13 Easy Recipes: Halloween Side Dishes

When October rolls in and Halloween decorations start taking over front yards, kitchens everywhere begin brewing ideas for spooky treats and eerie eats.

While Halloween is typically all about candy and desserts, don’t overlook the power of savory side dishes.

These ghoulishly good additions can wow your guests and keep everyone full before the sugar rush begins. Below, we present 13 hauntingly delicious Halloween side dishes that are creepy, creative, and easy to make.

1. Mashed Potato Ghosts

These adorable ghost-shaped mashed potatoes are not only fun for kids but also a comforting, creamy side dish that complements any main course. They bring spooky charm to your Halloween table without much extra effort.

Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 tbsp butter
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Black olives (for eyes)

Instructions:

1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks. Place them in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil.
2. Cook the potatoes until fork-tender, about 15–20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
3. Mash the potatoes with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Scoop the mashed potatoes into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
5. Pipe the potatoes onto a serving platter in tall ghost-like shapes.
6. Slice black olives into small circles and place them as eyes on each ghost.

2. Spider-Web Taco Dip

This festive seven-layer dip is a crowd-pleaser with a spooky sour cream spider web on top. It’s perfect for dipping with chips or veggies and adds visual flair to your appetizer spread.

Ingredients:

• 1 can refried beans
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup guacamole
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Black olives, chopped
• Plastic spider (optional for decoration)

Instructions:

1. In a shallow dish, spread the refried beans evenly as the first layer.
2. Mix most of the sour cream with taco seasoning and spread it as the second layer. Reserve a few tablespoons of plain sour cream.
3. Carefully add layers of guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese, and chopped olives.
4. Use a piping bag or plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped to pipe a spider-web pattern on top with the reserved sour cream.
5. Optional: Place a plastic spider in the center for a creepy finish (be sure to remove it before serving).

3. Pumpkin Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs dressed up like mini pumpkins are the perfect Halloween finger food. With their festive orange hue and green “stems,” these eggs are as cute as they are delicious.

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs
• 3 tbsp mayo
• 1 tsp mustard
• Paprika for color
• Salt & pepper
• Green onion or chive for stems

Instructions:

1. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Remove the yolks and place them in a mixing bowl.
3. Mash the yolks with mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Stir in paprika until the filling turns a pumpkin-like orange.
5. Pipe or spoon the mixture back into the egg whites.
6. Use a toothpick to draw vertical lines on the filling to mimic pumpkin ridges.
7. Insert small pieces of green onion or chive into the top as stems.

4. Spooky Pasta Salad

This festive pasta salad combines Halloween colors with fun, spooky shapes like cheese bats and salami ghosts. It’s refreshing, hearty, and a great make-ahead dish for any party.

Ingredients:

• Tri-color tortellini
• Cherry tomatoes
• Black olives
• Mini mozzarella balls
• Italian dressing
• Halloween-themed cookie cutters (for cheese or salami)

Instructions:

1. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
2. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice olives as desired.
3. Use small cookie cutters to cut cheese or slices of salami into Halloween shapes.
4. In a large bowl, combine tortellini, tomatoes, olives, mozzarella balls, and shaped cheese or meats.
5. Toss with Italian dressing and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

5. Mummy Jalapeño Poppers

These jalapeño poppers are spicy, cheesy, and hilariously wrapped to look like little mummies. A spooky snack with bite-sized heat and fun presentation.

Ingredients:

• 10 jalapeños, halved and deseeded
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tube crescent roll dough
• Candy eyes (or olive bits)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and garlic powder in a bowl until smooth.
3. Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture.
4. Cut crescent dough into thin strips and wrap around each stuffed jalapeño to resemble a mummy.
5. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
6. After baking, add candy eyes or small olive slices to complete the look.

6. Witch-Hat Cheese Brooms

These whimsical cheese brooms are incredibly easy and perfect for Halloween grazing boards. With only three ingredients, they’re a fun, savory snack.

Ingredients:

• Mozzarella string cheese
• Pretzel sticks
• Chives

Instructions:

1. Cut each mozzarella stick into thirds.
2. Use a knife to fringe one end of each piece to resemble broom bristles.
3. Insert a pretzel stick into the uncut end of each cheese piece.
4. Tie a chive around the top for decoration.

7. Slimy Worm Hot Dogs

These boiled hot dogs curl into worm-like shapes, making them hilariously gross and perfect for kids’ parties.

Ingredients:

• 6 hot dogs
• Ketchup & mustard for garnish

Instructions:

1. Slice each hot dog lengthwise into 4 thin strips.
2. Bring a pot of water to boil and add the sliced hot dogs.
3. Boil for 3–5 minutes until they curl and resemble worms.
4. Drain and serve on a platter with ketchup and mustard labeled as “slime” or “witch’s brew.”

8. Ghost Pizza Bagels

Mini pizza bagels topped with mozzarella ghosts make for a quick, cheesy snack that’s both festive and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 6 mini bagels
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• Mozzarella slices
• Black olive slices for eyes

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Lay the bagel halves on a baking sheet.
3. Spread pizza sauce over each half.
4. Cut mozzarella into ghost shapes using a knife or cookie cutter.
5. Place the cheese on the bagels and add black olive slices for eyes.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese melts.

9. Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

This autumnal twist on a classic comfort food adds rich pumpkin flavor, making it creamy, cozy, and seasonally appropriate.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the macaroni according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and stir in flour to create a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened.
4. Stir in pumpkin puree and shredded cheddar.
5. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce until well-coated. Serve warm.

10. Feetloaf

This creepy meatloaf shaped like a severed foot is both hilarious and horrifying. It’s a savory showstopper your guests won’t forget.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 onion, diced
• Almonds or Brazil nuts (for nails)
• Ketchup (for blood)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, and ketchup until combined.
3. Shape the mixture into a foot on a baking sheet, forming five toes at one end.
4. Press nuts into the tips of the toes to resemble toenails.
5. Drizzle ketchup around the ankle area for a bloody effect.
6. Bake for 40–45 minutes until cooked through.

11. Barmbrack

This traditional Irish Halloween fruit bread is slightly sweet, spiced, and packed with flavor. It’s great with butter or on its own.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried fruit
• 1 cup brewed tea
• 1 egg
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Spices (cinnamon, allspice)

Instructions:

1. Soak the dried fruit in the tea overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. In a bowl, combine soaked fruit (with tea), egg, flour, sugar, and spices.
4. Mix until combined and pour into a greased loaf pan.
5. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

12. Spooky Salad

This chilled salad mixes tortellini, spooky-shaped cheese, and fresh greens for a delicious, eerie addition to any spread.

Ingredients:

• Mixed greens
• Tri-color tortellini
• Cherry tomatoes
• Skull mozzarella (cut with mold)
• Italian dressing

Instructions:

1. Cook the tortellini and let it cool completely.
2. Combine with mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella shaped like skulls.
3. Toss with Italian dressing just before serving.

13. Spicy Red Pepper Artichoke Dip

Bold and zesty, this dip is both bloody in color and rich in flavor. Perfect for dipping with chips or veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers
• 1 cup canned artichokes
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tsp harissa or hot sauce

Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine red peppers, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, and harissa.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Transfer to an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until heated through.
4. Serve warm with pita chips or fresh vegetables.

Conclusion

Halloween is more than just sweets and scares—it’s a full sensory celebration. These 13 creative Halloween side dishes are not only delicious but also help set the spooky mood for any gathering.

Whether you’re hosting a kids’ party, an adult get-together, or a themed potluck, these recipes promise to thrill and chill.