Sugar Heaven: 26 Best Candy Bars to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

best candy bars

Devilishly delicious and oh-so-sweet, a candy bar can easily make your mouth water at a single glance. Brands know this, so they’ve gone out of their way to create decadent combinations that make each mouthful a smooth or crunchy bomb of sweetness.

Wondering what are sweet proteins and what are the best candy bars and whether you’ve tried them all already? Here’s a list of the tastiest go-to desserts for when you need a quick pick-me-up!

What Is a Candy Bar?

Candy

Simply put, a candy bar is any candy or confectionery product that comes in the form of a bar. The most common ingredient in candy bars is often milk chocolate, alongside classics like nougat, caramel, and fudge.

Many candy bars also contain various types of nuts like peanuts and almonds. Other ingredients may include coconut, wafers, toffee bits, Graham crackers, pretzels, cookie chunks, and even rice.

For most people, a classic chocolate bar is almost synonymous with candy bars. It is likely the most popular variety whose boom is closely tied to WWI.

Yet, a chocolate bar is actually just one of the many types of candy bars you can munch on. Not every bar has to be dipped or covered in chocolate to be super-delicious. In fact, some of the best candy bars in the world don’t even have cocoa or any chocolate in them!

26 Best Candy Bars

1. Snickers

Snickers

Snickers have been in stores for almost a hundred years now, as it was first released way back in 1930. In the 30s, the nougat, peanut, and caramel combo was truly a winning one, so it took no time for it to become a favorite candy bar of both the young and the old.

Curiously enough, its name drew attention as well. Though it is an immediate synonym now for chocolate goodness, Snickers was actually named after the Mars family’s horse (yes, the family who started the Mars company)!

One of the key advantages of Snickers is that it offers both a fantastic sugar rush and delectable crunchiness. The caramel and nougat may melt fast on your tongue, but it’s the peanuts that make Snickers worth all the calories.

2. KitKat

KitKat

KitKat actually got its start in England, where it was produced by Rowntree’s. Today, its production is split between two candy giants: Nestlé and Hershey.

Though you may easily share your KitKat bar with someone, this delicious treat makes it hard to even give up a single bite. The wafer and chocolate combination is sublime if you aren’t after a super-sweet bar that still manages to satisfy your taste buds. Plus, this candy bar comes in a ton of flavors, especially in Japan, where it is even a good luck charm!

3. Butterfinger

Butterfinger

Image source: Pinterest

If peanut butter and chocolate are right up your alley, Butterfinger might make all your dreams come true. An original US product, this candy bar was created back in 1923 by Otto Schnering, who founded the Curtiss Candy Company. Today, it is owned by the Italian Ferrero SpA.

The easiest way to describe Butterfinger is to imagine having a solid piece of peanut butter that you can spread some chocolate on. The bar is a happy marriage between a layered crispy peanut butter base and deliciously smooth chocolate.

4. Twix

Twix

Image source: Pinterest

Apart from Snickers, Mars also produces Twix, a two-piece chocolate bar. Just like many of the candy bars on this list, Twix’s history is a long one since it was released back in 1967. The US had to wait a while to eat this glorious treat, though — until 1979.

Crunchy and sweet, Twix is the perfect combination of biscuit, caramel, and milk chocolate. As you get two pieces, it certainly already has an advantage over other bars. The bar also comes in a few incredibly satisfying varieties, such as Cookies & Creme and Salted Caramel.

5. Crunch Bar

Crunch Bar

Image source: Pinterest

Some of the best candy bars in the world actually contain some unusual ingredients, like rice. In fact, the Crunch Bar is the perfect example of how well crisped rice and milk chocolate go together.

Unlike most of the contenders so far, Crunch actually comes in the classic chocolate bar shape. It’s made by Nestlé globally, while in the US, it’s produced by the Ferrara Candy Company.

Taste-wise, Crunch delivers just that — lots of crunchiness mixed with some smooth chocolate. It is also a rather thin bar that melts in the mouth fast, making you eat it whole in just a few minutes.

6. Milky Way

Milky Way

Image source: Pinterest

Any fans of milkshakes are likely to go crazy over the Milky Way! Though you’d think it got its name after a galaxy, the Milky Way is actually named after malted milk, which was a major ingredient in malted milkshakes. The drink was very popular around the bar’s release, so evidently, the company wanted to capitalize on that.

