Hard candy. It’s something that we all grew up with, and most of us love. Some people might have the idea that hard candy is for children only, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The great thing about hard candy is that there’s something for everyone. Whether you like sweet, salty, organic, or junk food hard candy, we’ve got you covered.
There are hundreds of hard candy options out there, so we know how overwhelming it can be to choose the right one for you. That’s why we’ve taken the time to create a comprehensive list of the best hard candies out there that can all be purchased online. Let’s get started!
What to Consider Before Buying Hard Candy
There are a few important points that are necessary to think about before purchasing the perfect hard candy. In this section, we’ll go through a few of the most important ones. The first point is health. If you’re a health-conscious person, you’ll be buying a completely different hard candy than someone who doesn’t really care if the hard candy they’re eating is healthy or not (nothing wrong with that, it is called “candy” after all!).
If you’re someone who is health-conscious, you’ll likely learn more towards fruit juice-based hard candies. You might also be drawn to those that are organic. If hard candy is organic, it will have the organic certification on the front of the packaging. Otherwise, you can assume that it isn’t organic.
One other important thing to think about is the ingredients list. If you have any allergies or dietary preferences, this is likely the first thing you’ll look at. For example, if you’re allergic to dairy or simply choose not to eat it, you won’t want to accidentally buy a hard candy that contains dairy. If you’re a vegan who doesn’t eat honey, you’ll want to check what type of sweetener the manufacturer uses in their hard candies. If you’re avoiding any specific preservatives, you’ll also benefit from taking a peek at the ingredients list first.
17 Best Hard Candies You Should Try
Jolly Rancher Holiday Candy Assortment, Sugar-Free
Jolly Rancher has been a favorite for generations. These delicious morsels were originally introduced in 1949 by the Jolly Rancher Company in Colorado. The candies are now manufactured by the Hershey Company.
One reason people love Jolly Rancher is the variety of flavors. One example is the 3.6- ounce bag of assorted flavors. Each package contains raspberry, grape, watermelon, and apple candies. As they are individually wrapped, they are easy to tuck into a pocket or backpack or place in a bowl on your coffee table.
These refreshing, fruit-flavored candies are sugar-free. If you are avoiding sugar for health reasons or personal preference, you can still enjoy a treat whenever you wish. With only 35 calories per serving, and no cholesterol or fat, there is always time in your day for a Jolly Rancher.
Get the look: Jolly Rancher Holiday Candy Assortment, Sugar-Free
Classic Guava Hard Candy
You may not be familiar with this candy, but it will soon be among your favorites. These guava-flavored treats are manufactured by the Guangdong Hongyuan Foods Company in China.
These refreshing, smooth candies have a distinctive sweet-and-sour taste. You will even like the fruity aroma. With approximately 8 servings in each package, you can share this special treat with your family, friends, or coworkers. With only 123 calories per serving, everybody will love this candy during the holidays.
Get the look: Classic Guava Hard Candy
Jolly Rancher, Watermelon Hard Candy
Many of us who live in North America grew up eating Jolly Ranchers. They were popularly handed out at Halloween and both kids and adults enjoy this hard candy. They come individually wrapped for your convenience and for overall better storage.
There are many different flavors of Jolly Rancher, but this watermelon flavor is a true classic. Many individuals choose to buy these hard candies in bulk, this specific example comes with a box of 160 sweet watermelon hard candies. Many people purchase these boxes in bulk because they’re great for parties or just as general office candy for all to enjoy. Even gas station owners and the like can purchase these boxes.
When you purchase Jolly Rancher hard candies in bulk like this, the box will contain a thick plastic bag that holds all of the individual candies. This adds a whole extra layer of protection for transport. These hard candies are naturally and artificially flavored. For anyone who enjoys eating classic and familiar hard candies, this might be the perfect option for you!
Get the look: Jolly Rancher, Watermelon Hard Candy
Torie and Howard Organic Hard Candy, Meyer Lemon & Raspberry
Torie and Howard is an organic brand of hard candies. Many people in the health-conscious world might be familiar with them, but there are also tons of people who haven’t been introduced to this brand before. As you can guess by the name, Torie and Howard are a couple who started this business.
