The 12 Most Iconic American Candies You Can Only Buy in the U.S.

While you might be familiar with iconic American foods like hotdogs and apple pie, what about candy that is quintessential American? Candy sales in the United States are nearly $37 billion annually, leading the charge in confectionaries and snacks worldwide. In other words, Americans love their candy and eat a lot of it! Check out these 15 most iconic American candies you can only buy in the U.S. and learn why they are so well loved.

Note: some candies can be found across North America, not just in the United States. Further, some of the picks on this list may be difficult to find in other countries, but not entirely impossible. Many of these items ship worldwide.

1. 100 Grand Bar

If you were born in the pre-80s, you might remember this candy as the $100,000 bar. Nestle switched the name in the mid-80s to revamp the brand. It has been known as the 100 Grand Bar ever since. This American candy combines milk chocolate, chewy caramel, and crunchy crisped rice.

2. Airheads

While videos of concerned candy lovers went viral on TikTok over talks of discontinuing this sweet treat, Airheads are still very much alive and well. Find them in stores across the United States. Airheads are famous for their tangy, chewy, and fruity flavors, including strawberry, watermelon, cherry, blue raspberry, and green apple.

3. Candy Corn

These little pyramid-shaped and brightly colored candies evoke strong emotions in America. Every Halloween, these baggies of super-sweet corn candy pop up in stores across the country, and typically, people either love them or hate them. They taste best when combined with something salty, like peanuts, to balance out the insane sugar content.

4. Butterfinger

There is no denying that butterfingers are delicious. However, something must be said about how long it takes to dig the crunchy peanut butter out of your teeth. These candy bars are one of a kind, featuring a crispy, crunchy peanut butter core covered in chocolate. This candy bar is a favorite during Halloween or at the movie theatres. 

5. Junior Mints

While these may not be everyone’s cup of tea, Junior Mints have die-hard fans that span generations. These candies are small rounds of peppermint covered in semi-sweet chocolate. Junior Mints came out in 1949 in Massachusetts and have been a favorite ever since.

6. Charleston Chew

Named after the famous Charleston dance from the early 20th century, Charleston Chews are a unique American candy with a long history. This candy bar consists of marshmallow-flavored nougat with a chocolate coating. They are chewy and rich; many like to freeze them and snap off pieces to enjoy.

7. Fun Dip

Marketed to kids as a unique way to eat candy, Fun Dip features pouches of colorful sugar powder and edible sugar sticks. You lick the stick and dip it into the brightly colored confection. When the powder is gone, you can eat the spoon! The most common flavors are cherry and “razzapple.”

8. Twizzlers

This popular licorice-like candy traditionally comes in strawberry and cherry flavors. Movie lovers across the country adore Twizzlers. This iconic treat is sweet yet subtle and features a pleasant waxy texture that’s highly addictive.

9. Payday

Do you love sweet and salty foods? Payday candy bars are the ultimate sweet and salty treat. This candy has been around since 1932 and contains crunchy peanuts rolled in nougat-like sweet and creamy caramel.

10. Swedish Fish

If you’ve never heard of them, Swedish Fish might sound like a strange name for a candy. A Swedish candy maker developed these bright red gummi candies in the late 1950s. Their fish shape gave them their name. These candies have an ambiguous “fruit” flavor.

11. Sugar Daddy

Speaking of unusual candy names, the Sugar Daddy’s original name was the Papa Sucker. It changed its name in the 1930s, probably for the best. Sugar Daddies are milk caramel lollipops, and Sugar Babies are the bite-sized version.

12. Baby Ruth

Named after President Grover’s daughter, Ruth, the Baby Ruth candy bar is a long-standing treat in America. This candy consists of dry roasted peanuts, sweet nougat, and rich caramel. It’s a favorite treat at concession stands across America, but you may also regularly see it in Halloween goody bags.

A Recap of the 12 Most Iconic American Candies You Can Only Buy in the U.S.

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