Created in the 1920s by Frank C. Mars, this candy bar is a mouth-watering combination of smooth chocolate, sweet caramel, and fluffy nougat.

7. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar

Milk Chocolate

Image source: Pinterest

Also known as the “Great American Chocolate Bar,” Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar is the flagship chocolate bar of The Hershey Company. It is also the first chocolate bar to contain fresh milk. Though many countries, such as Switzerland, already used milk chocolate in the 1900s, they relied on powdered milk to produce their bars.

This bar has the classic chocolate flavor that many expect once they rip the wrapper off. But it doesn’t taste sweet to everyone. Some consumers have even described the flavor as somewhat tangy and sour.

8. Bounty

Bounty

Image source: Pinterest

Reminding you of soft beachy sand and that wonderful coconut scent, Bounty is the go-to candy for many coconut lovers. Made by Mars in 1951, it is also a bit unoriginal. The bar imitates the Mounds bar. If you take a closer look at it, you may also notice how similar it is to the Almond Joy bar, though it doesn’t contain almonds.

Despite it being a copy, Bounty has fans all over the world, or at least anywhere besides the US. Since it’s no longer available in the US, you would have to visit Canada or even Europe to munch on it. Once you do, though, you will be amazed by the perfect balance between rich chocolate and crushed, chewy coconut.

9. Kinder Bueno

Kinder

Image source: Pinterest

Ferrero struck gold with its Kinder Chocolate brand of chocolate bars, but it’s Kinder Bueno that seems to be most people’s favorite. The candy bar appeared in 1990. Since then, it’s available in 60 countries, and now, it even comes in a few other flavors.

The classic Kinder Bueno features a crispy wafer full of hazelnut-rich cream topped with milk chocolate. As an extra touch, the manufacturer also adds a dark chocolate drizzle on top, making it all the more delicious.

10. Baby Ruth

Ruth

Image source: Pinterest

Babe Ruth may have been an inspiring baseball player, but it seems he didn’t lend his name to this candy bar. According to the Curtiss Candy Company, the bar got its name from Ruth Cleveland, who was President Grover Cleveland’s daughter.

Many still dispute the name, saying that the company probably didn’t want to pay Babe Ruth the royalties and just invented the backstory. After all, Baby Ruth rose in popularity fast in the 1920s, making it superbly profitable as a confectionery product.

As for the taste, Baby Ruth is rather similar to Snickers. However, don’t expect it to be as chewy. This bar is a bit softer and more sugary, which makes it ideal for those with an extremely sweet tooth.

11. Toblerone

Toblerone

Image source: Pinterest

Yes, Toblerone is the same giant candy bar Joey got obsessed with on Friends. You can get it in various sizes, though, and even in a couple of flavors now.

One of the unique features of Toblerone is its shape. Unlike classic chocolate bars, which are usually flat and equally divided, the Toblerone has a triangular shape and packaging.

Toblerones come in both plain and white chocolate, they can have a filling, and some even contain salted caramelized almonds. The original recipe, though, which was introduced in 1908, is a mix of nougat, almonds, honey, and milk chocolate.

12. Lion

Lion

Image source: Pinterest

Cereal lovers everywhere likely rejoiced when Lion came into the spotlight in 1976. The original manufacturer was Rowntree’s, the same company that came up with KitKat. The current owner, Nestlé, is famous for other crunchy bars, too, helping Lion fit into its line of products almost seamlessly.

And what makes Lion so satisfying to munch on? The candy bar consists of crunchy cereals, chewy caramel, and crispy wafer, thus doubling the crunchiness. The milk chocolate cover makes it even more appetizing, allowing Lion to become a popular candy bar across the world.

13. Zero

Zero

Image source: Pinterest

And now, for something entirely different, check out the Zero chocolate bar. Nowadays produced by The Hershey Company, the bar has actually been around for 102 years, making it one of the oldest candy bars on this list.

As far as its taste goes, Zero is similar to Snickers, an old fan favorite. However, its trademark is its unusual color. The bar is a powerful combination of soft caramel, almond, and peanut nougat. But it’s completely white as the whole bar is covered with white chocolate fudge!

