4 Easy Ways to Create Affordable, Edible Halloween Treats

Creative and creepy, sweet and savoury, goulish and gorey...must mean Halloween is near!

Creative & Creepy DIY

Edible oddities are usually well, odd in nature and not all that appetizing, aesthetically or visually. In recent years, restaurants, bakeries and culinary hot spots have taken a liking to creating goulish and spooky treats. The more gorey and gross, the better. Plus who doesn't love a boost in sales during the holidays? From zombie cookies to frankenstein donuts and blood chocolate croissants, the tastes are both creative and creepy. But competing with these paid-for treats is the dawn of age for DIY'ers, or do-it-yourselfers. I, am one of them.

I love a tasty treat as much as the next person, but through the years I've learned to DIY on a budget and to create creepy curiosities at home during the Halloween season. I don't want to say I have the pandemic to thank for that, but you get the idea.

Here are a 4 easy ways to create affordable edible Halloween treats.

Food Colouring

Will it be savoury or sweet? A touch of unusual creative colour to contradict 'normal' food aesthetic makes things fun for all...if it doesn't mess with your head or make you squimish that is. Remember Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Ham children's book? Well these days, you can have green eggs. You can also have purple toast, orange pancakes and cereal with red milk! Now opinions about food colouring are each their own and while I too opt out of unnecessary food additives when possible, certain holiday celebrations call for extra fun in the kitchen. And at only a few dollars for a package of food colouring, it should last you a few years. Can you say secret kitchen tool or what?

Small Halloween Props

A trip to your local dollar store or thrift store in search of tiny Halloween toys isn't just for the kids, but for your kitchen too. For less than $10 CDN you can have an assortment of plastic toys/props to help pizazz your spooky pizza, pasta, or pancakes. Take them home, wash, use, wash, put away. That easy! Try picking props that contrast with the colour of your food so they stand out. A bright white eyeball looks great on a colourful soup or a black spider stands out against green pancakes. If you're a parent you'll get points with the kids and create fun, family memories for them. Or make them for just yourself and your significant other, because why not.

It goes without saying that Halloween decorative props should be used as just that. Do not cook or incorporate plastic items unless considered food-grade and... I have to say, don't eat the props. Think of them as, decorative decor if you will. Look, but do - not - eat.

Food Shapes, Colours & Textures

If there was ever a time to try something new, it would be now! Instead of buying a whole box (which will most likely be expensive due to it's unique nature) head to your local bulk foods store and pick up some artistic looking pasta! An easy way to add extra shape, colour and texture to your plate. Look for new shapes you've never bought before, crayola coloured pasta like black or purple and try combining different textures for variety. Think black pasta and bright green peas put together!

Creative Halloween Names

Possibly the most affordable tip in the list...because it's free! A cool and creative name is half of the game. You can turn regular Butternut Squash into Bloody Butternut Squash with the addition of a few beets to help change the colour. Adding in a few orange drops of food colouring helps you achive Flesh Flavoured Pancakes and boring Tuesday night macaroni and cheese turns into Monster Mac n' Cheese. Naming your masterpiece is the final touch in creating your spooky pièce de ré·sis·tance!