I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been impressed by those super creative Halloween buffet photos. But I’ve never actually gone ahead and made one myself. So, if that sounds familiar, take this article as your sign to give it a try! I’ve found some little recipe gems for you—fun, spooky, and tasty. The perfect excuse to host a get-together at home or bring something special to your Halloween parties this year.

Witch’s brooms

Ingredients:
– Pretzel sticks
– Sliced cheese (mozzarella, havarti, or swiss)
– Chives

Steps:
1. Cut the cheese slice in half.
2. Slice into thin strips, stopping before the top.
3. Place a pretzel stick at one end.
4. Roll it up.
5. Tie with a chive.

Low-waste tip: Buy pretzels in bulk (if possible) and cheese slices from the cheesemonger to avoid single-use packaging.

Spooktacular yummy ghosts

Ingredients and materials:
– Carrots
– Cucumbers
– A straw

Steps:
1. Slice the carrots and cucumbers.
2. Cut two small, inverted triangles at the bottom of each slice.
3. Use a straw to make eyes and mouths.
4. Enjoy them as-is or with your favourite dip!

Low-waste tip: Buy carrots and cucumbers in bulk without plastic packaging if possible. Don’t peel them. Save the little cutouts (eyes, bottoms of the ghosts) and toss them into a salad.

Cute (possibly haunted) fruits

Ingredients:
– Mandarins
– Green onions or celery (for pumpkin stems)
– Bananas
– Chocolate chips

Steps for the mandarin pumpkins:
1. Peel the mandarins, keeping them whole.
2. Place a piece of green onion or celery on top as a stem.

Steps for the banana ghosts:
1. Peel the bananas.
2. Press chocolate chips in for the eyes.

Low-waste tips:
– If you’re not eating the banana ghosts right away, brush lightly with orange juice to prevent browning, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
– Plan your quantities based on the number of people so nothing goes to waste. Freeze leftovers for smoothies.
– Reuse mandarin peels for an infusion, a cleaner, or even to make your own dry shampoo.
– For the pumpkin “stems,” use what you already have in your fridge before buying new ingredients and cook up any leftovers.

Creepy smiles

Ingredients:
– Apples (any kind you like)
– Peanut butter
– Mini marshmallows

Steps:
1. Cut unpeeled apples in half, then into slices.
2. Spread peanut butter on one side.
3. Press mini marshmallows onto one slice, then top with another slice of apple with peanut butter to close.

Low-waste tip: Don’t peel the apples. Use the cores for an infusion (recipe here). Buy mini marshmallows in bulk if possible.

Witch’s potion

Ingredients and materials (makes about 8 glasses):
– 4 cups grape juice
– 1 cup pineapple juice
– 1 cup water
– ½ cup lime juice
– 2 cups lemon-lime soda
– Ice
– Clear glasses
– Gummy worms (green or a colour that pops against the purple drink)

Steps:
1. Pour grape juice, pineapple juice, and water into a large pitcher and stir gently.
2. Add lime juice and mix until combined.
3. Slowly pour in the lemon-lime soda and watch the bubbles rise.
4. To serve: fill clear glasses with ice, pour the mix, and top with gummy worms for a spooky floating decoration.

Low-waste tip: Choose juices in recyclable containers, buy limes and gummy worms in bulk, and don’t forget to return the soda cans for deposit.

We hope these recipes inspire you to enjoy a fun, creative, and low-waste Halloween—whether it’s at the office, at school, or with friends and family at home. They’re proof that you can get creative in the kitchen while keeping food waste to a minimum and cutting down on single-use packaging as much as possible. For more tips to fight food waste, check out the free tools available through our Food Fight program. Happy Halloween!

Communication Officer

Marion Dessus

With a degree in communications and literature, Marion has always sought a creative career that allows room for writing. Her biggest environmental wake-up call came while picking up hundreds of pieces of litter in nature. A true optimist, she firmly believes that every action, big or small, matters when it comes to protecting our planet. In her free time, you’ll find Marion on a cross-country ski trail, a soccer field, or savoring a London Fog while enjoying a good book.

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