Growing up in a neighborhood filled with dozens of kids, I have great memories of dressing up and trick-or-treating when I was younger.
You knew Halloween was approaching when you stepped outside, and breathed in the crisp, cool, smoky-smelling autumn air.
I remember rushing away from the dinner table with my brother, so we had as much time as possible to trick-or-treat…and so we wouldn’t miss the people who gave out FULL SIZED candy bars (EVERY kid – and parent – remembered where those people lived).
Once we got to middle school, we outgrew our plastic jack-o-lanterns and their black handles that were known to snap off without warning.
We used pillow cases. We meant business.
My favorite candy was anything with peanut butter (Reeses Pieces, PB M&Ms, PB cups) or caramel (Snickers, Twix, Rolos). I hated anything with coconut. I remember coming home after a long night of candy collecting, dumping out my bag and strategically sorting through, categorizing, and counting up every candy type.
Yes, even as a child I was very particular. 🙂
As an adult, I like to focus on “adding in” or UPgrading what we eat to include food that fuels and nourishes our body in a way that is fun and delicious.
Check out the “spooktacular” ideas below for healthy Halloween recipes and treats to bring to your event or party this year. All of them are kid-friendly, dairy-free and gluten-free, too!
Eat Clean Halloween: 19 Spooktacular Recipes
Spooky Fruit Spiders from Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons
Pumpkin Patch Dippers & Hummus from Family Fun Magazine
Stuffed Roaches from Nouveau Raw
Orange & Black Fruit Kabobs from Sparkpeople
Raw Witch’s Fingers from Fork & Beans
Melon Brain from Instructables
Goblin Grins from Just a Pinch
Protein-Packed Pumpkin Spice Dip from Rachel’s Nourishing Kitchen
Candy Corn Veggie Platter from Parents
Apple Sun Butter Teeth Bites from Fork & Beans
Use any nut butter you like, including almond butter, cashew butter, or peanut butter if it doesn’t bother you
Candy Corn Fruit Pops from Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons
Caramel Apple Dip from Nourishing Meals
Homemade Rolos from oh she glows
Boo-nana Ghosts & Clementine Pumpkins from One Little Project
Paleo Pumpkin Spice Muffins from Rachel’s Nourishing Kitchen
Sweet Potato Jack-O-Lanterns from Tablespoon
(Use coconut palm sugar or maple syrup instead of white sugar. I would also use coconut oil instead of olive oil)
Orange Jack-O-Lantern Fruit Bowls (source unknown)
Halloween Graveyard Salad from Fork & Beans
Veggie Skeleton from Feeding Frenzy
Serve this veggie skeleton with a delicious, spicy tahini dip that is dairy-free!