Everyone loves chocolate, and these popular candy bars are no exception. In our list of the most popular chocolate bars in the world, we have compiled the favorites that will satisfy any sweet tooth! From Hershey’s to Kit Kat, there is a bar of chocolate for everyone.
The Most Popular Chocolate Bars
To determine which are the most popular chocolate bars in the world, we polled a large group of people and asked for their input on their favorite candy bar.
Here are the best chocolate bars ranked. These chocolate candy bars are popular because of their taste, convenience and price. You can purchase most of the top chocolate brands at your local market or grocery store, although some can be found only in specific countries.
What Are the Different Types of Chocolate Bars?
There are of course many different varieties of chocolate. However, the four most popular types of chocolate bar are: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate and semisweet. It’s also important to distinguish between chocolate bars and chocolate candies, which are generally much sweeter.
One of the most popular types of chocolate bar is dark chocolate. Also known as bittersweet chocolate, this type of chocolate comes from cocoa beans that have been roasted until they release their natural oils and then ground into a liquid paste called “chocolate liquor”. The mixture is then poured in molds and allowed to harden. Dark chocolate is typically 60%-70% cocoa solids, making it a healthier choice than milk or white chocolate.
Milk chocolate gets its sweetness from sugar and milk powder. The chocolate liquor is mixed with whole milk, cream and/or condensed milk before it is poured into molds for hardening. This type of chocolate bar typically has between 25%-35% cocoa solids, making it sweeter than dark or white chocolate.
White chocolate actually doesn’t contain any chocolate liquor at all. It contains cocoa butter, milk solids and sugar, with vanilla sometimes being added for flavor. A white chocolate bar is typically 20%-30% cocoa solids, and sweeter than milk or dark chocolate bars.
Chocolate manufacturers often create special flavored chocolate bars around the holidays, such as Reese’s Pieces Pumpkin. Whatever kind of chocolate you like, there’s sure to be a candy bar to suit you!
The History of Chocolate Bars
The history of chocolate goes back to the Aztecs who called it the food of the gods. They started using cacao beans as a form of currency.
The Aztec people chewed on the beans until they became soft and made them into a drink called xocolatl. This drink was made with cocoa powder, water, cornmeal or maize flour, vanilla extract and chili peppers.
Chocolate bars as we know them today were first invented in 1847 by John Fry of chocolatier J.S. Fry and Sons. In 1887, Swiss chocolate maker Daniel Peter created milk chocolate by adding condensed milk to chocolate liquor. The popularity of chocolate bars has only continued to grow since then!
Today, there are many different types of chocolate bars, each with their own unique flavor.
Most Popular Chocolate Bars
There’s no doubt that chocolate is one of the most popular confections in the world. And, while there are many delicious chocolate bars with different flavors out there, some stand out above the rest. Here is a list of the most popular chocolate bars, as voted by foodies around the globe. Of course, chocolate bar rankings are quite subjective – America’s best chocolate may not be eaten much in Europe, for example.
So, read on to discover your new favorite chocolate bar!
1. Snickers Bar
Snickers Bars are a classic candy bar that combines chocolate, nougat, peanuts, and caramel. The Snickers Bar was first introduced in 1930 by Mars, Inc.
The Snickers Bar takes its name from the favorite horse of Ethel and Frank Mars, Snickers. It has since become one of America’s best chocolate bars, with more than 15 million produced every day.
Mars itself is the biggest chocolate brand in the world, accounting for around 14.4 percent of the global chocolate market.
2. Kit Kat Bar
This popular chocolate bar from Nestlé is known for its distinctive two or four finger shape. Kit Kat Bars are made with crispy wafer cookies and coated in smooth milk, dark or white chocolate.
The Kit Kat was first introduced in the UK in 1935 and has since become a popular worldwide favorite. Since 1958, the bar’s slogan in the UK is “Have a break… have a Kit Kat”.
