Healthy Halloween Treats!!

The holiday season is fast approaching with Halloween just around the corner. However, this holiday may look different than any other before, specifically the newfound concern for children safety with trick o’ treating amongst the still continuing pandemic.

You may decide not to participate in the usual festivities this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun of Halloween treats! Not to mention, the control of healthier treat alternatives for your family. Candies are often artificially sweetened with added chemicals and indigestible sugars, so give these cute treat recipes a try this year.

Mini Mummy Pizzas

These mini pizzas are quick to make and can be used with several substitutes to fit any dietary need. This recipe will require small bagels, bread or even pizza dough. If you are using dough, we recommend rolling it out and using a round cookie cutter to cut out small circles to bake.

1. Take your choice of bread or dough and top it with your choice of pizza sauce.
2. Using mozzarella shredded cheese, layer the cheese to look like a mummy’s wrapping. (Can be substituted with non-dairy cheese alternatives.)
3. Top with two slices of toped olives for eyes and bake at 375ºF for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted all the way through.
4. Allow them to cool for 2 minutes and enjoy your Mini Mummy Pizzas!

Monster Bites

These little monster bites are great for any age, and are packed full of fiber and antioxidants from fruits and berries. This recipe will require apples, mini marshmallows, blueberries, strawberries, sunflower seeds (already shelled), and sunflower butter (can be substituted with peanut butter or other nut butters as well).

1. Start be cutting two apples into quarters (4 slices) each. They do not need to be exact sizes so don’t worry about perfection!
2. With each quarter apple, cut out a middle area of each quarter to make a small opening for the master’s “mouth”.
3. Coat the gap with your choice of nut butter or sunflower butter, placing 4 sunflower seeds on the top side of the piece as little “teeth”.
4. Place 1 sliced strawberry inside the mouth for the “tongue”.
5. Slice the mini marshmallows and blueberries, then using nut butter or sunflower butter to “glue” a slice of blueberry onto a slice of marshmallow for “eye”.
6. Finally, using nut butter or sunflower butter, glue the eyes above the monster’s mouth, creating the perfect face for the little monster bites and enjoy.

Ghost Banana Popsicles

These frozen treats are great for kids and quick to make. This recipe will require 4 fresh bananas (or whatever you have available), 1 cup of nonfat Greek vanilla yogurt (can also be substituted with non-dairy Greek style yogurt), mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, and popsicle sticks.

1. First, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper so that your popsicles won’t stick to the as they freeze. Be sure to make room for your cookie sheet in your freezer, or if you need a smaller surface, you can use a plate or other container.
2. Peel 2 fresh bananas, then cut each banana in half width wise (hamburger cut) and then again long wise (hot dog cut). You should have 4 slices per banana.
3. Insert a popsicle stick at the bottom of each slice and place onto your parchment paper and into the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour.
4. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt (or substitute) and an optional sweetener of your choice, such as honey or powered sugar.
5. Remove the frozen banana’s from the freezer and dig each slice into the yogurt mixture before placing back onto the parchment sheet. Add two mini chocolate chips to each slice as “eyes” and return your Ghost Banana Popsicles to the freezer.
6. Let popsicles freeze for another hour before serving, then enjoy!

And, if you are seeking a more traditional Halloween experience or what to leave candy outside for contact-less trick o’ treating, we recommend leaving out organic fruit gummies without highfructose corn syrup for kiddies or other alternative treats. There are SmartPop popcorn bags, perfect for passing out this year, and even veggie chips in cute ghost or bat shapes, perfect for the Halloween season. Regardless of what you chose to do this year, keep your health as a priority and remember that staying healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing on the fun of the holiday!