Photo: Daisy Anderson
Halloween is a magical time for kids, filled with costumes, candy, and a whole lot of fun. When I was a kid, I didn't have the pleasure of going trick-or-treating, but we always had a Halloween party at school. These are some of my most pleasant and lasting memories connected with this time. But, of course, the party wouldn't be complete without some seriously spooky and delicious food, am I right?
The key to any Halloween party food is striking a balance between delicious taste and an appropriate visual presentation that matches the spooky vibe and some of the Halloween costumes your guests picked to wear. I've gathered some of the easiest, tastiest, and most fun recipes you can cook with the whole family and then devour at a party. This list features creative, kid-friendly treats that are sure to be a hit with everyone, from the pickiest toddlers to the most discerning adults. Enjoy and don't forget to have fun while creating them!
#1. Mummy Hot Dogs
Let's begin with the easiest recipe that is both adorable, tasty, and easy to prepare – Mummy Hot Dogs. The legend, the icon, the Holy Grail of any Halloween party! I don't know who came up with this appetizer, but the person is surely a genius.
- Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 package of rolled dough (you can make it yourself);
- 1 package of hot dogs;
- Mustard, olives, black pepper grains, or ketchup for eyes (anything you like)
- Instructions:
You can surely make your own dough, but the faster road is simply buying a pack of crescent rolled dough or somethign similar. So, start by preheating your oven (according to the instructions of the dough). While the oven is getting hot, cut the dough into strips – these are going to be our improvised bandages.
Now it is time to wrap our mummies: take your sausages or hot dogs and carefully put the dough strips around them. Don't forget to leave a small gap, so-called ''face'' opened. Once they've cooled slightly, you can get creative and decorate your mummies with eyes using two dots of mustard or ketchup.
#2. Spooky Spiderweb Dip
Creamy, spicy, and smooth: these are the three main rules of a successful dip! And what about the Halloween version? Then you'll also need to make it spooky!
- Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 package of cream cheese, softened
- 1 can of chickpea
- 1 cup of grated smoked cheese or cheddar
- Sour cream, black olives, paprika, salsa, and black pepper (your choice)
- Tortilla chips or veggie sticks for dipping
- Instructions:
To prepare the spooky spiderweb dip, first, blend the cream cheese, chickpeas, and spices with a blender. You'll get a velvety, smooth texture, aka the base for the dip. Spread this mixture evenly on a round platter to form the base. Next, add grated cheese, olives, and salsa to add texture to the spooky dip. Create a spiderweb-like drawing on top of a dip and enjoy the dish.
#3. Ghostly Banana Pops
The next are my favorites, I like to cook these bananas on a hot weekend (without eyes, of course). Chilled bananas covered in white chocolate are a simple, fun, and healthy (relatively) option for a Halloween party. They're quick to make, and kids will love helping to decorate them.
- Ingredients:
- Fresh, peeled bananas (they should be pale, not green)
- White chocolate or candy melts
- Mini chocolate chips, sprinkles
- Popsicle sticks or wooden skewers
- Instructions:
The cooking process is very fun, so invite your kids to help you! Ask them to carefully stick the popsicles into the flat banana cut. Then arrange the newly-made pops on a sheet of parchment paper and put them into the freezer (30 minutes is enough.) Banana ghosts have to become completely firm, so we can easily decorate them later.
While the bananas are chilling, put the white chocolate or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each one, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Dip each one into the melted white chocolate, rotating it to coat the entire surface. Immediately press two mini chocolate chips onto the top half of each banana to create the ghost's eyes. Put the pops back onto the sheet of parchment and return back to the freezer.
#4. Witch's Brew Punch
No party is complete without a festive drink, am I right? Let's prepare a delicious, sweet, and kitchy Witch's Brew, which consists of fruit juice, soda, and sprinkled with jelly worms. The best part is that you can infinitely customize it, creating different versions for younglings and adults.
- Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, chilled
- 1 can of pineapple, cranberry, or orange juice, chilled
- 1 bottle of green fruit punch
- Gummy worms, jelly eyes, and ice cubes shaped like something witchy
- Instructions:
In a large punch bowl, combine the green fruit punch, pineapple juice, and chilled soda. Stir gently to mix the ingredients. Drop in a handful of gummy worms or spiders to float in the "brew."
#5. Creepy Cranberry Fruit Salad
Let's add another healthier Halloween recipe for fruit lovers! Something simple and tasty, like this fruit salad bowl made of your favorite fruits mixed with some creepy-looking decorations. It is vibrant, very easy and fast to dice and blend, and super-enjoyable.
A simple and healthy dessert option, this cranberry salad is a vibrant and fresh dish that gets a festive boost with a few well-placed gummy bugs.
- Ingredients:
- A mix of your favorite fruits (red and white work the best: cherries, white strawberries, lichies, blackberries, etc...)
- Gummy worms, gummy spiders, or other gummy bugs for garnish
- Yoghurt or sweet cranberry topping
- Instructions:
Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces and arrange them beautifully on a plate. To keep with the spooky theme, use a melon baller to create "eyeballs" from melon or use peeled lichi (they totally look like eyes!). Combine all the fruit in a large serving bowl, garnish with worms, and add toppings and yoghurt just before serving.
#6. Mini Monster Hamburgers
Cute, tiny, and very delicious, these fun monster-themed hamburgers will live rent-free in the hearts. Easy to cook and eat, don't forget to decorate them with ''fangs and eyes'' for a Halloween vibe.
- Ingredients:
- ground beef
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder, onions, salt, pepper
- Slider buns
- Cheddar or American cheese, cut into quarters
- Lettuce, ketchup, and mustard, for serving
- Instructions:
Fry the small patties on both sides. When finishing, add some cheese on top of them, so that it can melt. Lightly toast the slider buns if you'd like. Place a piece of shredded lettuce on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a cooked patty. Add the monster face: Now for the fun part! Add two "eyes" to the top bun using sliced black olives or a cucumber. For the "fangs," carefully stick two small chips or triangular pieces of cheese into the bottom of the top bun, so they look like they're peeking out from under the patty.
#7. Chocolate Bat Bites
And, lastly, let's add here yet another no-bake Halloween treat for the whole family! This time, the chocolate bite-sized bats'll be a perfect last-minute addition to your party spread.
- Ingredients:
- Chocolate cookies
- 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
- 1 bag of candy melts (chocolate or dark cocoa flavor)
- Small pretzel twists
- Candy eyeballs
- Instructions:
Crush some chocolate cookies in a bowl, mix them with a softened cream cheese until well combined. Shape the mixture into small, even spheres and arrange them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until they are firm. While the balls are chilling, break the remaining cookies in half to create the "wings" for your bats.
Melt the candy melts according to the package instructions. Take a chilled ball and dip it into the melted chocolate, coating it completely. While the chocolate is still wet, press two of the Oreo "wings" into the sides of the ball. To give the bat eyes, quickly add two candy eyeballs to the front. Return the finished bats to the baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate has set.
Wrap Up...
With these seven spooktacular recipes, you can transform your kitchen into a creative, delicious, and slightly ghoulish wonderland. Whether you're a baking beginner or a seasoned chef, these kid-friendly treats are the perfect way to add some extra fun to your Halloween festivities. So, grab your apron, invite the kids, gather the whole extended family, and get ready to cook up some unforgettable memories!
