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Healthy Halloween Treats

October 04, 2016
Photo: Randy Mayor
When it comes to Halloween, there's no shortage of candy lying around your kitchen. However, if you're looking to lighten up this sugar-laden holiday, there are plenty of fun, crafty treats that are festive and delicious, without ruining your diet. From sweet popcorn to candied apples to savory sweet potato tots, there's no shortage of healthy, fun treats that you and your family can enjoy during this autumn holiday. Steer clear of those processed, store-bought snacks and opt for these cute, homemade options instead.
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Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

Katherine Flynn
View Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

These bite-sized snacks pack in everything you love about pumpkin spice with natural warm flavors and fresh pumpkin puree. Don't stress making a pumpkin pie and save on the calories with these energy bites. Enjoy these as a grab-and-go breakfast or snack all throughout fall.

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Mummy Buckeyes

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Mummy Buckeyes

Our two-bite treats are scary-simple to make and a ghoulishly good addition to your spread of haunted sweets. When it comes time to wrap the mummies in chocolate, let the kids help out for a fun holiday craft.

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Chocolate Halloween Cutout Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chocolate Halloween Cutout Cookies

If orange food coloring isn't available, combine red and yellow to create an orange hue. Either way, these adorable, festive cookies are sure to impress your Halloween guests. When it comes time to decorate, let your kids help out for a fun holiday craft. Undeniably rich and sweet, we think these cookies are way better than a store-bought chocolate candy bar.

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Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Sara Tane
View Recipe: Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Greek yogurt and cream cheese come together to create that same, luscious texture of your favorite store-bought frozen yogurt. With a seasonal pumpkin flare, this low calorie dessert is just the treat that you'll want to cozy up to on a crisp fall night. Top with nuts, cinnamon, and dark chocolate for an extra kick that blends beautifully with the flavors of pumpkin spice. If you are not planning on serving immediately, keep it in the fridge and then throw it in the freezer 1 to 2 hours before you are ready to serve it.

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Black Sesame Cupcakes

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Black Sesame Cupcakes

There's nothing artificial about these dramatically hued treats. Supermoist (and whole-grain) chocolate cupcakes get their blackout color from black sesame seeds and antioxidant-rich dark cocoa powder. These desserts are delicious and better for you, with every bit of fun, festive flair you crave.

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Sweet and Spicy Pumpkinseeds

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Pumpkinseeds

Once you've carved out your Jack-o-Lantern, don't even consider throwing out those seeds, as they can be roasted for a delicious Halloween treat. This crunchy snack packs a ton of heat and flavor that's the perfect solution to your strongest savory craving. If you're serving it to a crowd that's shy on spice, scale back on the red pepper for a salty toasted seed that everybody can enjoy. For even more kick, add an extra 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper.

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Chocolate Spider Cupcakes

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Chocolate Spider Cupcakes

It's easy to make spiderweb designs on cupcakes: Simply pipe concentric circles and drag a wooden pick through wet frosting to create a webbed effect. No bourbon? Use water instead in the frosting.

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Sweet Potato Tots

Sara Tane
View Recipe: Sweet Potato Tots

Take a break from sweet potato fries and try out tots instead. Oven-baked until they're brown and crispy, these tots will satisfy your wildest savory cravings without overloading you with calories and fat. Served with a zippy jalapeño ranch dipping sauce that's loaded with protein and fresh herbs, these cute sweet potato tots make for the perfect appetizer or mid-afternoon snack that your kids will devour.

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White Bean and Pumpkin Hummus With Pita Chips

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: White Bean and Pumpkin Hummus With Pita Chips

If you think you've seen pumpkin spice in every food, think again. This lightly sweet and smoky take on hummus is the perfect snack or a fitting starter for any autumn gathering. Without being overly sweet, this festive dip is the perfect addition to your next Halloween or fall-inspired spread.

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Cinnamon-Cider Candied Apples

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Cinnamon-Cider Candied Apples

Apple cider, Red Hots candies, and brandy provide a perfect, bloody coating for Granny Smiths. Tip: Wash the apples well to remove any waxy coating, and dry thoroughly before dipping them. Work quickly, but if the syrup begins to set, you can reheat it over low heat to liquefy.

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Bacon-Pretzel-Peanut Butter Caramel Apples

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Bacon-Pretzel-Peanut Butter Caramel Apples

With creamy peanut butter spooned straight into the caramel, it's no wonder this apple is our staff's favorite of the five. 

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Candied Apple Popcorn Balls

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Candied Apple Popcorn Balls

For popcorn pops, slide a skewer into the center of each slightly cooled ball; gently compress to secure stick.

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Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

For those who can't decide between salty and sweet, this delicious concoction is sure to please. Packed with protein and healthy fats, this snack option offers way more nutrition than your average bag of greasy, oversalted popcorn. Peanut butter lovers won't be able to keep their hands off this nutty, delicious concoction. Beware of sticky fingers!

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Caramel Apples

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Caramel Apples

Making the gooey homemade caramel for this classic autumn treat may take a little time, but it's totally worth the effort. These adorable apples make for the perfect fall craft that your kids will have a blast decorating. Dress them up with extra toppings, or keep them simple and sweet. Either way, this is a festive, exciting way to use up your farmers' market produce that your kids will absolutely love.

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Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle

Photo: Jason Varney
View Recipe: Marshmallow Popcorn Treats with Dark Chocolate Drizzle

Reminiscent of classic popcorn balls, these salty-sweet treats make for awesome low-fat, lunch box–friendly snacking. Make a batch with the kids this weekend to enjoy throughout the week.

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Salty Maple-Pecan Popcorn Balls

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Salty Maple-Pecan Popcorn Balls

Anyone who grew up making popcorn balls will remember fondly the quick, hot work of shaping the sticky mixture into balls that would quickly set up. It’s an old-fashioned treat that we’re bringing back, because they’re a 100 percent whole-grain dessert. That’s right—popcorn is a whole grain, and popcorn balls are an easy way to turn those grains into a sweet, healthy treat for the family. 

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Chocolate Spiderweb Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chocolate Spiderweb Cookies

Get festive with these delightful chocolatey cookies that are sure to liven up any Halloween party. For the spiderweb glaze, snip a very small hole in the corner of the plastic bag. If it's too small, you can always make it bigger. The fun design is a great way to turn your basic chocolate cookie into an adorable holiday hit in an instant, without having to head to the store and buy processed foods.

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Black Cat Sandwich Cookies

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Black Cat Sandwich Cookies

These yummy (and slightly spooky) confections are a tasty blend of shortbread-like cookies with a layer of soft chocolate. If you don't have a cookie cutter of this shape, use whatever you have on hand. The rich chocolate center surrounded by the crisp, butter cookie is enough to make your guests swoon/

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Candied Apples

Photo: Beau Gustafson
View Recipe: Candied Apples

Homemade candied apples are a delightfully simple and sweet treat. Plus, making them at home allows you to customize the sweetness and any additional toppings that you want to tack on for added crunch. Take the kids apple picking, and let them use the fresh apples they've collected in this seasonal snack that they're sure to love.

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Caramel Popcorn Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Caramel Popcorn Cookies

Experimenting with unusual ingredients can produce an irresistible batch of cookies. In this recipe, caramel and popcorn pieces create the ultimate combination of salty-and-sweet—in cookie form! 

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