Spiders, ghosts and monsters, oh my! Those are all things you'll find in a haunted house—and on your dinner table thanks to these simple Halloween food ideas.
46 Halloween Food Ideas You Haven’t Tried Yet
Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
Hot Dog Mummies
These flaky mummy sandwiches are instant party hits! The accompanying mustard dip adds just the right kick.
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Halloween Charcuterie Board
A Halloween “charcuterie” board shaped like a jack-o’-lantern is the perfect accompaniment to a not-too-scary movie: It’s more cute than creepy, and it’s loaded with themed snacks and sweets.
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Jack-o’-Lantern Empanadas
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Your trick-or-treaters will love these spooktacular pockets with silly grins. The savory filling is perfectly spiced, and the refrigerated pie crust makes prep easy.—Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ever get tired of only having Halloween-themed desserts? These cute pumpkin empanadas not only look the part, but taste it too! With a pumpkin filling, they’re savory with a hint of sweetness.
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Spooky Pretzel Bones
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I hosted a party one Halloween and wanted to make pretzels to go with my beer cheese dip. Considering the holiday, I shaped the dough into bones. —Courtney Lentz, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These soft pretzels will warm you to the bone. You can dip these in beer cheese or any of your favorite dips.
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Skull Deviled Eggs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Thrill partygoers with Halloween deviled eggs. The mayonnaise-filled bites are one of my favorite apps, so I had fun creating a spooky version. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Who knew deviled eggs could get even more devilish? You can add sriracha to these red pepper bites to add a bit more spice and create a bloody effect.
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Witches’ Fingers
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You don't need a cauldron to conjure these frightening fingers. They're a sweet-and-salty treat that's spookily easy to make. —Beth Tomkiw, Chief Content Officer, Taste Recipes
These sweet and salty treats are made with just three ingredients. To give your witches fingers a manicure, choose your favorite colored jellybean.
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Ghostly Cupcake Cones
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Top peanut buttery cupcakes with your favorite frosting and spirited faces to make these frightfully ghostly treats. They’ll vanish into thin air before you know it! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These peanut buttery cupcakes are topped with your favorite frosting and faces. They’ll vanish into thin air before you know it!
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Mummy-Wrapped Brie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can assemble our baked Brie appetizer in advance and bake it right before the party. —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
This spooky baked brie makes a wonderful centerpiece for your next charBOOterie board. With apple slices and dried cranberry for the eyes, it’s tasty and cute!
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Bat Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Even my adult children love these Halloween cupcakes! We serve them every year at our pumpkin-carving party. You can also make them with the fudge stripes on their wings facing up for variety. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
Fudge-striped cookies and chocolate kisses form these adorable Halloween cupcakes. You can also make them with the fudge stripes on their wings facing up for variety.
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“Boo”-rrific Kisses
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The Taste Recipes Test Kitchen turned cute meringue cookies into these whimsical kisses, perfect for Halloween. With just 15 calories, each little treat can be enjoyed guilt-free! —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
A bit of orange food coloring makes these cookies go from adorable to festive. The low calorie treats are a fun new way to spruce up meringue.
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Spider Sliders
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We're always trying to do fun things with food to make meals memorable. Better grab one of these sandwiches before it walks away! —Frank Millard, Edgerton, Wisconsin
Sweet potato fries make these creepy crawlers all the more tasty! Better grab one of these cheesy burgers before it walks away.
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Ghostly Custards
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll hear shrieks of delight when these not-so-spooky pumpkin custards appear for dessert. These ghosts will be gobbled up in no time! —Suzanne Strocsher, Bothell, Washington
Lift your spirits with this simple dessert! This custard treat tastes like a pumpkin pie without the crust.
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Frankenguac
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Play the mad scientist this year and bring a monster to life. He's frightfully fun and delicious! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bring the monster to life with this fun guacamole. Blue corn chips really make the hair stand out!
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Marshmallow Ghosts
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids of all ages can help prepare these easy-to-make treats. With just three ingredients that I often keep on hand, they can be put together at a moment's notice.—Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
These three-ingredient treats are simple and easy. Kids can help bring these treats back from the dead!
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Boo-rito Bites
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and entertaining is one of my favorite things to do. My entire family loves these cute apps, especially my kids, which makes the recipe extra-special. —Rachel Ruiz, Hurlburt Fld, Florida
With pizza crust instead of a tortilla, it’s a lot easier to shape these boo-ritos than it normally would be. You can even shave off some time by using a ghost-shaped cookie cutter. They’re cheesy and pack a bit of heat depending on what type of salsas you use.
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Tombstone Treats
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 treats
From the Recipe Creator:
My brother loves Rice Krispies squares, and my mom loves sugar cookies. I came up with a cute treat they'd both like.
This cute snack combines two Halloween favorites: cookies and rice krispie treats! Use frosting to write your own spooky personalized messages from beyond the grave.