14. Clark Bar

Clark

Image source: Pinterest

The Clark Bar appeared for the first time in 1917 and was the masterpiece of David L. Clark. This bar was way ahead of its game in the 20th century. It is famous for being the first successful combination candy bar as it is a mix of chewy caramel, milk chocolate, and crunchy peanuts. The recipe was changed later to include caramel and chocolate only.

Strangely enough, the Clark Bar wasn’t even a commercial candy bar at first. It was developed for WWI troops and only later got a chance to change the US confectionery industry through nationwide distribution.

15. Bit-O-Honey

Bit-O-Honey

Image source: Pinterest

There are people who don’t like chocolate much, making them the ideal audience for Bit-O-Honey. This boldly different candy bar came to be in 1924 and is the invention of Chicago’s Schutter-Johnson Company.

Mergers and turmoils later, the bar is now a part of the iconic Spangler lineup, which includes Dum Dums, Whistle Pops, and more. Still, the flavor is as nostalgic as ever, with its delicious combination of roasted almonds, honey, and taffy.

16. Kinder Chocolate

Kinder

Image source: Pinterest

You’d think that Kinder Chocolate is a German product, but you can actually trace its origin back to 1968 in Italy. That’s when Michele Ferrero developed a product that would win over both kids and mothers, thus starting a legacy that has lasted to this very day.

The idea behind Kinder Chocolate bars was to create a combination of something palatable for the kids (such as chocolate) and comforting (like milk) for their mothers. The result was a creamy but not too sweet delectable milk chocolate bar that simply melts on your tongue.

17. PayDay

PayDay

Image source: Pinterest

PayDay is the work of the Hollywood Candy Company, which brought you delights like Zero as well. Today, it is one of the many candy bars you can find in The Hershey Company lineup.

PayDay is the ideal candy bar for peanut lovers, and there is also a chocolate version that has become a part of the product line. The original PayDay, however, had a simple formulation. It was just a salted peanut bar with a nougat-like sweet caramel center.

Candy bars aren’t usually a great meal replacement, but PayDay’s peanut base made it perfect for this cause. During the Great Depression, its high protein and healthy fats content allowed it a fast rise in popularity because it essentially gave consumers more bang for their buck.

18. 3 Musketeers

Musketeers

Image source: Pinterest

The 3 Musketeers candy bar may eerily remind you of the Milky Way, which is no surprise as it belongs to the same company (Mars). Back in 1932, though, it came with three flavors in total: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. That’s actually how it got its name!

Unfortunately, the strawberry and vanilla flavors didn’t last long due to wartime sugar rationing. Chocolate was undeniably a fan favorite, so Mars decided to continue making just one of the musketeers — a chocolate-covered fluffy mousse bar.

19. Oh Henry!

Henry

Image source: Pinterest

A combination of peanuts, caramel, chocolate, and fudge may seem rather simple. When put together in a solid chocolate bar, it makes for a powerful delicacy.

As it tasted similar to Baby Ruth and Snickers (which still hadn’t come out in 1920), Oh Henry quickly conquered the US with its sweet flavor and chewy texture. Unfortunately, its history came to an abrupt end in 2019 when its owner, Ferrara Candy Company, discounted it.

That doesn’t mean you cannot try out this bar today. Though the US version is no longer available, you can get your hands on Hershey’s Canadian version.

20. Charleston Chew

Chew

Image source: Pinterest

Simple and sweet, Charleston Chew is a classic fan-favorite whose two main ingredients include a flavored nougat and a chocolate flavor coating. Much like some other candy bars on this list, this one too has a showbiz backstory.

Charleston Chew got its start in 1925. The company behind it, The Fox-Cross Candy Company, might not have ever been founded if Donley Cross hadn’t injured his back and promptly ended his career as a stage actor.

Teaming up with his friend, Charlie Fox, Donley Cross went into the candy business and came up with a chewy candy bar rich in chocolate — and nostalgia. The original version may remind you of the simpler times when Flappers reigned supreme and Charleston was the favorite dance.

Today, though, you don’t have to settle for just one flavor profile. Charleston Chew comes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors. At one point, there was even a banana version!