3. Milky Way Bar
The now defunct Hollywood Candy Company discovered by chance how to make fluffy nougat to be used in candy bars. Rival Frank C. Mars of Mars Incorporated took inspiration from them when he created Milky Way Bars in 1923.
This chocolate candy bar has a light and fluffy texture, with a delicious milk chocolate flavor and nougat filling. In the United States, these best selling candy bars have a creamy caramel topping.
However, the global version of the Milky Way Bar doesn’t contain caramel. These milk chocolate bars are somewhat confusingly sold as the 3 Musketeers Bar in the United States and Canada.
The Hollywood Candy Company countered with their own fluffy nougat candy bar, the Milkshake, in 1927, similar to the Milky Way but with a malted flavor. It was discontinued in the 80s.
Here’s what the global Milky Way Bar packaging looks like.
4. Mars Bar
In 1932, the Mars Bar was launched in the UK. Later, this famous chocolate bar brand became very popular all over the world under different names.
The UK version of the Mars Bar consists of nougat and caramel, covered with milk chocolate. It has a unique taste and creamy texture that separates itself from other chocolate bars.
Mars Bars are made in over 100 countries and sold around the world. The US version of the Mars Bar doesn’t contain any caramel.
In Scotland, you can buy infamous deep fried Mars Bars from quite a few fish and chip shops – definitely an acquired taste!
5. Cadbury Dairy Milk Whole Nut
Cadbury Dairy Milk Bars are made with creamy Cadbury milk chocolate and whole hazelnuts. They’re one of the most popular chocolate bars in the UK.
Cadbury Dairy Milk was first launched in 1905 in the United Kingdom by George Cadbury Junior. The famous chocolate bar contained a higher proportion of milk than any other bars on the market at the time.
The daughter of a customer came up with the name Dairy Milk. The Cadbury Dairy Milk Whole Nut version was introduced in 1933 and has been popular ever since. You can also find mini Cadbury Dairy Milk bars in Cadbury Favourites boxes.
The Cadbury company itself is among the best European chocolate brands, and the second largest confectionery brand worldwide, after Mars. These chocolate makers also produce delicious chocolates and other popular candy items such as Cadbury Creme Eggs.
6. Almond Joy
An Almond Joy chocolate bar is a type of candy bar made by the Hershey Company. It consists of coconut flakes, sugar, corn syrup, whole almonds and milk chocolate.
The Almond Joy Bar was launched by Peter Paul,Inc. in Connecticut in 1946. Peter Paul was acquired by Cadbury in 1978 and later purchased by The Hershey Company in 1988.
7. Nestle Crunch Bar
This popular chocolate bar is a combination of crispy rice and 100% milk chocolate, with a taste that’s absolutely irresistible! It has been around since 1938, but people continue to love it year after year.
In the United States, the Crunch Bar is produced under license by Ferrara Candy Company, a subsidiary of Ferrero. In the rest of the world, it’s made by Nestlé themselves.
There are around 420 pieces of rice in the average Nestlé Crunch Bar. It takes approximately 50 minutes to make one of these chocolate products.
8. Toblerone Bar
This triangular-shaped chocolate bar is popular all over Europe. Introduced in 1908 by Theodor Tobler, its name is a play on his surname and the Italian term for almond and honey nougat.
The unique shape is inspired by the Alpine peaks of Switzerland. Look closely at the famous yellow packaging and you’ll spot a bear on the mountain side. However, the logo will have to change soon as some production will take place in Slovakia from the end of 2023 – so it will no longer be permitted to use the Matterhorn mountain on the packaging.
The Toblerone Bar has a honey and almond nougat filling that’s covered in a milk chocolate shell. These days you can even buy customized Toblerone Bars – one of the best chocolates for gifts!
9. Twix Candy Bars
This popular candy bar is made by Mars, Inc and it’s popular in America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. It has a shortbread biscuit center that’s covered in caramel and then coated with milk chocolate.
The Twix Bar was first introduced in 1967 in the UK. Twix is sold around the world, including in the US where it was introduced in 1979.
