I’ve probably mentioned before that Halloween doesn’t really happen in the QV household. It did when I was a kid, and like any kid, I was ecstatic to put on a silly costume and go out farming for free candy. There’s always that one house that gives out FULL SIZE candy bars, right? Super-exciting when you’re a tiny thing in your princess costume (and winter coat, ’cause that’s how Halloween weather rolls in the Northeast).

Now that Halloween is no longer the Day of Free Candy, I spend it doing pretty much the same things I do every other day. But it’s quite hard to resist all the great vegan Halloween recipes (and, yes, candy) out there, so as a no-trick treat for you, I’ve gathered a few of the best together in one post. Enjoy!

Photo By Jamal Fanaian via http://public-domain.pictures/ (cropped from original)

Not-So-Spooky Breakfasts

If you’re the type to get into the spirit of a Halloween (yeah, I totally made that pun) right from the start of the day, give these pumpkin-themed recipes a try!

• Swap the 310 calories and 49 grams of sugar in a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte for this genius Quinoa Breakfast Casserole from Healthful Pursuit.
• Leave it to Vegan Richa to combine pumpkin spice with nog in a pancake that can be made into Halloween shapes.
• The pictures of these Spiced Pumpkin Waffles from VeguKate will have you drooling long before you scroll all the way down to the recipe. (I tried these. They’re amazing.)

Healthy Trick-or-Treating

Spiders/FreeImages

Okay, candy is still junk food even when it’s vegan, but there are some healthier options out there. These candies are sure to please trick-or-treaters and aren’t too bad when it comes to satisfying your personal sweet tooth, either! (Note: Some links in this section are affiliate links.)

• Remember Clean Candy? Thanks to enthusiastic backers, it went from a Kickstarter dream to a delicious reality. Vegan, gluten-free, organic, non-GMO and Fair Trade in seven classic flavors, this is easily the best hard candy you’ll ever eat.
• Find the joy in coconut with bite-sized OCHO organic coconut bars. Chock full of coconut flavor without any corn syrup or hydrolyzed milk protein to be found. (Also no sodium metabisulfite. Yes, they actually put this stuff in food.)
• Get your chocolate fix one bite at a time with certified Fair Trade 55% Dark Chocolate Bites from Equal Exchange.
• YumEarth Lollipops are organic and free from all the artificial nastiness that usually characterizes this hard candy treat.
• If you can’t get enough of gummy candy, try Surf Sweets. Flavored with fruit juice and devoid of common allergens, this is one candy you can feel good about handing out. If it lasts that long.

If you really want to go all out, VegNews has an enormous list of vegan candy options from mainstream to specialty.

Vegan Candy Makeovers

Want to take a crack at making your own vegan Halloween treats? These tasty updates will transport your taste buds back to your own days of trotting around town with your plastic pumpkin bucket. Or pillow case, if you were that kind of kid.

Photo By Dave Lundy via http://public-domain.pictures/

• If Twix is one of the candy bars you wish was vegan, Oh She Glows has you covered with this simple recipe.
• This Rawsome Vegan Life remakes another classic by offering up raw Snickers!
• These peppermint patties from Chocolate Covered Katie (where else?) offer a refreshing treat.
• Gooey vegan caramel, crunchy peanuts and a chocolate coating? Say “YES PLEASE” to Fork and Beans‘ homemade Baby Ruth bars.
• Pumpkin makes another appearance, this time in candy form, in Pumpkin Truffles by My Whole Food Life. Bonus: no oil!
• And for the kids and kids-at-heart, there are these amazing DIY candy bracelets. (Admit it, you want one. Just remember to use organic corn syrup!)

Inventive Halloween Snacks

Some are healthy, some aren’t, but they’re all unique and delicious!

• Kids will love these adorable Frozen “Boo”nana Pops made with coconut butter and dried currants. Kudos to Healthful Pursuit for coming up with a healthy, kid-friendly Halloween treat!
• Fat Free Vegan offers up these healthy pumpkin cookies as another alternative to candy.
• Speaking of pumpkins, have you ever tried baking a cake inside of one? A Subtle Revelry provides a guide to this absolutely genius idea.
• And when you’re done hollowing out that pumpkin, you can use the innards to make these Maple Cinnamon Candied Pumpkin Seeds. Despite the name, this recipe from The Full Helping is quite good for you.

Did I miss your favorite? Add to the list in the comments! There’s no such thing as too many recipes for tasty treats.

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