A Spooky Halloween Charcuterie Board
Candy? Nah. This year, we’re trick or treating with cheese and crackers and wine. This Halloween charcuterie board is a simple, cute, and crowd-pleasing way to celebrate spooky season. Happy Halloween, friends!
For those of us who have said goodbye to the days of bar-hopping in tiny Halloween costumes, but also do not have little trick-or-treaters to stroll about, there is no Halloween event more sacred than the humble house party.
Cold beer, chill vibes, costumes whose entire purpose is keeping you warm and comfy. Done and done. Count me in. I’m there.
And of course, it’s no Halloween party without some kind of cute on-brand food to munch on in-between passing out candy and tracking down who moved the bottle opener and where. Spicy deviled eggs and beer cheese fondue are obvious choices, but really, is it even a party without a charcuterie board?
About this Halloween snack board
I’ve thrown dozens of parties. I’ve attended hundreds of get-togethers. I even worked in a cheese shop for two years in college where I made hundreds of cheese boards. And I can promise you that nothing gets people more excited than charcuterie.
- This board is simple to put together and doesn’t require any cooking.
- Cheese boards are totally customizable. Have fun with it!
- It’s full of fun Halloween-themed foods from cheese and jam to cookies and candy.
- This board is a huge crowd-pleaser. The perfect party guest.
The ingredients
If ever you were looking for an excuse to stroll through the aisles of Trader Joe’s or your local cheese shop, this is your chance. Rather than looking for anything specific, I definitely recommend going to your favorite local grocery store and seeing what speaks to you. Try to find Halloween-themed candies, snacks, or other ingredients that match the spooky theme.
Cheese ideas
Look for 3-4 cheeses that match the general vibe. For example, I chose gouda with a black rind, Port Salut (my favorite!) because it’s orange and white, blueberry vanilla chèvre because it looked spooky, and Scotch bonnet chili cheddar because the flecks of red seemed Halloween-ish.
Generally, I like to pick something hard or semi-hard, something soft and spreadable or semi-soft, and something aged/a bit funky. Choose cheeses made with different flavors and milks (sheep, cow, goat, etc.) for variety and flavor.
- Hard – Parmesan, comté, cheddar, Pecorino Romano
- Semi-hard – gouda, havarti, fontina, gruyère, provolone
- Soft/semi-soft – triple cream brie, goat cheese, Port Salut, feta, burrata
- Aged – Manchego, aged cheddar, aged gouda, Emmental
- Funky – truffle cheese, gorgonzola, chèvre, Roquefort, chili pepper cheese
Pro tip!
If your friends aren’t cheese aficionados, pick at least one common cheese like cheddar, provolone, or gouda. One that’s a people pleaser so your friends have something they recognize!
Cured meats
If you want to leave your platter as a Halloween cheese board, that’s totally fine. But, if you want a charcuterie board, you’re going to need some cured meats! I would go for 2-3 cured meats.
- Salami – Genoa, peppered, or Calabrese
- Prosciutto
- Sopressata
- Mortadella
- Chorizo
- Jamón Ibérico
Crackers + breads
Choose about 3 types of crackers or bread to serve with the meats and cheeses.
- Water crackers
- Fruit & nut crisps
- Cheese sticks/twists
- Baguette or crusty bread
- Pretzels
Fruit & nuts
Add some fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds for sweetness and crunch.
- Fruit – grapes, berries, pears, figs, citrus, or whatever is in season
- Nuts – walnuts, pecans, Marcona almonds, pistachios, or candied/seasoned nuts
- Seeds – pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds are a great nut-free option
Spreads, dips, & jams
Add 1-2 jams, dips, or spreads so guests can mix and match flavors.
- Spreads – sage apple butter, pumpkin butter, mango chutney, whole wheat mustard
- Dip – hummus, artichoke dip, tapenade, lemon pesto, guacamole
- Jam – fig, hot pepper jelly, apricot, pear, peach, strawberry
Pickled things
Just 1-2 pickled items will add tang and brininess to your Halloween grazing board!
- Pickles – mini gherkins or dill pickles
- Olives – Castelvetrano, garlic olives, kalamata
- Hot peppers – cherry drops, cherry peppers, pepperoncini
Add-ons
This is your chance to add sweet treats and extra snacks for balance and variety!
- Halloween candy
- Popcorn, chips, or cheese balls
- Cookies & desserts – homemade or store-bought
- Any other cute, festive item you like
How to make this board
- First, you’ll want to arrange the cheeses since they take up the most space. If you’re serving a hard or semi-hard cheese, you can also pre-slice them for easy grabbing.
- Then, add any bowls with spreads, pickled items, or small items. Spread them out so there is plenty of places to squeeze in smaller ingredients.
- Place crackers, bread, fruit, cookies, and other larger items around the board. I like arranging these items in different areas of the board to fill it in!
- Now that the large items are on the board, it’s time to add smaller ingredients! Start with the cured meats. I like to fold them in quarters or roll the meats and stick them in narrow spots to save space.
- Next, add any fun items like chips, popcorn, nuts, and seeds.
- Finish the board with the little details. Fill in any gaps with Halloween candies, extra fruit, and fun decorations.
Quick tip
To make sure there is room for everything, start with the largest items and work down to the smallest items. This will help you space everything out and add dimension!
What kind of board should I use?
