they’re a little too sweet, but not bad at all. I eat them every year just for the tradition of it, but I’ll admit they’re nothing special.
I hope you’ve enjoyed sampling all of your favorite spooky season treats this year!