45 Halloween-Themed Foods To Make for a Scary-Good Feast

zombie brain cupcakes
Halloween Food Ideas So Good, They're ScaryPHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER - Hearst Owned


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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.

halloween food ideas
Courtesy TK

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.

halloween food ideas
Courtesy TK

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.

halloween food ideas
Courtesy TK

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.

halloween food ideas
Courtesy TK

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.

halloween food ideas
Courtesy TK

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.

halloween food ideas
Courtesy TK

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.

halloween food ideas
Courtesy TK

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 food ideas
Courtesy TK

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.

dessert halloween recipes
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.

halloween smore recipe with apple slices
Jonathan Boulton

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.

blood syringe halloween treat recipe
Kat Wirsing

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.

bat truffle halloween dessert recipe
Naomi Robinson

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.

cream cheese pumpkin bread recipe
Parker Feierbach

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.

pumpkin cupcakes
Delish Editors

Mummy Brie

Thanks to puff pastry, your basic baked brie becomes a totally eerie Halloween appetizer.

Get the recipe from Delish

halloween mummy cheaseboard recipe
Ethan Calabrese

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.

Font, Text,
Chelsea Lupkin

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.

Food, Dish, Cuisine, Pumpkin, Ingredient, Baked goods, Glaze, Gugelhupf, Dessert, Calabaza,
Chelsea Lupkin

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.

glow-in-the-dark frosting on Halloween cupcakes
Ethan Calabrese

Poison Apples

Okay, this may be the one exception to that whole "an apple a day" phrase.

Get the recipe from Delish.

halloween poison apple recipe
Alexa Payesko

Monster Cookies

With soft pastel food coloring and candy eyeballs, these cookies are almost cute.

Get the recipe from Delish.

colorful halloween cookie recipe
JONATHAN BOULTON

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.

halloween mouse recipe
Chelsea Lupkin

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.

halloween reeses peanut butter cup recipe
John Komar

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 finger lady recipe
Kate Mathis

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.

halloween cake recipe
Kat Wirsing

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.

pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe
Parker Feierbach

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.

beer butter halloween recipe
Alexa Payesko

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.

halloween dracula cookie sandwich recipe
Alexa Payesko

Eyeball Pasta

My stomach has been eyeballing this spaghetti and eye(meat)balls all day.

Get the recipe from Delish.

halloween spaghetti and meatball recipe
Kat Wirsing

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.

oreo peanut butter cup halloween recipe
Jonathan Boulton

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.

marshmallow halloween dessert recipe
Alexa Payesko

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.

pumpkin shaped rice crispy treat recipe
Naomi Robinson

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.

glowing black widow oreo pops
Ethan Calabrese

Blood Drip Cupcakes

*Will brave the blood for the sake of dessert.

Get the recipe from Delish.

halloween dessert recipes
Naomi Robinson

Candy Corn Ghost Cupcakes

Whatever you feel about candy corn—these cupcakes will make you love it.

Get the recipe from Delish.

candy corn dessert ideas
Naomi Robinson

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.

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Salad, Vegetable, Produce, Caesar salad, Egg salad, Cruciferous vegetables,
Ethan Calabrese

Mummy Meatballs

If you've got a tube of Crescent Rolls on hand, you can make these easy meatballs.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Baked goods, Baking, Dessert, Produce, Finger food, Danish pastry,
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.

decadently dark candy apples
Matt Armendariz

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.

Food, Chocolate cake, Cake, Dessert, Dish, Ganache, Chocolate, Torte, Cuisine, Baked goods,
Ethan Calabrese

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.

icing, cake decorating supply, food, baked goods, royal icing, snack, dessert, sweetness, finger food, baking,
Parker Feierbach

Pumpkin Patch Brownies

This clever take on a traditional dessert is worthy of some serious brownie points.

Get the recipe from Delish.

pumpkin patch brownie recipe
Alexa Payesko

Monster Munch

A perfect sweet/savory snack to get you ready for all the candy.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Dish, Food, Cuisine, Ingredient, Candy corn, Comfort food, Produce, Recipe, American food, Vegetarian food,
Chelsea Lupkin

Jack O' Lantern Bowls

Skip the basic bowls and serve dessert in a chocolate jack o' lantern instead.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Calabaza, Pumpkin, Orange, Food, Jack-o'-lantern, Cucurbita, Winter squash, Fruit, Vegetarian food, Sweetness,
Alexa Payesko

Dead Velvet Cake

R.I.P. you.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Cake, Torte, Dessert, Birthday cake, Food, Icing, Cake decorating, Pasteles, Baked goods, Jaw,
Jonathan Boulton

Strawberry Ghosts

Fruit means you can eat more candy later, right?

Get the recipe from Delish.

Comfort food, Food, Finger, Hand, Side dish, Nail, Cuisine, Recipe, Fondant, Sweetness,
Alexa Payesko

Jack-O'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

The best kind of jack-o'-lanterns are the kind you can eat.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Food, Bell pepper, Yellow pepper, Persimmon, Orange, Ingredient, Bell peppers and chili peppers, Vegetable, Cuisine, Dish,
Jonathan Boulton

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