8 Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Halloween Treats

Healthier Halloween treats to indulge in

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 eight 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 flavor mix (any brand)
  
• 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 before 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

6. Spooky fruit skewers

These refreshing fruit skewers are a fun way to get kids to eat their fruit during the Halloween season. Each skewer is approximately 50 calories.

Ingredients:

• Assorted fruits (like grapes, melon balls, and strawberries)
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Skewers

Directions:

• Start by washing and cutting your fruits into bite-sized pieces.
• Slide the fruit pieces onto the skewer in any order you prefer.
• For a spooky touch, push a mini marshmallow onto the tip of each skewer. Then, using a little bit of melted chocolate or chocolate chips, create two tiny dots on the marshmallow for the eyes, making it look like a ghost.
• Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

7. Vegan caramel apples

A classic Halloween treat gets a healthier twist with this vegan version. Each caramel apple is about 150 calories.

Ingredients:

• 4 large apples
• ½ cup dates (soaked in water for an hour)
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Crushed nuts or shredded coconut for garnish (optional)
• Sticks

Directions:

• Push a stick through the top of each apple.
• In a blender, combine the soaked dates, coconut milk, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
• Dip each apple into the caramel mixture, ensuring it’s well coated.
• Roll the caramel-coated apples in crushed nuts or shredded coconut if desired.
• Place on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

8. Healthy Witch’s Brew smoothie

This vibrant green smoothie looks festive and packs a nutritional punch. Each serving contains just 80 calories.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 handful of spinach
• ½ avocado
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• A pinch of spirulina or green food coloring for added color (optional)
• Ice cubes

Directions:

• Combine almond milk, banana, spinach, avocado, and honey or maple syrup in a blender.
• Blend until smooth.
• For a more vibrant green color, add spirulina or green food coloring and blend again.
• Add ice cubes and give one final blend until the smoothie is chilled.
• Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Decorate with spooky straws for added fun.

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.