I don’t know about you, but I have had Halloween movies on nonstop this month. I especially love old ’90s-type movies and décor. There’s something so nostalgic and happy about being a kid around Halloween in the ’90s. For that reason, although I love to go overboard on a lot of things, I try not to go too overboard or make things too perfect. I love the imperfections of my youth and having some fun store-bought cookies, any snack with a simple orange and black theme and just enjoying being together.
I try hard to get people to do their own version of what makes them happy because marketing ploys try to make some feel inferior for not going all out. Hear this: My mom did nothing more than buy store-bought Halloween treats, chips etc. and put on Halloween movies, and it was still the absolute best childhood for me. She did what she wanted with what she had, and we loved it.
So, do what you love with what you have to make your Halloween special. If that means some spooky Oreos and Doritos, then let me give you my number so I can come over. If your hands get antsy like mine do for some crafty treats, then do just that and let that make you happy.
Without further ado, here are some simple Halloween treats you can throw together even at the very last minute without breaking a sweat!
Mummy Hot Dogs
These are so cute and so easy. All you need is your favorite brand of hot dogs and a can of crescent dough. This is such a cute snack or even dinner because who’s judging? Certainly not anyone here.
Ingredients:
- 1 can crescent dinner rolls
- 8-10 hot dogs
- ketchup and mustard for dipping
Directions:
- Heat oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll the dough, press seams together and flatten out gently.
- Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into long thin strips.
- Wrap each hot dog with the cut strips in a mummy pattern and set on the baking sheet.
- Bake for about 15-17 minutes, or until the hot dogs are heated through and the dough is golden brown.
- Remove and serve with ketchup and mustard. Use a toothpick to dip into mustard and make mummy eyes if you want the full effect. Enjoy!
Vampire Cookies
This treat is so easy and no fuss because even your littlest ghouls can get involved in the assembly. Make sure to use soft baked cookies so they are easy to cut and don’t fall apart on you.
Ingredients:
- soft baked chocolate chip or sugar cookies
- red cake frosting
- mini marshmallows
- handful of slivered almonds
Directions:
- Slice cookies into halves.
- Spread red frosting on the bottom half of each cookie.
- Line only one half of the cookie with mini marshmallows to look like teeth.
- Top with the other frosted cookie, sandwiching them so that the frosting is on top of the marshmallows.
- Use two slivered almonds on each side as fangs.
Frankenstein Pudding Cups
Another cute and simple treat you can make even easier by buying premade vanilla pudding.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cups vanilla pudding (You can either make the instant version or buy the premade cups)
- green food coloring
- crushed Oreos
Directions:
- You can make this recipe two ways. If you buy the individual pudding cups, just open the tops and mix the food coloring directly into the cups, then top with crushed Oreos. To be extra festive, use a marker to color a Frankenstein face on the outside of the plastic cups.
- The other way is to make your pudding and color it all together in a bowl, then assemble in glasses of your choice. Top with crushed Oreos and enjoy!
Witch’s Hair Pasta
This is such a fun dinner because it’s something most of us would already make that becomes something totally different with a couple of tweaks.
Ingredients:
- black squid ink pasta or regular pasta and black food coloring
- favorite pasta sauce
Directions:
- If you’re able to find squid ink pasta, just cook it as you normally would and serve with your pasta sauce.
- To make black pasta, cook your spaghetti according to the directions, but add in black food coloring to the water as it’s boiling. You might need to add more after straining depending on the strength of the food coloring.
- Serve with pasta sauce and enjoy!
More spooky fun: Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween in Little Rock
From Z to A with Zara Abbasi
Zara Abbasi is the pastry chef and recipe developer for Zara Made It. Follow her food adventures on Instagram at @zaramadeit.