Halloween is here and what better time than now to satisfy your sweet tooth? Whoever said Halloween treats can’t be sweet, safe, and healthy too? Instead of upping your chances of toothaches, sugar rushes, and high blood pressure, consider trying out these 8 healthy and delicious Halloween treat ideas.
Healthier Pumpkin Chocolate Cups
We all love a good Reese’s Cup, it’s the epitome of the ultimate Halloween candy. Give the kids what they want in this healthy rendition of the popular treat by Delish Knowledge.
Ingredients
Chocolate Layer
-2 cups chocolate chips (non-dairy for vegan version)
-1 tablespoon coconut oil
-Pinch of salt
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Pumpkin Layer
-3/4 cup pumpkin puree
-2–3 tablespoons maple syrup
-1/4 cup almond butter
-1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
-2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
-Chopped almonds for garnish, optional
Directions
1. With parchment paper, line a muffin tin. Try criss-crossing two pieces of parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray. For easier removal, make these in silicone muffin cups.
2. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat, in 15-second increments, removing and stirring each time until chocolate is melted. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in a small double-boiler.
3. Place half of the chocolate in the bottom of the muffin tins, enough to cover the base. Place in the fridge or freezer until hardened.
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4. While the chocolate is hardening, make the pumpkin filling. Whisk together all ingredients for the pumpkin filling, then dollop on top of the chocolate filling. For easier assembly, place the pumpkin mixture in a pastry bag and add on top of the chocolate.
5. Place in the fridge/freezer until hardened.
6. Re-melt the remaining chocolate, then drizzle over the pumpkin filling. Garnish with chopped almonds, if desired, and place in the fridge or freezer one last time until hardened.
7. To remove, pop the cups out if using a silicon muffin tins. If using the parchment paper overhang, let the cups thaw just enough to be able to pull the cups out. Enjoy, placing any leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Since these have coconut oil in them to help harden, then will “melt” if left at room temperature too long.
Chocolate-Dipped Fruit
This treat by Paleo Grubs is simple and oh-so-sweet and is this healthy option of your favorite fruit and chocolate. Just melt some dark chocolate and dip it in a dried or fresh fruit of your choice. Make them into creepy crawly bugs or coffins for the perfect Halloween snack.
Ingredients
-1/4 cup lemon juice
-2 Granny Smith apples
-3 oz. dark chocolate, roughly chopped
-2 tbsp walnuts, chopped
-2 tbsp cashews, chopped
-1 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips
Directions
1. Wash the apples and pat dry with a paper towel. Use a tablespoon or melon baller to cut out small rounds from the apples. Place into a bowl with the lemon juice and enough cold water to cover. Set aside.
2. Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave and stir until smooth.
3. Prepare a long sheet of wax paper on the counter. Drain the apple pieces and pat dry. Use a toothpick to dip the apple pieces into the melted chocolate. Place onto the wax paper. Sprinkle with toppings of choice. Repeat with remaining apples. If desired, place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
Better-than-Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
We’ve tried the banana bread and have even splurged on a pound cake slice or two, but the once-a-year pumpkin bread at Starbucks is definitely the all-star that “takes the cake” every time. However, the sugar and calories just aren’t worth it, so try this healthier version by The Kitchn!
Ingredients
-Cooking spray
-2 cups granulated sugar
-1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée (about 2 cups)
-1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
-3 large eggs
-1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
-1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
-3/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
-1/4 cup roasted, salted pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas)
Directions
1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray; set aside.
2. Place the sugar, pumpkin purée, oil, and eggs in a large bowl and whisk until smooth and combined. Add the pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and whisk to combine. Add the flour and fold it in with a rubber spatula until just combined.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds, then gently press them into the batter to ensure they stick.
4. Bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached, 65 to 75 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
Spider Bites
Super easy, delicious and healthy. This triple threat isn’t just creepy, it’s just as filling too. Wrap these up to gift to the trick or’ treaters for a healthy alternative by Sandra Lee for the Food Network.
Ingredients
-1 (12-ounce) package semisweet morsels
-1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
-6 cups pretzel sticks
Directions
1. Place parchment paper on baking sheet; set aside.
2. In a large glass microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate chips and peanut butter. Melt on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and stir until smooth.
3. Stir in pretzel sticks. With clean hands grab pretzel sticks and drop on the prepared baking sheet in clusters to look like spiders.
4. Place in the freezer for 5 minutes or until the chocolate is hardened. Remove and serve.
String Cheese Witch’s Brooms
Stay in the Halloween spirit with Manu CatMan's crazy cool witch’s brooms made of all things delicious and good. Break them out as a surprise after school treat!
Ingredients
- 12 Slices of Cheese
- 12 Pretzel sticks
- 12 Fresh Chive
Directions
1. Fold each cheese slice and cut the fringes of the broom using a pair of scissors.
2. Roll the slice of cheese around a snack stick having the fringes looking down.
3. Finally to keep the cheese around the stick, use some chive and knot it around.
Spiced Pumpkin-Raisin Cookies
Get your mouth ready for Giada De Laurentiis’s fall spin on the classic oatmeal raisin cookie by adding pumpkin puree and allspice. Buttery soft and oh so delicious, it makes it hard to believe it’s healthy too!
Ingredients
-2 cups all-purpose flour
-1 1/3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margaine, softened
-1 cup packed brown sugar
-1 cup granulated sugar
-1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
-1 large egg
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-3/4 cup chopped walnuts
-3/4 cup raisins
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease baking sheets.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; mix well. Stir in nuts and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.
3. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned and set in centers. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Spooky-Cute Monster Teeth
Scary yet, totally delicious is this unique take on monster’s teeth. Spook the kids with this healthy original masterpiece created by Jorie Mark for VitaVibes!
Ingredients
-4 medium-sized granny smith apples, cut into 8 sections each
-1 cup natural creamy organic peanut butter
-1 cup yogurt-covered goji berries
-1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Directions
1. Section each apple and then sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
2. Spread about 1 tsp. of peanut butter on each slice.
3. Stick 4-6 yogurt-covered berries on an angle in the peanut butter, then place a second peanut butter-covered apple slice on top. (You may need to secure with a toothpick or extra peanut butter.)
4. Cool for 1 hour in the refrigerator before serving.
Healthy Samoa Caramel Apple Nachos
Has anything ever looked yummier than this? Yes, you can very well nix the thick sugary caramel apples that go around every Halloween. Try this healthier spin on the classic Fall favorite by The Girl On Bloor.
Ingredients
-2 apples, sliced
-1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
-2 tbsp caramel sauce
-1/3 cup chocolate chips
-1 tbsp cream/milk/water/butter
-1 tbsp peanut pieces
Directions
1. In a medium-sized frying pan, heat coconut over med-high heat until just browned and toasted, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat right away and transfer to a bowl then set aside.
2. Melt chocolate chips with cream, milk, water or butter in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add to a plastic bag. Microwave dulce de leche if using for 30 seconds until just warm and add to another plastic bag. Cut small holes at the bottoms of each bag.
3. Slice and core apples, spreading half on a large plate. Sprinkle toasted coconut over apples, then drizzle chocolate and dulce de leche over top. Add peanuts. Add remaining apple slices, then repeat the process. Serve and enjoy right away!
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio
