25 Traditional Halloween Food Ideas for Your Next Party

Halloween is a time for scaring the pants off your family and friends, but it’s also a time for treats. Children and adults all over the country look forward to All Hollow’s Eve, especially for the goodies. While some people do whatever for Halloween, others like to stick to traditional Halloween foods.

Let’s take a look at traditional Halloween foods and traditional Halloween candy, so you’ll know exactly what your options are before Halloween night.

What are traditional Halloween foods?

Traditional Halloween foods are all the things we love to eat come October 31. As you’ll see below, many of them are sweet treats like candy and desserts. Some also utilize the flavors of fall produce, like pumpkin and apples.

Traditional Halloween food ideas

Ever wonder what traditional Halloween foods to make for Halloween night? With this list, you should have no trouble figuring out what to make (or buy).

1. Pumpkin pie

Pumpkin pie– it’s not just for Thanksgiving. In fact, pumpkin pie is eaten to celebrate Halloween all over the country. Get some pumpkin pie from the grocery store or make it yourself.

2. Pumpkin bread

Ah, fall. What would you be without pumpkin bread? And moreover, what would Halloween be? Not the same…just not the same. Get yourself a loaf or two of pumpkin bread for your Halloween celebration.

3. Caramel apples

No Millennial childhood would’ve been complete without good old-fashioned caramel apples. Whether you made them yourself and handed them out or just ate them with your family on Halloween, caramel apples are a traditional Halloween food that’s eaten with all kinds of toppings, such as nuts, chocolate, and more.

4. Candy apples

Not a big fan of caramel sticking to your teeth while you try to enjoy a sugary confection? Yeah, some people just aren’t. If you’re in that boat, candy apples might be more your thing. Candy apples coated in just the right amount of sugar and light corn syrup can hit the spot on Halloween night.

5. Apple bread

One of the lesser-known traditional Halloween food staples is apple bread. You might have heard about it or know people who make it, but apple season means plenty of warm apple bread to go around.

6. Caramel corn

Know what else we like to drizzle in caramel and gobble right up on Halloween night? Yup, caramel corn. Caramel is a major player when it comes to traditional Halloween treats.

Traditional Halloween candy

Traditional Halloween candy is probably on everyone’s radar. If you’re looking to have a traditional Halloween celebration with conventional Halloween candy, you won’t want to miss these staples.

7. Three Musketeers

A Three Musketeers bar is always a sweet treat on Halloween. Why not grab some of these Halloween favorites for your candy bowl?

8. Milk Duds

They’re not just perfect movie snacks. Milk Duds have been a Halloween favorite for quite a while, and their popularity shows no signs of easing up.

9. Kit Kat

Who doesn’t like to break themselves off a piece of a Kit Kat bar? You don’t want to be caught on Halloween night without some Kit Kats.

10. Candy corn

One of the most well-known traditional Halloween candies is candy corn. Everyone and their mother has heard of candy corn, so if you haven’t, that must be a pretty nice rock you’ve been living under.

11. Twix

Twix is another Halloween staple that people across generations seem to share a love of. Twix is the perfect blend of caramel, wafer, and chocolate.

12. M&Ms

These melt-in-your-mouth candies are the perfect Halloween treat, and they’ve been given out to children on Halloween for years.

13. Hershey’s mini bars

Mini Hershey’s bars are like a rite of passage on Halloween. Most neighborhoods know that this is good candy.

14. Hershey’s Kisses

A Hershey’s Kiss might sound more suitable for Valentine’s Day, but these little kisses still reign supreme on Halloween. There’s just no doubt about it.

15. Snickers

You just can’t go wrong giving out Snickers. They’re like the GOAT of candy. Everyone knows what a Snickers is, and most of us probably want one right now.

16. Starburst

Chocolate aside, Starburst is one of the best choices for Halloween candy. They’re fruity and delicious and full of flavor.

Not-so-traditional Halloween food

Want to try something new to serve alongside your traditional Halloween foods? Here are a few recipes to get you started.

17. Halloween pancakes

Pancakes are a great food addition, no matter the occasion. And they’re a great way to celebrate Halloween at home with the family when decorated to match the spooky season. Find a good recipe online and whip some up this Halloween.

18. Raw kale salad

Raw kale salad is a healthy, non-traditional way to celebrate Halloween. If you like it, make it part of the tradition. Who knows, maybe it’ll become a traditional Halloween food in the future?

19. Roasted butternut squash with apple-pear compote

Butternut squash is a season favorite, so why not “pear” it with another fall favorite—apples? Think creamy, pureed, roasted squash paired with a dash of fruity flavor.

20. Halloween charcuterie board

Want to make a Halloween-themed charcuterie board? Get some candy corn, chocolate-covered pretzels, crackers, nuts, dips, chocolate bars, olives, M&Ms, cheese, and whatever else you think your guests would like.

21. Black magic cake

Deep, dark chocolate is always a good idea, but especially on Halloween. If you haven’t served up a slice of this heavenly holiday treat, now’s the time to consider it. Baked goods are underrated on Halloween, so don’t be afraid to go for it with this cake.

22. Chicken pumpkins

Chicken in the shape of little pumpkins? Adorable. And likely delicious. With a bit of strategic cutting of chicken and some cheddar-cracker breadcrumbs, you could have delicious mozzarella-stuffed chicken pumpkins in no time.

23. Scary peanut butter spider cookies

Have your little ones help you decorate cookies by helping you draw tiny spiders on cookies. Add some chocolate chips, and you’ve got a sweet treat that’s fun to eat.

24. No-bake strawberry cheesecake brain

Want to serve up a big, gooey brain on Halloween? A no-bake strawberry cheesecake is a perfect way to do it. Add some blood (strawberry syrup), and you’ve got yourself a scary but delicious Halloween treat.

25. Mac-o’ Lantern and Cheese Bowls

For this Halloween dish, you’ll need orange bell peppers (carved into the shape of jack-o’-lanterns.) Throw a few scoops of mac n’ cheese in, and you’re ready to serve up what could be part of a new Halloween tradition.

Serving up traditional and not-so-traditional Halloween food

Having a traditional Halloween can be fun. Making (and buying) your favorite traditional Halloween food and traditional Halloween candy can be a fun way to enjoy Halloween with your family and friends. Make planning even easier by getting your groceries delivered with Instacart. Choose same-day delivery at checkout, and you’ll have what you need on your table in no time.

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