A Healthier Halloween
Are you a fan of Halloween? I think it’s such a fun holiday and our family looks forward to celebrating in not-too-spooky ways every year. There’s just something about the crisp fall weather, creative costumes, time with friends and fun foods that never gets old.
As we all know, Halloween celebrations often come along with sweet treats, packaged candies and sugary treats for days on end. (When I became a mom, I very quickly learned Halloween isn’t a “one night” affair thanks to school parties, trunk-or-treat community events, etc.) I have a giant sweet tooth and have no problem eating indulgent, sugary treats but when it feels like every day is a sugar fest, I find myself craving some better-for-me foods. Thankfully there are a lot of options out there healthy Halloween recipes and better-for-you festive Halloween treats and today I’m sharing a roundup of some of these fun Halloween recipes on the blog! From fun desserts to savory main courses, hopefully a few of the festive recipes below will pop out at you this Halloween season!
15+ Healthy Halloween Recipes
Mandarin Pumpkins
Okayyyy cutie pumpkins! How sweet are these little pumpkins!? And even better: They’re made with good-for-you ingredients and come together in a flash. I think these would be an adorably healthy addition to a class Halloween party!
Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
How creative are these stuffed peppers? Carve a fun jack-o-lanternface into your bell peppers, stuff them with a beef and rice mixture, and bake! Incredibly delicious and full of protein and fiber, these jack-o-lanterns are a Pinterest-worthy dinner that’s healthy and satisfying, too!
Pumpkin Spice Bark
Unlike store-bought bark desserts, this homemade bark uses simple, nutritious ingredients including coconut oil, pumpkin puree, almond butter and warm spices for the perfect fall treat! Customize it by adding your favorite fall sprinkles, pumpkin seeds, candy corn, chopped nuts and more.
Spooky Halloween 7 Layer Dip
A spooky twist on a classic appetizer, this 7-layer dip features layers of soured cream, refried beans, guacamole, cheese, red onions, green onions, and olives. (Tip: Swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt for an extra boost of protein!) Arranged to look like a spider web, it’s almost too cute to eat!
Avocado Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are always a crowd-pleasing appetizer that never disappoints, and the green hue of this recipe makes it perfect for Halloween. Go the extra mile and use garnishes like strips of bell peppers to create funny or spooky faces!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Fudge
This recipe for chocolate peanut butter protein fudge is a rich and creamy chocolaty sweet treat made with peanut butter, cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup and chocolate protein powder. They satisfy the need for something sweet and creamy in a healthier way and can be morphed into a Halloween-themed treat by sprinkling some orange and black sprinkles on top!
Apple Monster Mouths
Snacks don’t get much cuter than these apple bites! They’re a kid-friendly treat sure to make little ones smile and use apple slices that are stacked on top of each other and given faces with sunflower seeds, strawberries, and candy eyes. Easy to make, fun to eat and super tasty.
Sneaky Superfood Chocolate Energy Bites
Loaded with rich chocolate flavor, these decadent energy bites are so delicious no one will ever believe they’re healthy! They’re refined sugar-free and full of vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and healthy fats but taste like dessert. Pop on a few faux-candy eyeballs for a fun Halloween treat!
Cinnamon Coconut Roasted Cashews
The perfect poppable snack, this recipe elevates plain cashews with coconut oil, cinnamon, and shredded coconut. Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin spice for a more fall-friendly crunchy snack!
Healthy Halloween Nachos
Made with whole wheat tortilla chips, sweet corn salsa, and guacamole, these nachos are an easy appetizer perfect for serving one or feeding a crowd. A twist on classic nachos, they’re loaded with vitamins, nutrients, fiber and, most importantly, flavor!
Slightly More Indulgent Treats
And since you guys know I don’t shy away from the “real deal” when it comes to treats, here are a few more slightly more indulgent treats you may enjoy this Halloween season, with a few notes on how you may opt to make them a little healthier, should you choose to do so! Enjoy!
Halloween Spider Cupcakes
If you’re looking to make a festive sweet treat to bring to a Halloween party, these spider cupcakes are an easy way to add a little fun to the spooky holiday! The real fun in these cupcakes is the spider shape, so you can easily make them a little better for you by using lower sugar cupcake recipes or even Paleo muffin recipes as a base, etc. These cupcakes are also a fun way to get the little ones involved in the kitchen, as our boys always think cupcake decorating is a blast!
Must-Make Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Bars
Lower in refined sugar than most dessert recipes out there, these bars are loaded with sweet, nutty flavors but still provide a little boost of fiber and healthy fats thanks to almond butter and oats. Prepare a big batch, and slice into bars and top each piece with a piece or two of candy corn to give the bars a festive look for a Halloween treat!
Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats
While these treats are still very much “treats” and incorporate butter and marshmallows into the mix (because what are Rice Krispie Treats without them!?), they also include pumpkin puree, helping to sneak in a little fiber and nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C, too.
Spider Bites
Your little ones will love eating these crunchy little “spider” bites! All you need to make them are chocolate chips, peanut butter (or a nut butter or choice) and pretzels. If you or your little ones love the combination of sweet and salty flavors, give these a try!
Apple Pie Spice Chex Mix
A sweet and salty treat, this homemade snack mix offers a nice break from all things pumpkin and provides the perfect combination of sweet, spiced flavors. Simply omit the oatmeal cookies in this recipe to keep it a little lower in sugar but still deliciously sweet and salty! A perfect treat for a Halloween party!
Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Cupcakes (with Cinnamon Buttercream)
These pumpkin spice cake mix cupcakes are made with only two ingredients and come together in no time at all. There are more and more better-for-you cake mixes on the market these days and if you opt for a pumpkin spice cake mix that’s a little lower in sugar, these cupcakes are a less-indulgent way to satisfy your pumpkin spice cake craving and actually include REAL pumpkin… and lots of it in the recipe!
Question of the Day
If you have any fun but healthy Halloween recipes or treat ideas you’d love to share, please feel free to drop links or tell us more about them below! Happy (almost) Halloween!
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