Halloween Party Menus Perfect for All Kinds of Spooky, Delicious Gatherings

Halloween is about so much more than just sweet treats. Whether you're hosting the entire block for a ghastly fun party or simply having a few souls over for a smaller fête before heading out, food is at the heart of Halloween fun. Each of these Halloween menus will allow you to send your guests into the night feeling ready to scoop up as much candy as they possibly can; they may come back for more. Get in the party spirit by decking the halls with spooky touches and turning your front porch and backyard into a haunted play land. Before you start cooking, be sure to create some Halloween décor pieces that will make any tablescape spookily special.

Little ones can't run on candy power alone; a good Halloween dinner will provide fuel for the evening's revelry. But cooking a meal can be near impossible when someone needs to fix Batman's utility belt and the fairy can't find her magic wand. The trick: Prepare as much of the dinner as possible ahead of time, and then rewarm and serve it quickly before heading out. We're sharing menus full of dishes that can be made in bulk in advance, and they're full of staples that kids will love—chicken, salsa, corn tortillas, mild Monterey Jack—foods that appeal even when there's trick-or-treating to be done.

If you're hosting guests throughout the night, a table of sweets is a must—you can create a sinfully sweet spread of Halloween-themed cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and more treats to keep little ones happy all night. Any Halloween party gets better for adults when there's a handcrafted cocktail in their hands; while you can make them by the tray, you can also serve up a big-batch beverage for all to enjoy, like our twisted take on fruit punch. Round out your offerings with finger foods (literally!) that all can nosh on through the night.

Plan a haunted-house buffet featuring ghoulish appetizers and sweets, plus ghostly surprises.

Cocktail

Garden of Evil Punch

Appetizer

Prosciutto-Wrapped Fig Hearts

Main Course

Spooky Spiced Shrimp

Side Dish

Shriveled Potatoes with Romesco Sauce 

Dessert

Graveyard Cake

This menu, perfect for a pumpkin-carving party, is casual, autumnal, kid-friendly, and festive. Dessert is the star here: If you can't decide between pecan and pumpkin pie, then you'll appreciate our show-stopping solution.

Appetizer

Roasted Squash Seeds

Main Course

White Bean and Sausage Stew in Pumpkin Bowls 

Side Dish

Buttermilk-Cornmeal Biscuits with Apple Butter

Dessert

Mile-High Pumpkin-Pecan Pie

Make magical memories for adults and children alike with our fun, frightful party menu.

Appetizer

Popcorn on the Cob

Main Course

Grilled Cheese Sand-Witches with Celery Broomsticks

Side Dish

Speedy Halloween Salad

Dessert

Wicked Witch Cupcakes

Serve your guests a spooky and hauntingly sweet dessert buffet at a magical twilight gathering.

Sharable Sweets

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

Pumpkin Cupcakes 

Halloween Spice Cookies

Cake

Darkest Chocolate Crepe Cake

Raven's Nest Cake

Pie

"I Scream" Graveyard Pie

Pumpkin Chocolate-Spiderweb Tart

Lighter Treat

Caramel Apples

Halloween Mummy Hand Pies

Before the little ones hit the ground running for sweets, make these quick and easy dishes ahead of time so you can squeeze dinner into your Halloween schedule.

Appetizer

Devilish Eggs

Main Course

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Side Dish

Black Beans with Rice and Avocado

Dessert

Scaredy Cat Brownies

We've brought together all the best flavors of the season—pumpkin, chestnuts, cranberries, apples, roasted vegetables, and aromatic spices—in one crowd-pleasing, not at all scary menu that's sure to impress for an autumnal dinner party.

Appetizer

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Main Course

Pork Roast with Caramelized Parsnips

Side Dish

Chopped Green Bean and Celery Salad with a Mustard Vinaigrette

Dessert

Sweet-Potato Meringue Pie