How To Make A Halloween Charcuterie Board

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A Southern charcuterie board is where it’s at! Wait… Is charcuterie a Southern thing?

What is a Southern charcuterie board?

The word charcuterie is a French term that essentially translates to mean a collection of cooked meats.

So, yep! Southern-style charcuterie is a thing! A bit of a different thing from a traditional charcuterie board. Southern charcuterie is filled with seasoned, cured sausage (flavors of the South) and includes cheeses like pimento for dipping.

So whether you’re making Southern charcuterie or just a good-looking board that’s fun to eat, here are my best tips to make a spooky-fun Halloween charcuterie board full of snacks and cute treats.

Use these quick and easy instructions to wow your guest and be the “ghostess” with the mostest entertaining this Halloween party season!

Halloween Themed Charcuterie Board

Halloween party ideas

Holiday festivities are well underway, and you may be considering hosting your very own Halloween party this year. 

With the novel idea of Halloween hosting at home, there’s an easy option for having your friends over for a fun night of Halloween treats

Wow your guests this year with a creative, quick, and easy Halloween charcuterie board!

What’s the best occasion for a Halloween charcuterie board?

When you’re throwing a Halloween party, silly! Whether that’s at home or at an entertainment venue.

A Halloween charcuterie board is always an innovative way to host all of your festive Halloween snacks and cute treats in one decorative space. An appetizer station to cherish all of your favorite Halloween-themed foods together!

Read on to learn what should go into your Halloween charcuterie board and when to assemble it for an optimal guest experience.

Classic Halloween Charcuterie Board

What is a Charcuterie Board?

A traditional charcuterie board includes different artisanal meats, cheese, fresh fruit, and much more. It’s an appetizer platter that is perfect when entertaining guests and can consist of snack ideas paired with pickles or even tea!

There are so many considerations when you’re putting together a charcuterie. First, what theme are you considering? Is it for Halloween? Mummy, skeleton, or ghost theme?

Second, what type of board will you use? Elegant marble, a farmhouse-style cutting board, or a decorative platter display? 

Let’s talk more about easy Halloween treats for the most incredible Halloween charcuterie board ideas!

charcuterie boards
How to Make A Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards by definition, have cold cuts or meats. Your boards don’t have to include meats; you can have holiday treats, breakfast food, desserts, candy, hot chocolates, dinner food or s’mores, to name a few creative charcuterie board ideas.
Check out this recipe!

How do you make a Halloween charcuterie board?

You don’t have to stick to the classics. Charcuterie boards can also include chocolate, candy, snacks, and cute Halloween treats! 

A Halloween charcuterie board is a great way to enjoy and display salty, sweet, and savory treats all at the same time! Including all the traditional Halloween flavors from candy corn to candy apples and marshmallow Peeps!

Halloween charcuterie may also include fun variations like spooky cut-outs in sandwiches or apples with carved bloody (strawberry syrup) teeth! 

Halloween Charcuterie Ideas

So, if you’re looking for a simple yet fantastic way to show off your creativity and culinary skills this Halloween, look no further than charcuterie. 

This appetizer is perfect for any party or gathering with friends and family because you can prepare it in advance and with ease! 

Halloween Candy Board

Should a Halloween charcuterie board be sweet or savory?

When making a Halloween cheese board, the first thing to decide is whether the platter will be savory or sweet. Of course, it’s acceptable for Halloween party charcuterie to be either.

But if you are confused about which one to make, don’t worry! 

I’ll help guide you through what’s best for your party. 

The answer will depend on your guest list. Will your group love munching on yummy desserts all night long? 

Or would they prefer to indulge in an evening of delicious meats and cheese instead? 

Spooky Stuffed Bell Peppers
Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers In The Instant Pot
What are jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers?
Orange bell peppers are carved into edible jack-o-lanterns stuffed with seasoned beef & cooked rice – made especially easy in the Instant Pot. Fun & yum!
Check out this recipe!

For a Halloween dinner with friends, I would suggest a savory platter filled with cheeses, meats, nuts, and other delicious treats that everyone will love. In this case, the board doesn’t have to be too “halloween-y.” 

Simply add a few Halloween candies or gummies to the mix!