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Martian Marshmallows
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Wrap leftovers in cellophane and hand them out as favors-if they haven't all disappeared by the end of the party.—Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Colored sugar gives you the option to make your very own martian marshmallows. It’s a great way for kids to get creative and you get a fun gooey treat!
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Frankenstein Boo-ritos
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chicken makes these burritos super kid-friendly, and it doesn't get a lot simpler than putting them together. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
Spinach tortillas are a sneaky way to get some veggies in and make a face only a mother (or Doctor?) could love. These chicken burritos are made special with Spanish rice and pasta.
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Cake Eyeballs
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Customize these cake balls to your liking with the flavors of your choice. — Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Ever wanted a Starbucks cake pop from the comfort of your own home? Customize these cake pops to look like scary monsters, or eyeballs.
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Tomato Soup with Cheesy Ghost Croutons
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kick off your night of trick-or-treating by making this hauntingly delicious recipe. It’s just like having grilled cheese and tomato soup. We eat it every year on Halloween.—Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
This hauntingly delicious recipe is just like having grilled cheese and tomato soup. French bread makes the “croutons” crispy and cheesy.
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Jack-o’-Lantern Pops
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As soon as they see these pumpkin pops, your little ghouls’ and goblins’ faces will light right up. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
Draw some funny faces on these popsicle stick treats. Your ghouls and goblins will love the portable snack.
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Witches’ Brooms
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 brooms
From the Recipe Creator:
Pair these edible mini brooms with Witches’ Brew for a spellbinding combination. The only ingredients you need here are pretzel rods and licorice. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
These licorice snacks take only 30 minutes to make and are a great party favor for your next Halloween party. You can use black and green licorice, or try out some other colors.
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Spiderweb Taco Dip with Bat Tortilla Chips
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 cups dip and about 7 dozen chips
From the Recipe Creator:
Every year, our daughter and her friends anticipate our annual Halloween party. Among the menu items is this spiderweb taco dip with bat-shaped tortilla chips. —Sonia Candler, Edmonton, Alberta
These homemade tortilla chips are made special with cookie cutters. You can try any Halloween shapes you like, but make sure you don’t forget to serve with tacos!
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Bones & Blood
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
40 cookies (2 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
Like a zombie, you'll be desperate for more of these bone-shaped cookies and dip. Fight nicely over them—no biting! —Taste Recipes Food Styling Team
We have a bone to pick with whoever withheld this Halloween recipe from us for so long. The chocolate strawberry sauce is simple but thick enough to resemble blood.
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Frankensushi
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I think Frankenstein's monster I think Halloween. Give this guy a try this year they are the cutest! These rolls are so fun to make and even more tasty. I love getting creative with the different faces I can make.
You can make half as Frankenstein's monster and half plain, with the nori on the outside, to cut your prep time down. Mixed up on the plate the effect looks great.
Keeping this fun little appetizer veggie is a super plus. Not only do you not need to worry about raw fish sitting on a counter all night, but it keeps things veg-friendly for all of your guests.
This veggie-friendly dish is as adorable as it is healthy. Experiment with funny facial expressions and your favorite sushi fillings.
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Scary Eyeballs
Total Time
50 min
Servings
40 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids will squeal with delight at the sight of these eyeball treats. But the peanut butter flavor is the best part! —Shannon Blatchley, Ludlow, Massachusetts
You better keep an eye out on these peanut butter treats- or they’ll be gone before you know it! These fool proof snacks are great for your next party.
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Scary Hairy Caramel Apples
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a cute and tasty version of a caramel apple. It's perfect for a Halloween party. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
You’ll never guess what makes up the hair on these scary caramel apples. It’s chow mein noodles! They’re cinnamon coated for a crunchy and sweet add-on.
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Ham ‘n’ Cheese Spiders
Total Time
55 min
Servings
5 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
These creepy sandwiches are sure to scare up some fun at Halloween time! Kids really enjoy eating the spider-shaped sandwiches. —Kendra Barclay, De Kalb, Illinois
Your lunch has never looked scarier. Ham, onion, cheese and mustard make up these creepy crawly calzones.
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Jack-o’-Lantern Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Be prepared for happy faces when you make these eye-catching jack-o'-lanterns. We loaded the sandwiches with flavorful fillings, then easily formed fun pumpkin shapes using cookie cutters. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cookie cutter can be used for a lot more than cookies. Using a pumpkin shaped cutter on your favorite sandwich bread can make your lunch all the more cuter.
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Goblin Chewies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These light, crispy cookies are packed with fun ingredients perfect for Halloween. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
The more you mess up the face, the better! These lopsided goblin cookies are sweet, crunchy, and so scary.