There are many different versions of Twix such as Twix Miniatures in Europe and Ice Cream Twix bars.
10. Mr. Goodbar
Mr Goodbar is a kosher milk chocolate bar that contains peanuts. It was first created by Milton S. Hershey in 1925.
The Mr. Goodbar candy got its unusual name as Mr Hershey was hard of hearing. A chemist who helped to make the bar said that the entrepreneur heard someone say Mister Goodbar, when they were actually saying that it was a good bar ;-).
11. Lindt Swiss Chocolate Bars
Lindt Swiss chocolate bars are some of the finest on the market. In terms of flavor, many consider Lindt Excellence to be the number one chocolate in the world. Made in Switzerland since 1845 by Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, these premium quality chocolate bars are exported all over the globe.
The dark chocolate Lindt bars are popular for baking, due to their high cocoa content. The large format Lindt Gold bars are also in demand. Created from original Swiss recipes, they come in a variety of flavors such as Bittersweet and Milk chocolate.
12. Skor Bar
Introduced in 1981 by The Hershey Company, Skor Bars bear more than a passing resemblance to Heath Bars, launched in 1914 by L.S. Heath. Both candy bars are now produced by Hershey.
The main difference is that Skor Bars contain butter toffee while Heath Bars contain English toffee. The Skor Bar is also a bit thinner than the Heath Bar.
Skor candy bars are gluten free and kosher.
13. 3 Musketeers Bar
Taking its name from the novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, this popular chocolate bar is produced in the United States and Canada.
3 Musketeers was first created by Frank C. Mars in 1932 as a three piece bar with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. It was intended to be shared with friends, being one of the largest chocolate bars.
These days, the 3 Musketeers Bars just contain chocolate and are similar to the global Milky Way Bars.
14. Charleston Chew
The name Charleston Chew comes from the Charleston dance craze that swept America during the 1920s. The Charleston Chew Bar was launched in 1922 by the Fox-Cross Candy Company. The current producer is Tootsie Roll Industries.
Originally a milk chocolate bar with vanilla flavored nougat, there are now chocolate and strawberry Charleston Chews as well as miniatures. Many people like to eat this candy bar frozen.
15. Hershey’s Bar
With an iconic logo, this company is one of the best-known makers of popular chocolate bars in America. The company was founded by Milton Hershey, who launched his famous Hershey’s Chocolate Bar recipe in 1900.
Hershey calls it The Great American Chocolate Bar. An almond version was introduced in 1908.
Hershey’s cookies and Hershey Kisses are other popular sweet treats. Milton Hersey’s birthday was on September 13, which is International Chocolate Day.
16. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Although more of a bell shape than a rectangular bar, we’ve included Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups due to their popularity. They’re particularly in demand for Halloween.
This candy bar was first introduced to the public in 1928 by Harry Burnett “H. B.” Reese for people who loved chocolate and peanut butter. The cups are made with creamy milk chocolate and Reese’s famous peanut Butter filling.
Hershey Foods Corp. acquired this popular peanut butter cup brand in 1963.
17. Baby Ruth Bar
This popular chocolate bar is not named after Babe Ruth, the iconic baseball player as you might have thought. The Baby Ruth candy bar is actually named after Ruth Cleveland, the daughter of President Grover Cleveland.
This chocolate bar debuted in 1920. In 1923, the founder Otto Schnering dropped Baby Ruth bars equipped with mini parachutes over cities in forty states.
It has since become popular among American audiences for its delicious blend of nougat, caramel, and peanuts covered in milk chocolate. The iconic chocolate bar features in The Goonies movie released in 1985, with Sloth sharing a Baby Ruth Bar with Chunk.
18. Oreo Chocolate Candy Bar
The Oreo chocolate candy bar is a delicious and timeless treat. A delectable combination of Oreo chocolate cookies and vanilla creme, the Oreo has been delighting fans since 2016.
