Love to play with your food? It’s always fun to create themed snacks for the kids at Halloween! Wine Guide, food blogger, and mom, Melissa Summar, reminds us that it’s fun for the adults, too. Just add wine. Here are a few Halloween appetizers you can concoct at home to get everyone in the Halloween spirit.
Halloween has always been a favorite of mine (okay, if I’m being honest, every holiday is my favorite). But, Halloween in particular is a fun time at our house. We spend the month of October digging into the bin of costumes from the previous years and planning the perfect costumes for the upcoming Halloween. We also enjoy watching all of the classic Halloween movies together. Most of all, I love making fun, Halloween-themed meals throughout the month.
Choosing the perfect Halloween appetizer starts with inspiration, of course. My nine-year-old and I have been reading the book “The Witches” by Roald Dahl (and we’re looking forward to watching the HBO release on television this month). With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to make a witch-themed snack while we’re enjoying the book. I came up with puff pastry witch hats, which kind of snowballed into all the cool things you can do with puff pastry!
I’m a big fan of this magic ingredient. It’s so easy to work with and so versatile that the possibilities are endless. Want to take your favorite pot pie recipe to the next level? Use puff pastry as the topping. Want a quick and delicious breakfast? Use puff pastry and make easy turn overs with your favorite pie filling. Puff pastry seems intimidating, but it’s actually a fantastic meal shortcut to have on hand anytime.
Here are three Halloween-inspired appetizers you can make with puff pastry.
Pizza Puff Pastry Witch Hats
Yields 4 Hats
- One sheet of puff pastry
- ½ cup pizza sauce (see note for my quick pizza sauce recipe)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1 egg, whisked, for egg wash
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll the puff pastry out just slightly. Cut into triangles. I cut corner-to-corner then across the middle to create equal-sized triangles. Brush your triangles with egg wash. Add a small amount of pizza sauce to the center. Top with pepperoni and cheese. Place second triangle on top and press to seal. Roll the bottom of the triangle to create the brim of the hat. Bend the top of the triangle to create the top of the hat. Place on sheet pan. Continue until all of the dough is used up. Brush all of the hats with egg wash and sprinkle with garlic salt prior to baking. Bake until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Melissa’s Tip
To make a quick, cheap, delicious pizza sauce take one can of diced tomatoes with basil and oregano or Italian style diced tomatoes. Pour into a blender, then add a couple garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and fresh basil if desired. If you like a thicker sauce, add a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste. Blend until smooth.
Chocolate-Raspberry Puff Pastry Witch Hats
Yields 4 Hats
- One sheet of puff pastry
- ½ cup raspberry jam or frozen raspberries
- ½ cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 egg, whisked, for egg wash
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll the puff pastry out just slightly. Cut puff into triangles. I cut corner to corner then across the middle to create equal sized triangles. Brush your triangle with egg wash. Add a small amount of raspberry jam to the center. Top with mini chocolate chips. Place second triangle on top and press to seal. Roll the bottom of the triangle to create the brim of the hat. Bend the top of the triangle to create the top of the hat. Place on sheet pan. Continue until all of the dough is used up. Brush all of the hats with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar prior to baking. Bake until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Puff Pastry Mummy Dogs
My kids love mummy hot dogs so much so that they request them throughout the year! So, I’ve saved the best for last. This twist on pigs in a blanket is so easy! Here’s what you’ll need:
- One sheet of puff pastry (Pillsbury Crescent Rolls work well, too!)
- Hot dogs
- Ketchup and mustard for dipping
- 1 egg, whisked, for egg wash
- Candy eyes (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Roll out the puff pastry just slightly on a large, floured cutting board. Using a pizza cutter to cut the puff pastry sheet into thin strips and create the mummy gauze. Wrap the strips around the hot dogs until you create your perfect mummy, brush with egg wash, and then arrange them on the baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Once cool, attach candy eyes with a dot of mustard. Serve with mini cauldrons of ketchup and mustard.
Suggested Wine Pairing
I chose Traveling Vineyard’s Cucharón Red Blend for the adults to pair with these spooky little appetizers. Hey, we deserve some fun, too! Cucharón is a medium-bodied blend of three red varietals grown in Argentina: Malbec, Petite Verdot, and Tannat. It stands up to stew, sausages, and any savory dish you have up your sleeve this season. The label fits perfectly with Halloween’s signature orange and purple, so you can dress up the table with colorful Halloween candy, hot appetizers, and a couple of bottles of this food-friendly red wine. Cucharón also provides a nice base for a mulled wine to keep warm on Halloween night. Try this recipe we featured on our Facebook page! Cheers!