Lubbock Candy Lovers Pick Sour Over Sweet For Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner, which means it's almost time for kids across Lubbock to dress up, knock on strangers' doors and collect enough sugar to keep them bouncing off the walls until Thanksgiving.

But what candy are Texans actually interested in the most?

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According to a new study, it's not Reese's, Snickers or even M&M's.

Texas' favorite candy for 2026 is Sour Punch Straws.

Yep. Those long, chewy, sugar-coated things that make your face look like you just swallowed a lemon.

And apparently, Texans REALLY like them.

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Texans Love Their Sour Candy

A new study from Innerbody Research analyzed nationwide Google search interest to determine America's favorite candies, along with which treats are gaining popularity heading into Halloween.

For the second consecutive year, Sour Punch Straws came out on top in Texas.

And we're not alone. Arizona also picked Sour Punch Straws as its most-searched candy for the second straight year.

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Personally, I would've put my money on Reese's Peanut Butter Cups...maybe Snickers.

But apparently, Texans prefer their candy with a little more attitude.

Another Sour Candy Is Gaining Ground in Texas

Here's something else I found interesting.

While Sour Punch Straws remain Texas' favorite overall, SweeTarts are generating the biggest increase in search interest in the state heading into Halloween.

So there's definitely a pattern here.

Texans apparently enjoy candy that makes their mouths hurt a little.

Does that mean Lubbock kids would rather have Sour Punch Straws than a king-size Snickers?

I'm not convinced. But the numbers certainly suggest sour candy is getting plenty of attention.

Dave Mangels, Getty Images

America's Favorite Candy Is Sour Patch Kids

When you look at the entire country, another sour candy takes the top spot.

According to the study, Sour Patch Kids ranked number one in nationwide search interest over the past 12 months.

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The five most-searched candies nationally were:

1. Sour Patch Kids
2. Skittles
3. Snickers
4. Starburst
5. Twix

Not a bad lineup.

But here's where things get weird.

Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images

Candy Corn Makes a Huge Comeback Every Halloween

You know that candy everybody claims to hate?

The little orange, yellow and white triangles that taste like somebody tried to turn a candle into a dessert?

Well, candy corn jumps to second place in nationwide search interest during the three weeks leading up to Halloween.

Only Sour Patch Kids attracts more searches during that period.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean people are eating it.

They might just be Googling, "Why does candy corn exist?"

(My sweet mom ALWAYS has a bowl of half candy corn and half peanuts. It's DELICIOUS and tastes just like a PayDay...which happens to be my favorite candy bar. I'm weird.)

Other candies also get a Halloween boost. M&M's jumps from 19th to 11th, Milky Way climbs from 29th to 21st, and Haribo moves from 23rd to 16th in search interest.

Apparently, once October arrives, Americans start thinking about candy a LOT more seriously.

a red table topped with lots of candy

Texas Isn't Actually That Obsessed With Candy

Here's another surprise.

Despite having more than our fair share of convenience stores, grocery stores and places to buy something sweet, Texas ranks just 31st among America's most candy-interested states in 2026.

That ranking is based on search activity, not how much candy people actually consume.

The number-one state?

Utah.

Utah reclaimed the top spot after finishing fifth last year, overtaking Nebraska, which led the rankings in 2025.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania has a particularly appropriate tie for its favorite candy: Reese's and Hershey's Kisses.

Considering both brands have roots in Hershey, Pennsylvania, that one makes sense.

a pile of orange and white candy corn

So What Should You Hand Out in Lubbock This Halloween?

If you want to go strictly by the numbers, Sour Punch Straws would be a pretty safe bet.

Maybe throw in some SweeTarts for good measure.

But remember, this study measures what people are searching for online, not necessarily what they're buying or what kids actually want in their Halloween buckets.

And while I respect the research, I'm still having a hard time believing that a kid in Lubbock would choose a package of Sour Punch Straws over a full-size Reese's.

Then again, I grew up in a different time.

At least we can all agree on one thing: Nobody wants to be the house handing out toothbrushes.