41 Scary Good Halloween Potluck Ideas

Looking for ghoulish crowd-pleasing potluck recipes? Try these Halloween potluck ideas and enjoy the festivities.

Halloween is a beautiful time for people to get together. It’s a time for kids to run around in costumes and adults to join in on the fun.

Best of all, it’s a time to eat deliciously spooky food like these Halloween potluck ideas.

Impress your friends and family on the spookiest night of the year with these forty-one Halloween foods! Each one is tastier and more bone-chilling than the last.

What is the Most Popular Food for Halloween?

When you think of Halloween, what do you think of? Candy, of course! Candy and caramel apples are staples of Halloween.

If everyone is going to be eating a bunch of candy, you don’t need to add another bag of candy to the mix. Instead, use some elbow grease to create a terrifyingly terrific meal or spooky snacks with these easy Halloween food ideas.

What Do You Bring to Halloween Party?

The question is, what should you bring? Any potluck meal should be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it should be easy for you to make. The easier something is to make, the easier it is to decorate for Halloween parties!

Platters, dips, casseroles, and finger foods are at home at a Halloween potluck party. Take a little extra time to spook-ify your Halloween party food to help it fit the theme and impress party guests.

Easy Halloween Potluck Recipes

Let’s kick things off with everyone’s favorite category: easy recipes. Prepare these ingenious Halloween potluck ideas with plenty of time left over to make these easy treats fit the Halloween theme.

1. Apple Sweet Potato Bake

Source: allnutritious.com

My apple sweet potato bake is the best way to celebrate Halloween in the fall. All the ingredients are seasonal, with a warm kick of spice to help them along.

The best part of this recipe is how easy it is to serve. Just bring along a big dish of this sweet potato bake and watch your friends and family dig in with gusto.

2. Pumpkin Soup

Source: christinascucina.com

Next up is pumpkin soup, another fall staple! This is super easy to make in advance and will heat up once you arrive at the potluck this spooky season.

The ingredients are also cheap, so you can make a lot without spending too much money. But don’t let that fool you. This dish tastes as if it came out of a restaurant. Top it with some pumpkin seeds to take it to another level!

3. Healthy Apple Snacks

Source: allnutritious.com

This is another recipe I reach for a lot. Can you blame me? It has the perfect blend of textures and flavors, all on a healthy apple base.

These healthy options for Halloween snacks don’t require any cooking at all. That’s what makes them so great for feeding large crowds! This easy recipe is also great for picky kids!

4. Halloween Puppy Chow

Source: budgetdelicious.com

This isn’t puppy chow, but it will delight anyone dressed as a dog or werewolf! Using a base of Chex cereal, your job is to pack the bowl with all manner of Halloween candy.

Every bite of this sweet dish is a texture and flavor sensation. You’ll be bringing home an empty bowl after this, I promise.

5. Baked Apple Chips

Source: allnutritious.com

Don’t just bring boring old potato chips. Spice it up with these warm cinnamon-baked apple chips. You can easily prepare these days in advance!

All you need to do is thinly slice some apple and bake it. Be generous with your spices. That’s what gives the apples their unique flavor.

Having healthy Halloween recipes is easy with these apple chips!

6. Halloween Popcorn

Source: recipesfromapantry.com

Are you sitting down to a big horror movie showing? Impress everyone in the audience with this Halloween popcorn! There’s nothing better than grabbing a handful of this and chowing down.

You can change the popcorn into any color you like using the food coloring technique! 

7. Shortbread Cookies

Source: happyholidayrecipes.com

You can’t go wrong with a classic. Shortbread is a super simple crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s easy to decorate with a Halloween theme using some colored sprinkles or even some googly eyes.

While they’re best served fresh, you can prepare these the day before. These also make great gifts to thank the host!

8. Cookie Candy Corn Bark

Source: lovefromtheoven.com

Are you looking for a dish that’s as chaotic and fun as Halloween itself? You’ve found it! This cookie candy corn bark is a great vehicle for your favorite Halloween candy.

While the original recipe heroes candy corn, you can use anything you like! Try this technique with gummy snakes or candy eyes for a spooky treat.

Gluten-free Potluck Halloween Recipes

Going gluten-free on holiday can be a challenge. But with this collection of recipes, you can enjoy the night without worrying! With plenty of flavors, each of these recipes is a delight.

9. Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Source: allnutritious.com

Oatmeal is a great flour substitute when baking cookies. And oatmeal cookies are even better with the warm taste of pumpkin spice through them.

Use up any leftover pumpkin flesh to create these chewy delights. Try sprinkling with dark chocolate chips to add a little kick.

10. Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Source: breagettingfit.com

In a pumpkin pie, where does all the gluten live? In the crust, of course! Get rid of the crust, and you have a tasty pumpkin pie that’s also gluten-free.

This clever recipe is another great way to use any leftover pumpkin flesh from carving. If you don’t have any, canned pumpkin will also work.

11. Mummy Jalapeno Poppers

Source: beyondflourblog.com

Who doesn’t love a jalapeno popper? Don’t miss out on these tasty treats because of the gluten-filled pastry! This recipe teaches you how to make delicious poppers that look just like mummies.

Trust me; you’ll be the belle of the ball if you turn up with a plate of these. Each bite bursts with melted cheese. And the pastry is so crumbly and buttery!

12. Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Source: strengthandsunshine.com

Make classic comfort food more appropriate for Halloween by adding butternut. The warm hint of butternut makes every bite feel like you’re breathing fall air.

This might be a great potluck recipe, but it’s also great for casual nights at home. You can even freeze it and reheat the leftovers for an easy lunch.

This Vegan mac would be a great alternative Thanksgiving meal to turkey.

Spooky Halloween Potluck Recipes

Take the spook factor to the next level with these spooky Halloween potluck recipes. All you need is a creative eye and a love for all things spooky to make these recipes sing.

13. Witches Fingers

Source: christinascucina.com

These cookies might be the creepiest thing on the list. They’re great for a full-on Halloween potluck where everyone is in the spooky spirit!

You’ll make some heads turn with a plate of these in hand. They’re also quite easy to make, despite how they look.

14. Spooky Brownies

Source: moneywisemoms.com

Brownies are a super simple go-to for potlucks. But you can upgrade your existing recipe with this super simple technique! Make your brownies spooky enough for a spot at the Halloween table.

Decorating these beauties only takes five minutes. But the payoff is worth it!

15. Frankenstein Pudding Cups

Source: cookingwithcarlee.com

If you’ve got kids coming along to the event, they’ll love these adorable pudding cups. Topped with a dark cookie crumble, this is a smooth pudding everyone will love.

Is Frankenstein not your favorite monster? No problem! Simply switch out the food coloring and draw a different face on the plastic pudding cups.

16. Jack Skellington Cupcake

Source: cookingwithcarlee.com

This might be for you if you fancy yourself a bit of an artist. Bring Jack Skellington to life in the form of a cake. It’s super simple, and it’s also great if you love a spooky night before Christmas!

This is a pull-apart dessert. That means you don’t need a knife to cut it. This makes it ideal for picnics or outdoor potlucks.

17. Graveyard Pudding Cups

Source: conservamome.com

Create something adorable with barely any effort! These Halloween pudding cups are delicious. All you need is some pudding mix and some store-bought Halloween candy.

You can use this technique to create everything from graveyards to shipwrecks. Get creative with it!

18. Spider Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwiches

Source: forkinggoodfood.com

Make a simple sandwich ten times better with this cute technique. All you need is a cookie cutter and some pretzel sticks!

Even the pickiest eaters will enjoy these PB&J spiders. The classic flavor of the PB&J sandwich is a perfect host for a creepy spider shape.

19. Ghost Brownies

Source: amandascookin.com

Here’s another way to dress up your favorite brownie recipe. Cover it in ghosts! These little ghosts are crafted out of homemade marshmallows. It’s sticky, sweet, and will blow your guests away.

