Easy Halloween food ideas that are simple but spooky for little ones

Selection of Halloween food

by Laura Healy |
Published on

Kids love Halloween, and if we are honest, so do we. However, it doesn't have to just be about carving pumpkins and dressing up in the best Halloween costume. What about Halloween food? Whether you are hosting a spooky party, or simply want a creepy family night in, complete with something like Halloween ice cream eye balls for all the family, there are lots of things you can do to ensure your Halloween night is full of tasty treats.

Of course, Halloween sweets are probably the favourite food for kids. After trick or treating, most children are exited to get home and stuff themselves with all the sweets and chocolates they have collected, if they even wait until they get home that is! But if your little one is a bit young for trick or treating, or you want to host a party for lots of little ghosts and ghouls, then having a Halloween table laden with themed food and snacks is a great idea. Or perhaps, getting your kids to help make some Halloween biscuits during the day, especially, if you are not venturing out at night will be another fun activity.

From pumpkin soup to chocolate ghost cupcakes, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Halloween. Perhaps your little one will want to watch a Halloween movie and when you all snuggle down together you will want to add a few snacks too. Something like Halloween popcorn brains will be ideal for any family movie night.

Another great idea for Halloween food, is a Halloween Platter. These can vary from cheese platters, to sweets and cakes and even healthy platters with fruit and vegetables. We love this one below from My Fussy Eater which combines both sweet treats and healthy snacks.

Best Halloween Food 2024

Best Halloween Smash chocolate

Mini pumpkin smashNot on the High Street

We love this cute mini pumpkin, which is made from Belgian white chocolate and filled with chocolate beans. It will look lovely on any Halloween table and kids will love smashing it like a Piñata to find the beans. Plus, it sits on a Belgian chocolate plaque which can be personalised. They also make great gifts, as one reviewer said, "I purchased 3 of these for relatives - they were all delighted to receive such a cute gift." These could make a lovely centrepiece, but do bear in mind they are not that large.

Pros

  • Can be personalised
  • Made from Belgian chocolate

Cons

  • Quite small for a centrepiece
Dimensions: 7 x 12 x 12 cm
Includes: Belgian chocolate, chocolate beans
  • Can be personalised
  • Smash hammer can be added for an extra cost
  • Cute pumpkin design

Best Halloween sprinkles

Whether you are decorating a Halloween cake or sprinkling these on a Halloween platter, we love all the spooky shapes and colours. This bag of sprinkles will be perfect for decorating your Halloween table, one reviewer said, "Great sprinkles for Halloween cakes. Simple ingredients and the recognisable shapes kept their colour." However, they did add, "they are very hard so be careful when chewing!"

Pros

  • Bright, vibrant colours
  • Recognisable shapes

Cons

  • Quite hard to chew
Size: 200g
Includes: Bats, pumpkins and ghosts
  • Fun shaped sprinkles
  • Bright colours
  • Natural ingredients

Best eyeball decorations

If you want to decorate cakes or even fruit or veg to make them look alive, these eyeballs are just what you need. With a variety of sizes, these will add a creepy effect to any Halloween platter or ice cream. One reviewer said, "brought for cupcake faces, good size, which stand out well on icing- will last for ages, good value for money," while another added, "we got these to bring some fun and laughter to the dinner table. They are perfect, and bring any food, or other objects to life with real character. " However some reviewers said they have little taste and are quite powdery, although great for effect.

Pros

  • A variety of sizes
  • Great effect to bring food to life

Cons

  • A bit powdery and tasteless

Best Halloween food for vegans

These crunchy crisps are fun for all Halloween get togethers, and tasty too. They are feature Frankenstein faces with a BBQ flavour, plus we love that they are suitable for vegans. One reviewer said, "these are so fun! We really enjoyed them. Theyre not too strong flavoured but enough to make them incredibly moreish. Theres plenty in the bag too, no scrimping here." Although they did comment that they would love more flavours to choose from.

Pros

  • Fun shapes and moreish taste
  • Suitable for vegans

Cons

  • Only one flavour available
Size:125g
Suitable for: Vegans
Contains:Wheat
  • Fun shaped crisps
  • Tasty flavour
  • Lots in bag
  • Crunchy texture

Best gluten free Halloween food

Witches Box of TreatsOcado

This is a great box of treats for everyone and not only is it gluten free and plant-based, but it is ethically sourced and fair-traded. The box contains 20 creepy bites including, 10 oat milk chocolate bites and 10 oat milk chocolate bites with a delicious hazelnut filling. However, while it is gluten free the allergen advice warns it may contain traces of milk.

Pros

  • Ethically sourced and fair traded
  • Gluten free

Cons

  • May contain traces of milk
Size: 20 bites (5g each)
Suitable for: Vegans, gluten free
  • Two different flavours
  • Ethically sourced and fair traded
  • 20 bites
  • Suitable for vegans and gluten free

Best Halloween cheese

Halloween cheese cakeNot on the Highstreet

With so much of the Halloween food centring on sweet treats, we love this savoury cheese cake. We also think it would make a great centrepiece on any Halloween table. Made from mature cheddar with some spicy and boozy flavouring, this is one for grown ups rather than little ghouls.

