Halloween is just around the corner! Make these healthy homemade Halloween treats with your kids.
It seems crazy–I feel like we just shipped the kids back to school! Halloween can be a tricky holiday for parents, especially when it comes to dealing with the candy overload. Because I have a great post on how to handle Halloween candy with kids, in this post we’re going to focus on homemade nutritious Halloween recipes that you can make with your kiddos. Fun, right?!
These are great for lunch boxes, or after school snacks, but can also be great for kids Halloween get–togethers and parties. Not only will they have fun whipping up some yummy Halloween-themed snacks, but involving kids in the kitchen boosts their self-confidence, help them foster a healthy relationship with food, and lets them develop lifelong cooking skills! And if you’ve got a picky eater on your hands – getting them involved in the kitchen is one of the BEST ways to help them explore and try new foods!!
So, I asked some of my fellow dietitian friends to share their favourite homemade Halloween treats. These spooky snacks look yummy, nutritious, and will be sure to add some fun to your kids’ lunch boxes. Enjoy!
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Candy corn jello cups
Who’s ready for Halloween? I am ready to kick off the season with these super cute Candy Corn Jello Cups (no actual candy required). As I do quite often, I added a little fruit to my dessert. My kids love these and yours will, too! I saw this idea of the colored jello for candy corn in a magazine a while back. It was just plain Jello so I knew I had to try it with different fruits. It’s so good!
Sarah Remmer’s Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites
These healthy pumpkin chocolate chip energy bites are a delicious and nutritious Halloween snack to make with your kids! Definitely dietitian- and kid-approved!
In my house, it’s all about the superheroes. From Batman to Captain Underpants and everyone in between, my 3-year-old can’t get enough. So I have decided to embrace his love for all things superhero and use it to my advantage. Enter these Spiderman Beet Muffins.
There's nothing scary about these green monster blender muffins! We love muffins in my house, especially ones we can make in a blender. These ones are packed with GREEN spinach for added nutrition. Plus, they're super fun to make and the colour is perfect for Halloween!
Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids: Banana Ghost Pops
I created this incredibly simple healthy Halloween treat for kids (and adults) which are so adorable they won’t be able to resist it- Banana Ghost Pops. For these, you only need three ingredients, a few minutes to spare, and you can whip up an entire batch for a class party, Halloween party, or just for your own family to enjoy when they come in after a long night of Trick-or-Treating.
This pumpkin pie smoothie tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass. That is, without all the added sugar! The pumpkin pie smoothie recipe is loaded with super tasty homemade pumpkin pie spices, plus it boasts protein which will keep little tummies full. Get ready to enjoy a delicious taste of fall flavors!
Sarah Remmer’s Easy Wholegrain Pumpkin Spice Muffins
These pumpkin spice muffins are perfect for cozy fall days. They’re easy, delicious, fibre-rich and filling which makes both the mom and dietitian in me happy!
I love making snack foods, and chex mix is one of our favorites! My kids go crazy for this mix, and it can easily be adapted to your tastes and the season by changing up the things you mix in. It only takes about 5 minutes to make, which is great for when you don’t have much time!
Learn how to make homemade vegan peanut butter cups with pumpkin and dark chocolate! This healthy dessert has only 4 ingredients, and is an easy and fun recipe for Halloween, holiday parties, or an afternoon snack.
Homemade Halloween Treats: Pumpkin Spice Muffins & More
Sarah Remmer, RD
These pumpkin spice muffins are perfect for cozy fall days. They’re easy, delicious, fibre-rich and filling which makes both the mom and dietitian in me happy!
1cupbran cerealbran flakes, regular all bran or rolled oats work best
4tspbaking powder
1tspbaking soda
1/4tspsalt
1tbspground cinnamon
1tspground nutmeg
1tspground ginger
3eggsor chia eggs, lightly beaten
1.5cupsbuttermilk or vegan alternative
2ripe bananas mashed
1/2cupgranulated sugar
1can14 oz pure pumpkin puree
1/4cupmelted coconut oil
Instructions
Gather two 12-cup muffin tins, lightly greased or lined with paper cups and preheat oven to 375 F (or 350 F if you have a super hot oven).
In large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, bran or oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
In another large bowl, combine eggs (or chia eggs), buttermilk (or vegan alt), pumpkin, banana and oil.
Make a well in the centre of the dry mixture and pour in wet mixture all at once. Gently fold together until just combined- do not over-mix.
Spoon batter into muffin tins and bake in pre-heated oven for 18 minutes.
Notes
To make it vegan, substitute the milk for a dairy free buttermilk alternative: Add one to two tablespoons lemon juice to a plant-based milk alternative (such as soy milk or almond milk) to measure one cup. Stir the mixture, let it stand for five to ten minutes or until thickened (curdled).For the eggs, use chia eggs instead! Per egg, stir 1 tbsp ground chia with 2.5 tbsp water.
Navigating the treats of Halloween can be tricky for both parents and kids. Check out my post all about how to manage Halloween candy and how Halloween can be used to help shape your child’s relationship with food. If you feel like you need guidance from a Registered Dietitian from The Centre for Family Nutrition please reach out. We are here to help!
Post was compiled by Lesley Langille, MS, RD (edited by Sarah Remmer, RD)
Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.
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