This brownie is super easy to make ahead of time, so you don’t need to stress out. It’s also easy to transport. No cutting required! Just take the whole slab.

20. Mummies Cookies

Source: drugstoredivas.net

With this super cute recipe, take a nutter butter and give it a whole new life. They look just like little mummies!

You can have these nutter butter mummy cookies ready in just five minutes. They’re a great last-minute dish to make if you’re strapped for ingredients.

21. Gnocchi

Source: wildveganflower.com

Ready to embrace your inner artist? This spooky skull gnocchi is bound to make you the champion of the potluck! Each one is carefully crafted using a skewer.

It might get a little bit fiddly, but keep going. The result is worth the effort. They taste amazing (although you might not want to eat them!).

22. Spiderweb Cake

Source: cookiedoughandovenmitt.com

This super cute spiderweb cake is a great one to bring to potluck birthday parties. Impress everyone with your baking skills! The vibrant green spiderweb is a perfect pop of color against the dark cake.

The cake is moist and delicious, with a generous layer of frosting to cap it all off.

Halloween Potluck Meat Recipes

Balance out all that candy with a dose of protein at the potluck. The kids will love how you’ve spookified some of their favorite classic dishes!

23. Chicken Salad with Apples

Source: allnutritious.com

When making a meat dish for many people, you want to be sure they’ll like it. Chicken is a great choice here! It’s light white meat that soaks up flavor like a sponge.

In this chicken salad, the creamy sauce and sweet apples bounce off each other. It’s simple to prepare and easy to eat while mingling. Win-win!

24. Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

Source: thriftyjinxy.com

While this might not contain meat, it’s undoubtedly meat inspired. This buffalo chicken wing dip tastes precisely like a buffalo chicken wing!

Dips are great for potlucks because everybody can dig in as much as they like. Just bring along a big bag of chips, and you’re ready.

25. Halloween Feet Loaf

Source: cookingwithcurls.com

This unsettling recipe is perfect for a suitably spooky Halloween potluck. This will be the centerpiece for sure. While the meatloaf may look horrible – on purpose – it tastes fantastic!

It’s glazed in a delicious tomato sauce that adds flavor and moisture. Enjoy every juicy bite of this meatloaf. It’s a real… feat!

26. Mummy Hot Dogs

Source: crayonsandcravings.com

These mummy hot dogs are even better than normal ones. They have no separate bun or condiments. That means there’s no extra assembly required!

Not only are they adorable, but they’re also super portable. That makes them a great potluck party snack for this Halloween.

27. White Chicken Chilli

Source: whatagirleats.com

Help combat the Halloween sugar high with a high-protein white chicken chili bowl. This chili is so easy to make, and it tastes fantastic.

While it might look pure as the driven snow, it’s packed with taste! Keep this recipe in your back pocket whenever you need to bring some leftover chicken back to life. 

28. Spaghetti

Source: budgetdelicious.com

Ever had a meal that looks back at you? This eyeball spaghetti does! While it seems appropriate for Halloween, every bite of this spaghetti is laced with the flavors you know and love.

Every meatball is topped with a luxurious hunk of mozzarella and black olive. Not only does it add to the look, but it enhances the flavor beyond measure!

29. Turkey Meatball Eyeballs

Source: boulderlocavore.com

Flip the color scheme of the previous recipe on its head with these turkey meatball eyeballs. This dish looks creepy thanks to the black spaghetti and the red meatball eyes.

Luckily, it tastes incredible. It’s also great for potlucks because you can prepare the meatballs in advance.

These meatballs are perfect appetizers for Halloween parties.

30. Mummy Meatballs

Source: hunnyimhomediy.com

Are you looking for something super simple yet spooky? These mummy meatballs are the answer. You can use pre-cooked meatballs and a can of Crescent dough to craft these creepy creations.

With barely any preparation required, these meatballs are the perfect potluck meal! Make sure you bring a great dipping sauce along with you.