It’s easy to see why the Oreo is a beloved favorite that continues to tantalize taste buds both young and old. Each experience is sure to leave your mouth watering for more.
19. Butterfinger Candy Bar
Created in 923 by Otto Schnering of the Curtiss Candy Company, the Butterfinger bar features a crisp peanut butter core interior and a chocolate coating. The Butterfinger name was chosen in a public contest.
Still going strong, Butterfinger bars are now owned by Ferrero SpA, the creators of the famous Ferrero Rocher chocolate truffles. There are quite a few Butterfinger variations, such as the Butterfinger Ice Cream Bar, Snackerz and Bites.
20. Eat More Candy Bar
Have you ever heard of Eat More candy bars? You might be surprised to know that this candy bar has been around since the 1930s!
The name for this classic Canadian chocolate bar was suggested by Angus B. MacDonald from Nova Scotia. He won a contest to decide what it should be called. The Eat More candy bar slogan is “Dive into the unique taste of chewy dark toffee, peanut and chocolate”.
While it may not be as well-known as some of its counterparts, the Eat More bar has a unique taste and texture that sets it apart. It’s a dense, chewy bar with a perfect combination of sweet and salty flavors.
In Conclusion: The Most Popular Chocolate Bars
The world’s best chocolate bars are all popular for a reason. These common candy bars offer a variety of flavors and textures for dark and milk chocolate that appeal to many people. Despite candy prices being on the rise by roughly 12% in recent years, they’re still in strong demand.
If you’re looking for a new chocolate bar to try, any of these famous chocolate brands would be a good choice. There are also some great artisan companies such as Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate, that are well worth trying for artisan chocolates.
You can generally find these specialty candy bars at chocolate shops or online, rather than at the grocery store. And why not plan a chocolate trip to St Lucia, where you can experience a bean to bar tour. If you want to learn more about the various types of chocolate, be sure to check out our other articles about this delicious treat.
So now that you know all about these popular candy bars, why not try some out for yourself? Whether you’re a milk chocolate fan or prefer the slightly bitter taste of dark chocolate, there are different kinds of chocolate to suit everyone.
These cool chocolate bars are among the tastiest chocolate in the world, so take a bite today!
Which of these popular chocolate bars is your favorite? Let us know your preferred chocolate candy in the comments below!
Read Next:
- Best Swiss Chocolate Brands
- Fascinating Facts About Chocolate
- How Long Do Chocolate Strawberries Last For?
- How Many Carbs Are There In Chocolate?
- The Best Manuka Honey Brands
- The Different Types of Ice Cream
- The Sweetest Types of Cherries
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No Coffee Crisp? No Eatmore? No Oh Henry? No Wonderbar? No Turtles? No Mr Big? No Cherryblossom?
You need to eat more chocolate bars!
Thanks for the suggestions! We’ll consider some for future inclusion.
I love everything dark chocolate. I especially like m&m’s and dove bars and dark chocolate bars.
So much healthier aren’t they! Tastier too in our opinion.
I love Hershey’s almond and chocolate bar’s , my mother loved them also along with chocolate stars.
While Almond Joy is a nice milk chocolate and coconut bar with almonds, it’s sister product the Mounds bar is far better tasting with its dark chocolate covering (and no almonds). Still snickers reigns Supreme in my view.
I have owned a Retro Candy Shop for 21 years. I agree with many of your choices but not all. It has been my experience that there are many other chocolate bars that far out sell the ones you promote.
The Payday, Roman Nougat, Pearson’s
Nutroll, 100 Grand and whatchamacalit find their way to my sales counter than Twix or 3 musketeer (I know because I carry those bars as well).
The candy industry is filled with interesting facts and history. Quite fascinating to read about where the bars were invented and why. Many were made prior or during the 1930’s and were marketed as the very first “meal replacement” or “energy bars”. During the depression, many could not afford a proper square meal and therefore ate a candy bar to get the necessary energy to make it through their day.