Most Popular Candy You Can Actually Eat a Ton Of

While we all know a box of chocolates is the perfect way to anyone’s heart, what we don’t know is which candies have the least amount of sugar.

Americans spent almost $43 billion on candy in 2022, according to the National Confectioners Association. While a lot of those candy purchases are related to holidays — 57 percent of consumers purchased candy more than any other gift on Valentine’s Day in 2023 — let’s be real, candy is perfect any time of year.

While we all know a box of chocolates is the perfect way to anyone’s heart, what we don’t know is which candies are the healthiest. That’s why we ranked the nine candies with the least amount of sugar content for those looking to treat themselves to some sweets — sans the guilt.

6. Dove Dark Chocolate Bar (Tie)

Dove Chocolate / Facebook

Sugar content per 100 grams: 47 grams

Nothing says decadence like a Dove bar, and luckily for all of us, the dark chocolate bar from this brand isn’t too over the top when it comes to sugar.

This would be our top choice if choosing between the three others that this candy tied with for the No. 6 spot.

* Sugar content sourced from YouGov and Walmart in a 2023 report from Snusboss.

6. Almond Joy (Tie)

Walmart

Sugar content per 100 grams: 47 grams

You either love Almond Joys or hate them.

But if you love them, you’ll love them even more now that you know they only have 47 grams of sugar.

6. Haribo Goldbears (Tie)

Colorful gummy candies, jelly bears sweets

Elena Chertovskikh / Getty Images

Sugar content per 100 grams: 47 grams

These colorful gummy bears are one of the non-chocolate candies on this list that we happen to love.

Plus, they’re adorable!

6. Sour Punch Twists (Tie)

Sour Punch / Amazon

Sugar content per 100 grams: 47 grams

Not everyone loves a good sour candy, but this one takes the cake as the ultimate combo of sweet and sour — and manages to do so without too much added sugar.

This is the perfect treat for the kid in all of us.

4. Mounds (Tie)

Balboa Candy

Sugar content per 100 grams: 44 grams

Like the Almond Joy, this candy bar is also produced by the Hershey Company. It just doesn’t have the almonds.

In the 1970s, the two were advertised in tandem with the popular “Sometimes you feel like a nut / Sometimes you don’t” jingle. If you’re worried about sugar, we’re going to recommend you go without it.

4. Whatchamacallit (Tie)

My American Market

Sugar content per 100 grams: 44 grams

Another candy bar from the Hershey Company, the Whatchamacallit doesn’t get as much love as the others, but we think the peanut-flavored crisped rice candy bar deserves better.

After all, it’s been in production since 1978 and manages to keep its sugar content low while not skimping on flavor.

3. Butterfinger

Water Butlers

Sugar content per 100 grams: 41 grams

We’re still upset that Butterfinger BB’s don’t exist anymore, but we’ll let it slide after discovering that this candy bar — introduced in 1923 — is the least sugary chocolate bar on the market.

In that case, we’ll agree with the wise words of none other than Bart Simpson: “Nobody better lay a finger” on our Butterfinger.

2. Red Vines

GoSupps.com

Sugar content per 100 grams: 40 grams

The American Licorice Company’s first product was the Black Licorice Twist, which was introduced in 1914. And it wasn’t until the 1950s that the red version was introduced.

But the “Original Red” flavor is now the licorice company’s most popular. Today, it’s so popular, in fact, that it has a cult-like following by licorice lovers, sparking many debates across the country as to which brand is better: Red Vines or…

1. Twizzlers

icelandr / Getty Images

Sugar content per 100 grams: 38 grams

Whether you’re Team Twizzlers or Team Red Vines, there’s one thing that can’t be argued: Twizzlers have less sugar.

Plus, the licorice company has quite a history, having been founded in 1845 by Young and Smylie — one of the oldest confectioneries in the U.S. — which is now Y&S Candies Inc., a division of The Hershey Company.

The candy’s strawberry flavor is the most popular and is a perfect low-sugar option to satisfy your sweet tooth.