56 Halloween Snacks That'll Get Any Grown-Up in the Spirit
The eternal Halloween dilemma: You want to throw a fabulous party to celebrate, but you don’t want to get so kitschy and kiddie that you’re serving your guests fake fingers. So, we went on a mission to find the classiest treat ideas for spooky season. Here, 56 Halloween snacks for adults that all your party guests will love. (BTW, you can get even more ideas on our Halloween inspiration board.)
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1. Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies
Cuter (and more impressive) than any boring apple pie recipe.
2. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
We'd go ham with the cinnamon streusel on top if we were you. It is the best part, after all. (Or is it the tangy cream cheese swirl?)
3. Jolly Rancher Candy Apples
The perfect balance of sweet and sour, these are classics for a reason. Drizzle them with white chocolate for extra flair.
4. Giant Cinnamon Roll
Move over pumpkin spice: There’s a new breakfast favorite to scarf down every morning this fall.
5. The Best Damn Pumpkin Soup
Anyone who says soup isn't a snack hasn't tried this one. Hint: All you have to do is fill a hulled-out pumpkin with stock and seasonings, then roast it. Mini pumpkin bowls, anyone?
6. Pumpkin Pecan Scones with Maple Glaze
Only 30 minutes before your guests arrive? Challenge accepted.
7. Baked Salted Caramel Apple Cider Doughnuts
It’s not fall until you have at least two of these, either with mulled apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte.
8. Pumpkin Pie
The cinnamon roll pie crust is what sets this beauty apart from the rest.
9. Sweet Potato Wedges with California Avocado Aioli
Your favorite seasonal spud makes for a wonderful appetizer. Seasoned with cold-weather spices like fennel, coriander and cumin, these aren't your average fries.
10. The World’s Biggest Peanut Butter Cup
Let’s face it: Not all Halloween treats are created equal. (And the iconic combo of peanut butter and chocolate trumps them all.)
11. Chocolate Bark Halloween Brownies
These oh-so-Instagrammable brownies are a sure win with both kids and adults alike.
12. Savory Pumpkin Dip
This dip's got it all, from cheddar cheese to toasted pecans to crispy bacon. Better yet, it'll only take you five minutes to prepare.
13. Candy Corn Surprise Cake
Slice it open at the table and let the compliments roll in. The candy inside will really impress your friends and family.
14. Pumpkin Tiramisu
Our new favorite dessert, courtesy of Coterie member Heidi Larsen. Not only are there a ton of ladyfingers layered in there, but the dessert is also crowned with ginger snap cookies.
15. Black Sesame Ice Cream
Because ice cream season is never over in our hearts, no matter the weather. Did we mention it’s gluten-free?
16. Pepper Teigen’s Thai Glazed Ribs
Place these on a festive tray and watch them vanish in 30 seconds flat. The trick to cooking them at lightning speed? Deep-frying the ribs instead of smoking or grilling them.
17. Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow
These adorable treats are bite-size, so go ahead and have ten...or 20. We won’t judge.
18. Tahini Buckeyes
A subtle (and non-spooky) nod to eyeball candies. Nutty tahini takes over for traditional peanut butter here for an earthy twist.
19. Curried Parsnip and Apple Soup
A hearty bowl of this nutrient-packed root vegetable soup will keep you warm through December. Serve them in shot glasses as an easy app.
21. Sea Salt Pumpkin Butter Cups
A fall take on the standard peanut butter cup, these pumpkin purée-filled candies come together with just five ingredients.
22. Candy Corn Cupcakes
Layers of yellow and orange cake batter topped with buttercream frosting make these vanilla cupcakes resemble their namesake.
23. Pumpkin Sage Biscuits
Thanks to almond milk and non-dairy butter, these babies are totally vegan.
24. Cranberry Apple Crisp
Tackle this recipe whenever pie crust feels like a tall order—no fancy crimping required.
26. Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Feel free to use another roasted fall vegetable in place of tomatoes if you'd like. Think crispy mushrooms, brown sugar-glazed carrots or air-fried Brussels sprouts.
27. Brown Sugar Pear Puff Pastries
It only *looks* like one of those treats from a fancy bakery that you could never pull off on your own.
