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).

Halloween

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

Spooky Spider Snack from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

Pumpkin Patch Dippers & Hummus from Family Fun Magazine

Carrot Patch Hummus

Stuffed Roaches from Nouveau Raw

Stuffed Cockroaches

Orange & Black Fruit Kabobs from Sparkpeople

Black and Orange Fruit Skewers

Raw Witch’s Fingers from Fork & Beans

Witch's Fingers

Melon Brain from Instructables

melon brain

Goblin Grins from Just a Pinch

Goblin Grins

Protein-Packed Pumpkin Spice Dip from Rachel’s Nourishing Kitchen

Protein Packed Pumpkin Spice Dip

Candy Corn Veggie Platter from Parents

Candy Corn Veggie Platter

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

Apple Sun Butter Teeth Bites

Candy Corn Fruit Pops from Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons

candy corn

Caramel Apple Dip from Nourishing Meals

caramel

Homemade Rolos from oh she glows

homemade rolos

Boo-nana Ghosts & Clementine Pumpkins from One Little Project

Clementine Pumpkins and Boo Nanas

Paleo Pumpkin Spice Muffins from Rachel’s Nourishing Kitchen

Paleo Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Sweet Potato Jack-O-Lanterns from Tablespoon

Sweet Potato Jack O Lanterns

(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)

Fruit Jack O Lantern

Halloween Graveyard Salad from Fork & Beans

Halloween Graveyard Salad

Veggie Skeleton from Feeding Frenzy

Halloween Veggie Skeleton

Serve this veggie skeleton with a delicious, spicy tahini dip that is dairy-free!

What are YOUR favorite spooky treats? Feel free to share them below!