With Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen and serve up some spine-tinglingly delicious treats. Whether you’re hosting a ghoulish gathering for adults or a family-friendly bash for your little monsters, we’ve got you covered with a range of party food ideas that aren’t time consuming and won’t break the bank!
Frighteningly Fun Finger Foods:
Jack-o’-Lantern Fruit Bowls:
We’re starting off on the healthier side with these bowls that combine sweet and savoury. Hollow out some orange bell peppers to create mini jack-o’-lanterns and fill each bowl with a colourful mix of fresh fruit like grapes, berries, and kiwi. Top each with a small blob of natural yoghurt or whipped cream for a spooky finishing touch.
Mummy Wrapped Cheese Sticks:
Cut some mozzarella cheese sticks in half and wrap thin strips of Jus-Rol or equivalent around each to create that well-known mummified effect. Bake until golden brown and serve with a blood-red marinara sauce for dipping.
Veggie Skeleton Platter:
Arrange carrot sticks, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and bell pepper strips to create a skeleton shape on a platter. Serve with a creamy hummus or ranch dip for a healthy and spooky appetiser.
Monstrously Mouthwatering Main Dishes:
Pumpkin and Squash Soup:
This one requires a bit more time but is very easy to put together. Simply add an onion with carrots, garlic, bay leaf, butter and olive oil into a large pan and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the flesh of a pumpkin and potato, and cook for 2–3 minutes before pouring in the vegetable stock. Season to taste and bring to the boil then reduce to a gentle simmer until the squash is tender. Finally, blend the soup until smooth using a stick blender and add cream to taste. Serve your hearty dish in small carved-out pumpkins or gourd bowls for a Halloween twist drizzle of cream and olive oil. You can also keep aside some pumpkin seeds to roast and use as a garnish.
Haunted Mac and Cheese:
Prepare a classic mac and cheese, but add some black food colouring to the cheese sauce for a sinister look (start by adding just a small amount as a little goes a long way).
Dollop the macaroni into spider shapes using a cookie cutter and bake until slightly crispy.
Garnish with dollops of green pesto for that eerie touch.
Ghoulishly Good Sweets:
Ghostly Banana Pops:
Dip banana halves in white chocolate and add mini chocolate chips for eyes to create ghostly banana pops. Pop in the fridge to harden and serve on a stick for an easy, but healthy dessert option.
Eyeball Jelly Cups:
Make raspberry or strawberry jelly cups and place a lychee fruit with a blueberry inside to resemble an eyeball. Use warmed up strawberry jam for an extra creepy “blood” effect.
Witch’s Hat Cupcakes:
Bake or buy a batch of chocolate cupcakes and frost them with green icing. Top each cupcake with an ice cream cone turned upside down and decorate to look like a witch’s hat. It’s a simple one that lets the kids (and adults) get as crafty as they want!
Optional Extras:
Spooky Spider Web Dip:
Create a creamy spinach and artichoke dip as your base.
Use some tart blackberry jam to draw a spooky spider web pattern on the surface.
Serve with breadsticks or tortilla chips.
Mummy Brie En Croûte:
Wrap a wheel of brie cheese in puff pastry, leaving some gaps for “bandages.”
Use apricot jam to create an aged mummy effect by brushing it on the pastry.
Bake until golden brown and serve with crackers or crusty bread.
With these delicious party food ideas, your Halloween gathering will be a spooktacular success. Whether you’re catering to adults or kids, these recipes will make your Halloween party a hauntingly good time for all. Let the festivities begin!