So, you’re stressing: your Halloween party is coming up and you’ve got your costume ready, the playlist is on point, and the decorations are spooky good, but you have no idea what food to serve. Bags of chips and a bowl of salsa spread across the counter may be scary, but not the good kind. From sweet to savory dishes to creepy and cute ones, you want to make a super(natural) impression on your guests. You also need the food to be easy to throw together with or without the help of friends so you can get the party started ASAP. Well, fret no longer: here are four easy and delicious Halloween recipes — both sweet and savory — you can make to ensure you’re the talk of the graveyard.
- Spooky Charcuterie Board
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Who doesn’t love a charcuterie board and a themed one at that? This charcuterie board recipe explains everything you need to know to make the perfect Halloween-themed meat, cheese, and fruit board, including how much of each food you should plate per guest, which is a life and wallet-saver. Charcuterie boards make great party dishes because there’s always something for someone to pick at.
- Black Bean Halloween Pasta
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Pasta is a great dinner party dish because you can make it ahead of time and let it simmer on the stovetop, and when it’s time to eat it’s an easy dish to plate. This black bean pasta is the perfect spooky color to serve up and the inclusion of adorably shaped veggies makes it even better! And bonus, this recipe is vegan and gluten-free. What’s not to love?
- No-Bake Witch Cookies
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Torey Walsh / Spoon I love when a recipe says the food doesn’t need to be baked because that means I get to eat it sooner, so these Oreo witch hat cookies really excite me. And on top of that, they only require four ingredients! It doesn’t get much easier than that. These are perfect to set on the counter during your Halloween party so people can come by and grab a couple while they “Monster Mash” the night away.
- Peach Jello Brain
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Original photo by Emily Miller Last but definitely not least, one of the most successful dishes I’ve ever made for Halloween is a peach-flavored jello brain. Imagine: dinner is over and your guests are sufficiently full, but ready for something sweet. You bring a covered platter to the table and pull off the lid and this scarily realistic brain is jiggling on the plate, daring everyone to be the first to take a bite. It’ll be a dish to be remembered, for sure. My Halloween party guests from two years ago still talk about this brain. Just don’t forget to paint the red and blue food coloring between the jello folds so it looks real!
I hope you enjoy serving up these easy and delicious Halloween recipes for your guests this year and that you have a scary good time making them! Try inviting a friend or two to help you put these dishes together and put on a spooky playlist to dance to. Have fun with it, and have a happy Halloween!