The 13 Best Healthier Candy Brands For Halloween 2023, According to a Registered Dietitian

It’s officially spooky season. That means we're streaming all the scary movies on Netflix, breaking out our most creative costumes, adorning every surface of our homes with fun decorations, and maybe most importantly, indulging in our favorite candy.

While we know candy isn't the most nutrition-packed, it’s hard to resist the temptation, especially during a month like October that's all about candy! If you have a sweet tooth and want to indulge in tasty treats this Halloween, we're happy to report there are healthier options you can enjoy without the sugar crash.

"When you're looking for healthy Halloween candy, make sure to check the label for things like high fructose corn syrup and sugar alcohols," Maggie Michaczyk, a Chicago-based registered dietitian, explains. "Sugar alcohols can cause an upset stomach, especially when consumed in higher quantities, which is not something you want to experience when trying to enjoy a piece of candy on Halloween night."

Whether you love gummies, peanut butter cups, red vines, or candy bars, there's a lower-sugar, cleaner label option waiting for you to eat up on this list of 28 healthy candy options for Halloween curated by Michaczyk herself.

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Healthy Halloween candy

UNREAL 

If you're a chocolate lover, this brand offers delicious, healthier alternatives. Unreal uses up to 51%, less sugar than the leading brand and all ingredients are organic, sustainable and non-GMO.

"I classify healthier Halloween candy as sweet snacks that have simple ingredients, no high fructose corn syrup, and no artificial flavors or colors," says Michaczyk. "For this reason, my favorite healthy Halloween candy is UNREAL's Halloween Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Dark Chocolate Coconut Bars because they contain no artificial ingredients and are made with better sugar (no corn syrup, sugar alcohols or erythritol) and less sugar than most other Halloween candy."

Check out UNREAL here.

Related: 18 Copycat Candy Recipes That You Won’t Believe Are Healthy

Smart Sweets

Swedish fish may be delicious, but they are very high in sugar. Smart Sweets makes a low sugar version along with a bunch of other tasty treats: fruity gummy bears, peach rings, lollipops, gummy worms and more. Unlike many candy brands, Smart Sweets doesn't use sugar alcohols, which are harmful for the body. So you can enjoy all the flavor without any harmful ingredients!

Check out Smart Sweets here.

Justin’s  

The chocolate peanut butter combo is a classic, and a staple when it comes to Halloween candy. Whether you like almonds, cashews or peanuts, Justin's has something for everyone. These nut butter cups are free of preservatives or hydrogenated oils, and contain high-quality, sustainable ingredients, which make them good for you and the planet.

Check out Justin’s here.

YUMEARTH

Since food allergies affect so many people, Yum Earth's mission is to create organic and allergy-friendly treats. All of their candy is free from high fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes, made with simple, organic, non-GMO ingredients. They offer a wide variety of candy, which include lollipops, gummy bears, fruit snacks, chocolate, licorice and jelly beans.

Check out YUMEARTH here.

Related: 15 Sugar-Free & Low-Carb Candy Recipes To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Surf Sweets

Created by two men from California who love to surf, this brand uses high-quality, allergy-friendly, organic ingredients in all of its products. Surf Sweets makes many tasty treats such as cinnamon bears, sweet fish, fruity bears and gummy worms.

Check out Surf Sweets here.

Cocomels

Regular caramel contains a lot of added sugar, which can cause inflammation, weight gain and other health issues. Cocomels created a healthier alternative with plant-based, organic, non-GMO and vegan-friendly products. The brand also makes toffee bites, chocolate-covered squares, sea salt bites and more. Their candy is dairy-free, using coconut milk instead of dairy milk.

Check out Cocomels here.

Ocho

Ocho stands for organic chocolate. And this brand has quite a variety of candy - caramel, peanut butter, peppermint, and PB&J. Their products are gluten-free and do not contain any artificial ingredients.

Check out Ocho here.

SkinnyDipped

SkinnyDipped products are gluten-free and kosher. Their almonds, cashews and peanuts are dipped into a thin layer of chocolate or yogurt, which makes it much lower in sugar compared to traditional candy brands.

Check out SkinnyDipped here.

Related: 3-Ingredient Candy Corn Fruit Parfaits Will Be a Healthy Halloween Hit

BEAR

If you like Fruit by the Foot, but want something with less sugar, fill up your candy bowl with these tasty treats! BEAR snacks contain only simple, all-natural ingredients. Check out BEAR here.

Annie’s

Another great fruit snack brand to add to your list! Annie's is made with real fruit juice and doesn't contain any artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup or synthetic colors.

Check out Annie’s here.

Red Vines Made Simple

Red licorice is one of the most classic candies, but most traditional brands are high in sugar. Red Vines made simple is a non-GMO version of Red Vines candy. Their products contain real sugar with only five simple ingredients.

Check out Red Vines Made Simple here.

Little Secrets

This brand makes fair trade certified chocolate that's low in sugar with non-GMO ingredients, no artificial colors, flavors or sugar alcohols. Little Secrets makes all types of chocolate ranging from crispy wafers to cookie bars.

Check out Little Secrets here.

free2b

Calling all Reeses Peanut Butter cup fans! free2b's chocolate line is made with simple ingredients that are free from artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives.

Check out free2b here.

Up next: 50 Non-Candy Halloween Goodies That Trick or Treaters Will Love

Sources

• Maggie Michaczyk, Chicago-based RD