45 Halloween-Themed Foods To Make for a Scary-Good Feast
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When you close your eyes and imagine Halloween food, what are the chances you're even imagining real food at all? You're probably thinking about piles of fun-size chocolate bars or once-a-year sugar bombs like candy corn, right? Or there are the typical Halloween food ideas from your childhood, which may have included apples in a barrel for bobbing or peeled grapes pretending to be eyeballs. You can definitely do better for your next Halloween party.
If you're throwing or attending a themed party this October, the recipes ahead are perfect for your coworkers to gather around or your kids to scream and giggle over. Some dishes might even be a great fit for, dare we say, an upscale scary-chic dinner party. Yep, it's totally possible.
Halloween food isn't all kitschy skeleton molds and spaghetti brains. Many people forego the spooky side of the holiday altogether and instead pull from classic fall flavors for treats like pumpkin bread, caramel apples, and pecan blondies. An elegant gothic Halloween party theme a la Morticia Addams is an option too. Even better, some of our favorite Halloween food ideas can be thrown together in about 10 minutes. So serve these appetizers, desserts, cocktails, dinners, and snacks at your bash and watch them disappear—just like magic.
Flavored Popcorn Trio
The perfect pairing for your Halloween movie marathon, this popcorn trio is the ideal blend of savory and sweet.
Get the recipe from Magnolia.
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Once you've finished carving your pumpkins, don't throw away the seeds. Instead, roast them in the oven for a delicious seasonal treat.
Get the recipe from AllRecipes.
Black Magic Margarita
Hosting an adults-only Halloween party? Put a spooky (and sweet) spin on a fan-favorite drink by adding food coloring and a black sanding sugar rim.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Pumpkin Deviled Eggs
Give this classic appetizer the holiday treatment by adding some spice and a cheeky garnish to transform the yolks into miniature pumpkins.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Snickerdoodle Coffee
Halloween and fall treats aren't reserved for dessert. Start your mornings on the right note by adding a fall iteration of your favorite coffee drink to your routine.
Get the recipe from Magnolia.
Witch Finger Cookies
Not a perfectionist? These witch-finger-esque cookies get better and scarier the less uniform they are.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Mummies in a Blanket
A spookier version of pigs in a blanket, these miniature mummies are just as delicious. Add candy eyes for a hilarious look.
Get the recipe from AllRecipes.
Zombie Brain Cupcakes
A festive spin on a favorite dessert for all ages, these sweets look almost too incredible to eat.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Halloween Pretzels
A cross between a recipe and a craft idea, consider these pretzel cookies a two-in-one spooky season activity. Use the recipe from Half Baked Harvest as guidance and to get general instructions, but feel free to add your own ingredients to get creative with the creatures you Frankenstein together.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Caramel Apple S'mores
Swapping apples for graham crackers isn't just healthier—the slices don't crumble like crackers do and have a satisfying crunch.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Bloody Mary Syringes
Okay, these aren't appropriate for a kids' party for several reasons, but for an adults-only bash, try a squirt of this spicy stuff.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Bat Truffles
Rumor has it these bats turn to vampires if not eaten ASAP. Well, that'll be our excuse at least, when whoever makes them asks us where they all went so quickly.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Cheesecake-Stuffed Pumpkin Bread
Want to delight your coworkers on Halloween (with or without dressing up)? Bring in this indulgent dish.
Get the recipe from Delish.
S'mores Pumpkin Cupcakes
It's what happens when two seasons collide... Plus, if you happen to be somewhere you can cuddle up by a campfire to swap ghost stories this Halloween, then these pumpkin s'mores are an absolute must.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Mummy Brie
Thanks to puff pastry, your basic baked brie becomes a totally eerie Halloween appetizer.
Get the recipe from Delish
Ouija Board Cake
Your Halloween bash needs this insanely fun, feed-a-crowd sheet cake. So much safer than pulling out the actual ouija board, too, right?
