40 Easy Halloween Appetizers That Are Scary Good
You can make these creepy, fun party snacks ahead of the big bash.
If you’re throwing a Halloween party, festive kids’ birthday party, or scary movie night with friends this spooky season, give one or more of these Halloween appetizers a try. Pair them with a fun fall cocktail for a memorable night of scary good bites, show-stopping costumes, and of course, quality time with friends and family.
Depending on the type of event you’re throwing, there’s an appetizer to match. There are chips and dip for a relaxed hang, bite-sized hors d'oeuvres for an upscale gathering, and simple, three-ingredient snacks for kid-friendly eats. If you’re a beginner in the kitchen, don’t stress. Most of these recipes are easy to execute, requiring only a few festive touches, such as seasonal plating materials, small-themed garnishes, and creativity. Best of all, if you struggle with the decoration portion of these light bites, you can always claim they’re monsters. Monsters aren’t supposed to be perfect.
These tasty Halloween recipes will ensure you get some sustenance before a big night out, whether that’s trick-or-treating, attending a costume contest, or sipping on Halloween drinks. For a full night of festive foods, consider serving a Halloween dinner and Halloween dessert too.
For more Halloween recipe ideas, make sure to check out our list of apple recipes, fall appetizers, and Halloween punch recipe ideas.
Guacamoldy Witch
For a chip and dip platter that'll wow (and potentially scare), start with a guacamole base and add to it with spiral carrots, blue corn tortilla chips, and other vegetables.
Get the Guacamoldy Witch recipe.
"Pumpkin" Hummus
It's all about presentation when it comes to this simple hummus recipe. Create lines in the dip using the tip of a spoon, and garnish with celery leaves and a celery stick.
Get the Pumpkin Hummus recipe.
Pesto Spaghetti and Eyeballs
Whip up your favorite pesto pasta recipe and embellish with mozzarella and olive eyeballs. Or make the eyeballs on their own for a quick and easy hors d'oeuvre.
Get the Pesto Spaghetti and Eyeballs recipe.
Carrot Fingers with Creamy Edamame Dip
Scare guests with these easy-to-make finger carrots that act as the perfect vessel for delicious edamame dip.
Get the Creamy Edamame Dip recipe.
Pumpkin Biscuits
If you're a fan of apple butter, you must try pumpkin butter on these tasty pumpkin biscuits for a sweet starter. Or sandwich two biscuits together with ham and cheese for a savory snack.
Get the Pumpkin Biscuit recipe.
Slow Cooker Sausage, Potato, and Onion Stuffed Peppers
Talk about easy! To add some Halloween flair to this slow-cooker recipe, carve a mouth, nose, and eyes into a pepper for a jack-o'-lantern appearance.
Get the Slow Cooker Sausage, Potato, and Onion Stuffed Peppers recipe.
RELATED: Slow Cooker Meals for Kids That Prove Your Crockpot Is Dinner's MVP
Skeleton Crudite
This adorable idea won't take any time at all. Just arrange your favorite veggies into the shape of a skeleton. We suggest using cauliflower, carrots, celery, radishes, bell peppers, and more. Don't forget the dip!
Pumpkin Hand Pies
For a sweet appetizer, try these pumpkin-packed hand pies that are also filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Get the Pumpkin Hand Pies recipe.
RELATED: Halloween Treat Recipes Kids (and Adults) Will Scream Over
Ghostly Pizza
The key here is cutting the cheese into ghost shapes. You can either free-hand it or use a ghost cookie cutter.
Get the Ghostly Pizza recipe.
Monster Wraps
The best part about these wraps is that you can fill them with whatever your guests want — so even the pickiest of eaters can enjoy!
Get the Monster Wraps recipe.
Jack-o'-Lantern Chicken and Sweet Potato Potpie
You can't beat these little jack-o'-lantern potpies. Guests will love the taste, and you'll love how easy they are to make.
Get the Jack-o'-Lantern Chicken and Sweet Potato Potpie recipe.
Halloween Cheese Balls
Homemade cheese balls take flight with a set of crispy tortilla wings.
Get the Halloween Cheese Balls recipe.
Stuffed Eyeballs
Roll up your meat of choice (any type of thinly sliced, cured meat will do!), then place a ball of mozzarella inside. Finish by adding a green olive, stuffed with red pepper into the mozzarella to create an "eyeball."
Cheese Witch Brooms
Grab a slice of cheese, roll it up, and fray one end with a knife or kitchen scissors to look like a broom. Poke a pretzel stick in the middle, and tie it together with sliced green onion.
Mini Mummy Meat Loaves
Sweet cherry tomatoes are hidden in the center of these mini-meat loaves, offering a burst of juicy flavor when you take a bite.
Get the Mini Mummy Meat Loaves recipe.
Spiderweb Pizza
Serve up a piping hot slice of creepy with these super-simple pizzas made from pre-baked crust, pizza sauce, strategically placed string cheese, and a black olive spider.
Get the Spiderweb Pizza recipe.
RELATED: Festive Halloween Birthday Party Ideas for Kids and Adults
Severed Toes in Bandages
Think pigs in a blanket with a twist! Guests will love eating these baked cocktail franks wrapped in pie crust strips. Serve with blood-red ketchup or the sauce of your choice for dipping.
Get the Severed Toes in Bandages recipe.
Saucy Spider
Spin a web of doughy deliciousness with this party-perfect Halloween appetizer. If you can't find pizza dough at your supermarket, try a local pizza parlor. They will likely sell you a fresh ball. For extra effect, sprinkle the legs with poppy seeds for a hairy appearance, in addition to parmesan.
Get the Saucy Spider recipe.
Bloodshot Deviled Eyeballs
Whip up a batch of creamy deviled eggs and then turn them into eerie-looking "eyeballs" with a few simple additions: black olive slices for pupils and thinly sliced pimiento for veins.
Get the Bloodshot Deviled Eyeballs recipe.
RELATED: Best Halloween Potluck Ideas to Please a Monster Crowd
Mummies in a Blanket
Loosely wrap strips of pie crust dough around hot dogs to create little mummies. Leave room for edible eyes to be placed.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
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