Pros

  • Makes a great centrepiece
  • Great savoury Halloween food

Cons

  • Not suitable for young children
Size: 2.4kg
Ingredients: Mature cheddar cheese, orange, whiskey, chilli, mixed pepper
  • Savoury Halloween treats
  • Makes a great centrepiece
  • Different flavour cheese

Best Halloween popcorn

Popcorn Kitchen popcorn kitNot on the High Street

Perfect for a frightening family movie night, this kit includes popcorn along with chocolate drops too. Ideal for parties, it makes 14 servings so there will be plenty to go around. We also love that the bottle looks great too and could double as a fun Halloween decoration once all the popcorn has gone. The kids will love helping you pop the popcorn too.

Pros

  • Includes chocolate drops
  • Fun for kids to help make

Cons

  • Popcorn is not flavoured
Size: 440g
Number of servings: 14
Includes: Popcorn kernels, chocolate buttons
  • Includes chocolate buttons
  • Fun for children
  • Novelty bottle

Best Halloween cake toppers

Gory cake toppersEtsy

It wouldn't be Halloween without a little bit of gore and these cake toppers provide just that, but not too graphic, so they are suitable for little ones too. If you are making your own Halloween cake but want to top it with something spooktacular then these are perfect. One reviewer said, "Wow ! This exceeded my expectations!!!! Great quality, great craftsmanship." We love that they are handmade and made fresh to order, however, this does mean colours may vary from the photographs.

Pros

  • Handmade and made fresh to order
  • Realistic appearance

Cons

  • Colours may vary
Includes: 2x Gory Fingers (61mm)<br>2x Creepy Spiders (45mm)<br>2x Freaky Ears (65mm)<br>2x Zombie Brains (35mm)<br>2x Googly Eyes (30mm)<br>1x Red Vampire Lips &amp; Teeth (48mm)<br>1x Purple Vampire Lips &amp; Teeth (48mm)
Ingredients: Fondant icing
  • Realistic, gory, cake toppers
  • Pack of mixed items
  • Handmade

Best Halloween pasta

Halloween pastaLakeland

Want to make a spooky tea? This Halloween pasta is perfect on is own or with some pasta sauce. Kids will love the shapes which include bats, spiders, witches and pumpkins, plus we love that the pasta is coloured with black carrot and carrot. It is thick and chunky for little hands too.

Pros

  • Halloween shapes for a fun tea
  • Coloured with carrot

Cons

  • Only available in one size pack
Size: 250g
Made from: Durum wheat semolina
  • Halloween shapes for a spooky tea
  • Made from the finest durum wheat
  • Coloured with carrot

Best Halloween cake

Halloween candyfloss cakeNot on the High Street

Not only is this a Halloween cake, perfect to be the star of your Halloween party or meal, but it is a candy-floss cake, plus it is allergen free so everyone can enjoy it! This cake is made entirely from candy floss, with some edible paper bats, and it includes four different colours. At 15cm tall it is sure to stand out and that wispy candy floss is reminiscent of creepy spider webs, but will taste great too.

Pros

  • Allergen free
  • 15 cm tall

Cons

  • Only one design
Size: 8 inches and 15cm tall
Ingredients: Sugar
  • Cake made from candy floss
  • Allergen free
  • 15cm tall
  • Edible paper decorations

How to display your Halloween food?

If you want to make a show stopping Halloween cake, arrange a ghoulish platter, or even serve up some eye-popping popcorn in a bowl, then here are a few ideas for serving your Halloween food.

Best Halloween charcuterie boards

Charcuterie boardsAmazon
Price: $23.99

This will really make your guest jump! Display your Halloween snacks on these fantastic charcuterie boards which spell the word, BOO. We love the neutral wood which will really let all your fantastic Halloween food shine. These boards provide ample space to display your snacks and they will really stand out on any buffet table. Made of bamboo they are durable and easy to clean too.

Pros

  • Set of three boards to spell BOO
  • Made of bamboo

Cons

  • Take up a lot of space on your table
Size: 23 x 23 x 1.5 cm
Material: Bamboo
  • Set of three boards to spell BOO
  • Made of bamboo
  • Easy to clean

Best Halloween food serving platter

Coffin serving platterAmazon
Price: $23.99

If you want to create a large Halloween platter for your party, then this tray will give you lots of space and add some creepy appeal too because it is shaped like a coffin. No matter if you plan to make a cheese platter, sweet platter or a mix of everything, this will be ideal for everything. Made from pine it is water and oil resistant and extremely durable. However, although this tray has a laser engraved skeleton, you won't see it until you eat all the food.