On the other hand, if you’re hosting a more classic Halloween trick or treat, it’d make sense to go with more of a sweet route.

Especially if it’s a Halloween party for kids. You may choose both savory and sweet. So you end up with a Halloween snack board with a balanced dose of healthy and fun to eat!

Indulge your guests in fun Halloween treats like chocolate skulls, bloody cupcakes, or mini pumpkin pies! 

Easy Pumpkin Dip Recipe Instant Pot
Pumpkin Dip Recipe In The Instant Pot
This savory and sweet pumpkin dip recipe is made with cowboy caviar (salsa, black beans, corn), cream cheese, shredded cheese & pumpkin puree. An Instant Pot easy appetizer perfect for a Southern Thanksgiving!
Check out this recipe!

How to assemble an impeccable charcuterie board

Wondering how to assemble a spooky Halloween charcuterie board?

Let’s look into some entertaining ideas!

Halloween Charcuterie Board With Pumpkin & Cured Meats

Classic Halloween charcuterie boards

If you’re into the classic charcuterie set up, place all cold-cuts and meats on one side of the platter with crackers in between. Then, on the other side, place your cheese and fruit. Sweet pickles also pair nicely with fruit if you’d like to add them too. 

What do you add to a Halloween meat and cheese board?

Add in a sprinkle of plastic spiders, candy eyeballs, or gummy worms. And balance the meat and cheese sections with a ghost or goblin centerpiece to quickly turn the board from classic meat to trick or treat!

What should go into a Halloween charcuterie board? 

There are many different components that you can include on your charcuterie platter, from meats, cheese, fruits, veggies, candy, or treats. So let’s dive into the different types of boards by what goes on them.

How To Make A Halloween Charcuterie Board

How do you make a candy charcuterie board?

Here’s a quick list of ideas for what to put on a Halloween candy charcuterie board.

Halloween Party Food Ideas

Pro tip: Chocolates (dark, milk, and white) are the perfect compliments for a Halloween candy board.

Halloween Party Appetizers, Snacks & Dips

Recipe: Halloween candy eyes chocolate dip

Halloween Party Appetizers, Snacks & Dips
Halloween Party Spooky Chocolate Dip
How do you make melted chocolate dip?
Easy – with almond bark and Instant Pot!
Check out these 18 Halloween party food ideas & how to make fast and easy Halloween treats. Use melted chocolate & candy eyes for a Halloween party spooky chocolate dip!
Check out this recipe!
Spooky Halloween Charcuterie Board

What are the best toppings for a Halloween charcuterie board?

  • Candy eyeballs – For spooky-fun Halloween eats, add small Halloween candy eyes to spreads and creams. Oh, the possibilities – from peanut butter to chocolate, cheese ball, and cupcake frosting. You’ll want to add little ghostly eyeballs to everything!
  • Gummy worms– Don’t sleep on these colorful little creatures! Gummy worms add a creepy Halloween vibe to any platter. Weird but yummy – include a small bowl on your dessert board and fill it with gummies!
  • Spooky fruit and veggies – It’s OK to play with your food when it’s time to trick or treat! Turn ordinary apples into apple bites with scary teeth. Transform bananas into white chocolate-dipped ghosts. Or add celery to peeled oranges to create the cutest little pumpkin patch!
  • Marshmallow treats – Marshmallows are so fun and easy to decorate! Sprinkle large face-painted marshmallows in between charcuterie board meats and cheese!
  • Dress snacks in costumes – No naked cookies, please – or pretzels nor chips. When it’s the day of the dead, everything gets to hide in costume. For example, dip Oreos in food colored bloody-red chocolate and try dressing up pretzels as fingers – frost and add pointy almonds for nails!
Halloween Pretzel Fingers

Halloween charcuterie board decorative ideas

Click any image to shop!

When should you start assembling your Halloween charcuterie board? 

Several factors influence when you should start assembling your Halloween charcuterie board, starting with how much time you have before guests arrive.

Pro tip: Don’t wait ’til the last minute to assemble! 

Even pro platter creators start early to give the meat some time to marinate to get an excellent taste. It’ll also allow all of the other ingredients to air out, so their flavor profiles are at their best!

How much food do you need for a Halloween charcuterie board?

