With Halloween around the corner, why not celebrate outdoors with a spooktacular picnic? This Halloween, surprise your guests with treats that are as fun to look at as they are to eat. Here’s a list of unique Halloween picnic foods, categorized to help you plan the perfect spooky spread.
1. Spooky Starters
Kick off the picnic with Halloween-themed appetizers that are easy to transport and share.
Monster Eyeball Deviled Eggs
Turn deviled eggs into spooky eyes by adding green food coloring to the yolk mixture and topping them with a slice of black olive and a red “vein” effect with sriracha sauce.
Pumpkin Guacamole Cups
Fill hollowed-out mini pumpkins or orange bell peppers with guacamole. Carve small jack-o'-lantern faces to make them look festive and eerie.
Mummy Dogs
Wrap hot dogs in strips of crescent dough, leaving small gaps for “eyes.” After baking, add tiny mustard or ketchup dots for the eyes. These mummy dogs are easy to make and fun to eat!
2. Hauntingly Healthy Options
For those who want to keep it light, here are some nutritious Halloween picnic ideas.
Ghostly Veggie Platter
Arrange cauliflower florets in a ghost shape, using black olives for eyes. Add a variety of veggies around it for a colorful, healthy Halloween spread.
Fruit Jack-O'-Lantern Cups
Use small, hollowed oranges or tangerines, carving faces into them like mini jack-o'-lanterns, and fill with a fruit salad of berries, grapes, and melon balls.
Spider Deviled Avocados
Slice avocados in half, scoop out some of the flesh, and mash it with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Top with “spider” olives, using half for the body and thin slices for the legs.
3. Frightening Finger Foods
Finger foods are a must for any picnic! These spooky bites are easy to pack and share.
Witch’s Fingers Breadsticks
Shape breadstick dough into long, thin “fingers” with an almond slice at the end for a nail. After baking, brush with garlic butter to make these creepy fingers delicious and savory.
Bat Wings (Buffalo Chicken Wings)
Add a twist to regular chicken wings by calling them “bat wings.” Use a smoky or spicy buffalo sauce for a dark look and a flavorful punch.
Skeleton Cheese Platter
Create a cheese and charcuterie skeleton by using different cheeses for the skull and bones, and arrange slices of salami or prosciutto around it for a spooky look.
4. Ghoulish Main Dishes
Make sure there are some filling options to keep everyone satisfied.
Spooky Sliders
Use mini burger buns and carve out jack-o'-lantern faces in the top buns. Fill them with burger patties, cheese, and condiments for a tasty main dish.
Monster Sandwich Wraps
Use spinach or tomato wraps and fill them with colorful veggies, meats, and cheese. Fold them and cut faces into the wraps for a creepy effect when unwrapped.
Mac-o’-Lanterns
Pack single-serving portions of creamy mac and cheese into small carved pumpkins for a festive look. These can be served warm or at room temperature, making them picnic-friendly.
5. Sinister Sweets
No Halloween picnic is complete without treats! These desserts are fun, portable, and deliciously scary.
Graveyard Pudding Cups
Fill cups with chocolate pudding, add crumbled Oreo “dirt” on top, and decorate with gummy worms and a cookie “tombstone.” Use icing to write “RIP” on the cookie for an extra spooky effect.
Pumpkin Patch Brownies
Make mini brownies and top with green frosting or candy grass. Place a candy pumpkin on top to make it look like a little pumpkin patch.
Ghost Meringues
Pipe meringue in ghost shapes and bake until crisp. Add melted chocolate dots for the eyes and mouth. These are light, sweet, and perfect for a Halloween picnic.
6. Bewitching Beverages
Keep everyone hydrated with these fun Halloween-themed drinks.
Swamp Punch
Make a lime or green-colored punch and add gummy worms or lychee “eyeballs” (lychee stuffed with blueberries) for a creepy touch.
Vampire Lemonade
Serve a classic lemonade with a twist: add a bit of cherry or pomegranate juice for a “bloody” look. For an extra touch, add plastic vampire fangs to the rims of each cup.
Pumpkin Juice (Apple Cider)
Serve spiced apple cider in hollowed-out mini pumpkins for a unique Halloween drink. Add cinnamon sticks for extra flavor and decoration.
Planning Tips for a Perfect Halloween Picnic:
Pack Halloween-Themed Napkins & Utensils: Little details like these add a festive touch.
Bring Plenty of Ice Packs: Many Halloween foods contain perishable items. Keep everything fresh by packing with ice packs.
Set the Scene: Bring a Halloween-themed blanket, lanterns, or even a few props like mini skeletons or cobwebs to make the picnic area feel spooky.
This Halloween, take your celebration outdoors with these hauntingly delicious and creative foods. Happy haunting!
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