What do your plans look like for Halloween 2020? We opted to keep it low key this year and invite a few close friends to celebrate. Of course, the first thing I think about when planning any party is the treats. Halloween snacks are my favorite because they are yummy and festive (oh, and many contain chocolate).
I have the fondest childhood memories of Halloween Shenanigans. I’m 46, and honestly, I still look forward to it. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I love to cook, bake, and create a fun experience for my guests. Halloween is no different, so I rounded up 10 of my favorite Halloween party ideas for 2020.
1. Jack o lantern guacamole tray
I like to start with a healthy option, as I know there will be plenty of treats filled with sugar to follow. Anything that involves crackers and dipping sauce is right up my ally – No double-dipping, of course.
2. Chocolate covered pretzel rods
Chocolate covered pretzels are so fun and easy to customize to your event. I’ve made them for anything from babies christening to friends’ 40th birthday parties and everything in between. I love these mummy pretzels with the candy eyes – How adorable are they? If you are like me, chocolate covered pretzels are at the top of the yummy treats list – well, really ANYTHING covered in chocolate is.
3. Bite sized chocolate covered pretzels
Here’s another fun way to cover your pretzels in chocolate for Halloween. The different sized candy eyes and colored chocolate makes them extra fun. Bite-sized chocolate-covered treats make them adorable but also way too easy to eat more than the recommended serving.
4. Halloween trail mix
Trail mix was initially a combination of nuts, raisins, and chocolate as a trail snack and dates at least to the 1910s when outdoorsman Horace Kephart recommended it in his popular camping guide. It’s an ideal snack for hikes because it is lightweight, easy to store, and nutritious, providing a quick energy boost from the carbohydrates.
In more recent years, trail mix has become a popular party treat with anything from popcorn (caramel popcorn in this case), pretzels, cereal, and candy. I love to mix it up and make it festive. This is one of my favorite recipes for Halloween Trail mix.
5. Chcolate covered monster oreos
My sons would sell their souls for Oreos! Therefore, we do not celebrate ANYTHING in this house without them. Oh, and do not dare bring anything but double stuffed Oreos – they will rot in the pantry.
Three ingredients and thirty minutes are all you will need to create these chocolate covered oreo monsters. If you are making the chocolate covered pretzels we suggested above, then you have two of the three ingredients – All you will need is Oreos – (double stuffed ; ) )
6. Sweet and Salty Halloween Bark
Chocolate and candy are what Halloween is all about, right? So, you can’t go wrong with this Sweet and Salty Halloween Bark. My daughter, Alyssa, got into making bark a few years back, and she decorates it according to the season or event. She uses pieces of it to decorate cakes and cupcakes or as a stand-alone treat. It’s so yummy.
7. Halloween charcuterie board
Charcuterie boards have recently become very popular and are popping up everywhere with varying themes. This Halloween charcuterie board displays all the bounties of Fall, with figs and honeycomb being my favorite!
8. Leather face pot pie
Pot pies are a classic meal, believed to have originated in Greece. Typically they consist of a pie shell, meat (usually chicken and beef), and a mixed vegetable filling – a perfect easy meal for busy nights. You can prepare this Halloween chicken pot pie before you head out to trick or treat and then throw it in the oven when you are ready for dinner.
9. Snakes in the grass – An easy Halloween party food
Snakes in the grass is a great choice, especially if you are having a casual afternoon get together. Easy to create and serve, which makes it the perfect party food. Switch up the selection of meats and cheese to suit your guests.
10. Chocolate chip spider cookies
The key to an easy recipe is to have the ingredients on hand. Most of the time, I have what I need for chocolate chip cookies, and you probably do too. The basic recipe calls for nine ingredients – All-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, semi-sweet chocolate chips – that’s it! The spiders on top make them a mix of cute and gross, but ALWAYS yummy!
Halloween has always been a time to express my creativity in costume making, food, and decorating. I hope this has inspired you to experiment with new Halloween treats.
What are your favorite Halloween party foods? I would love to hear all about it in the comments below. I’m always looking for new inspiration.