If you’ve ever enjoyed a charcuterie board, then you know how much fun it is to try all of the different meats and cheeses on display. 

So you may also know by now that you’ll need an abundance and variety of food, especially when it’s Halloween.

But did you know that there’s an order in which they should go? 

Here’s a list of classic charcuterie food. Along with what to do with each part of the platter, so every bite tastes better than the last!

Halloween Cheese Board

What’s typically on a charcuterie board or platter?

  • Meats – Keep it simple with deli slices and cold cuts. And don’t forget a handful of cured meats to always steel the charcuterie show! 
  • Cheeses – Pick out one or two types that go together nicely and will pair well with the meat. You may even consider pairing up three different kinds of cheese in a cozy corner to create a trio of cheese! 
  • Crackers – How do you add bread and crackers to your charcuterie board? Round crackers usually look nice in groups, while long thin ones and breadsticks are cuter when spread over the platter. 
  • Fruits & veggies – Try adding greens like kale, spinach, or arugula to add color, texture, and contrast against all the other cutting board components. Place them in a fan shape to make the platter look more appealing. 
  • Condiments – You should have at least one condiment, but add as many different ones as possible! You could even go with two or three if you want your charcuterie board to be colorful! 

What spreads should you add to your cheeseboard?

  • Spreads – Cheese spreads are a great choice, but you can also add hummus or tapenade to spice things up.

What other dishes are you serving? 

When considering what to serve with charcuterie, ask yourself this question:

Is the dish similar to your charcuterie theme, or does it contrast a bit? 

If it’s too different, you may want to go with something simple to let your guests enjoy both without getting too overwhelmed.

Which is the best cheese for a charcuterie board?

The key ingredient in this dish is cheese. Carefully choose the right cheeses for the occasion and make sure they’re fresh. 

Here’s a quick list of cheese options that would go well with any charcuterie.

  1. CheddarCheddar is a classic choice for charcuterie boards. It can be found at most grocery stores. Its sharpness goes well with fresh or dried fruit like grapes and apples, while its saltiness pairs nicely with meats like prosciutto.
  2. Brie Brie has a buttery flavor that makes it stand out among other cheeses on the market. A brie cheese board would taste great when paired with fruit preserves such as figs or dates, along with meat products like cured sausages. Brie might not be available everywhere, but if you’re lucky enough to find some, then this cheese will leave your guests talking about how good it was! 
  3. GoudaGouda is a Dutch cheese that has been aged for a minimum of four weeks to two years or even longer! Gouda can also be found at most grocery stores. This type of cheese will add some spark to your charcuterie board because its slightly sweet and nutty flavor goes well with meats like salami or prosciutto, as well as fruits such as apples and grapes.
  4. FetaFeta isn’t exactly a “cheese,” but this Mediterranean staple works perfectly on a charcuterie board. It works best when paired with fruit preserves such as figs and dates, along with meat products like cured sausages and smoked salmon. Feta might not always be available in all supermarkets. In that case, try your local Greek or Mediterranean market.
  5. Goat cheeseYou may have already guessed that goat cheese is a cheese made from goat milk. It has a smooth texture, although it’s available as a crumbled cheese too. Goat cheese is both savory and a little sweet, perfect for a Halloween theme.
Cute Halloween Charcuterie Board

How to make the best charcuterie board for Halloween

Halloween Dessert Charcuterie Board

Ingredients 

Cheese

  • cubed cheddar cheese

Fruit

  • Mandarin oranges
  • bananas, sliced
  • apples carved
  • blackberries
  • strawberries, sliced

Vegetables

  • celery stalks, chopped

Nuts

  • pine nuts

Candy

  • candy corn
  • black gummy bats
  • candy eyes

Spreads

  • peanut butter
  • melted milk chocolate 
  • melted white chocolate 
How To Make A Halloween Charcuterie Board Step By Step

Instructions

  1. Start assembling your Halloween charcuterie board by adding the cheese cubes and half of the blackberries to skewers.
  2. Carve the apples into mouth shapes with candy eyes, pine nut teeth, peanut butter filling, and strawberry slices for tongues. (Use a dab of peanut butter to secure the eyes in place.)
  3. Slice the bananas to make ghosts with melted milk chocolate dots for faces.
  4. Cut the celery into logs and spread peanut butter topped with candy eyes.
  5. Peel the Mandarin oranges.
  6. Use smaller celery cuts for the orange’s (pumpkin) tops.
  7. Add melted milk chocolate to a festive or colorful bowl.
  8. Drizzle melted white chocolate onto the remaining blackberries.
  9. Sprinkle the candy corn and gummy bats in between.
  10. Optionally, fill any remaining space on the board with crackers or meats.