28. Cranberry-Brie Pie Crust Bites
Store-bought pie crust and cranberry sauce make these hors d'oeuvres a total cinch.
29. Mini Caramel Pecan Pies with Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust
In a word, irresistible. And they've got a foolproof ratio of pie to whipped cream to boot.
30. Goat Cheese, Apple and Honey Tarts
Since the cheese is tangy and salty, sweet apples like Braeburns or Galas balance this recipe best.
31. Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
Want to see a bunch of children turn into monsters? Put a bowl of these down on the kids' table.
32. Hard Apple Cider Floats
Aren't you glad you're one of the grown-ups? Vanilla ice cream is our go-to, but feel free to use an autumnal flavor like pumpkin pie or salted caramel instead.
33. Ghost Pizza
OK, so we said no cheesy recipes. But we'll never pass on melted mozzarella. Plus, how can you resist that cute little tomato face?
34. Mini Caramel Apples
Bring the fall festival home this year with these sweet treats that only take four ingredients and 50 minutes to prepare.
35. Creamy Pumpkin Eton Mess
Pumpkin pie haters, beware. You're about to be converted by this pumpkin cream-meringue hybrid.
36. Ritz Crackers with Whipped Honey Ricotta and Bacon
Cheese and crackers, but make it fashion. Bonus points for candying the bacon in brown sugar and maple syrup.
37. Pumpkin Spice Pecan Rolls
Pumpkin purée-spiked dough meets buttery, spiced pecan filling. The three-ingredient icing is technically optional...but we can't imagine why you'd skip it.
38. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Consider it the best of ginger snaps, cheesecake and pumpkin pie, all in one bite.
39. Biscuit Dough Pumpkin Hand Pies
Brunch is served. Did we mention these pies pair beautifully with a venti PSL? With extra whip, of course.
40. Pumpkin Brioche
A few slices make for a scary delicious fall spin on French toast. Just sayin'.
41. Classic Guacamole
When in doubt, a heaping bowl of fresh guac never fails. Go the festive route by serving it in a hollowed-out pumpkin and garnishing with toasted pepitas.
42. Everything Bagel-Crusted Chicken Tenders
If your menu consists mostly of snacks, add these filling handhelds to the list so your guests don't fill up on candy.
43. Jake Cohen’s Just-Add-Sour-Cream Caramelized Onion Dip
No matter the occasion, onion dip is a guaranteed home run. This one is made with sweet onions, leeks, chives, garlic and a whole lot of butter.
44. ‘Frycuterie’ Board
If you have no choice but to invite the kids to your Halloween soirée, this mélange of crinkle-cut fries, curly fries, sweet potato fries and frozen tots should keep them occupied.
45. Three-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles
Heavy cream, cocoa powder and quality chocolate unite to create these poppable treats. Be sure to use chocolate discs or a bar instead of chips, since they're designed to keep their shape when heated.
46. Spanish Tapas Board
Come for the Spanish cheeses, cured meats, nuts and olives. Stay for the heirloom pan con tomate and patatas bravas with saffron aioli.
47. Coffee and Brown Sugar Granita with Whipped Cream
This visually fancy dessert is mind-blowingly simple to whip up. You only need five ingredients and a freezer to pull it off.
48. Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Sesame and Honey
You're only 25 minutes away from this crisp, gooey, sweet-and-salty masterpiece. It can be served as a starter, side or post-dinner snack with wine.
49. S’mores Cookies
Aka the easiest way to get a taste of summer in the off-season. Top the marshmallows with your favorite fun-sized candies for a Halloween-inspired finish.
51. Black Sesame Shortbread
It may look fancier than your average chocolate chip cookie, but these shortbread cookies are a breeze to make. (Seriously—you won't even need an electric mixer.)
54. Candy Land ‘Jarcuterie’
Nope, we'll never be over jarcuterie, the single-serve charcuterie "boards" that took over Pinterest last year. Here, we trade meat and cheese for fun-size candy bars, yogurt-covered pretzels, lollipops and gummies.
Additional reporting by Alexandra Hough and Pamela Masin
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For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.
55. Paleo Witch Finger Cookies
Coconut flour cookies stuffed with homemade jelly? And they’re vegan? That’s some strange magic.
56. Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Cookies
Could these spiced brown sugar cookies be any cuter? We think not.