21. 100 Grand Bar

Grand

Image source: Pinterest

Would you pay $100,000 for a chocolate bar? There was never a need to do that anyway. The 100 Grand Bar was a clever example of using others’ popularity in your favor, in this case, programs like The Big Surprise, which offered $100,000 as the grand prize.

The candy bar never cost that much; it was in the same ballpark as other bars. But since its name was rather catchy, its popularity grew fast.

It certainly helped that the bar was also a crisped rice, caramel, and chocolate concoction. This decadent combination is practically addicting!

22. Reese’s Take 5

Take

Image source: Pinterest

TAKE5 was the name of Reese’s Take 5 before it became a part of Reese’s family of products. Distributed by The Hershey Company, it had everything a young American could dream of. The combination of chocolate, peanuts, peanut butter, caramel, and pretzels made for a rather crunchy and sweet candy bar.

What many people didn’t know for years is that the peanut butter inside these bars was actually Reese’s peanut butter. Eventually, Hershey decided to rebrand TAKE5 and return it to its rightful owner.

This bar is also one for the records book. In 2020, Hershey made a gigantic version of it to promote Reese’s first Super Bowl ad. The candy bar weighed a whopping 2,695 kg and set the world record for the largest chocolate nut bar!

23. Almond Joy

Almond

Image source: Pinterest

The Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company was the genius behind Almond Joy, an almond, coconut, and milk chocolate delight. The same company made Mounds bar, which is similar to Almond Joy but is nuts-free.

Sweet and chewy, Almond Joy has been on the market since 1946. During that time, there have been a few limited variations of it, such as the Piña Colada, White Chocolate Key Lime, and Double Chocolate Almond Joy.

For some people, though, nothing tops the original. The taste is mildly sweet and not too overpowering. The addition of almonds is the biggest advantage for sure. It makes the bars firm and thus crunchier, ensuring your mouth gets a full workout while you enjoy the candy.

24. Sky Bar

Sky

Image source: Pinterest

Sky Bar made the confectionery history books after its release in 1938. The company behind it, Necco, revolutionized the industry by introducing the first molded candy bar with four different chocolate-covered centers.

The original Sky Bar contained English toffee, nut butter toffee, nougat, and fudge parfait. A later version switched out some of the chambers, offering consumers a taste of peanut whip, fudge parfait, English toffee, and honey nougat.

If you can find the bars today (the production is limited), you get to enjoy caramel, vanilla, fudge, and peanut flavors. Whichever chamber you prefer the most, though, each bite makes it seem like you are chewing on a part of candy history!

25. Whatchamacallit

Whatchamacallit

Image source: Pinterest

When it was introduced in 1978, this candy bar’s name was perhaps one of its biggest advantages. Coming up with chocolate bar names can be a challenge, but Hershey managed to think of one that would go down in history as one of the catchiest ever.

Of course, the bar itself is as tasty as you can imagine. The original version featured a peanut-flavored crisp and a chocolate coating. Later on, Hershey added a caramel layer to make it even more appetizing and satisfy the US’s caramel obsession.

Forty-four years later, the bar is still in production, although it may not receive the same kind of attention as other Hershey products. It has also spawned a few other versions throughout the years, namely Thingamajig and Whozeewhatzit.

Thingamajig is no longer in production, possibly because it never got really popular. However, it is sort of making a comeback in the form of its 2021 successor Whozeewhatzit.

26. Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Cream

Hershey

Image source: Pinterest

Not many people like white confection bars, but Hershey managed to change that in 1994 when it came out with its Cookies ‘N’ Cream candy bar. Featuring white creme and chocolate cookie bites, it is a delicious combination that would delight any cookie and creamy ice cream enthusiast.

The bar became so popular over the years that it got a few variations, such as Strawberries ‘N’ Creme and Cookies ‘N’ Mint. Still, the classic version can definitely make it even harder to stick to a diet.

With visible cookie crumbs and a delectable combination of vanilla and chocolate, it’s a perfect everyday dessert for when your sugar cravings engulf you!

Nicole Middleton
Nicole calls herself a typical millennial girl and thrives on her share of social media, celebrity gossip, and all things viral content. She’s a big fan of pop music and plays the guitar as a hobby.