Whether or not you enjoy Halloween, there’s no denying social media is jam-packed with creative ways to entertain kids during the most haunting of days.
The lead-up to Halloween on Instagram is a blur of all things spooky, kooky, fun and tasty.
For Halloween in 2024, why not make something fun? From bite-size Halloween treats to a slice of skull pizza, it’s time to pull off the spooky food aesthetic with a few simple tricks.
Please note: if the Instagram post is in another language, click ‘see translation’ at the end to change it.
Begin with a haunting brekkie
Why not start the day with some ghosts on your toast?
Ghost shaped food is fantastic because it is often relatively easy to create, from the cook’s perspective. We are talking elongated white blobs with eyes, after all.
This time, they make an appearance on bread, through the simple act of smearing with a spoon. For those on a tight schedule, this is a great option.
If your kids are giving yoghurt the side eye, I’m sure you could swap for ingredients that are still close in colour and texture.
Spiderweb cupcakes
What is a sweet treat occasion without cupcakes?
Here, a cupcake gets a creepy makeover with a spiderweb overlay. Smart and extremely easy to create, this foodie special effect looks fantastic.
Mini marshmallows are melted in the microwave, before being stretched to resemble webbing. Plan for a few sticky test runs to perfect the melting time and consistency.
Don’t worry, no spiders were hurt in the making of this video.
Scary fruit pies
Halloween pies are a time honoured celebration of all things creepy.
Are you a piemaker? For Halloween, simply add a visual twist. Instagram offers a range of Halloween pie inspirations. The face pies featured here are relatively easy.
You could try making these with the grandkids, so they can enjoy the process too – with you in charge of the carving, of course.
If raspberries are hard to come by, I’m sure you can give strawberries a go.
A pumpkin that’s not quite a pumpkin
Sometimes you want a more substantial feed.
These fake pumpkins made from mashed potato, breadcrumb and squash pasta sauce with a meatball hidden inside are perfect for the occasion.
Obviously, you can substitute recommendations for available products, or swap the pasta sauce for a pumpkin puree.
The account featured here is packed with Halloween-suitable cooking, so have a browse – if you dare (cue spooky laughter).
The skulls have it
What would Halloween be without skull-shaped food on the menu?
While skull décor is a popular home decorating choice for 31 October, it’s also a great symbol for fun Halloween baking.
I bet you never imagined mushrooms could be quickly and easily cut and shaped into cute little skulls that make for perfect pizza toppings.
It’s worth mentioning this Instagram account focuses on vegetarian and vegan recipes, so this is a non-meat Halloween suggestion for the kids.
Cute take on jack-o-lanterns
This jack-o-lantern finger food is up there as a minimal effort, visually effective Halloween snack. A great choice for when time is in scarce supply.
Melted cheese on corn chips: that’s the heart of the recipe. You’ll need a round cooking tray, to create the impression of a pumpkin shape. (Just make sure nobody burns a finger.)
If you can’t find blue tortilla chips, you can always paint some corn chips with food dye, smear with dark dip, or place cooked mince on the triangular corn chips.
Obviously, you can also make or buy whatever salsa or savoury dip your loved ones prefer.
Honourable mention: toffee apple roses
A bit more complicated, but a visually stunning finished product.
Toffee apples are an old-school favourite. Here, a rose-shaped silicone cake maker is used to shape the toffee apple coating. Voila, a rose-shaped toffee apple. Clever, right?
The only possible concern, is delicate teeth. Maybe test first, or explain this is a lollipop-style treat that has to be licked, not chewed, until they reach the apple.
Either way, these toffee apple roses look incredibly beautiful on the table.
Do you celebrate Halloween? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
Also read: Feeling spooky? Discover five of Australia’s most haunted spots
