Halloween is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’re juggling costumes and decorations and trying to figure out how to make something spooky in the kitchen without losing your mind. As single moms, we have enough on our plate. So, what are your ideas for spending a few hours making a Pinterest-perfect treat? No, this won’t happen! But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a professional chef to create Halloween magic. Here are my picks of easy-to-make Halloween treats that are perfect for busy moms like us. They require minimal effort and are sure to impress your little monster (or your guests, if you’re hosting a party).
20 Easy Halloween Recipes
1. Orange Pumpkin and Banana Ghost
What could be simpler than this Halloween recipe? Orange Squash and Banana Ghost only require four ingredients, so you can whip up a weird and healthy treat in no time… and it’s healthy.
Learn how here: Flo & Grace
2. Zombie Cookies (Better than Cookies!)
Your Day of the Dead platter won’t be complete without these scary yet delicious treats. Just bake some purple and green cookies and grab some candy eyes. Candy-like eyes will make your zombie come to life. These spooky cookies will be a hit with the kids and you’ll effortlessly look like a Halloween kitchen hero.
Learn how here: Klein Worth Co
3. Monster Burger
Using tomato and olive halves to create these scary googly eyes is ingenious. It would be better if you could find bread in other colors, such as green for zombies and white for bloodless vampires. Your kids will have fun choosing which monster they want to fight.
Learn how here: Taste
4. Witch’s hat and broomstick (yes, they’re edible!)
Now, this takes a little effort. Hat, dip cookies into melted chocolate, top with chocolate cones, and let them set. For the broom, use a pretzel stick for the handle and wrap licorice around one end for bristles. These spooky treats are quick to make and are sure to be a hit!
Learn how to do it here: Women’s Weekly
5. Jack-O-Lantern Cheese Balls
This is actually a great idea I tried last year. Guess what? This is truly a blockbuster! Just fry some bacon until crispy, then mix it with cheese, cream cheese, onions, salsa, dill, and jalapeños. Shape it into a ball, wrap it and refrigerate it for an hour. Once firm, roll into crushed corn flakes for a crunchy texture. Finally, place a chili stem on top to make it look like a pumpkin. Serve with tortilla chips or veggie sticks for a fun party snack!
Learn how here: Sunpork Foods
Halloween Cocktails and Appetizers (continued)
6. Eyeball Pasta
Turn dinner into a feast with this spooky Halloween pasta – spooky meatballs topped with mozzarella “eyeballs” that look up from a bed of blood-red henna! It’s delicious, scary and only takes about 35 minutes to make!
Find out how here: Coles
7. Vampire Freak Shake
Dip your fangs into this top-notch smoothie. It may look scary, but it actually tastes great! It’s super simple to make and can be done by both adults and children! All you need is red food coloring or syrup, vanilla ice cream, milk, and powdered sugar of your choice!
Find out how here: Woolworths
8. Ghost Spider Web Cheesecake
Does your kid want cheesecake for Halloween? Do this. It takes a while to prepare and bake, but the end result is worth it! Let little hands help you with dishes or simple mixing tasks!
Learn how here: Taste
9. RIP Halloween Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a delicious way to turn your dining room table into a graveyard. If you want your little cemetery to be lush and fresh, matcha frosting will be a treat.
Learn how to do it here: Inspiration Editor
10. Best Cake Choice: Halloween Chocolate Mousse
Serve up a simple, healthy Halloween treat with Sam Wood’s mousse recipe. Raw cocoa, dark chocolate, coconut cream and kale make for a sweet and decadent treat.
Learn how here: 28 by Sam Wood
Halloween Food Ideas
11. Meringue Ghost
When it comes to Halloween food, cute meringue ghosts are just that. Making puff pastry is actually very simple and takes about 1.5 hours to prepare.
Learn how here: My Baking Addiction
12. Best Appetizer: Apple Slices
If you’re looking for healthy Halloween treats that are easy to prepare, these apple bites are a great deal. Simply slice the apples, add nut butter or jam, and garnish with slivered almonds.
Learn how to do it here: Oh She Glows
13. Marshmallow Bats (Better than Jell-O!)
These marshmallow bats are the perfect bite-sized Halloween dessert. They’re soft, thick marshmallows dipped in chocolate and decorated with candy wings and eyes. Making them is a breeze and will have your little monsters flying back for more! It’s perfect for the party busy moms are throwing this Halloween.
Learn how here: Donna Hay
14. Healthy Halloween Nachos (best with dipping sauce)
These homemade nachos are a great way to sneak in some healthy goodness during this sugar-heavy day. Grab a bunch of Halloween-themed cookie cutters and let your kids help cut the tortilla wraps into their favorite spooky designs.
Find out how here: BBC Good Food
15. Hot Dog Mummy (Get the cheeseboard ready!)
Here’s another adorable mummy recipe on our easy Halloween food list. Super quick to make with refrigerated crescent rolls.
Learn how here: Dietz & Watson
Halloween Party Food Ideas (Continued)
16. Citrus Pumpkin
This orange filling recipe is one of the easiest and healthiest on our Halloween food list. All you need is Mandarin, a marker and imagination.
Learn how to do it here: Design Intuition
17. Cocktail Selection: Halloween Ghost Boiled Egg Party Snacks
This is another super easy recipe that kids will love. They’ll love turning the humble hard-boiled egg into a ghoulish snack.
Learn how here: On My Kids Plate
18. Candy Apple Substitute: Halloween Ghost Kebabs
Fruit skewers are a must-have on the Halloween table. This recipe uses marshmallow ghosts to decorate kebabs.
Learn how here: Taste
19. The most delicious dipper option: S’mores trifles
Kids will love making these easy s’mores. Don’t forget to prepare melted dark and white chocolate for dipping! Your house will definitely smell like a birthday party!
Find out how here: SBS Food
20. Brownie Spider
Halloween food should look and taste great. These easy chocolate spiders tick all the boxes and require just four ingredients: brownies, chocolate chips, pretzels, and candy eyeballs.
Learn how to do it here: Suburban Simplicity
Summary: Halloween gift pack
Halloween is sure to be a busy time this year. I know you don’t want to fill your charcuterie board with store-bought Halloween desserts. What I do is start planning early so I don’t have to spend days in the kitchen (that’s actually an exaggeration, haha). But if you want to make something spooky and festive, my picks above will help you skip the kitchen chaos while still bringing lots of spooky fun to the table. They’re quick, easy, and perfect for busy single moms who want to have as much holiday fun as their kids. So let go of the pressure to be perfect and embrace the chaos and magic of the season!
So, you’ve got your food sorted; don’t stop there! We’ve got more shortcuts for you: Halloween can be a breeze in just five easy steps.
