34 Halloween Savory Food Ideas for Those Without a Sweet Tooth
There’s no shortage of desserts when Halloween comes around, from cakes and muffins to chocolates and candy corn. But not everyone has a sweet tooth, which is why we created this guide on the top 34 Halloween savory food ideas.
Whether you want a tasty dip for your crackers or go all out with the pies, these savory Halloween recipes are sure to satisfy your guests’ appetites. Try these savory Halloween foods for your next spooky party.
Table of contents:
1. Cobweb deviled eggs
For a fun Halloween savory food idea, boil eggs in any food coloring, then lightly crack their shells. Let the cracked eggs stew for a few hours to create colored “cobwebs” on the egg whites. Before serving, add the toppings.
2. Jack-o’-lantern English muffins
Instead of sugary muffins, try this delicious alternative. Slice a toasted English muffin in half and apply your spread of choice. Use a toothpick to trace lines on the spread, then arrange a mint leaf at the top so that your muffin resembles a mini pumpkin.
3. Spidery hot dogs
Transform the usual pigs in a blanket into spidery monsters. Cut each end of the hot dog into four strips before baking.
4. Nachos with zombie eyes
No one can say no to nachos, which is why they will be a great hit at your party. Put an eerie spin on things with meatballs that look like eyeballs — place small rounds of sliced cheese and sliced olives on each meatball. Lastly, scatter these “eyeballs” on the nachos.
5. Spiderweb layer dip
Create a four-layer cheese dip with mozzarella, cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan. Next, fill a piping bag with sour cream and carefully draw a giant spiderweb covering the entire dip. Make a spider out of olive slices for a spooky touch.
6. Witchy guacamole dip
This is another Halloween food idea, savory enough to tantalize anyone’s taste buds. Fill two-thirds of a large serving plate with guacamole dip (for the face) and the remaining one-third with black bean tortilla chips ( for the witch hat). Use thinly sliced string cheese for the hair, black olives for the eyes, a carrot slice for the nose and a red radish for the mouth.
7. Graveyard spooky dip
The graveyard spooky dip only needs two things: your dip of choice and graveyard-shaped tortilla chips. For an eerie look, use a black bean or blue corn tortilla for the chips. Cut them into small graveyard shapes, then bake to crisp.
8. Spidery cheese crackers
For this easy savory Halloween party food, start with a large bowl of cheese crackers. Place a few realistic-looking plastic spiders around the bowl to scare your guests.
9. Batty meatballs
Turn ready-to-eat meatballs into bat-like ones. All you need are tortilla chips shaped like wings and olive slices for the eyes. Stick two wing chips into a meatball on opposite sides and paste on the olive pieces.
10. Goblin wontons
Goblin wontons are an easy savory Halloween party food when frozen wontons are involved. Cook the wontons, then add two olive slices for the eyes and a red radish slice for the mouth.
11. Witchy carrot fingers
For a nutritious yet savory Halloween-themed food, transform your average carrot sticks into witchy fingers. Cut horizontal grooves along each carrot stick for the knuckles and attach talon-like nails (made out of green peppers or sliced almonds) with spreadable cream cheese.
12. Witch-like breadsticks
You can also reuse the previous savory Halloween appetizer with breadsticks. Choose cheese-stuffed garlic breadsticks for a gastronomic delight.
13. Jack-o’-lantern mini pies
This savory Halloween appetizer is easy to make. Using bagels or English muffins, draw on jack-o’-lantern expressions with cream cheese, and you’re done!
14. Mummified brie
This mummified brie will take center stage on your cheese platter. Cut puff pastry into thin strips and wrap them around the brie to make it look like a mummy. Bake until the pastry turns golden, and top off with two black olives for the eyes.
15. Pumpkin deviled eggs
Transform classic deviled eggs into festive pumpkins by piping the orange-colored yolk mixture into halved egg whites. Garnish with chives for stems and paprika for a hint of spice.
16. Jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers
Hollow out orange bell peppers and carve jack-o’-lantern faces, then fill with seasoned rice and meat or veggie filling. Bake until tender for a colorful, savory dish that’s both fun and delicious.
17. "Pumpkin" cheese ball
Sculpt a cheese mixture into a pumpkin shape, then coat with shredded cheese or herbs for texture. Add a celery stalk for the stem, and serve with crackers or veggie sticks for an adorable party centerpiece.
18. Black olive spider focaccia
Bake a crispy focaccia topped with black olives arranged like spiders. Drizzle with olive oil and herbs for a savory, spooky bread perfect for Halloween parties.
