The countdown to the spookiest night of the year has begun, and your plans for the perfect Halloween gathering should be well underway. Alongside cobweb-clad corners, mysterious flickering lights and a chilling atmosphere, a table laden with tantalising treats and devilish drinks is a must of any successful All Hallows' Eve party.
So, prepare to embark on a supernatural culinary journey as we uncover some Halloween party food and drink ideas that are sure to bewitch your guests!
1. Mummy Dogs
Enlist puff pastry and sausages/hotdogs to summon an army of mummy dogs. Wrap the sausages/hotdogs in the pastry and bake until golden. Leave a gap for the eyes and apply a touch of mustard or ketchup for a ghostly gaze!
Tip: Store-brand ingredients can be a
wallet-friendly alternative, delivering taste without the terror of a hefty
price tag.
Tip 2: Instead of using puff pastry you could opt to do a traditional hotdog in a role and use mayo zigzaged across to look like a mummy and stick edible eyes to them with the sauce.
2. Ghostly Pizza
Craft a ghastly yet delicious main dish with ghost-shaped mozzarella on a canvas of pizza base, with olive slices bringing the spectral figures to life. Don't just think ghosts you can opt for other spooky characters such as pumpkins and witches.
Tip: Ready-made pizza bases and a variety of
toppings allow for a variety of flavours without invoking the spirits of
expense.
Tip 2: If you have Halloween cookie cutters you can use them to cut out the shapes with cheese, ham and some other ingredients.
3. Spooky Jelly Cups
Craft cups of green or red jelly inhabited by gummy worms or spiders for a treat that’s as spooky as it is sweet. A visual and edible delight!
Tip: Keep an eye out for special offers on jelly and
gummies as Halloween approaches.
Tip 2: Instead of using cups you could do jelly shot syringes. Just don't chuck them out as you could re-use them for next years party.
4. Witches’ Brew Punch
Mix a potion of green fruit punch, lemon-lime soda, and a scoop of lime sherbet. The resulting frothy concoction is sure to cast a spell on your guests.
Tip: Opt for store-brand soda and seasonal fruits
for enchanting flavours that won’t curse your budget.
5. Bloodshot Eyeball Truffles
Create eerie edible eyeballs with white chocolate truffles, veined with red food colouring, centred by a blueberry or chocolate chip pupil.
Tip: Bulk-buy ingredients and make extra – these truffles can be enchanted to stay fresh in the freezer for future spooky soirees!
6. Pumpkin Spice Latte
A Halloween table is incomplete without the autumnal charm of pumpkin! Serve homemade pumpkin spice lattes to warm both hearts and spirits.
Tip: Canned pumpkin puree and ground spices conjure up a tasty brew without the toil and trouble of expense.
Tip 2: Make your own pumpkin spice mix instead of buying pre-made to save yourself some £s. All you need is:
- 3 tablespoons of cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons of nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of all spice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of clove
7. Candy Corn Popcorn
Combine popcorn and candy corn, and drizzle with white chocolate for a treat that blends sweet and salty.
Tip: Choose plain popcorn kernels and pop your own for a cost-effective snack that can be bewitched to suit any palate.
Tip 2: If you can't get hold of candy corn than you can find lots of ideas of other Halloween themed popcorn on Pinterest.
8. Vampire’s Blood Cocktail
Craft a tantalising cocktail of cranberry juice, vodka, and a splash of club soda, garnished with a ‘blood’-rimmed glass using red food colouring and sugar.
Tip: Swap champagne for soda for an
effervescent twist that won’t drain your coffers.
9. Graveyard Taco Dip
Assemble a multi-layered taco dip and adorn it with tombstone-shaped tortilla chips for a ghoulishly good appetiser that's perfect for dipping.
Tip: Utilise store-bought salsa and guacamole for a time-saving and budget-friendly option, leaving you more time to perfect your Halloween costume!
10. Monster Apple Bites
Carve apple slices into monstrous mouths filled with peanut butter and adorned with almond slivers for teeth – a healthy snack with a Halloween twist!
Tip: Buy apples and almonds in bulk and let
guests craft their own monstrous creations for an interactive and
budget-friendly snack option.
11. Creepy Crawler Ice Cubes
Freeze plastic spiders or other creepy crawlies in ice cube trays filled with water or juice, and add them to drinks for a chilling surprise.
Tip: Shop for plastic critters at pound shops or
discount stores to keep costs down while keeping the spook level high!
Crafting a Halloween feast to remember doesn’t
have to be a nightmarish affair on your wallet. A sprinkle of creativity, a
dash of DIY enthusiasm, and a pinch of budget-savvy substitutions can conjure a
table laden with treats that enchant the eyes and bewitch the palate. So,
summon your inner culinary witch or wizard, roll up your sleeves, and let the
Halloween magic commence!
For further inspiration check out these Halloween baking ideas.