The last remnants of summer have all but disappeared, the sun is setting early, leaves are changing colors and the smell of fall is definitely in the air. Or maybe it’s the cloud of the pumpkin-spiced-everything obsession always wafting just above us. Either way, this is one of my favorite times of year. Jack O’Lantern carving, houses all throughout the neighborhood are decked out in their spooky accoutrements, and the very visceral excitement from all the kids for this year’s costume can be felt no matter where you go. Though it’s been quite sometime since I’ve thrown on a mask and taken to the streets for some good old fashioned trick or treating, I do still find myself wanting to indulge in the treats. I am only human, after all.
I am not so extreme or excessive in my approach to eating and food to that I think that Halloween should be celebrated with raw veggies and dollar store toys, rather I try to encourage the idea of homemade, real food options wherever possible. So, I thought a list of some of my favorite Real Food Halloween Treats would be a great idea and it might inspire you to try a few homemade options this year, rather than the creepy, scary packaged stuff, loaded with high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and artificial colors and flavors! Also, I am really showing my cards here and you’ll clearly spot my obsession with chocolate.
Real Food Halloween Treats
Joyful Almond Coconut Chocolate Bites
A recreation of a classic candy bar, these treats combine a few of my most favorite flavors into one sweet bite.
Dark Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn Balls
These delicious bite-sized treats are a cleaned-up version of the classic from our childhood. Sweetened with honey and drizzled with dark chocolate we leave out the corn syrup or other heavy sweeteners.
Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cups
As if dark chocolate couldn’t get any better? Add some spiced homemade pumpkin butter and BAM, you are welcome!
It wouldn’t be fall without a little PSL. The perfect warm-your-soul goodness to take as you venture out into the neighborhood for tricks and treats. Plus, this version is dairy-free and made with real pumpkin!
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups with Sea Salt
An updated version of the classic PB cup, these little salty sweet treats offer up instead, delicious almond butter and are finished with a little coarse sea salt.
The possibilities are endless when you make homemade chocolate bark. This tutorial walks you through the simple steps to making a creative sweet masterpiece.
Vegan Caramel Apple Dipping Sauce
You can’t have Halloween or fall for that matter without indulging in one of the season’s best offerings, apples! Even better, enjoy those crisp, tart apples submerged into a homemade caramel dip sans refined sugar.
A grown up take on the classed mulled cider, this cocktail is full of fall flavor and it’s a nice treat for the grown-ups for a long night of taking to the streets with the kiddos.
You can never go wrong with dark chocolate and coconut. This oldie but a goodie from the TY archives is a super simple way to get some of the best flavors into your little monster face!
No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Cookie Balls
Tight on time, looking for a quick snack to boost your energy before a night of trick or treating? Try these non-bake cookie balls, full of comforting fall flavors but without the hassle of baking.
Chocolate Covered Stuffed Dates
Customize these chocolate covered stuffed dates to be whatever your ghoulish heart desires. Stuff them with creepy coconut butter, nasty nut butters, funky fruits or whatever your little monsters like.
Another super simple, easy to make your own, treat. These tiny little bark bites are the perfect on-the-go sweet and a great alternative to the packaged, store-bought candies.
Chewy Gluten-free Pumpkin Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
After a cool night of trick or treating, how about coming home to hot mug of spicy mulled cider with a few of these delicious cookies?
Spicy Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Bark
This fall-inspired combination is a delicious spicy sweet highlighting toasted pepitas and a hint of heat.
Ginger Apple Kombucha Cocktail
Another great option for the grown-ups this cocktail celebrates my love of retox / detox. The kombucha bringing a little gut goodness to this sweet and spicy treat.
These cheesecake pops leave out the dairy and the refined sugar for a super fun party in your mouth.
An evening cocktail to finish of your halloween night. This night cap is spicy, warming, creamy and it’s like dessert in a fancy martini glass.
Other Real Food Treats from Around the Web:
Grain-free Spiderweb Cupcakes from Texanerin
Soft and Chewy Halloween Cookies from Nutritionist in the Kitchen
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds with Chili and Lime from Nourished Kitchen
Honey Nut Cluster and Sweet Potato Chip Snack Mix from Heart Beet Kitchen
Healthy Twix Bars from Eating Bird Food
Healthy Mounds Bars from Sprouted Routes
Rosemary Mezcal Apple Cider from Kale and Caramel
Caramel Dipped Superfood Apple Treats from Nutritionist in the Kitchen
Spiced Apple Shrub Hot Toddy from Heart Beet Kitchen
Honey Caramel Apples from Nourished Kitchen
Paleo Pumpkin Hummus from My Heart Beets
Grain-free Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Butter Cinnamon Rolls from So Let’s Hang Out
Butterscotch Pumpkin Bark from Nosh and Nourish
Grain-free Fudge Brownies from Texanerin
Too much candy? Donate the extra to Operation Gratitude.
Operation Gratitude sends over 100,000 care packages annually to U.S. troops stationed overseas, to their children left behind, as well as veterans. The organization’s mission is quite simple: to put a smile on soldiers’ faces. Operation Gratitude accepts donations of unopened candy. The website contains other important shipping info, and kids are encouraged to include letters and pictures, too.
Finally, while homemade treats are great for us at home and when entertaining, it’s not an easy sell (nor is it appropriate, I suppose) to hand out homemade candy in your neighborhood – so, thankfully there are so many great, more natural options out there, now. Here are a few quick resources for more natural candy options for your neighborhood ghouls and goblins, Thrive Market and Natural Candy Store both have a nice selection of allergen friendly, non-GMO candy.
Also, don’t forget if you opt for non-food treats such as toys or small games to hand out to trick or treaters this year, that you should set out your Teal Pumpkin! The Teal Pumpkin Project is a campaign from FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) aimed at making Halloween safe for children with food allergies. A house with a teal pumpkin means that there are non-food treats available for trick-or-treaters.
{teal pumpkin photo credit}
One Response
Yum – I love all these treats! And they don’t have to just be for Halloween – they can roll over into Thanksgiving and Christmas treats.