Healthy Halloween: Karen Davison Shares Some Chef-Inspired Healthy Treats for Halloween
There’s no doubt about it, Halloween can be an unhealthy holiday. With hordes of seasonal candy and snacks, it can be difficult to resist temptation. But it is possible to celebrate with delicious treats that won’t cause a sugar overload.
If anyone knows how to create a hauntingly delightful and healthy treat, it’s Karen Davison. Karen is a professional chef and culinary blogger, from Plano, Texas, who has extensive experience making healthy and delicious dishes. She has worked in restaurants throughout America as a saucier, a sous chef, an associate chef, and a head chef. With her background in healthy and delicious food, she shares some of her favorite Halloween treats that are sure to curb your candy cravings.
Savory Pumpkin Seeds
Nothing says Halloween like pumpkin seeds. And, on top of being a delicious snack, pumpkin seeds are a healthy alternative to candy and chips. Save the seeds you’ve cleaned out of your pumpkins, place them on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Then, add your favorite seasoning. Karen Davison recommends chili powder and sea salt or for something a little different, try a mixture of curry powder, salt, and egg whites. Bake on low in the oven until your seeds are a golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!
Pumpkin Smoothie
Replace your pumpkin spice latte with this delicious treat! Just combine Greek yogurt, banana, and pumpkin puree in a blender. Then, to get that oh-so-Fall pumpkin spice flavor, simply add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. If you’re looking to sweeten your smoothie, Karen Davison suggests adding some maple syrup.
Pumpkin Bites
Forget the bite-sized chocolate bars this Halloween. These energy-packed pumpkin bites will keep you energized and satisfied. This no-bake recipe is easy to make and the perfect treat to keep on standby for when you’re running out the door. Just puree some dates, pumpkin, pecans, oats, and seeds. Then add a little vanilla and spices. For a pumpkin spice flavor sprinkle in nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. And, for those with a strong sweet tooth, Karen Davison suggests adding some dark chocolate chunks or chips. Once your dough is done, chill it then roll spoonfuls into single-bite balls for a quick, easy and delicious snack.
Ghostly Hummus
Hummus is a great snack and can be served with a variety of healthy sides. To spice up your classic hummus dish and make it a Halloween-worthy treat, all you need is black beans. First, fill a round bowl or plate with your favorite homemade hummus. Then, wash and dry some canned black beans and place them in the hummus to form a ghost shape. Serve with veggies, pitas, or crackers for a spooky, tasty treat.
Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Peppers
Stuffed peppers are delicious and nutritious any time of the year. But, with their festive colors and jack-o’-lantern shape, peppers are perfect for turning into a tasty Halloween treat, says Karen Davison. To start, cut the tops off of your peppers (consider using orange peppers for a spookily realistic look) and remove the seeds, then carve jack-o-lantern faces into the peppers. This can be a fun activity for kids as well, as it is much like cleaning out and carving a pumpkin! Finally, stuff the peppers with your favorite mixture of rice, grains, veggies, and ground meat. Or, hold the meat for a vegetarian option. Place your pepper jack-o-lanterns in a baking dish filled with ¼ cup of water (tops on) and bake, as you would your usual stuffed peppers.