Howard lost over 100 pounds by eating healthy foods, so he wanted to have a healthier hard candy option. Torie has lots of food allergies, so she also wanted a hard candy that she could eat without worrying about the ingredients giving her reactions. And so Torie & Howard was born! They use the highest quality ingredients to create this hard candy. They give five reasons why their hard candies are organic and we wanted to share them with you.
- For the earth. Choosing organic foods will always lower your carbon footprint and be better for the environment.
- For higher nutrition content. Organic ingredients have been proven to be higher in vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
- To protect wildlife. Many animal species are threatened by the use of non-organic farming methods. The pesticides used in conventional farming can be a threat to them and their habitat.
- Organic food tastes better because it’s grown slower and in harmony with nature.
- Organic food is GMO-free. This is good news for anyone who tries to avoid consuming GMO foods in their daily diet!
This brand of hard candy comes in a completely reusable tin, which can also be recycled. The ingredients of the Meyer Lemon & Raspberry flavor of hard candy are: Organic Sugar, Organic Rice Syrup, Non-GMO Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Colored with Red Cabbage, Purple Carrots, Organic Carrot, Organic Apple, Organic Blackcurrant.
If you don’t like lemon or raspberry, no worries! They have a variety of other flavors to choose from such as Pomegranate & Nectarine or Blood Orange & Honey.
Get the look: Torie and Howard Organic Hard Candy, Meyer Lemon & Raspberry
Werther’s Original Hard candies
Time for another classic! If you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying this hard candy before, you likely know just how irresistible it is. These caramel candies are made with real butter and real cream. They’re entirely gluten-free which is great for those who are celiac or choose not to consume gluten.
These classic candies are made in Germany, but thankfully you can get them all over the world. They melt in your mouth and provide a unique experience that many other hard candies can’t compare to. After melting in your mouth, they become creamy. Yum! The bag that we are featuring here is a large bag that contains 50% hard candies, and 50% soft-center candies. All of the candies are individually wrapped. They’re great for sharing with the whole family, or you can put them on your desk to share with your co-workers.
The name Werther originates from a European village called Werther. Here, Gustav Nebel created this masterpiece of candy. They were named after the village they were created in. It’s the most popular and best-selling caramel candy in the entire world, which speaks volumes about the quality and taste.
Since these hard candies contain real butter and real cream, they aren’t suitable for those with a dairy allergy or for vegans who choose not to contain dairy. The ingredient list is: sugar, glucose syrup (wheat), cream (milk), condensed whey, butter, cane sugar syrup, salt, soy lecithin, artificial flavor. They are low-calorie so you can enjoy them even when on a diet. Each hard candy only contains 20 calories!
Get the look: Werther’s Original Hard candies
Atomic Fireballs Candy
If you like cinnamon, this hard candy might be the perfect one for you. It’s manufactured by the brand Ferrara and you can purchase it in a 4-pound bulk bag. These are perfect Halloween candies or great for birthday parties. They are completely fat-free and gluten-free as well. If you purchase the 4-pound bag, it comes with 240 individually wrapped pieces which should last you for a while! These are a larger hard candy, around 3/4 inches each. Not many hard candies come in this large size. If you like a kick of heat and cinnamon, this flavor combination will taste like heaven.
Get the look: Atomic Fireballs Candy
GoOrganic Organic Hard Candies, Assorted Flavors
GoOrganic is another brand of organic hard candies. They have quite a few different flavors, but we decided to feature their assorted flavor bag. There are four different and delicious flavors that come in this bag. They are:
- Cherry
- Honey Lemon
- Pomegranate
- Apple
Since this is an organic item, you can expect the ingredients of all these candies to be very clean. None of them contain any artificial flavors or colors. Everything is natural, the flavor and colors coming from the fruit themselves. Like many other hard candies, all the candies by GoOrganic are gluten-free. They’re also all ethically made in the USA. All ingredients are non-GMO certified, vegan, allergen-friendly and kosher.
In case you weren’t aware, this 30-ounce bag translates to 1.875 pounds. On average, there are 100 pieces of candy per pound. The ingredients of each flavor are extremely simple. For example, here are the ingredients of the pomegranate flavor: organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice syrup, citric acid, and natural pomegranate flavor. These candies aren’t overly sweet and can be enjoyed by both adults and children alike.
