21 Jack-O’-Lantern Recipes To Add to Your Halloween Celebration
Halloween is only days away! While it's really one day of fun at the end of October, lovers of the holiday have probably had their front porches decked out to the gills with cute Halloween decorations like carved jack-o’-lantern pumpkins as a way to hold Halloween-themed celebrations during the whole month of October.
Come this time of year, Halloween jack-o’-lantern-shaped food and carved pumpkin recipes flood our feeds on Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram. That's why we've rounded up a few of our favorite jack-o'-lantern recipes to carve out some pumpkin-shaped fun this year. But first, let's dive into how the jack-o'-lantern came to be one of our favorite Halloween traditions.
Origin of the Jack-O’-Lantern
The name jack-o’-lantern originally came from Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as canvases. It's also linked to the legendary drunkard Stingy Jack from Irish folktales, and apparently Irish people used to carve scary faces on turnips to scare away Stingy Jack's wandering soul. When the Irish moved to the United States, they began carving faces on pumpkins, which were native to the region. Learn more about the history of the jack-o’-lantern tradition.
Related: The Fascinating History of 5 Vintage and Traditional Halloween Recipes
How To Make a Jack-O'-Lantern
The term jack-o’-lantern in the United States usually refers to a carved pumpkin (or other times turnip or other root vegetable) lantern that is associated with Halloween. The top of the root vegetable is cut off to form a lid, the flesh is scooped out, and a scary or funny face is carved on the rind to expose the interior. A candle or light is usually placed inside the pumpkin or root vegetable to create a lantern effect. Discover our best cute and creepy jack-o’-lantern carving ideas.
Related: Here Are 50 Non-Candy Halloween Goodies That Trick or Treaters Will Love
Best Jack-O’-lantern Recipes for Halloween
It's also very common to create Halloween jack-o’-lantern recipes for October 31. There are so many food and drink options—ranging from savory to sweet—from jack-o’-lantern stuffed peppers and Fanta floats, to jack-o’-lantern pumpkin pies and melted brownies.
Here now are 21 of our best jack-o’-lantern recipes for Halloween. Browse through them and have fun making them this All Hallows' Eve!
Best Jack-o’-lantern Recipes for Halloween
Parade
Channel kids’ excitement before putting on their costumes by having them cut shapes and faces into sweet potato slices. Serve with barbecue sauce for dipping.
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Sweet Potato Fries
Related: 22 Creative Jack-O'-Lantern Ideas to Up Your Pumpkin Carving Game
Parade
Don’t let their size fool you, these adorably plump cakes pack some major pumpkin-spice flavor.
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Cake
I Heart Pumpkin
These jack-o’-lantern mini pies from I Heart Pumpkin are so tasty, with a pumpkin filling flavored with pumpkin pie spice and honey.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Pops
Eating Vegan with Me
Vegan stuffed jack-o'-lantern peppers for Halloween!
Get the recipe: Vegan Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers
Freutcake
Grab your kid’s favorite orange and “black” foods and make an easy jack-o'-lantern snack board for the perfect Halloween snack!
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Snack Board
Fox and Briar
These Jack-O’-Lantern pumpkin hand pies are cute and easy! A fun, kid-friendly Halloween dessert.
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies
Related: You'll Want to Carve Out Some Time for This Craft—Here Are 50 Printable Pumpkin Stencils!
So Much Food
These cute little hand pies are the perfect little dessert for your Halloween party!
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Hand Pies
Frugal Coupon Living
Orange pumpkin cups made with fruit: A healthy fall treat idea. Serve these jack-o' lantern oranges at your next Halloween party!
Get the recipe: Orange Jack-O'-Lantern Fruit Cups
Food Matters
Everyone loves the creaminess of chocolate mousse! The kids will love scooping this out of jack-o'-lanterns and won't even realize how healthy this is!
Get the recipe: Chocolate Mousse Jack-O'-Lanterns
Dixie Crystals
Melting Jack-O'-Lanterns drip their candy marshmallow goodness all over rich chocolate brownies. This kid-friendly recipe will have your Halloween party-goers cackling with delight.
Get the recipe: Melted Jack-O'-Lantern Brownies
Dad with a Pan
These jack-o'-lantern tostadas are a really fun way to get the kids to get dinner down before a night out of trick-or-treating!
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Tostadas
Art and the Kitchen
Delicious Halloween cake pops decorated like a jack-o'-lanterns make a great treat for your Halloween party. Yummy homemade treats for those special trick-or-treaters.
Get the recipe: Halloween Cake Pops
Ann's Entitled Life
These adorable jack-o’-lantern rice crispy treats are an easy to make snack. They are great for the Halloween season without being too spooky for small children. Your little ghosts and goblins will devour these tasty, fun treats.
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Rice Crispy Treats
Southern Halloween Queen
Perfect for a Halloween dinner party! This sweet potato jack-o’-lantern is so fun! Who says you shouldn’t play with your food?
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Jack-O'-Lanterns
Belle of the Kitchen
These Fanta Jack-O’-Lantern floats are a sweet and spooky twist on a classic! Made with Fanta orange soda and vanilla ice cream, they’re the perfect, easy treat to impress kids and adults alike this Halloween.
Get the recipe: Fanta Jack-O'-Lantern Floats
Gift of Hospitality
Choose between ground turkey or black beans to fill these festive bell peppers carved into jack-o'-lanterns.
Get the recipe: Southwestern Stuffed Peppers
Sincerely Mrs Smith
This jack-o'-lantern float is tasty for all ages and an adorable halloween drink for any spooky occasion.
Get the recipe: Freaky Halloween Float
Bea and Bear
Fun Halloween jack-o'-lantern ice pops for kids!
Get the recipe: Halloween Jack-O'-Lantern Ice Pops
Diethood
These jack-o'-lantern grilled cheese sandwiches are not only tasty, they make a fun Halloween snack!
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Half Baked Harvest
Sweet milk chocolate, sandwiched between spiced brown sugar cookies, and finished with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. Perfect for both a spooky Halloween night.
Get the recipe: Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O'-Lantern Cookies
Related: 17 Fun, Easy Couples Costume Ideas
These jack-o'-lantern pumpkin hand pies are mini, portable and oh so cute, made from pumpkin pie wrapped in a portable pie crust.
Get the recipe: Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies
