Description
These creative, hollowed Halloween appetizers and snacks are quick to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for parties. Carve, stuff, and decorate veggies and fruits for festive treats that are healthier than candy and guaranteed to delight guests.
Ingredients
- Bell Peppers (red, orange, yellow, green)
- English Cucumbers
- Apples (Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala)
- Pumpkins (small, pie pumpkins)
- Avocados
- Jalapeños
- Cheese (cream cheese, shredded cheddar, mozzarella sticks)
- Sliced Olives (black and green)
- Baby Carrots
- Celery Sticks
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Pretzel Sticks
- Nut Butter (peanut, almond, sunflower)
- Chocolate Chips
- Mini Marshmallows
- Fresh Herbs (parsley, cilantro)
- Ranch Dip
- Hummus
- Guacamole
- Food-Safe Markers (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and prep all produce. Rinse veggies and fruits, pat dry, and set up your workspace with a cutting board and sharp paring knife.
- Carve out peppers and pumpkins: Slice off the top, scoop out seeds and membranes, and carve jack-o’-lantern faces.
- Hollow cucumbers and apples: Slice cucumbers in half lengthwise and scoop out the center. For apples, quarter and carve out a wedge for a mouth, shaping teeth or a monster smile. Brush apples with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Hollow and decorate avocados: Halve, remove pit, scoop extra flesh, and decorate with olives, herbs, and cheese for monster faces.
- Stuff with fillings: Spoon ranch dip, hummus, or guacamole into hollowed veggies. For apple mouths, spread nut butter and press in mini marshmallow teeth. Sprinkle cheese into jalapeño halves.
- Assemble faces and features: Use olives for eyes, carrots for noses, pretzel sticks for arms, cherry tomatoes for warts or eyeballs. Secure with toothpicks. Draw faces with food-safe markers if desired.
- Bake or chill as needed: For jalapeño mummies, wrap with cheese strips and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes until golden. Other snacks can be served fresh or chilled for 30 minutes.
- Arrange on platter: Place snacks on a serving tray, group by color or monster type, and scatter extra olives, herbs, and pretzels for decoration.
- Final touches: Secure any loose features with toothpicks, add extra dip bowls, and snap a photo before serving.
Notes
Chill produce before carving for easier shaping. Brush apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Don’t overfill hollowed veggies to avoid splitting. Secure features with toothpicks and warn guests before eating. Adapt fillings and decorations for allergies or dietary needs. Lopsided faces add to the fun!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes (for baked jalapeño mummies); most snacks served fresh
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hollowed snack or appetizer
- Calories: 30120
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 50250
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 0.53
- Carbohydrates: 412
- Fiber: 13
- Protein: 14
Keywords: Halloween snacks, hollowed appetizers, party food, kid-friendly, spooky recipes, healthy Halloween, stuffed peppers, monster mouths, jalapeño mummies, veggie snacks