Get the look: GoOrganic Organic Hard Candies, Assorted Flavors
Sunny Island Bulk – Perugina Sorrento Spicchi Italian Hard Candy
Perugina Sorrento is a brand of hard candies that aren’t as well-known as they should be. Their hard candy is unique on this list because it’s Italian. The bag we are featuring is a bag of citrus assorted flavors. The bag weighs 2 pounds, so depending on how many people are eating from it, it should last a while!
The candies are all gluten-free so those with celiac disease can enjoy it. This citrus hard candy comes from Perugina, and it’s arguably the best Italian hard candy. They come with brightly colored orange & yellow wrappers, which suit the citrus flavors perfectly. The flavors in this bag include lemon, orange, and tangerine. They are all in wedge shapes and have a very refreshing taste.
Just to clear any confusion – the brand is called Perugina, but the candies are packaged and sold by Sunny Island. There are around 145 pieces of candy per 2 pound bag. The ingredients of this hard candy go as follows: Sugar, glucose syrup, acidity regulator: citric acid, essential citrus oils (orange, lemon, tangerine). As you can see, there are no artificial flavors or artificial colors used in the recipe.
Get the look: Sunny Island Bulk – Perugina Sorrento Spicchi Italian Hard Candy
Charms Sweet N Sour Pops
Do you like sweet candies? Do you also like sour candies? If so, there’s no need to decide between the two anymore! This is the first sweet & sour hard candy that we’re featuring. This box of Charms Sweet N Sour Pops comes with forty-eight individually wrapped lollipops. The lollipops are all 2 inches, and they come in an assortment of flavors. These include:
Sweet Strawberry / Sour Lemonade
Sweet Blue Razz Berry / Sour Watermelon
Sweet Pineapple / Sour Grapefruit
Sweet Mango / Sour Tangerine
Sweet Cherry / Sour Green Apple
Is your mouth watering yet? These lollipops are great for children, for parties, and even weddings! They’re also a great and unique candy to hand out on Halloween. The shipping weight of this box of lollipops is 3 pounds. These lollipops are unique not only in the way that they’re both sweet and sour, but in the way that they’re created. Each lollipop has two halves, with two different flavors. Half of them is sweet, and half is sour. We haven’t seen any other lollipops made like this before!
The lollipops are kosher and made in the USA. They’re also certified gluten-free.
Get the look: Charms Sweet N Sour Pops
Old Fashioned Blueberry Candy Sticks – Old fashioned hard candies
Anyone who is a fan of blueberry flavor or just the color blue, in general, will love these hard candy sticks. This specific listing comes in a box with 80 candy sticks, so you’ll be fully stocked. These candies are sought after by many who have parties with a blue color scheme, and it’s also a popular candy to celebrate a baby boy being born!
The sticks themselves contain a mixture of light and dark blue, with swirls throughout. The blueberry flavor is rich and refreshing. Many of us enjoyed these candies as a child, so they’re a great way to bring back those childhood memories. On the other hand, they’re also a good way to create new memories moving forward with children of your own. All of the candy sticks are individually wrapped, and they’re around 5 inches long. They’re pretty lightweight, weighing just 5 oz each. The entire box of 80 candies weighs around 4 pounds.
Due to the strong blueberry flavor and deep blue color of these hard candies, your tongue will be left with a blue tint. These hard candies are gluten-free and also kosher certified so they can be enjoyed by all.
Get the look: Old Fashioned Blueberry Candy Sticks – Old fashioned hard candies
Brach’s Party Mix Individually Wrapped Hard Candies Variety Pack
This variety pack of hard candies weighs 5 pounds, it’s packed with goodies! The different hard candies included in this bag are Butterscotch Disks, Starbrite Chocolate Mints, Butter Toffee, Cinnamon Disks, Star Brites Peppermints & Spearmints and Strawberry-Filled Hard Candies. There’s truly something for everyone in this bag.
These hard candies are all individually wrapped which will help with their shelf life, but chances are they won’t be stored in your cupboard for too long! These candies are great for children’s birthday parties, to have on your desk at work, for halloween, or just for you and your family to enjoy. They’re also great Christmas candies.