31. Hot Dog Spaghetti

Source: swirlsofflavor.com

Next, we have a unique recipe perfect for a kids’ Halloween potluck. Spaghetti forms the legs of a spider, while the cut-up hot dogs form the body.

This is such a creative way to serve spaghetti with hotdogs. So Halloween-appropriate! It might get a little finicky but stick with it. The result is worth it.

Best Halloween Potluck Recipes

Finally, we have the cream of the crop. With the perfect level of whimsy and ease, these will be your best friends come Halloween night.

32. Spider Deviled Eggs

Source: myproductivebackyard.com

Deviled eggs are a classic potluck meal choice. Make them a little more Halloween-y with this cute trick! Sliced-up black olives and a couple of capers can transform your egg into a little spider.

The deviled egg itself tastes delicious. These are easy to make in bulk, so they’re great for crowds! Paired them with some creepy cocktails and you’re all set!

33. Witches Brew Brownies

Source: thedenverhousewife.com

These brownies look like tiny cauldrons, and they’re so cute for your next Halloween party! Get your kids to help you frost these before you head out to the potluck. That’s some quality family bonding time.

Turn your witch’s brew any color you like. Pick up some candy in a similar color to complete the look of this perfect treat.

34. Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Spiders

Source: whatagirleats.com

Cookies are a great addition to your themed food, but they’re even better with peanut butter cups on them. These are super easy to make from scratch. But if you’re low on time, you can make these without baking.

Pick up store-bought cookies, chocolate to melt, and peanut butter cups. They’ll take five minutes!

35. Pumpkin Dip

Source: lovefromtheoven.com

This sweet pumpkin dip will go down like a treat. Cream cheese, pumpkin, and spices pair up to create a smooth and delicious dip everyone will love.

Make this ahead of time to let it set in the fridge. The more set it is, the more it will feel like ice cream!

Love this recipe? Why not use it as a Thanksgiving potluck recipe as well?

36. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

Source: spendwithpennies.com

Upgrade your chocolate chip cookies with a tasty dose of pumpkin. These don’t look super spooky, but they do have the flavor of fall in every bite.

Whether you use milk or dark chocolate chips, these cookies will feel chewy and luxurious.

37. Maple Cinnamon Cookies

Source: livetosweet.com

Maple and cinnamon are two classic fall flavors that blend well. That’s why these Halloween-friendly snickerdoodles are so good! The sweet maple and warm cinnamon play off each other in every bite.

Try decorating them to look like mummies or spiderwebs using the light glaze.

38. Pumpkin Spice Oat Cookies

Source: throughthefibrofog.com

Make a healthy choice this Halloween with these delicious oatmeal pumpkin spice cookies. These cookies are high in fiber, so they’re great for absorbing all that excess sugar.

Enjoy every chewy mouthful of these super easy cookies. Prepare them in advance to make your life much easier on the day of the potluck!

Pumpkin cookies also make great Thanksgiving treats for kids!

39. Halloween Candy Cookie

Source: thecurlyspoonblog.com

Halloween candy is great, but it’s even better when you put it in a cookie! Whether you want to hand these out at your door or take them to a potluck, I guarantee these will go down a treat.

Use plenty of butter to create a chewy cookie. It’s the perfect host for little specks of Halloween candy.

40. High Hat Cupcakes

Source: livetosweet.com

Grab Halloween by the horns with these awesome high-hat cupcakes. These cakes are a tall order. They’re chocolate-dipped ice creams!

Imagine biting through a crackly chocolate shell and finding moist chocolate cake beneath. That’s what you get with these.

41. Orange Fruit Jack-O-Lantern

Source: thriftyjinxy.com

Our final recipe embraces fresh fruit and creativity! These fun Jack-O-Lantern oranges are just as good to eat as they are to look at.

Stuff these full of your favorite fresh fruit and sweep into the party like the winner you are. Trust me; everyone will love these.

With all those recipes to choose from, has one caught your eye? Let me know in the comments below which potluck recipes you reach for at Halloween!