15 Best Candy Bars in the U.S.

Have you ever wondered which candy bar is the absolute best on the market?

With Halloween coming up, it’s the perfect time to do a deep dive into the world of candy and stack up each bar against one another to see if there really is a clear winner, or if it’s all just a matter of opinion.

This list was curated based on a study by Candy Retailer and includes candy bars that have lasted the test of time to some more unique candy bars that maybe not everyone has tried. Whether or not your favorite makes it to the top of the list, I think we can all agree that America loves chocolate!

1. Snickers (Best)

Many qualifications go into naming the BEST candy bar, and Snickers checks all the boxes. According to Money Inc, Snickers is the world’s best-selling candy bar. It has been around since 1930, making it a classic candy bar that has stayed with us through the decades. It has the perfect combination of sweet chocolate, stringy caramel, chewy nougat, and the oh-so-satisfying crunch of peanuts in every bite.

Snickers has also transformed itself into other sweet snacks, such as Snickers ice cream bars and Snickers Peanut Brownie Squares. There are different variations of the traditional Snickers available, such as Snickers Almond and my personal favorite, Peanut Butter Snickers. Everything is always better with peanut butter.

2. Reese’s

Speaking of peanut butter, there’s no way the legendary Reese’s would be far from the top of the list. With just milk chocolate and peanut butter, Reese’s has had mouths watering since 1928.  Who knew that such a simple combination would be the foundation for so many future snacks?

Reese’s, unlike other peanut butter cups, has the ideal ratio of chocolate to peanut butter. Too much chocolate and the peanut butter taste gets subdued. Too little, and all you get is peanut butter. Personally, I love the big holiday Reese’s, such as the Easter egg, the pumpkin, and the Christmas tree. There is way more peanut butter and they taste amazing straight from the freezer! Feel free to steal my hack.

3. Kit Kat

Sometimes simple is better! Just like the Twix or the Reese’s, a Kit Kat only has two ingredients: crispy wafers and chocolate. The crunch of a Kit Kat bar is almost as iconic as the sound of breaking it in half, which has a whole jingle dedicated to it.

Kit Kat was marketed as a sweet midday work snack with the slogan, “Have a break, have a Kit Kat.” Of course, the pun comes from the shape of the candy bar and the action of breaking it in half. However, having a break and eating a Kit Kat does sound pretty great!

4. Milky Way

Snickers and Milky Way often go head-to-head for the best candy bar because they have a lot of similar qualities. However, we’re sorry to say, Milky Way, you’re fourth on the list. Being fourth is not a bad thing though; it still beats 20 other candy bars!

Contrary to popular belief, Milky Way was named after a popular milkshake at the time of its release in 1923, not the Milky Way galaxy. This milk chocolate-covered bar is filled with fluffy nougat and doused in sweet caramel. According to Candy Retailer, it is one of the most famously recognized candy bars.

5. Twix

There are a few things more satisfying than the crunch of a Twix bar. Twix was first introduced to the United Kingdom in 1967, and after it became a hit, it was released in the United States in 1979.

Although the Twix bar is only made up of a cookie and caramel covered in milk chocolate, it has remained a favorite for many throughout the years. Like the Snickers, it’s even been turned into an ice cream bar.

6. Hershey’s Bar

The Hershey’s bar is the most iconic candy bar around. It’s used in so many recipes from cakes to cookies, and of course, the summertime favorite, the S’more. It’s also delicious on its own or melted down to slather on fruit.

Although the Hershey’s bar is only an ordinary milk chocolate treat, it’s stayed one of the most popular candy bars because of its versatility and simplicity.

7. Almond Joy

The Almond Joy candy bar is a delicious mix of sweetened shredded coconut with whole almonds on top and covered in milk chocolate. This one is truly a hit or miss for folks, because let’s face it, not everyone loves coconut, either because of the taste or the consistency.

However, if you do like coconut, chances are you love these bars. Many ice cream shops have Almond Joy-inspired ice cream, and International Delight has a delicious Almond Joy coffee creamer.

8. Butterfinger

Butterfinger is one of those candy bars that you either love or you hate. The crunchy sticky texture can definitely turn people off. However, for many, the buttery taste of the Butterfinger makes up for the pieces that get stuck between teeth.

The peanut buttery core of a Butterfinger is crispy, rather than smooth like a Reese’s. It’s often crumbled over ice cream, but can be enjoyed on its own, too.

9. 3 Musketeers

Ok, so I have to be honest. The 3 Musketeers bar is not my favorite. When I think of a good candy bar, I think of texture, crunch, or peanut butter, and 3 Musketeers lacks all three. I must not be the only one thinking this because it is number 50 on Ranker’s best candy ever made list, far away from the top-runners like Snickers and Twix. However, many people love this candy bar made of simple fluffy nougat covered in milk chocolate.

The 3 Musketeers got its name from the famous 1844 novel and was released onto candy shelves in 1932 by Mars. The original packages had three bars in them.

10. Baby Ruth

There’s a reason these chewy nougaty bars are in the top ten. Filled with caramel and peanuts, it’s crunchy and soft, salty and sweet, making it a fan favorite. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was named after baseball legend Babe Ruth, but the original 1921 manufacturer claimed it was named after President Grover Cleveland’s daughter, Ruth.

11. Payday

Despite popular belief, candy bars do not have to be covered in chocolate. Payday is one of the only candy bars that isn’t. Even though it doesn’t have everyone’s favorite coating, Payday is still one of the top-selling candy bars on the market.

Payday is made up of salted peanuts and hard caramel in a bar shape. It was invented in 1932 and was named after the day of the week it was when the inventors at the plant were trying to think of a name!

12. M&M’s

You might be saying, “M&M’s are great, but they’re not a candy bar!” And you’re right — but this candy is so popular, it made it to the list. Candy Retailer reports that Americans spend over $700 million per year on these chocolaty treats, so they desert a spot on the list.

13. Crunch Bar

I’d love to meet the person who woke up one morning and thought, “Chocolate and crisped rice definitely belong together.” That would take us back to 1938 and the Ferrara Candy Compay, who produced this crispy treat.

Snickers isn’t the only candy bar to branch out into the ice cream world; you can find Crunch bars in ice cream form, too. Not an ice cream fan? Try Crunch with caramel.

14. Toblerone

Toblerone is like the royalty of candy bars. If you go to the store and purchase a Toblerone, chances are you have expensive taste, and you know a thing or two about quality chocolate. Not to diss the other candy bars on this list, but the Toblerone is on another level of chocolate.

This Swiss chocolate bar is made with milk chocolate, honey, and almond nougat. Together, these ingredients create the most delectable candy bar on the shelf. Plus, with its unique long and triangular shape, it’s easy to identify.

15. 100 Grand

Created in 1964 by Nestlé, the 100 Grand bar contains crisped rice and caramel and is covered generously in milk chocolate. The original name of the bar was the $100,000 Bar, but was later changed to 100 Grand, which is much catchier.

In 2018, Ferrero purchased the rights to the bar from Nestlé. However, the recipe remained the same to keep the masses happy. The bar is currently one of the less popular bars at number 70 on Ranker’s best candy ever made list.