They are very low sodium, containing only 20mg of sodium per 3 pieces. They are also quite low in calories, 3 pieces contains just 60 calories. All the candies in this bag are also fat-free, so if you’re trying to include less fat in your diet, you can still enjoy these delicious candies!
The ingredients on the back of the bag are: corn syrup, sugar, butter oil, salt, natural and artificial flavors, whey powder, cocoa powder, citric acid, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, red 40, soy lecithin, yellow 5, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, titanium dioxide (color), blue 1, pectin, yellow 6. Due to the whey powder and butter oil in these hard candies, they are not suitable for vegans or those who are lactose-intolerant. Just something to keep in mind if you have guests.
Get the look: Brach’s Party Mix Individually Wrapped Hard Candies Variety Pack
Rod’s Hard Candy – Assorted
You might have already noticed this, but the majority of hard candies come in a circular shape. Is there a reason that most hard candies are circular? No one knows. However, this company went on a mission to create a hard candy that would fit perfectly on the tongue. And they accomplished their mission! Rod’s hard candy are long and sleek, around 1.5 inches in size. They will sit perfectly on your tongue and they might become your new favorite.
This bag of assorted hard candies comes with the following flavors:
- Sour Cherry
- Apple
- Butterscotch
- Peppermint
- Tangerine
- Strawberry
- Pineapple
- Wild Cherry
- Lemon
There are almost TOO many options to choose from! On average, there are around 90 pieces of candy per pound. They are ethically made in the USA and they’re kosher certified. The wrappers of these rod candies are clear so that you can see what color/flavor these elegant candies are. This is an office favorite since they aren’t overly “childish” in their packaging, and they offer enough variety to keep everyone interested and coming back for more!
Get the look: Rod’s Hard Candy – Assorted
Life Savers Five Flavor Mix
Lifesavers are a classic American candy that most of us have had before. They’ve been around longer than most hard candies – since 1935! The five flavors that are included in this assorted bag have truly been through the test of time.
The famous 5 flavors in this bag include cherry, raspberry, watermelon, pineapple, and orange. These fruity flavors are packaged with delicious and vibrant flavors. Each lifesaver is individually wrapped, so they’re great for putting in a bowl to snack on at home or at parties. These hard candies are shaped like hoops, with an empty circle in the middle. These candies were all made in the USA with natural and artificial flavors. Their packaging is clear and see-through so that you can see the different colors and flavors.
Get the look: Life Savers Five Flavor Mix
Arcor Strawberry Filled Hard Candy
The name may not sound familiar, but this will change as soon as you see the wrappers. The bright strawberry design will bring back memories of childhood, even if you have not seen them for years. The red and green foil, flecked with gold, have tasty morsels tucked inside.
The Arcor Food Company, based in Argentina, was started in 1951. It is listed as one of the top candy manufacturers, and the #1 producer of hard candies in the world. The strawberry bon-bons have a long history of quality.
With the holidays approaching, the best hard candies are available in bulk. Each zip-lock pouch contains a generous 2 pounds of candy. You can have plenty of treats for holiday gatherings, and stocking stuffers for the kids.
When you unwrap the foil, you will recognize the hard candy shell. After savoring its sweet strawberry goodness, bite into the fruity pulp inside. It is so tangy, creamy, and soft that it is not surprising the candies have been a holiday favorite for generations.
Get the look: Arcor Strawberry Buds Filled Hard Candy
Washburn Dad’s Root Beer Barrels
When you think of old-fashioned hard candies, root beer barrels surely come to mind. From nostalgia for older people to something new for the children, Dad’s is the original root beer barrel.
The F.B. Washburn Candy Company is the oldest family-owned candy company in the United States. Located in Massachusetts, it was opened in 1856. More than 163 years later, the company is now owned by a third generation of Washburns.
The root beer barrels bring thoughts of soda fountains and candy shops. The individually wrapped hard candies are available in 2-pound bags. That familiar taste of root beer will fill your mouth with delight. The candies are a simple, basic reminder of days-gone-by, but you will want to share them with your kids. Children who never had the experience of buying penny candy at a candy store will be delighted with Dad’s root beer barrels. It is a delicious little treat for people of all ages.
