The Halloween decorations are all up, the kids are playing with their Halloween-themed toys, and the whole family is dressed to kill in Halloween costumes - but it wouldn't be Halloween without some terrifying but tasty treats to tuck into! Whether you're looking to make some sickly sweet homemade goodies for the trick-or-treaters and your kids to devour, need Halloween food ideas for a spooktacular buffet for your Halloween party, or something warming for a seasonal or themed family dinner on Halloween night - we've got you covered with some delicious Halloween recipes.
What are traditional Halloween foods?
It goes without saying (with all the pumpkin carving that'll be going on) that anything made from pumpkins - screams Halloween! A traditional pumpkin pie, for example, or some pumpkin bread would go down a trick-or-treat!
Apples are another popular ingredient for Halloween recipes, with kids going crazy for a candy apple. But why stop at traditional, when you can conjure up all sorts of magical Halloween recipes in your witch's cauldron? Keep reading for inspiration...
Halloween recipes for kids to help make
The best Halloween childrens' recipes are ones they can get involved in making, so we've found a few yummy Halloween baking ideas, including a Halloween cookie recipe to die for and some creepy cupcakes!
Halloween baking ideas - things you might need
Your kids are ready to get stuck in and help out in the kitchen, but our easy halloween baking recipes may require a few things you don't have in your kitchen, so check out these must-buys and make sure you have what you need!
Amazon
Amazon
AmazonNow that your kitchen is kitted out it's time to get the knives out (and other kitchen utensils), and get to baking...
A Halloween cookie recipe to die for
Kids love getting their fingers messy helping bake cookies in the kitchen (not to mention licking them clean afterwards!) So baking cookies is definitely a fun Halloween activity for your little monsters!
Halloween biscuits
Spooky Halloween biscuits are perfect for popping into trick-or-treat buckets when the local kids hover by your house. What we love most about making these is that you can leave the decorating up to your kids who will know exactly how to freak out the neighboars with their deadly designs. And because the bases of these biscuits are round, you won't have to buy those Halloween-shaped cookie cutters - unless the kids torture you by twisting your arm!
Cute and spooky Halloween cupcake recipe ideas
Cupcake holders are ideal for holding all sorts of delicious gooey ingredients, and you can really get creative with a basic halloween cake recipe, but why be basic when you can try one of our hair-raising recipes below?
Popcorn brains with maggots
Kids will love how gruesome these Halloween popcorn brains with maggots cupcake treats are - the sticky ginger cakes with popcorn topping are almost literally squirming with icing maggots! But don't worry, we're sure the kids won't let them wiggle away.
Ghost cupcakes
If you're looking for something cuter and less scary for your little ones, Annabel Karmel’s Ghoulish chocolate ghost cupcakes recipe might be just the thing - how adorable are these little meringue ghosts? They're sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, but we think they might be too cute to eat! Then again, kids'll eat anything, even after hearing gross Halloween jokes like this one:
What is a ghost's nose full of?
Boooooogers!
Savoury Halloween recipes and sweet party snacks
If you're throwing a Halloween kids party you'll need some go-to ideas for finger-food snacks, and we've got one we think they'll like...
Ghoulish guacamole witches tortillas
How about this recipe for ghoulish guacamole by Annabel Karmel? The toxic green avocado is perfect for these witches' faces and the purple tortilla chips add just enough crunch to replicate cracking bones.
Traditional toffee apples
Toffee apples are a must at a Halloween party, and if you've never made them before, just follow our easy instructions! You can also do apple bobbing as a party game.
Spooky halloween recipes for trick-or-treating
Sure, you'll stock up on all the usual Halloween sweets and sweet cones, but wouldn't you rather be the talk of the town with these spookilicious homemade candy treats for the trick-or-treaters?
Chocolate orange energy ball bats
Kids in fancy dress will need plenty of beetlejuice to keep them trick-or-treating all night long, so make sure you pop in some of these yummy chocolate orange energy ball bats by Annabel Karmel
Family dinner recipes for Halloween
Spooky pizza
What's better than pizza as a family favourite for dinner? Annabel Karmel's spooky pizza, of course! Who knew melted cheese could give you such a chill? We love that this recipe includes instructions to make your own pizza base - but if you want to make life easier you can always buy a pizza base and make Annabel's yummy tomato sauce to smear on top. You'll still need Halloween-themed cutters to cut out the ghouls and bats though, so make sure you get those in, or your kids will be foaming at the mouth!
Frankenstein pesto pasta
For pasta lovers, Annabel Karmel’s Frankenstein pesto pasta recipe will be sure to fill their bellies to the brim (but don't worry, there's always room for candy!) This tasty Halloween dinner is quick and easy to whip up with the wave of your wand (or spatula), and if your little ones don't like olives, the Frankenstein design of this dish makes it easy to avoid them!
Halloween Ice Cream Eye Ball Dome
We know you'll be wanting something truly awful for dessert, so we thought we'd share this Halloween Ice Cream Eye Ball Dome recipe. Little cannibals might not be able to wait for their afters though, so keep this one in the freezer until it's time to serve up!
We hope you enjoyed reading our round-up of Halloween recipes! Oh - and while we're on the subject - how about these Halloween books for kids to get them in the moooooooood while dinner's cooking?
Proud aunt to her teen niece, Zara Mohammed is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. She has 10 years freelance writing experience creating lifestyle content for various platforms, including pregnancy, women’s health, parenting, child development and child mental health, plus lots of fun seasonal family articles and celebrity news.