Print the recipe card below!

Halloween Charcuterie Boards

Halloween-themed charcuterie board FAQs:

Can you make a Halloween charcuterie board ahead of time?

Yes. You can avoid too much stress on yourself while still providing a fantastic spread by making it ahead of time and serving it buffet-style. 

How do you keep the flavors separate on your platter/snack tray?

Place all cold cuts and meats on one side of the platter with crackers in between. Then, on the other side, place your cheese and fruit. Or use greens like kale, spinach, or arugula to add color and texture while separating the charcuterie board flavors.

When should you start assembling your Halloween charcuterie board?

We often have problems choosing a time to start assembling our Halloween charcuterie boards. The time at which you should start depends on the style of party you are hosting and how many people will attend. 

Halloween Snack Board

What makes this charcuterie board perfect for Halloween?

Charcuterie boards are popular at holiday parties because they include a variety of meat and cheese that you can pair with crackers, bread, fruits, and vegetables. The best thing about a Halloween charcuterie board? It’s a customizable party treat, best served both savory and sweet!

When is the best time to start your charcuterie board? 

Before your guests arrive! This will give them something delicious and memorable to eat while you finish cooking the main entree.

Whatever your Halloween charcuterie board choice – savory, sweet, or an undecided combination of the two! Remember not to stress out too much about what kind of platter will look best. 

Charcuterie is always at its best when homemade by you with love and creativity.

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Like this recipe?

I love seeing all of the incredible dishes our readers make, and I would love to see what your charcuterie board looks like, too!

Leave a 5-star rating and a comment below, and share your picture HERE in the Facebook group!

Like this post? Pin the below picture to your “Halloween” Pinterest board!

Halloween Charcuterie Board
Halloween Themed Charcuterie Board

How To Make A Halloween Charcuterie Board

This year, why not make memories with a spooky-fun Halloween charcuterie board full of snacks and cute treats? 
Use these quick and easy instructions to wow your guests and be the "ghostess with the mostest" entertaining this Halloween party season!
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 607kcal

Ingredients

Cheese

  • ½ cup cheddar cheese cubed

Fruit

  • 4 Mandarin oranges
  • 2 bananas sliced
  • 3 apples carved
  • ½ cup blackberries divided
  • 2 strawberries sliced

Vegetables

  • 2 celery stalks chopped

Nuts

  • ¼ cup pine nuts

Candy

  • ½ cup candy corn
  • ¼ cup candy black gummy bats
  • ¼ cup candy eyes

Spreads

  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup milk chocolate melted
  • ¼ cup white chocolate melted & drizzled

Instructions

  • Start assembling your Halloween charcuterie board by adding the cheese cubes and half of the blackberries to skewers.
  • Carve the apples into mouth shapes with candy eyes, pine nut teeth, peanut butter filling, and strawberry slices for tongues. (Use a dab of peanut butter to secure the eyes in place.)
  • Slice the bananas to make ghosts with melted milk chocolate dots for faces.
  • Cut the celery into logs and spread peanut butter topped with candy eyes.
  • Peel the Mandarin oranges.
  • Use smaller celery cuts for the orange's (pumpkin) tops.
  • Add melted milk chocolate to a festive or colorful bowl.
  • Drizzle melted white chocolate onto the remaining blackberries.
  • Sprinkle the candy corn and gummy bats in between.
  • Optionally, fill any remaining space on the board with crackers or meats.
  • Serve & enjoy!

Video

Notes

How To Make A Halloween Charcuterie Board Instructions

Nutrition

Calories: 607kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 2mg
Save it so you can make it!Pin this recipe to remember it later.
5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    OMG! I wanna try them all!

  2. 5 stars
    OMG! I wanna try them all!!!