Get the recipe from Delish.
Chocolate-Filled Pumpkins
Filled with not one but two kinds of chocolate (milk and white chocolate ganache!), these mini pumpkin cakes are the perfect individual dessert idea.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Cupcakes
Step 1: Top your favorite cupcake flavor (bonus points if you made mini cupcakes) with this amazing glow-in-the-dark glaze. Step 2: Dim the lights at your Halloween party, and your guests will be seriously impressed.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Poison Apples
Okay, this may be the one exception to that whole "an apple a day" phrase.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Monster Cookies
With soft pastel food coloring and candy eyeballs, these cookies are almost cute.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Spider Trifle
Layers of pumpkin mousse, chocolate cake, and crushed Oreos are a cinch to pull together, as is the striped topper, plus it looks amazing (and tastes great).
Get the recipe from Delish.
Reese's Apple Nachos
For the Reese's fanatic in the room (there's always one), try this super easy mashup of mini Reese's Cups, Reese's Pieces, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Spooky Fingers
Here's the perfect recipe for when you're running late for a Halloween party (or just didn't prepare). Simply dip pretzel rods into melted white chocolate and stick on a pumpkin seed.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Halloween Layer Cake
It's almost too cute to eat, but you'll also feel too bad to waste it. I mean, those Milano gravestones look so good, it really is scary.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies aren't scary or silly. They're just seasonally delicious and it's not October without them.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Boozy Butterbeer Punch
You just know someone will be dressed as Harry Potter at any Halloween party until the end of time, so serve up this surprisingly easy, creamy punch.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Dracula Dentures
Kind of terrifying, but you can't go wrong with chocolate chip cookies, frosting, and marshmallows. If you have anything bad to say about this, you're a monster...sorry.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Eyeball Pasta
My stomach has been eyeballing this spaghetti and eye(meat)balls all day.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Reese's Bats
Nothing to eek about here. These Reese's bats are far from creepy, just delicious. And your kids can make them.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Ghost S'mores Dip
These have to be the most boo-tiful toasted marshmallows I've ever seen. Not to mention there are chocolate and graham cracker layers floating below. I'm dead.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Jack-o'-Lantern Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie treats will never steer you wrong. Especially when they're themed. And let me tell you, these pumpkin treats will have your guests doing the Monster Mash.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Glowing Black Widow Oreo Pops
The secret to that ghoulish glow? Mixing a little tonic water into melted white chocolate and then shining a blacklight on the buffet.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Blood Drip Cupcakes
*Will brave the blood for the sake of dessert.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Candy Corn Ghost Cupcakes
Whatever you feel about candy corn—these cupcakes will make you love it.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Graveyard Chicken Enchilada Dip
This graveyard chicken enchilada dip is way easier than making individual appetizers for all your party guests.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Mummy Meatballs
If you've got a tube of Crescent Rolls on hand, you can make these easy meatballs.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Decadently Dark Candy Apples
Struggling with the sticks? Sharpen twigs with a utility knife before skewering the apples. Then wipe off any juice before dipping for a perfect glossy coating.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Spider Web Cake
We wouldn't mind getting stuck in this spider web—give us a fork, and we'll eat our way out of this chocolate and marshmallow dessert.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Day of the Dead Cookies
Have fun piping out decorative icing on these beautiful cookies. Older kids can help, too.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Pumpkin Patch Brownies
This clever take on a traditional dessert is worthy of some serious brownie points.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Monster Munch
A perfect sweet/savory snack to get you ready for all the candy.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Jack O' Lantern Bowls
Skip the basic bowls and serve dessert in a chocolate jack o' lantern instead.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Dead Velvet Cake
R.I.P. you.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Strawberry Ghosts
Fruit means you can eat more candy later, right?
Get the recipe from Delish.
Jack-O'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
The best kind of jack-o'-lanterns are the kind you can eat.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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