Pros

  • Made from durable pine
  • Great size platter for parties

Cons

  • Skeleton design hidden by food
Dimensions: 43 x 28 x 2 cm
Material: Wood
  • Coffin shaped serving platter
  • Skeleton design
  • Made from pine
  • Water and oil resistant

Best Halloween serving bowl

Even without food in these bowls will look great on your Halloween table, plus we love how versatile they are. They can be used stacked, or as standalone bowls. Made from food grade plastic they are easy to clean and be used with all food, hot or cold. They are also available in two colours, a traditional orange or more neutral white. Do be aware it is quite bulky so it won't be the easiest to store after Halloween.

Pros

  • Versatile design
  • Available in two colours

Cons

  • Quite bulky for storage
Size: 8 x 6 inches
Colour: Orange and white
Material: Food grade plastic
  • Two-tiered serving dish
  • Pumpkin design
  • Available in two colours

Best Halloween dish

John Lewis spider web dishJohn Lewis

You can't have Halloween without a few spiderwebs and this lovely stoneware dish will add just that to your table. Ideal for sweet treats, or savoury nibbles, this will really stand out. Plus we love the fact it is microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. One reviewer said, "lovely dish, excellent quality, a decoration to bring out each year for spooky season. Very well packaged for delivery. Ideal for a party or hosting Halloween tea." Do be aware that at 22cm it isn't the largest plate, but will still look cute on your table.

Pros

  • Made from stoneware, so microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Subtle decoration

Cons

  • Quite small
Size: 3 x 22cm
Material: Stoneware
  • Freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Subtle design
  • Can be used year after year

Best Halloween waffle maker

Skull waffle maker
Price: $19.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$24.99View offer

Get in the Halloween spirit as soon as you wake up, with a Halloween breakfast of Skull waffles. Kids will love helping you make their own homemade waffles and we think the skull design is really cool. One reviewer said, "I can not believe this mini waffle maker makes such good waffles. It is my new ‘go to’ kitchen gadget." However, be warned that some reviewers said this is sold with an American plug, so ensure you have the right adaptor if you need it. Another reviewer loves the size, commenting, "This little thing is awesome. Works perfectly and takes up the same amount of space as a small bowl. Perfect for our small house."

Pros

  • Makes skull shaped waffles
  • Small and compact for storage

Cons

  • Comes with an American plug
Size: 12.7 x 16.26 x 7.11 cm
Weight: 590g
  • Makes skull shaped waffles
  • Non-stick
  • Compact
  • Halloween design

What are traditional Halloween foods?

When we think of Halloween, aside from sweets, we think of pumpkins and toffee apples. But what are traditional Halloween foods? Halloween dates back to a pre-Christian era in Ireland called Samhain which was celebrated by Celtic people as the first feast day of the year. It was believed that the spirits of those who had died during the previous year could access the otherworld and so people left out offerings of food and drink to any wandering spirits. Traditionally, it was a day of abstinence when no meat was consumed so people ate colcannon (mashed potato with cabbage and onion), apple cake, barm brack, as well as apples and nuts. However, Irish immigrants to America in the nineteenth century introduced Halloween celebrations to the states and it was then that Jack o'lanterns began appearing, with carved vegetables (namely pumpkins) put in windows to guide and welcome spirits. From this, recipes such as pumpkin pie developed and were enjoyed. As the popularity of Halloween increased, parties started for children and sweets resembling corn kernels, known as candy corn, or toffee apples were introduced. By the 1920s trick or treating started and sweets were even more closely associated with Halloween.

What to make with children for Halloween?

Children love getting involved with celebrations and Halloween is no different. You could try some Halloween games or crafts, or making your own costumes, perhaps even Halloween faceprint, but why not make the Halloween food together? Kids will love helping in the kitchen and recipes such as Halloween biscuits, or decorating their own spooky pizza will be popular. The BBC suggests things like, cupcakes and slime cups, as well as pastry snakes or frozen ghost bananas. We also love Annabel Karmel's Frankenstein pesto pasta which your little one will love displaying with you. For dessert, you could try making a cobweb cheesecaketogether as well.

What to give kids on Halloween?

We all know that kids love sweets and get so excited for trick or treating to see how many sweets they can collect. Of course, it is fine to give children sweets at Halloween, but there are alternatives Halloween gift ideas too. While they might not be as popular, apples are a traditional Halloween food and make a healthy change, as well as boxes of raisins or cubes of cheese. You could hand out decorated biscuits or cupcakes, or for a mixture of naughty but nice, why not try toffee apples. Popcorn, with all its seasonal connotations, is also a good, healthy option. For children who might have allergies, or prefer not to receive sweets or edible treats, glow sticks are a great option because not only are they fun but they help make little ones visible when they are out trick or treating in the dark, or perhaps share some Halloween jokes which everyone will love. Halloween books will also be popular and it will be lovely to end the day curled up together with a (not too scary) story.

Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting, she is particularly interested in the toddler years and eco-friendly baby products, as well as children’s literature. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories in the UK and Ireland, as well as previously writing freelance for her local paper.

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