Indianapolis Halloween Candy Ranking Puts Reese's First, Peanut Butter Kisses Last
A local list sorted 50 treats from best to worst ahead of trick-or-treating.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
A Halloween candy debate that plays out across Indianapolis porches and kitchen tables has received a specific answer: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups rank first, while Peanut Butter Kisses land at number 50.
The ranking was published on October 29, 2026 by WERE, which sorted 50 common treats into a list running from what is "worth fighting over to the ones worth leaving behind." The outlet framed the exercise as settling a recurring argument that surfaces each October in group chats and conversations around town.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups took the top position on the strength of what the outlet described as a chocolate and peanut butter combination in perfect balance. Snickers sits at number 2, with Starburst at 3, Smarties at 4, and Skittles at 5. Rounding out the top 10 are Nerds Gummy Clusters, Twix, SweeTarts, Dum Dums, and Airheads.
The ranking extends well beyond the front of the pack. Twix appears at number 7, Kit Kat at 13, Sour Patch Kids at 18, Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar at 24, Swedish Fish at 30, and Dots at 39. The list covers fruit chews, chocolate bars, lollipops, gummies, and hard candies found in typical trick-or-treat bags.
At the other end, the ranking places Circus Peanuts at 49 and Peanut Butter Kisses at 50. The outlet's write-up for Peanut Butter Kisses reads: "Dead last, no debate." Circus Peanuts received this note: "The color is orange, the flavor is banana, and the texture is a mystery."
The list also assigns positions to items with long histories, including Necco Wafers at 48, Bit-O-Honey at 47, and Charleston Chew at 42. Candy Corn lands at 46, and Tootsie Rolls appear at 44.
WERE described the criteria for the ranking as reaching beyond taste. The write-up pointed to nostalgia, texture, and memories tied to trick-or-treating, including accounts of parents taking a portion of the haul and of one house on a street handing out full-size bars.
The ranking was published on October 29, 2026. The document states it was originally published on wibc.com. No methodology for how the 50 items were selected or ordered was included in the material.
