I love the grown-up costume parties, putting dry ice in the punch bowl, embracing all things spooky and dead, and watching horror movies in the dark. I love seeing the trick-or-treaters’ costumes, especially the babies and toddlers in their adorable onesie outfits. This tot dressed as a Dale Chihuly art glass sculpture just about killed me:
Anyhoo, all those adorable trick-or-treaters are going to be arriving very soon. Cautious parents want to see only unopened prepackaged treats for safety reasons. But at home, instead of giving your own kids unhealthy sugar-laden store-bought candies and chocolates (well, maybe just a few), let’s plan some vegan treats for the little monsters without all the guilt. These recipes are spooky and fun, but also delicious and healthy.
Since so many Halloween recipes are for sweet desserts, let’s focus on savory recipes that can be part of a party spread or a pre- or post-trick-or-treating meal.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
This nut-free cheese ball can be shaped into a pumpkin or anything else you can imagine. Coat the ball in bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, or chopped herbs. Add black olive pieces for a face, top with a green bean stem, and serve with chips. Get the recipe from Vegan Richa here.
Mummy Dogs
Filled with chopped veggies and spices, and wrapped in easy-to-use ready-made pizza dough, they make an impressive presentation with minimal effort. A pair of peas for spooky eyes finish them off. Get the recipe from Vegan Richa here.
Monstrous Hummus
This creamy hummus has a killer kick from fresh jalapeño, and its monster-green color comes from baby kale. Add the pepper gradually to taste. It looks a lot like guacamole, so be sure to label it! Get the recipe from Fat Free Vegan here.
Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
When you and your kids carve your jack-o-lanterns, save the seeds to make this addictive and healthy snack to munch on while waiting for trick-or-treaters. Get the recipe from Veganosity here.
Ghoulish Stuffed Jack-o-Lanterns
Super simple and truly creepy, with “guts” spilling out of its face! Just carve a bell pepper with a jack-o-lantern face and stuff it with marinara-soaked spaghetti. Pull a few strands out of the holes to make it look extra gross. This hardly even needs a recipe, but you can find Healthful Pursuit’s version here.
Witch Fingers
Another easy-to-make recipe using store-bought bread stick dough, these creepy bread sticks are “mold” stained, “blood” drenched, with pumpkin seed “fingernails.” Serve with more marinara sauce “blood.” Or use them to dip into the Monstrous Hummus! Get the recipe from Chef de Home here.
Mummy Pizzas
Make these mini pizzas with English muffins, pasta sauce and strips of vegan provolone cheese for mummy bindings, plus green olive slices for eyes. So cute and yummy! Kids will love them. Get the recipe from Veggies Save the Day here.
Cucumber Coffins
These appetizers don’t need to be cooked, so they can be thrown together in a snap. The combination of cucumber, blueberries and beets makes a uniquely delicious finger food! Get the recipe from Inspiring Cooks here.
Jack-o-Lantern Bites
These bite-sized rice balls are so fun and cute. A rice ball is bound with water and carrot juice, and green beans and black olive pieces make the stem and face. Get the recipe from Apron Strings here.
Stuffed Mushroom Eyeballs
This one is pretty creepy, too! The mushroom looks like rotted skin, and the sun-dried tomatoes look like bloodshot veins. Kids will love these “eyeballs” and not even notice how healthy they are! Get the recipe from Vegan Yack Attack here.
Walking Dead Cocktail
For the grown-ups, here’s a riff on the classic Bloody Mary that uses pickled cauliflower pieces as “brains” for the garnish.
Do you have any savory vegan Halloween recipes you make for your family? Share with us in the comments!