Get the look: Washburn Dad’s Wrapped Root Beer Barrels
Jolly Rancher Awesome Reds Hard Candy
The Hershey Company is a winner again with these 13-ounce packs of hard candies. There are around 21 servings per bag, with 3 pieces per serving.
While Jolly Rancher is a candy favorite, these packs offers something a little different. Instead of full assortments or single flavors, there are only red candies in the packs. The color can add to your holiday décor, but it is the taste that is most noteworthy. Your guests can choose from fruit punch, cherry, strawberry, and watermelon candies, or have one of each flavor.
With a name like Jolly Rancher, you know it is a quality product that everybody likes. There is a sweet burst of flavor in every bite-sized piece. They are perfect for the holiday season, but you will enjoy awesome reds throughout the year.
Get the look: Jolly Rancher Awesome Reds Hard Candy
Washburn’s Old-Fashioned Hard Candies
When you think of Christmastime, certain treats are clear in your memory. Older people, especially, can remember those canisters of hard candy at Grandma’s house. The Massachusetts-based company is Washburn’s, and the best hard candies are still available.
When Americans think of Christmas candy, this is often the first candy that comes to mind. One reason is these old-fashioned hard candies have had a place in homes throughout the country for generations. For many people, Christmas would not be Christmas without it.
A second reason is the nice assortment. The canisters are packed with a variety of candies in different shapes, colors, and flavors. Whether you had a favorite piece or liked them all, you were never disappointed when Grandma brought out the candy. The 16-ounce canister has something for everybody.
Another reason the old-fashioned hard candies are so popular is they bring back memories of simpler times in the past. Think about childhood when people did not have hectic lives and busy schedules. It was a time to relax with simple pleasures, family, and friends. Even holiday gatherings did not need to be extravagant. Life could be fun, without frills. Old-fashioned candies were a part of that way of life.
These long-popular hard candies can recreate that era. With a canister of Washburn’s, thoughts will turn to sledding on snowy hills, drinking cocoa with the family, and eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve. In today’s busy world, the best hard candies can mean a special break to relax and reminisce.
Get the look: Washburns Old Fashioned Hard Candies
You may also like: Best sour candies, Best Coffee Candies, Best Licorice Candies
How to Store Hard Candy
No matter what type of hard candy you end up deciding on, you’re going to want to store it properly. If it isn’t stored properly, you’ll end up with sticky hard candy and no one wants that. Maybe you’re familiar with this from leaving a hard candy in your hot car for too long, or leaving it somewhere and completely forgetting about it. Stickiness happens from the hard candy absorbing too much moisture from the air.
The first thing you want to avoid is high temperatures. In addition to stickiness, too much heat exposure can cause them to completely melt and become inedible. Room temperature is always great, and a cool dark spot is even better. If the hard candy you bought came in a bag, the first thing you’ll want to do when you open the package is to transfer them to an airtight container. Even if you have multiple different kinds of hard candies, you can still put them all in the same container (unless they’re already moist or half-melted). Any moist candies added to the airtight container will just ruin everything else because they’ll release their moisture into the air.
If you have hard candy without individual wrappers, the trick is to sprinkle some granulated sugar all over the unwrapped hard candies. The sugar works as a moisture absorber which helps to keep the candies hard and fresh. Then close the airtight container over the sugar-sprinkled candies.
After you’ve properly transferred the hard candies to the airtight container, place it in a cool cupboard or anywhere else that is away from direct sunlight. The hard candies shouldn’t be exposed to any dampness. If you follow these instructions, your hard candies will be able to store for a year which is pretty good!
Conclusion
We hope this list of the best hard candies has helped to narrow down your searches. We tried to be as thorough as possible with each hard candy to truly give you a comprehensive guide and resource. We also hope you found the buyer’s guide helpful. Remember, there is not one single hard candy that is perfect for everyone! We all have different tastebuds and preferences. What tastes good to you might not taste good to someone else.
If you purchase a hard candy and don’t like it, you can gift it to a friend or family member and try something else. Or you can save it to hand out on Halloween. Enjoy your hard candy journey!
