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
- “50 Healthy Halloween Recipes You’ll Actually Want to Eat,” Women’s Health, August 2, 2021.
- “Healthy Halloween: 5 Low-Calorie Recipes for Tasty Treats,” Health Today, n.d.
