Healthier Halloween Snack Ideas

On this sweet holiday, avoiding sugar rushes and inevitable crashes may seem impossible, but we promise it’s not! Finding healthier candy and snacking options is key to unnecessary indulgences. But you don’t have to neglect your (or your kid’s) sweet tooth — all it takes is a little bit of effort to make healthier choices. When cravings hit, or you find yourself surrounded by sugar bombs, opt for a healthier choice like dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants and less sugar than milk or white chocolate. Lower-sugar candies, naturally sweetened candies containing real fruit juice and candies with short ingredient lists are all better-for-you options than your typical sugar-loaded Halloween treat.

Dehydrated fruit makes a great, lower-sugar, sweet snack as well.

Homemade Halloween-themed Snacks

Make the holiday fun with these homemade better-for-you spooky snacks you can make with the family!

• Chocolate-dipped fruit: Dip dried mango, papaya or apricot pieces in melted dark chocolate to make bite-sized Halloween-hued treats.
• Ghostly fruit kebab skewers: Skewer strawberry and melon pieces with marshmallows, then draw eyes and a mouth on each of the marshmallows with a black food coloring marker. Spooky!
• Monster mouths: Quarter a green or red apple, then cut out a wedge from the skin side of each quarter. Fill the opening with organic peanut butter and then place yogurt-covered goji berries inside for the teeth. A festive and healthy Halloween snack for all.
• Spiced honey-roasted pumpkin seeds: After carving jack-o’-lanterns, roast your fresh pumpkin seeds with honey, chili powder, paprika, garlic and cayenne for a sweet and savory snack with a crunch.
• Dipped frozen bananas: Dip frozen banana chunks, on toothpicks, in melted dark chocolate before rolling in nuts, shredded coconut or sprinkles. Refreeze before serving.
• Trail mix: Easily make your own trail mix by combining your favorite nuts, sunflower seeds and dried raisins or banana chips. It’s a filling snack that’s packed with protein and has that perfect combination of crunchy, salty and sweet.
• Energy balls: In your food processor, pulse together dates, oats, nuts and seeds, then roll into balls to create a healthy and subtly sweet snack option.
• Ants on a log: In a pinch, these classic standbys are a quick and easy go-to!

Healthier Candy

Candy in moderation is part of a balanced eating pattern. However, with the onset of the holiday season, moderation can be harder to find. Swapping traditional candy for treats that are made with ingredients like stevia, monk fruit, and natural coloring (think: beetroot powder instead of artificial dye) can help achieve that balance, while still enjoying the season. It can also help ward off cavities!

Low-sugar and Low-calorie Candy and Snacks

There are lots of options when it comes to low-sugar and low-calorie candy and snacks. Consider these when you need a snack yourself, or even to pass out to trick-or-treaters:

• Dark chocolate has long been known to have heart-healthy benefits, so indulge without guilt in a Simple Truth Organic 85% Cacao Fair Trade Chocolate Bar. This 85% chocolate bar has 6 grams of sugar per serving and boasts 4 grams of protein and 5g of fiber.
• Simple Truth® Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds are a great satiating option that provides beneficial fiber, fats, and iron from the almonds.
• Simple Truth Organic Strawberry & Mango Strips can be a gummy candy alternative, made completely from fruit and vegetable juices and purees. Nothing artificial here!
• Feeling munchy with all the sweets around? Opt for the Simple Truth Organic Chocolate Mini Rice Cakes. A little sweet to kick a craving and provide a crunchy texture.

Healthier Sweets

These healthier Halloween sweets are as crowd-pleasing as they are festive, and won’t leave you with a sugar hangover:

• Caramel apples get a protein boost when rolled in coconut flakes or chopped nuts.
• Popcorn balls held together with peanut butter and honey instead of corn syrup are a surprisingly healthy treat.
• Pumpkin seed brittle utilizes the antioxidant- and iron-rich seeds for a nutrient boost.
• Crispy rice treats set the Halloween theme with the addition of orange food coloring (or use carrot juice as a natural food coloring!).
• Orange frozen yogurt or sorbet topped with blackberries makes for a festive orange-and-black treat. Bonus points for presentation if you scoop the fro-yo into half of a hollowed-out orange skin!
• Homemade popsicles with blended coconut milk, Greek yogurt, banana and pineapple are a completely natural sweet treat.

If you can’t get enough healthier treats, visit our Natural & Organic Cookies & Candy Department for more ideas. Plus, check out more Halloween Inspiration at our Halloween Shop.

_{Disclaimer: This information is educational only and is not meant to provide healthcare recommendations. Please see a healthcare provider.}