19. Monster eyeball bites
These fun eyeball bites are great Halloween food ideas for adults and kids alike. Just top mozzarella balls with sliced olives or pepperoni to resemble creepy eyeballs. Wrap each eyeball in sliced ham and serve with toothpicks for an easy appetizer everyone will love.
20. Caprese crostini ghosts
For a cute Halloween food idea, place mozzarella slices shaped like ghosts on toasted baguette slices. Add basil or olives for eyes and drizzle with balsamic glaze for a charming Halloween finger food.
21. Bloody beet hummus
For fun, healthy Halloween food ideas, make a bloody hummus by blending cooked beets with chickpeas and tahini. Decorate with black olives or spider toppings for a festive, nutritious dip perfect for veggie sticks, pita or crackers.
22. Cheesy pumpkin puffs
Fill puff pastry with cheesy pumpkin filling. Shape the pastry into mini pumpkins or ghosts and bake until golden for a cute and delicious savory snack.
23. Mummified meatballs
You can also substitute meatballs instead of brie for the previous idea. The same trick applies — wrap each meatball with pastry strips before baking and serve with “bloody” tomato sauce or ketchup.
24. Pizza boos
Get some dough and your favorite pizza toppings ready. Use a spectral-shaped cutter to create ghost-shaped cheese slices — they’ll add a delicious, spooky vibe to your pizza. Alternatively, shape mozzarella on a larger pizza for multiple ghost figures.
25. Severed hand pie
For a gory-looking Halloween savory food idea, try this severed hand pie. Fill the hand-shaped pie with your filling of choice, then bake it. Once cooled, cut it in half and spread tomato sauce (kid-friendly) or hot salsa (for the adults) to create a “bloody wound.”
26. Skellington soup
Add chilling vibes to your usual soups and stews with the well-known Jack Skellington. Fill a piping bag with sour cream, then draw the famous character on the top of your dish.
27. Severed fingers in a blanket
Put a sinister spin on the usual franks in a blanket. Paste an almond slice to one end of the hot dog with some tomato sauce, then bake before serving for a delicious Halloween finger food.
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28. Witchy calzones
Instead of the usual calzones, change up their shapes into witchy hats. Prepare your regular fillings — like ricotta cheese, mozzarella, pepperoni and pizza sauce — then get creative with the pizza dough.
29. Roasted skull potatoes
Carve mini potatoes into skull shapes, then season with herbs and spices before roasting. Serve hot as a spooky side or add dipping sauces for a party-friendly shareable dish.
30. Spider bread bowls
This is one of the easiest Halloween savory food ideas to make. Pour your soup of choice into bread bowls, then slice breadsticks in half. Attach four halved breadsticks on each side with soft cheese to create spider legs.
31. Witch’s brew chili
Simmer a hearty chili with beans, vegetables and spices, then serve in a bowl topped with sour cream or cheese. Add a swirl of sour cream in a web pattern for a spooky effect that’s perfect for Halloween.
32. Mummy meatloaf
Shape seasoned ground meat into a mummy, wrap it in puff pastry strips and bake until golden. Add candy eyes or olive accents for a fun, spooky main dish.
33. Coffin sandwiches
For cute and spooky kid food ideas, create coffin-shaped sandwiches by layering turkey or ham and cheese between slices of bread, then trimming them into coffin shapes. Use condiments to add details like crosses or RIP messages for a fun and easy Halloween appetizer or lunch.
34. Fall spice snack mix
For one of the easiest DIY Halloween party food ideas, combine crunchy cereal, pretzels, different types of nuts and candy, then toss with warm spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. It’s the perfect sweet and salty treat for fall gatherings or Halloween parties.
Savory does the trick at All Hallows’ Eve
Instead of going on a sugar high this season, why not try something savory? From appetizers to mains, your guests will want for nothing with these Halloween savory food ideas.
To make party prep easier, order your groceries through Instacart. Your ingredients will be delivered right to your door, so you can focus on the fun stuff.
Looking for more creepy options to add a terrifying twist to your menu? Try these scary Halloween food ideas for a blood-curdling feast.
Mel Hull
Author
Mel is a seasoned content strategist and food writer with over a decade of experience helping brands tell compelling stories. Inspired by her hometown of Houston, TX, she brings her love of bold flavors and Southern hospitality to the table. In the kitchen, she loves baking (especially banana bread!) and experimenting with Tex-Mex dishes.
Heather Matley
Editor
Heather Matley is an editor at Instacart whose passion for food and cooking has inspired her work on everything from grocery guides to recipe development. With over eight years of experience in editing, content creation, and search engine optimization, she strives to empower readers with the most effective tools, guides, and ideas to transform their home cooking.
