The only trick about these treats is that they’re missing all the refined sugar and chemicals that traditional GMO Halloween candy contains! Here are 7 healthy(ish) Halloween inspired treat ideas that will get everyone ooo-ing and ahh-ing! Each one is easy to make, requires very few ingredients (many of which are interchangeable) and makes for a perfect parent-child activity to create together!

Caramel Date Dipping Sauce
Dates are known as nature’s caramel, especially the Medjool Date! Traditional caramel has loads of refined sugar but this date caramel is completely wholesome and versatile, making for a delicious addition to many snacks! The fresher and gooier the date, the more caramel flavor it will have although any date will be delicious!

Ingredients:

10 medjool dates, pitted
10 tablespoons canned coconut milk

(for a less coconutty flavor you can use 3 tablespoons canned coconut and 7 tablespoons oat milk)

Method:

Remove pits from dates and add to a food processor.
Add plant milk of choice and process for a few minutes, stopping to stir intermittently until well combined.

Enjoy with popcorn, apples or anything that needs a sweet boost!
(Makes about 1/2 to 1/3 cup)

Spooky Rice Crispies
This recipe is more on the “ish” side of healthy but it’s still far from all the processing of store bought candy. Plus it’s simple to make and kids will enjoy helping you shape and decorate! Perfect to take to a party or simply enjoy at home!

Ingredients:

15 vegan marshmallows or marshmallow of choice
1 tablespoon vegan butter or butter of choice
1.5 cups rice crispy cereal
3-4 tablespoons dark baking chocolate
20-24 dark chocolate chips

Method:

In a saucepan (use larger pot if doubling recipe), melt butter on low heat. Once melted add marshmallows and turn up heat to medium, medium-low.
Keeping a close eye, stir marshmallows until melted. Add rice crispy cereal and stir to combine.
Once well combined, take off heat and begin to shape. You’ll want to do this fairly quickly while mixture is still warm and moldable, little helpers are welcome!
To form into a skull, roll about 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture in your hands to make a ball. Then shape the one end slightly more oval to create a chin.
Next heat the baking chocolate according to package instructions. Using a toothpick or butter knife, paint on mouth and optionally a forehead. Then position the chocolate chips for eyes and viola!

(Makes about 10-12 treats)

Spidey Dates
These creepy crawlies might actually spook you if caught off guard! Packed with fiber and antioxidants from the sweet dates, protein from the peanut butter and the salty crunch of a pretzel, this scary snack is truly the best of both worlds!

Ingredients:

10 medjool dates, pitted
1 heaping handful of pretzels
about 2-3 tablespoons peanut butter or nut/seed butter of choice (optional)

To Assemble:

Start by removing all of the pits from the dates. Don’t worry if you need to cut them lengthwise to do so, the natural stickiness of the date will help seal them back together!
Next, using a butter knife, add about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of peanut butter to the inside of each date. (Optional)
Break your pretzels at the connecting bends (or in half if using stick pretzels) and insert into the sides to form the legs. If you’ve cut the date to remove the pit, I recommend inserting the pretzel right above your incision line to help disguise it.

And that’s it! Easy peasy Spidey Dates to add Halloween spirit to any lunchbox or to enjoy as a filling snack in-between meals!

(Makes 10 Spidey Dates)

Fruit Monsters
Far from scary but earn major points for silly cuteness and good nutrition, Fruit Monsters will have your kids excited about eating healthy in no time!

Ingredients:

2 large green apples, cut into quarters
2 strawberries, thinly sliced lengthwise into 5-6 pieces each
1 banana, sliced
8 nuts or seeds, cut into halves or quarters - I’m using cashews (optional)
16 dark chocolate chips (can also use blueberries)
about 3-4 tablespoons nut/seed butter of choice or Caramel Date Dipping Sauce (see above for recipe)
16 toothpicks + extra if needed

To Assemble:

Start by cutting your apples into quarters, then carve out the center of each quarter. Determine which side you want to be the bottom and slice off the center portion of what would be the underneath side. This way your monster has a flat surface to stand on its own.
Next add two toothpicks to the top center. If needed, they can be used to help prop the monster's mouth open! If you’re having trouble, don’t hesitate to use extra toothpicks and leftover apple slices to help prop the little guys up!
Add a slice of banana to each toothpick.
Add a layer of nut/seed butter or Caramel Date Dipping Sauce to the bottom of each monster’s mouth and a small dollop on the banana slices.
To each monster add a slice of strawberry for the tongue, two pieces of nuts/seeds for teeth and two chocolate chips or blueberries for eyeballs.

Side note - any extra apple slices pair amazingly with the Caramel Date Dipping Sauce!

(Makes 8 Monsters)

Citrus Pumpkins
These are a Halloween classic! Hardly a “recipe” at all but I couldn’t prepare a list of Halloween treats without including these little guys! They’re healthy, take about 30 seconds to make and are the perfect size to fit into a lunchbox or take on a picnic!

Ingredients:

8 mandarins or orange citrus of choice
1/2 stick of celery (pretzel sticks, cucumber or fresh green herbs also work)

To Assemble:

Peel each mandarin upon use.
Slice 1/2 stick of celery into 4 pieces, about an inch long each. Then cut each piece in half lengthwise and insert on top of mandarin.

(Makes 8 Citrus Pumpkins)

Bat Chips
Bat chips will give any food an element of the Halloween spirit! They’re super simple to put together and besides, who doesn’t love a good chip once in a while!?

For Each Bat You Will Need:

2 blue corn tortilla chips
1 black olive (could also use dates)

To Assemble:

Insert chips into each side of the olive using light pressure so that the chip does not break.

Serve on top of guacamole, hummus or add to any meal for a fun flare!

Frankenstein Guac
Avocados are a perfect opportunity to incorporate green without using a chemical laden food coloring. They’re also a great source of healthy fats and packed with antioxidants, giving Mr. Frankenstein more to offer than his good looks!

Ingredients:

1-6 large avocados (1-2 for one to two people or about 6 for a party size)
handful black olives, sliced into quarters
2-4 pretzel sticks
1/2-1 lime (optional)
to taste: salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin powder (optional)

To Assemble:

Start by halving and pitting the avocados. Scoop contents of the avocados into a bowl, discarding pits and skin.
Using a fork, mash the avocados and add desired seasoning. This tastes great flavored as traditional guacamole, simply salted or no seasoning at all! You can easily tailor the seasoning to your little’s stage and preference!
Next add the juice of 1/4 lime for 1-2 servings or up to a full lime for a party size. This is optional but I highly recommend if it won’t be eaten right away as the lime prevents oxidation!
Dump the mashed avocado onto a plate or serving platter. Use a spoon or whatever utensil you have handy to shape a Franken Face. I squared the top of his head and made his chin oval, alternatively you can make his entire head square, there are no rules here!
Now it’s time to decorate! Add quartered olives for his hair, eyes and mouth and pretzel sticks for a scar and ears. (Blue corn tortilla chips also make for a great hairdo!)

Serve with fresh cut veggies, tortilla chips or healthy crackers!

Jennah Jensen is a vegan, blogger and recipe extraordinaire! You can follow along her adventures, find her recipes and be inspired by her musings here and follow along on Instagram @jennahjensen

7 Healthy(ish) Halloween Treat Ideas by Jennah Jensen