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Ghostly Chicken & Pepper Pizza
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
My friendly ghost pizza won’t scare folks away from your dinner table. My family loves Halloween, so we like creating fun new recipes like this one. Fill it with whatever pizza toppings you like best.—Francine Boecher, Queensbury, New York
This stuffed pizza will make your oven smell like a dream. But it’s shape is your worst nightmare!
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Kiss from a Vampire Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Raspberry jam eerily oozes from these soft butter cookies. One bite, and you'll have a hard time stopping! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Raspberry jam spills from these soft butter cookies. One bite, and you won’t be able to stop!
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Brownie Spiders
Total Time
50 min
Servings
9 brownie spiders
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm absolutely petrified of real spiders. But I can make an exception for these cute ones made from chocolate. They make perfect Halloween treats. —Ali Ebright, Kansas City, Missouri
Chow mein noodles and candy eyeballs make these brownies go from cute to creepy. Ready in under an hour, they’re a great last minute treat for your Halloween party.
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Crescent Roll Witch Hats
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
It doesn’t take magic to transform these crescent rolls into charming witch hats—just a few minutes and a couple of ingredients. They’re so good, you’ll want to make a double batch. —Mara Fletcher, Batesville, Indiana
Crescent rolls are already divided into triangles so it doesn’t take much to form them into witches hats. With a sun-dried tomato filling, they’re bewitchingly good.
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Mini Pumpkin Cakes
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I saw these cute cakes at a local grocery store and decided to make my own version at home. They’re a hit at any fall gathering. —Jennifer Dorff, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Put your bundt pan to work! These maple glazed bundt cakes look like they’re straight off the bakery shelves.
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Gourd-geous Halloween Nachos
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves nachos so much that I sometimes serve them for lunch. To get in the Halloween spirit, I used a pumpkin cookie cutter to cut out chips from pita bread. You can change the cutter shape to match any theme.—Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey
Put your cookie cutters to work! These savory nachos are topped with bacon, black beans and cheddar cheese.
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Spider Bread
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
1 loaf
From the Recipe Creator:
Set out this unique spider instead of biscuits or rolls, and you'll definitely make an impression. Start with from-scratch dough and shape it as directed. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Spider bread, spider bread, does whatever a spider bread can! Wow guests with this elaborate homemade savory bread.
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Halloween Feet Loaf
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If Bigfoot pays a visit this Halloween, treat him to a larger-than-life meal. This "feet loaf" tastes just like your favorite home-style meatloaf. It will have enormous appeal with believers and nonbelievers alike. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
This meat loaf is sure to put some spring in your step. Carrot toenails make this meal toe-tally creepy!
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Meringue Bones
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This unique treatment for meringue travels well, too! You will certainly get requests for the recipe, and folks will be surprised at how simple it is! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Bone Appétit! These simple meringues are so easy to make and can be flavored with just about anything.
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Mummy Poppers
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
32 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
I wrapped these spicy jalapeno poppers in puff pastry like a mummy. You can tame the heat by adjusting the amount of chipotle peppers.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These spicy jalapeño poppers are wrapped in puff pastry like a mummy. You’ll be dying to try them!
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Halloween Peanut Spider Cookies
Total Time
38 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cute spider cookies are so easy. They'll be the star at your next Halloween party! —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These cute cookies give Reese’s peanut butter cups a spooky new form. Ready in under an hour, they’ll be the star of your next gathering.
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Bewitched Chili
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
One pot and thirty minutes—yes, please. Kids and grown-ups love this warm-you-up chili for Halloween. —Janice Westmoreland, Brooksville, Florida
This one-pot, 30 minute meal will melt in your mouth. You can dip your chips, or use them as a decorative topping.
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Slithering Snake Roll
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s nothing sinister about this snake. It’s filled with meat, sweet red pepper and cheese. You can paint the pizza dough any color or leave it plain.—Jaclyn Scanlan, Dayton, Ohio
Make this once and the rest will be hissstory. The dinner roll is filled with meat, sweet red pepper and cheese.
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Spirited Spaghetti
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Transform this pizza-flavored pasta sauce into something spooky by adding some black food coloring to the pasta water.—Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
Transform this pizza-flavored pasta into something spooky by adding black food coloring to the pasta water. You won’t know what came over you as you eat the whole pot!
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Make-a-Monster Pizza
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Creepy creatures have completely taken over this Halloween meal! Since you can create a different design for each square, it's easy to cater to every diner's individual preferences. —Marie Louise Ludwig, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
These monster slices ensure that everyone gets a piece of what they like. You can use toppings like asparagus, sweet peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and even pineapple!
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Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
No one will guess that this make-ahead pumpkin cheese ball has pumpkin in it, but that subtle ingredient lends harvest color and added nutrition. —Linnea Rein, Topeka, Kansas
While it might be obvious that there’s pumpkin in this cheese ball, it might be less obvious that there’s pineapple. The subtle sweetness is perfect for the holidays.