When it comes to finding the right board, start by making sure that it’s big (or small) enough. Grab some of your larger items (bowls, wrapped cheese, etc.) and lay them out on the board to make sure everything will fit.
For this Halloween snack board, try to pick something made of black or dark wood. You could also do a silver, black, or gold metal tray. Or, just use a large cutting board like I did! You won’t see much of it so don’t worry about buying anything new.
Decoration ideas
To add to the Halloween theme even more, now is a great time to bust out all of your decorations! I used a mix of wrapped pumpkin candies, eyeball sprinkles, Halloween sour gummies, and some sparkly spiders I picked up from the craft store. I also added a cute cast iron mouse my mom got me!
You can also use Halloween toothpicks, paper bats, mini ceramic pumpkins, or even edible fondant decorations from the cake aisle. Just have fun with it!
Serving ideas
You can serve this Halloween grazing board on its own but it also makes for a super impressive centerpiece for an appetizer table. Just make sure to have some toothpicks, plates, napkins, and cheese knives for easy serving. Oh, and don’t forget the wine.
- Serve this cheese board as the main appetizer for a dinner party.
- Set this board out alongside other apps for happy hour!
- Enjoy it with wine, beer, or any of your favorite drinks.
- Or, just eat it as a meal. For a small group, it’s the perfect easy dinner.
Storing & make-ahead
To store leftovers, place any refrigerated items back in their original packaging or in airtight containers. Any room temperature ingredients can be placed back in their original packaging or in airtight containers or zipper bags. I don’t recommend storing the board whole, because some of the ingredients might get soggy in the fridge.
You can also make this board up to 2 hours in advance! Just place any refrigerator-friendly items (cheese, meats, bowls of spreads, etc.) on the board, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the board from the fridge, add any additional items (crackers, chips, popcorn, anything that doesn’t refrigerate well) and enjoy!
Quick tip!
Cheese always tastes best at room temperature. It helps the fat loosen up which gives the cheese a better flavor and texture. Let it warm up for about 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve. The perfect opportunity for a make-ahead Halloween snack!
Tips & tricks
- To make this snack board easier to eat, slice any hard cheeses before serving. Then, have toothpicks ready for guests to grab and go.
- Use more or less cheeses depending on how many guests you have. You can use as little as 3 or as many as 7!
- For variety, use a mix of sweet and salty snacks. I love Halloween chocolates, cookies, popcorn, chips, nuts, and crackers.
- To keep things nice and Halloween-y, add different black and orange snacks! Think cheese balls, dark chocolate, or anything from the seasonal section.
Recipe FAQs
What goes on a charcuterie board?
A charcuterie board is simply a platter of different cured meats along with cheeses, crackers, fruit, and pickled things. You can also add nuts, spreads, jams, veggies, or any other snack-y items.
What cheeses should I put on this board?
For this board, I would recommend picking 3-4 types of cheese depending on how many people you’re serving. Go for something hard or semi-hard, a soft or semi-soft cheese, and something funky. If you want a fourth cheese, add an aged option. See all of my cheese ideas!
What snacks should I serve at a Halloween party?
This board is perfect for a party! You can also serve it with other snacks like deviled eggs, artichoke dip, a veggie tray, chips, or whatever appetizers you’re into. If you want to make this board more casual, feel free to replace the artisan cheeses with cheese cubes like cheddar, pepper Jack, or provolone!
Can I make this recipe without meat?
Totally! If you want just a Halloween cheese board, feel free to leave out the meat entirely.
More Halloween party snacks
Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Basil & Lemon
Fruit & Nut Crisps
Savory Palmiers with Parmesan & Everything Spice
Pigs in a Blanket with Everything Seasoning
Mini Cranberry Orange Cheese Balls
If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!
A Spooky Halloween Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 3-4 cheeses (~8 ounces/227 grams each)
- 12 ounces gherkin pickles or olives (275 grams)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin butter or jam of choice (136 grams)
- 2-3 packages crackers or bread (4 ounces each/120 grams)
- 1 package Halloween cookies (8 ounces/234 grams)
- 1/2 pound black grapes (227 grams)
- 6 ounces blackberries (170 grams)
- 1/4 pound cherries (115 grams)
- 1-2 cured meats (4 ounces/113 grams each)
- 2-3 packages salty snacks (chips, popcorn, etc.) (about 84 grams each)
- 1/2 cup nuts or seeds (75 grams)
- 5-6 figs, halved
- Halloween candy, for decorations
- Eyeball sprinkles, fake spiders, or other small Halloween decorations
Equipment
- 1 large serving board or tray
Instructions
- Start by placing the cheeses in different areas of the board. Then, pour the pickles/olives, jams/spreads/dips, or any super small items (like sunflower seeds) into small bowls. Arrange the bowls in different areas of the board.
- Add piles of cookies, crackers, grapes, blackberries, cherries, and other fruit around the cheese and bowls.
- Then, roll the cured meat or fold the slices into quarters. Arrange the meat next to the cheeses. Add handfuls of salty snacks like chips or popcorn to any empty areas.
- Fill in smaller areas with nuts, halved figs, Halloween candies, or any other small ingredients. Decorate with eyeball sprinkles, fake spiders, or other Halloween decorations. Enjoy!
Notes
xo Sara Lynn
Song of the day – Little Dark Age by MGMT
