When it comes to Halloween candy, Rhode Island residents have a soft spot for Sour Patch Kids, but their taste in sweets may be a little more adventurous than the rest of the country's.
A new Halloween Sweet Tooth Report from Instacart reveals America's favorite Halloween treats, state preferences and some regional preferences that suggest not everyone got the memo about Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
The report is based on pre-Halloween Instacart shopping data from October 2025. It offers a state-by-state look at America's sweet tooth, including which candies sell best and which treats inspire unusual levels of devotion.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the undisputed heavyweight of Halloween candy, ranking first by ounces sold nationally and claiming the top spot in 40 of the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Peanut M&M's came in second nationally, followed by Hershey Milk Chocolate, regular M&M's and Snickers. Chocolate dominates the rankings, and Sour Patch Kids candy doesn't make an appearance until seventh place.
Americans are hardly united in their candy preferences.
Rhode Island is the lone state where Sour Patch Kids beat out both Reese's and Peanut M&M's for the top spot.
Montana's fondness for HI-CHEW is in a league of its own. The chewy Japanese candy accounted for a share of candy purchases 616% higher than the national average, the biggest such difference anywhere in the country.
Louisianans have a thing for Tootsie Pops, buying them at a rate 141% above the national share. Colorado and Wyoming have an unusually strong appetite for candy corn, the tricolored confection that has been dividing Halloween candy lovers for generations.
In Rhode Island, candy accounted for a share of Instacart orders 6% below the national average, according to the company's analysis of October 2025 purchases.
Halloween candy shopping is particularly serious business in the West.
Utah led the nation, with candy accounting for a share of Instacart orders 67% higher than the national average. Idaho followed at 50% above average, Alaska at 47%, Washington at 43% and Montana at 40%.
The Northeast, meanwhile, appeared to be taking a more restrained approach.
Delaware's candy-shopping rate was 18% below the national average, followed by Pennsylvania at 16% below and New York at 15% below.
That doesn't necessarily mean trick-or-treaters in those states are getting shortchanged. The figures reflect Instacart orders, not every candy purchase or the generosity of the people answering the door on Halloween night.
At the city level, Anchorage, Alaska, led the candy-buying pack at 56% above the national average. Eugene, Oregon; Tacoma, Washington; Vancouver, Washington; and Spokane, Washington, rounded out the top five.
The top five cities spending the least are Newark, New Jersey; Yonkers, New York; Jersey City, New Jersey; Syracuse, New York; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Instacart also took a peek at Halloween costumes, and things got a little fruity.
Skeletons and witches were top sellers among adult costumes, while Ghostface masks from the "Scream" movies led children's costume purchases.
But among adults shopping for food-themed costumes, the humble banana took the crown. It's a fitting choice, Instacart said. Bananas are also the grocery delivery platform's best-selling item overall.
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