How to Store, Repurpose, and Donate Your Leftover Halloween Candy

Halloween is just around the corner, making it crucial to start coaching kids on the best candies to grab on the big night. But, as most parents know, having Halloween candy at home is a blessing and a curse: On the one hand, you have full access to a range of treats that you didn’t have to pay for; on the other, your kids are also well aware that candy is in the house, which can lead to plenty of tantrums and sugar highs. 

No matter how you slice it, you’re going to have Halloween candy in your home for the foreseeable future. Since you risk traumatizing your kids — and yourself — if you make all the candy “disappear” in the middle of the night, you might as well do your best to ensure they’re stored properly for maximum flavor as long as it’s in your home. 

So, what’s the best way to store Halloween candy to keep it in peak condition? Here’s the deal. 

How to store and preserve Halloween candy

There are a few things you want to prevent when it comes to Halloween candy: staleness and chocolate bloom. In case you’re not familiar with it, chocolate bloom is when chocolate develops a white or chalky appearance, which is an indication that the ingredients are separating. While it’s safe to eat, it looks unappealing and may even interfere with the taste of the chocolate. 

Most Halloween candy is good for a year, says Christine Venema, a food safety educator at Michigan State University Extension. That includes chocolate, gummy candies, and hard candies. However, some candies will have a “best by” date, and it’s best to follow that. (Venema says that food safety is not usually an issue with Halloween candy.)

If you have candies beyond that time frame, you could run into a few issues, Venema says: 

Chocolate candy

Chocolate bloom is not the only risk to think about. Chocolates that contain nuts will for sure go bad. “The quality of the nuts will deteriorate over time,” Venema says. “The fat content will start to go rancid.”

Beyond that, if flavoring was added to the candy, it will start to decrease, too. “A mint type of candy would taste less minty,” Venema says. 

Gummy candy

After the quality date has passed, gummy candy may have a change in color, texture, and taste — and may even harden, Venema says. 

Hard candy

If hard candy is stored in a spot with high humidity, the sugar will take on moisture and “become a sticky mess,” Venema says. The flavoring will also decrease. “It may even have no flavor,” Venema says. “Those hard candies that have a sour flavor will go flat faster.”

Overall, Venema suggests storing your candy in a cool, dry location, like your pantry or a cabinet. Gummy candies may also benefit from being stored in an airtight container, she adds. 

When should I not feed my child Halloween candy?

There are a few things to consider when it comes to giving your child Halloween candy. Here’s what to take into consideration:

• Their age and the type of candy. “For small children, hard candy and candy that is very small can become a choking hazard,” Venema points out. “For this reason, parents should not allow their children to eat candy while they are out collecting candy either in the neighborhood or at a ‘trunk or treat’ event.”
• The packaging. “Parents should go through the candy bag looking for suspicious, torn, open candy packaging, discoloration, and pinholes,” Venema says. If you see that, throw out the candy. 
• Edibles. Given the legalization of cannabis in various states, it’s increasingly likely that an edible may end up in your child’s treat bag. “Parents should be on the alert for cannabis edibles,” Venema says. “Because children have a small body weight, the edible could be metabolized faster, making it dangerous to the child.”
• Food allergies. If your child has food allergies, read the candy labels carefully to check for allergens. (Some may be too small for labels, so you may need to look up the ingredients online.) “If a candy contains a food allergen, it should be discarded so the child does not have access to the candy,” Venema says. 

Which candies are the worst for children's health?

Leslie Young, MD, a pediatrician and primary care physician at MemorialCare Medical Group – Lakewood, calls this a “trick question,” given that candy, with its high sugar content and low nutritional profile, isn’t good for anyone — whether they’re children or adults. “If parents want to avoid the worst offenders, look for any candies that contain primarily high fructose corn syrup,” he says. “Natural cane sugar is still not great, but it’s better than other highly processed sweeteners.”

Can I put my Halloween candy in the freezer?

Technically, yes. Tossing Halloween candy in the freezer will usually help to extend its life for a few months, Venema says. “The candy should be put in a moisture- and vapor-proof container or freezer bag,” she says. But proper storage is crucial. “If the candy is not put in a freezer bag, it could potentially take on the odors, flavors, and moisture of the freezer,” Venema warns. 

How much candy can you give a child per day?

A lot depends on the size of the candy. When it comes to smaller, bite-sized candies, Young says that kids can probably have up to three pieces after they have a healthy dinner, depending on their age and size. By the way: He recommends talking to your kids about this now. “A good approach to limit candy consumption is to set expectations before Halloween,” he says. “Candies should be put away at an undisclosed location by the parents so children would not be tempted to sneak into the stash.”

Can you donate Halloween candy?

If you have excess candy (and are willing to face potential backlash from your kids), you can donate the treats. Several organizations, including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Soldiers' Angels Treats for Troops, and Operation Shoebox will usually accept candy in its original packaging. (Just contact your local chapter before trying to donate the candy to be sure.) If you work in an office, you also may want to consider bringing extra candy to work.

How to use up Halloween candy

There’s a lot you can do with Halloween candy, including breaking it up and melting it down to use in recipes. Consider these options if you’re looking to get more out of your candy:

• Use it as an ice cream topping
• Add texture to baked goods, like layer cake or brownies
• Break it up and use it in a trail mix
• Use it in future holiday treats, like gingerbread houses or turkey cupcakes
• Bake hard candies for stained glass cookies

What’s some general advice to keep in mind around Halloween candy?

Young says it’s important to allow your kids to have some Halloween candy. “Candies are part of the Halloween tradition, and it wouldn't be fair to completely prohibit them,” he says. “It’s better to enjoy candies with moderation than to have children sneaking candies secretly while swallowing both sugar and guilt.” 

Other advice to keep in mind, per Young: Keep the same rules for yourself as you do for your kids. “Parents can enjoy some candies at the same time, but not at other times when the children are not allowed to have candies,” he says. After all, it’s only fair.