The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Culture & Lifestyle›Candy›Oh Henry!
Culture & Lifestyle • Candy

Oh Henry!

Oh Henry! is a chocolate-coated candy bar traditionally made with peanuts, caramel, and fudge.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Oh Henry! is a chocolate-coated candy bar traditionally made with peanuts, caramel, and fudge. The original U.S. version was introduced in the early 1920s and was discontinued in the United States in 2019, while a distinct Canadian version remains on the market.

History

Oh Henry! was introduced by the Williamson Candy Company in Chicago in 1920 and became one of the early chocolate, peanut, and caramel candy bars in the United States. The brand was later sold to Nestlé, and the U.S. version was discontinued after Ferrero acquired the brand in 2018.

Ingredients and format

The original bar was made with peanuts, caramel, and fudge covered in chocolate. Canadian versions are described as similar but not identical to the former U.S. recipe.

Name origin

Several origin stories exist for the name, including a story about a young man named Henry who frequented the candy shop and another theory linking it to writer O. Henry. Sources note that the true origin is not firmly established.

Canadian product

Although the U.S. product was discontinued, a Canadian Oh Henry! bar remains available and is produced under a different recipe. The brand has continued to be familiar to Canadian consumers as a separate market product.

Key facts

  • The original Oh Henry! was an American candy bar with peanuts, caramel, and fudge coated in chocolate.
  • It was introduced by the Williamson Candy Company in 1920.
  • The U.S. version was discontinued in 2019 after the brand changed ownership.
  • A different Canadian version continues to be manufactured and sold.
  • The exact origin of the name is disputed, with multiple folklore explanations and no single definitive account.
🍁
Canadian context

Oh Henry! remains relevant in Canada because a Canadian version of the bar is still produced and sold, unlike the discontinued U.S. version.[1][4][7]

Frequently asked questions

What is Oh Henry!?
Oh Henry! is a candy bar made with peanuts, caramel, fudge, and chocolate.
When was Oh Henry! introduced?
It was introduced in 1920 by the Williamson Candy Company.
Is Oh Henry! still sold in the United States?
No. The U.S. version was discontinued in 2019.
Is Oh Henry! sold in Canada?
Yes. A Canadian version is still sold and uses a different recipe.
Who originally made Oh Henry!?
The Williamson Candy Company of Chicago introduced the bar.
Why is it called Oh Henry!?
The name’s origin is not settled; published accounts give different folklore explanations, and no single definitive origin is confirmed.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Henry!
    Supports: Original bar ingredients, U.S. discontinuation, and the existence of a Canadian version.
  2. The Made in Chicago Museum — https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/williamson-candy-co/
    Supports: Introduced by Williamson Candy Co. in 1920 and later U.S. discontinuation after ownership changes.
  3. Trademarkwise — https://www.trademarkwise.com/blog/2018/2/28/today-in-interjectionary-confectionery-history-228
    Supports: 1922 U.S. trademark registration and background on the name origin story.
  4. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Henry!
    Supports: Canadian production by Hershey and the distinction between U.S. and Canadian versions.
  5. History of Candy — https://historyofcandy.com/oh-henry/
    Supports: Canadian product continuity and general candy-bar description.