16 Halloween Finger Food Recipes

Halloween is all about the eerie, scary, and downright creepy. When you're hosting (or rather, ghost hosting) a Halloween party, make a variety of sweet and savory finger foods for guests to enjoy—just be sure to get a little creative with the decorations atop these skull-tacular snacks.

For example, piping meringue in the shape of bones or brains makes for pretty frightening cookies. Going the extra step and drizzling pomegranate glaze on top to mimic blood takes them into fright-astic territory. The combination of sweet fruit with salty cured meat is a classic pairing, but make sure yours gets a hair-raising makeover for Halloween: shape dried figs and prunes into hearts, then stuff them with goat cheese and wrap in prosciutto. Of course, deviled eggs are always a hit at parties but we make the ones seen here even more devilish with black sesame seeds and a spicy addition (we won't say boo!).

Raw bars are always an elegant way to entertain, whether for a cocktail parties or the start of a festive dinner, but their pretty presentation has no place at a sinister gathering like this. So serve the same ingredients—stone-crab claws and poached shrimp—draped out of a bowl filled with an alarmingly spicy cocktail sauce. It's a hauntingly fun way to make guests think twice before digging into something truly delicious.

Do you dare try the spooky little black-widow spider bites ahead? The savory combination of avocado and black olives is a fun yet frightening snack for adults. For something creepy on the outside but totally sweet on the inside, our brain cupcakes will terrify (and then delight!) your friends.

Since it is Halloween, have fun with the black and orange theme and go all out with the blood-curdling tricks and treats. Beware! Something wicked this way comes.

Night of the Living Dip

Snackers will bug out over this decadent appetizer, especially once they taste how the leggy little garnishes make its rich flavors pop. Swirl together cream cheese, Danish blue cheese, and heavy cream with garlic, shallots, and Worcestershire, then bake and top with dates and raisins (for the bugs' bodies) and slivered almonds and pepitas (for their appendages). Serve with moody crudités, like red endives, radishes, and purple carrots, and it's grub time.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Fig Hearts

Savor the taste of these rich and indulgent fig bites. They offer a sophisticated combination of tangy goat cheese, salty prosciutto, and sweet dried figs fit for a Queen (of hearts).

Wavy Grissini

Ready for a hair-raising snack? These breadsticks are nothing like the kind you'll find at an Italian restaurant; mix the dough with black squid ink for a devilish hue and serve alongside Black-Tahini and Eggplant Dip.

Popcorn on the Cob

Popcorn balls are a popular snack to serve to trick or treaters. Give them a fall twist by forming the popcorn, marshmallows, and colored candy into the shape of flint corn. It's a simple, sweet treat perfect for the harvest season and just right for Halloween.

Crudites with Miso-Yogurt Dip

Swap out brightly colored vegetables for dark, creepy colors such as red cabbage, purple carrots, purple potatoes, and black olives. This appetizer has a seriously dark side.

Brain Cupcakes

This is a fun, freaky dessert that's a Halloween must-make. Use Swiss Meringue buttercream to create the squiggles and wiggles of a brain on top of a rich chocolate cupcake.

Sweet Bones

No bones about it: These are some seriously spooky meringues. Dip in chocolate, or shape into ghosts and add chocolate chips as eyes.

Rest in Peas

Use Halloween-shaped cookie cutters—gravestones, bats, witch hats, skulls, and pumpkins—to create festive croutons for this most unusual dip. A creamy mixture of cooked peas mimic the appearance of graveyard grass, but tastes so much better!

Brain Cupcakes

Don't think twice about making this hair-raising dessert. Use Swiss Meringue buttercream to create the squiggles and wiggles of a brain on top of a rich chocolate cupcake.

Black-Widow Spider Bites

Real spiders would not be welcome at the Halloween celebration but this savory rendition—made with sweet potato chips, avocado, and olives—makes a perfect horror d'oeuvres. Dig in to this creepy crawling snack before it bites you back!

Caramel Apples

Caramel apples are as essential to Halloween as ghosts and goblins galore. Sprinkling flaky sea salt on the rich caramel cuts the sweetness and adds a crunchy texture, making this a scary good treat.

Bony Bites

Get your grave on with these Asian-flavored chicken drumettes. They're a delicious finger food with just enough heat to keep you on your toes.

Smoky Black-Bean Salsa

An easy appetizer that's decked out in Halloween colors, this vegetarian salsa is delicious served with orange sweet potato chips. It comes together in less than 15 minutes so it's party-ready before you can say, "Boo!"

Scaredy-Cat Brownies

Give brownies a spooky twist that's also just adorable. Not only do these treats look all-out Halloween, the peppermint patties that top the brownies give them a unique, refreshing chocolate-mint flavor.

Shriveled Potatoes with Romesco Sauce

Here's a freakishly delicious party appetizer. Roasted baby potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to Romesco. It's a classic Spanish sauce made with blanched almonds, red bell peppers, mint, garlic, and olive oil, and can be prepped a day in advance to streamline last-minute cooking.