TK Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Halloween TreatsGuilt-free recipes to DIY this Halloween

Halloween is here! And with it comes tons of candies and sweets. But if you’re trying to eat healthier, Halloween time can be a real challenge. Can you have your treats and eat them, too? Of course, you can! Here are five delicious low-calorie Halloween desserts to check out:

1. Peanut butter chocolate popcorn balls

This sweet and salty snack is a classic Halloween treat — but lightened up! Each serving only contains 90 calories and is low in sodium.

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups air-popped popcorn
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 4 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Directions:

  • In a large bowl, mix together the popcorn and chocolate chips
  • Fill a smaller bowl with ice and water, then set aside
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the honey and peanut butter until it starts to bubble
  • Pour the honey peanut butter mixture over the popcorn and combine with a spatula
  • Dip your hands in the ice water and roll popcorn into 2-inch balls
  • Continue to dip hands in between balls
  • Once all balls have been rolled, allow them to cool

2. Brownie bites

Regular brownie bites contain a ton of sugar and calories, but not these magical ones! Each delicious brownie bite only contains 100 calories, high in fiber, and has low sugar.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup prune puree
  • ¼ teaspoon instant coffee
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup Truvia
  • 1 egg beaten
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  • Spray a 12-inch muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray
  • In a medium bowl, place the chocolate chips and butter
  • Heat on high for one minute until the chocolate is partially melted
  • Whisk until completely melted
  • Then whisk in prune puree, instant coffee, vanilla, and brown sugar until smooth
  • Stir in beaten egg
  • Add in cocoa powder, baking powder, and flour
  • Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin tins
  • Bake for 10-to-15 minutes until the center springs back when touched
  • Cool for 10 minutes

3. Pumpkin mini-muffins

Nothing says Halloween like a batch of yummy pumpkin muffins. Each mini-muffin only contains 86 calories per serving.

Ingredients:

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 1 15-ounce can of pumpkin

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Take the box of spice cake mix and mix it well with the can of pumpkin
  • Remember not to add any eggs, water, or oil
  • Divide the batter evenly between two 12-mini muffin tins
  • Spray the muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray prior to spooning in the batter
  • Bake for 15 minutes
  • Allow to cool and serve

4. Chocolate peanut butter cups

This healthy version only contains 100 calories per serving and 8 grams of fat. Plus, it's lower in sugar.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Hershey’s dark chocolate kisses
  • ½ tablespoon all-natural peanut butter

Directions:

  • Melt one piece of chocolate and place it in the bottom of a mini muffin wrapper
  • Place in the freezer for 5 minutes until solid
  • Top with peanut butter
  • Melt the other piece of chocolate and place it on top of the peanut butter
  • Freeze until solid

5. Jack-o-lantern Rice Krispies treats

These super cute treats are perfect for Halloween! Each serving only contains 105 calories.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons Smart Balance Light
  • 4 cups mini marshmallows
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 5 cups Rice Krispies
  • 12 mini black licorice bites
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Dash of cloves and ground ginger
  • Orange food coloring
  • Black decorators gel

Directions:

  • Line a cookie sheet with tin foil and grease it with cooking spray
  • Mix together all the spices in a small bowl
  • In a large pot, melt Smart Balance over medium heat until melted
  • Add the marshmallows over medium heat until almost melted
  • Add the pumpkin puree and spice mix, mixing well
  • Add a drop or two of orange food coloring
  • Remove from heat and add Rice Krispies
  • Mix until all of the Rice Krispies are mixed in
  • Coat your hands with cooking spray and scoop up ½ cup of the Rice Krispies mixture
  • Shape the mixture into a shape resembling a pumpkin
  • To decorate the pumpkins, place them on the prepared baking sheet and press down
  • The pumpkins should stand up on their own
  • Press the black licorice bites into the top of the balls, so it resembles a stem of a pumpkin
  • Create the Jack-o-lantern face with the black decorator's gel
References

  1. “50 Healthy Halloween Recipes You’ll Actually Want to Eat,” Women’s Health, August 2, 2021.

  2. “Healthy Halloween: 5 Low-Calorie Recipes for Tasty Treats,” Health Today, n.d.

 

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