Halloween is in a few days and you have probably started planning the desserts you will make and the decorations you will put up. Of course, you have the classic desserts and candies, but you could always find a way to make treats healthier for your kids. Traditional treats and desserts are loaded with sugar and your kids will find candy at every house they visit. If you want to reduce their sugar intake without spoiling the fun, you can switch to healthy treats with minimal sugar for yummy and healthy binging. Besides cooking healthy desserts, you can also make or buy healthy candy alternatives to hand out for trick-or-treat when the neighborhood kids come knocking.
There are several alternative healthy treats where you can use nutritious vegetables or nuts instead of sugary, tooth decay-causing candy. Some easy-to-make, delicious, and healthy store-bought and homemade treats are listed below for you to consider adding to your Halloween shopping list.
1. Candied/chocolate-coated nuts – These are usually cashew or almonds that are coated with a thin layer of sugar or chocolate. Although they still contain sugar, it’s in a much lower quantity than candies that are really just balls of flavored sugar. Nuts are great for health for children and adults alike. You could easily make coated nuts at home too. Simply dip almonds in melted chocolate, lay them on parchment paper, and let them set in the fridge for a few hours. You could give them a Halloween twist by dipping the nuts in white chocolate, setting them, and using food color to paint them like eyeballs.
2. Banana ghosts – These take minutes to make and about an hour to completely set. Cut peeled bananas into halves and insert ice-cream sticks through the flat ends. Dip the banana halves into white chocolate, coat them completely, stick 2 dark chocolate chips each for eyes, and set for 1-2 hours in the fridge. You now have cute banana ghosts for your kids and the ones who come knocking at your door!
3. Pumpkin fries with spicy dip – If you want to quickly cook up snacks, pumpkin fries are a great option. They are much healthier than potatoes and have a high fiber content. You can sprinkle curry powder or any spice of your choice to add the heat. Make your own spicy dip with tomatoes, garlic, and chili if you don’t have hot sauce handy.
4. Spidey devilled eggs – This is one of the healthiest snacks you can make. It is simple deviled eggs but with olives arranged like a spider. One whole or half black olive forms the body while lengthwise sliced pieces form the legs. They are great to take to a party too!
5. Pumpkin quesadillas – This wholesome dish allows you to fill anything you want in your quesadillas. Layer cheese on the tortilla, spread pumpkin sauce, salsa, and veggies in them, and top up with a tortilla with jack-o’-lantern cutout. Bake for a few minutes and voilà, you have healthy quesadillas with the Halloween vibe.
6. Homemade mummy mini-pizzas – These are delicious cute little snacks that are quite quick to make. You can cut pizza base into small circles or substitute it with brown bread for a healthier alternative. You can also use a pie base for added crunch or zucchini for a healthy version. Spread pizza sauce, sprinkle veggies, and layer grated cheese to mimic mummy wrapping. Place olive slices for eyes and bake accordingly. These warm, delicious mini-pizzas can be made anytime, stored in the fridge, and baked right before serving for the freshly-baked taste.
7. Paleo Ghosts in the Graveyard – Ghosts in the Graveyard is one of the most popular Halloween desserts and you can easily give a paleo twist to it. All you need is gluten- and dairy-free brownies, banana chocolate pudding (you could add chia if you want), and white chocolate dipped bananas as ghosts (banana ghosts, as mentioned above). This version is as tasty as the authentic recipe, keeping the dessert healthy and the fun intact!
8. Pumpkin mousse – This is a light, healthy dessert that is completely dairy- and gluten-free as well. The recipe has mashed pumpkin, spices of your choice (preferably a combination of cinnamon, allspice, ginger, clove, and nutmeg), honey, vanilla, and coconut cream. Honey is a very healthy alternative to sugar as it has a lower glycemic index and contains antibacterial, antifungal, and healing properties as well. This dish does not have a crust, drastically cutting down the calories.
9. Pumpkin hummus – Hummus is known for its high protein content and is a superfood which, when eaten with bread, can fulfill your dietary requirements of a balanced meal. Basic hummus is gluten- and dairy-free and made from boiled chickpeas, lime juice, cumin powder, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and tahini, which is a paste of sesame seeds and extra virgin olive oil. Mashed pumpkin can add flavor and color to it. You can decorate the hummus in any way you want – spread it in the shape of a pumpkin and add a piece of celery for the stalk, serve it with fresh or baked veggies, or spread it on bread or your pumpkin quesadilla.
These dishes are quite easy and quick to make, but they ensure your children are not overloading on sugar with no compromise on the Halloween mood or fun. These treats are not only healthy and tasty but also fun to look at, which is why kids will surely love them.
