It’s that time of year again – Halloween is just around the corner! And you know what that means… it’s time to start planning an amazing Halloween dinner party that will leave your guests screaming for more! If you’re anything like me, you love hosting gatherings that blend aesthetics and functionality, creating a creepy yet cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for the occasion. So grab a cup of coffee (or should I say, a cauldron of witches’ brew!) and let’s dive into these seven creative and unique Halloween dinner party dishes!
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Blue Corn Chips and Salsa
Halloween is the perfect time to surprise your guests with a delicious and unique dinner. You don’t want to spend all week cooking though, so look for easy swaps to make things more fittingly frightful. Instead of the standard chips and salsa starter, swap in blue corn chips instead. It’s just as easy to put together, but with an extra Halloween twist! Next to the dark chips, the salsa even has a bloody look that is perfect for Halloween. In addition to blue corn chips and salsa, make a cheese and charcuterie board for an easy and delicious dinner that everyone will love.
Easy Roasted Squash Crostini
Don’t let the fancy looks of this dish give you a fright! One easy and delicious dish that is perfect for a Halloween party is roasted squash crostini. These crostini are a delicious combination of fall spices, squash, and cheese, and take just a few minutes to prepare. They are perfect as an appetizer or as part of a main course, and will surprise and delight your guests! Roasting a squash is a simple and delicious way to add some autumn flavor to your meal. So why not give it a try this Halloween?
- This recipe is Roasted butternut squash crostini in Sheet Pan Suppers by Molly Gilbert. (affiliate link)
Tangy “Bat Wings”
Halloween is almost here and that means it’s time to get creative! One of the best ways to do that is by serving up some delicious Halloween appetizers. One of which is tangy “bat wings.” These wings are easy to make, and will be a hit with your guests. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, take these baked crispy wings in a delicious dipping sauce and serve them up in a bat-shaped dish. However you put your spin on it, you’re sure to make your Halloween dinner a hit.
- A lot of wing recipes would work great here. We made the Raspberry Balsamic Baked Chicken Wings from Budget Bytes.
Black Rice Salad
Halloween is the perfect time to get your guests in the mood with a festive and delicious meal. This black rice salad is perfect for the occasion – it’s easy to make and can be made ahead, so you can focus on the fun Halloween party. Plus, the dressing is bright and delicious, and takes the whole dish up a notch. So get creative and prepare this yummy dish – your guests will love it!
- This recipe is Black rice salad with snap peas and ginger-sesame vinaigrette from The How Can It Be Gluten-Free Cookbook, Volume 2 by America’s Test Kitchen Editors. (affiliate link)
Blood Red Punch
This punch is a perfect Halloween drink to accompany all these haunted dishes. You can make it with or without vodka, and the fizzy soda adds a touch of fun. Serve these creepy cocktails up in elegant goblets for a vampiric vibe. Other fall drinks that would be great to add are apple cider and spiced tea.
- We made a riff on this Blood Orange Punch from Taste of Home.
Miso Caramel Corn
Halloween is a time for fun, costume contests, and most importantly, delicious food! Miso caramel corn is a delicious and unique treat that will surprise your guests! It’s much easier to DIY than you might think, and the miso adds a grown-up touch to this carnival delight. Serve it up in a creepy canister to take things to the next level for your Halloween guests.
Deep Dark Chocolate Cake
Halloween is the perfect time to get your guests in the mood with some eerie dessert ideas! Finish up the party by serving up deep dark chocolate cake with a devil’s food frosting. This cake is perfect for Halloween because it’s dark and delicious! You can make this dessert even more scary with Halloween sprinkles like skeleton bones, spiders, and eyeballs. You could also make individual cupcakes and it would be an even quicker DIY than this two layer cake, but just as delicious. It uses a unique type of cocoa powder to get this pitch black look.
- This is the Devil’s food layer cake from The Complete Make-Ahead Cookbook: From Appetizers to Desserts by America’s Test Kitchen. (affiliate link)
- Fancy Sprinkles makes stunning and delicious Halloween sprinkle mixes, like this green and purple witchy one (affiliate link) very similar to the seasonal mix of theirs we used.
Note: We used cocoa powder here, and naturally black ingredients like black rice and blue corn chips. Activated charcoal shows up in a lot of Halloween recipes, but we don’t recommend it as it can cause issues with medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best Halloween dinner ideas that will make your guests happy?
While it’s always fun to stick to the traditional Halloween candy buffet, why not try something a little more creative this year? Maybe a Halloween potluck or a creepy carnival theme? Plus, you can find Halloween decorations and party favors for any theme you dream up at your local stores or online. Whatever you decide, just keep the environment relaxed for a fun Halloween party!
What are some of the best Halloween dinner ideas that are vegetarian or vegan?
A lot of these dishes are vegetarian, and could be made vegan if you would like. Also, you can add a vegetable tray to round out your Halloween spread and make sure there are lots of options to snack on. The crostini would need a different sort of spread under the squash, but a nice nutty tahini could work well! The “bat wings” are chicken but you could also create cauliflower wings and toss them in the same sauce.
What are some of the best Halloween dinner ideas that use simple ingredients?
It’s not fun to spend most of your party finishing the food while your guests are grooving to the Monster Mash playlist in the other room. We picked an assortment of dishes that come together quickly, and can even be made ahead so you can spend the most time with your Halloween party guests. We recommend planning out what you need to prep, so your cake (or cupcakes) can be cooling while you put together other party food.
Which dishes can I serve as appetizers or sides at my Halloween dinner party?
This dinner menu is actually set up a bit like an appetizer-focused buffet. We think it fits that trick or treat spirit to add a little from each appetizer to your plate, customized to your taste. You can really bring that theme home by asking your guests to wear a Halloween costume like a mummy or a vampire, and by scattering candy corn, candy bars, and gummy worms around your table. A delicious decoration that is the perfect way to add that Halloween feeling. Who says trick-or-treating is just for the kids?
What are some creative and unique ways to dress up a dish for a festive Halloween feast?
Looking to add some Halloween flair to your dishes? Get creative with unusual colors and haunted decorations to create a festive feast. Swap out traditional white rice for black rice and use blue corn chips for a creepy twist. You can also add Halloween-themed decorations like bat-shaped plates or cauldrons for serving soup. And don’t forget the devilish details, like sprinkling Halloween-themed sprinkles on top of your desserts. Whether you’re hosting a full-on costume party or just a cozy evening in with loved ones, these simple yet effective ideas are sure to make any dish more terrifying. Get inspired, get creative, and have a hauntingly good time this Halloween season!
Conclusion
Hopefully this post has left you with some exciting Halloween party ideas for dinner for your party guests. Whether you’re looking for something simple and classic, or something more intricate and gory, we’ve got you covered. Every mummy, zombie, and skeleton who comes to your party will be making plans to attend your next Halloween party before October 31 is even over.
The Jeweled Nest 