Halloween is right around the corner and I’m already plotting which holiday treats I plan on sneaking into sweatshirt pocket for a spur of the moment snack. (Snickers has peanuts, so it’s essentially trail mix, right?) Yes, our inner children may be screaming for sour gummies and Midnight Milky Ways, but our bodies are probably craving something a little more substantial. Luckily, the following Halloween treats will help supplement the necessary nostalgia without sending us into a sugar comas.
Almond Butterfingers
Butterfingers: The candy that coats your t-shirt in crumbs and triggers memories of Bart Simpson on a skateboard. These golden-wrapped nuggets of bliss contained a flakey texture unlike any other candy, but are sadly loaded with a ton of not-so-healthy ingredients that are older selves are more inclined to avoid. Luckily, Unrefined Kitchen has discovered a way to recreate these holiday classics using paleo ingredients. You’ll need a candy thermometer, but once you nail down the technique, you’ll have Butterfingers for days.
Paleo Twix Bars
No longer will I have to steal these fun-sized treats from my little cousin’s candy stash. Twix Bars were a masterpiece in chocolate engineering, because they took cookies and candy and smooshed them together to create one Halloween superhero. This paleo recipe is so good that it makes me want to put on my old gypsy costume, heat up some apple cider, and dive right into an Addams Family marathon.
Pumpkin-Shaped Sweet Potato Chips
After indulging in piece after piece of Halloween candy, you may find yourself longing for something to satisfy that salty tooth. And while most of us turned up our noses at the houses serving pretzels, these sweet potato pumpkin chips are a great addition to your Halloween spread. They’re baked, easy to make, and likely the most adorable potato chip you’ve ever seen.
Vegan Candy Corn
Candy Corn seems to be one of those candies that you either love or hate, sort of like Peeps or Circus Peanuts. I happen to love the stuff, but hate that after eating ten or so pieces I feel like taking an early hibernation and collapsing into bed. This vegan recipe still has sugar, but lacks any corn syrup or gelatin, making it a tad bit healthier than the version you can buy at the store. It’s also super cute, and creating your own candy corn will likely make you feel like a Food Network Star.
Spiced Pumpkin Hummus
If you’re searching for something to bring to a Halloween party and have already OD’d on paleo Twix and vegan candy corn, try this pumpkin hummus. It’s great with apple slices, chips, or veggie sticks, and makes for a great holiday twist on a typical party favorite.
Regardless of your dietary restrictions, everyone deserves some indulgence when it comes to Halloween. Get the Monster Mash playing, slap on some spooky socks, and cook up some of these treats in order to create a perfectly nostalgic (and somewhat healthy!) holiday.
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Amanda Kohr is the editor at Wanderlust. You can find her exploring new highways, drinking diner coffee, and on Instagram.