Halloween doesn't have to be all about candy. Our Registered Dietitians put together three fruit-based treats that bring the fun to snack time: Mini Mandarin Jack-O'-Lanterns, Peanut Butter BOO-nanas and Apple Monster Faces.
Why Choose Fruit-Based Treats?
- Balance the candy bowl: Fresh fruit adds vitamins and fiber to a sweets-heavy holiday.
- Fuel up before trick-or-treating: Kids head out with something nutritious in their bellies.
- Quick and simple: Each recipe takes just a few minutes and a handful of ingredients.
- Kid-friendly: Little ones can help decorate and build their own spooky snacks.
- Easy to adapt: Swap in sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option, and check for food allergies before sharing at parties or school.
Mini Mandarin Jack-O'-Lanterns
A tiny celery stem turns each juicy mandarin into its own mini pumpkin. It's a two-ingredient snack packed with vitamin C.
Makes: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 mandarin or clementine oranges, peeled and pith removed
- 2 stalks celery
Instructions
- Peel the mandarin oranges.
- Chop the celery into pieces about one inch long.
- Press a piece of celery into the center of each peeled orange.
- Repeat with the remaining oranges.
- Arrange on a Halloween plate and enjoy.
Peanut Butter BOO-nanas
Creamy peanut butter and sweet bananas make a frightfully fun grab-and-go snack for little monsters of all ages.
Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 bananas
- Creamy peanut butter
- Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Melt about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter in the microwave.
- Drizzle it over a peeled banana.
- Add 2 mini chocolate chips for eyes.
- Repeat with each remaining banana.
Tip: Add popsicle sticks to make them easier and more fun for kids to eat.
Apple Monster Faces
Crisp apple slices get goofy grins, wacky eyes and spooky smiles. It's a monstrously fun way to enjoy fresh fruit and let creativity run wild.
Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 to 4 red or green apples
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (or almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option)
- Sunflower seeds, slivered almonds or mini marshmallows for teeth
- 2 to 4 fresh strawberries (or carrot slices)
- Edible candy googly eyes, chocolate chips or raisins
- Lemon water (a splash of lemon juice in a bowl of water)
Instructions
- Prep the apples: Wash the apples, cut them into quarters and core out the seeds.
- Carve the mouth: Cut a small wedge out of the skin side of each apple quarter to create an open mouth. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
- Prevent browning: Dip the cut apple pieces in lemon water for a few seconds, then pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
- Add the filling: Spread a spoonful of peanut butter inside the mouth opening.
- Insert the tongue: Press a thin slice of strawberry or carrot into the bottom of the mouth.
- Add the teeth: Stick sunflower seeds, sliced almonds or mini marshmallows into the top and bottom edges of the peanut butter to look like jagged teeth.
- Stick on the eyes: Dab a tiny dot of peanut butter on the back of each edible eye or chocolate chip, then press it onto the top of the apple.
Tip: An adult should handle the knife work. Kids can take over decorating.
Happy Halloween from our Registered Dietitians!
