How Long Is Halloween Candy Good For?

When I was growing up, my parents were strict about candy consumption. So when I came home with a pillowcase full of candy after trick-or-treating, I hoarded the best Halloween candy, eating it little by little for months afterward. I never stopped to wonder…wait, how long is Halloween candy good for?

How long does Halloween candy last?

Claire Krieger/Taste Recipes

Note that this guide is for unopened candy. If you don’t think you can eat the candy within the recommended timeframe, check out these recipes that use leftover Halloween candy.

6 to 9 months

Peanut butter cups, caramels, gum and candy corn. Super soft, chewy candies, especially sticky ones, can go bad faster than others.

8 to 10 months

Soft chocolates, like white and milk chocolate.

Up to a year

Jelly beans and other jelly candies, and hard candies.

Up to 2 years

Dark chocolate. This bitter treat keeps very well.

You may see a white “dust” on the chocolate bar. That’s not mold, but “bloom,” which is caused by moisture evaporating from the chocolate. It’s still safe to eat! If the chocolate tastes dry or the texture has changed dramatically, or if it just doesn’t taste good, those are signs to toss the bar.

Does candy expire?

Yep, candy does expire, but the good news is that most types of candy keep well for six months or more. Also, in general, the quality will decline before the candy truly expires or becomes unsafe. Most candies have low moisture content paired with high levels of sugar, which is a preservative.

How to Store Candy

Whenever possible, store candy in its original sealed wrapper. Once it’s opened, move the candy to a sealed jar or container or fasten the original packaging with a clip. Keep the candy in a cool, dark place, like a cupboard, pantry or even the basement.