How To Make A Cute Halloween Charcuterie Board

These Halloween charcuterie board ideas are proof that the holiday is made for treats, not tricks! Whether you’re in the mood for a sugar rush stacked with Halloween candy or want a varied spread with savory bites, there’s a spooky-cute combo for everyone.

From candy eyeballs to spooky-shaped cheeses, I love that there are so many fun Halloween touches you can add to make a board that’s both festive and crowd-pleasing. And because I never skip a holiday charcuterie board (I’ve done one for the 4th of July, Easter, summer beach days, and even weddings!), obviously I’ll have one for Halloween. 

If you’re planning to put together your own spook-tacular spread this year, I’ll share my favorite ideas, whether you’re craving a sweet, candy-packed board or something more varied with savory bites, so you can wow guests of all ages at your Halloween party!

Tricks, Treats, and Tasty Eats: Base Elements To Include

A Halloween charcuterie board isn’t your everyday spread – it’s a spooky spin on the classic! Instead of just laying out meats and cheeses, you get to play with colors, textures, and festive details that bring the holiday to life. 

Think creepy-cute decorations, candy galore, and savory bites shaped into ghosts, pumpkins, or mummies. Just like any great board, you’ll still want a sturdy surface, a mix of bowls and containers for spreads or candy, and utensils like cheese knives, spoons, and forks. The fun comes from combining spooky with the tasty.

Quick Tips

When planning your Halloween charcuterie board, aim for a balance of sweet, savory, holiday-themed elements. Choose ingredients that pop with seasonal colors (orange, black, green, purple) and mix textures so every bite is interesting. 

A good rule of thumb: plan for 3 to 4 options of each main category, adjusting portion sizes depending on your crowd. A medium board usually feeds 6 to 8 people comfortably. If you’re hosting a bigger Halloween party, double the meats and cheeses but keep candy and popcorn on the lighter side since they fill people up quickly.

There are no rules or limits when it comes to creating your charcuterie board. You can anything you want, but here some guidelines and ideas to get you started:

Meats and cheeses

• Use cured meats like salami, pepperoni, and prosciutto, folding or rolling them into fun shapes like roses or mini mummies. 
• Kid-friendly picks like ham, turkey slices, or even hot dogs wrapped in pastry “bandages” add a playful twist. 1 to 2 packs is plenty for a medium board
• Go for firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or manchego that can be cut into pumpkin or ghost shapes with cookie cutters. Use 2 to 3 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of cheese per person.
• For contrast, include creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese, which can be topped with a drizzle of honey “spider webs.”

Sweet and seasonal fruits

2 to 3 types of fresh fruit and 1 to 2 types of dried provide a nice selection. Aim for about 1 cup of fruit per 3 to 4 guests. 

• Add fresh fruits that bring bold pops of color, such as grapes, blackberries, clementines (paint jack-o’-lantern faces on the peel for fun!), or apple slices.
• Dried fruits like apricots or cranberries not only add sweetness but also tie in perfectly with fall vibes.
• For a spooky touch, try “monster apple bites” (apple slices filled with peanut butter and topped with candy eyes and sunflower seed “teeth”).

Spooky candy and toppings

For a balanced board, plan on ½ cup candy per person. Go for different colors, sizes, and textures for a nice variety.

• No Halloween board is complete without candy corn, gummy worms, chocolate-covered pretzels, marshmallow ghosts, or Halloween Oreo truffles.
• Eyeball-shaped chocolates, skeleton gummies, or candy pumpkins double as décor and treats.
• Use Halloween sprinkles or crushed cookies to add texture and color.

Crunchy and savory fillers

• Breadsticks, pretzels, or crackers shaped like bats, bones, or spiders give the board a fun crunch. For a heavier spread, consider adding 1 to 2 types of bread.
• Popcorn is a budget-friendly filler that can be tinted with orange and black candy melts for extra festivity.
• Include nuts or roasted chickpeas for protein and crunch.
• Add spreads or dips like pumpkin hummus, guacamole “slime,” or a spooky black bean dip served in mini cauldrons. Not savory, but you can also include jams for variety.

How to Make A Halloween Charcuterie Board

If you’re making a Halloween charcuterie board for the very first time, don’t worry; it’s easier than it looks! I’ve put together both a sweet and a savory option so you can pick whichever fits your party vibe (or mix the two for extra fun). 

The whole thing takes just about 10 minutes to assemble, as long as you prep and gather everything beforehand. With the right mix of festive treats and spooky details, you’ll have a show-stopping board ready in no time!

What You Need

Equipment

• 1 large wooden board, slate, or serving tray
• Small bowls or ramekins for dips, sauces, or candy
• Cheese knives and serving spoons
• Optional: plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, or spooky décor for garnish

Sweet Halloween Charcuterie Board

• Candies: Candy corn, gummy worms, chocolate-covered pretzels, M&M’s, chocolate balls
• Halloween-themed marshmallows
• Popcorn: Caramel corn, chocolate-drizzled popcorn
• Fruits: Dried fruit, or chocolate-dipped strawberries if desired
• Extras: Festive sprinkles, candy pumpkins, chocolate bark

Savory Halloween Charcuterie Board

• Meats: Salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, soppressata
• Cheeses: Brie, blue cheese, cheddar chunks, gouda, ghost-shaped cheese slices
• Fruits: Figs, grapes, blackberries
• Breadsticks and crackers: Assorted crackers, seeded crisps, breadsticks wrapped in prosciutto
• Extras: Olives, nuts, walnuts, pumpkin accents, candy corn (for a playful touch)

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare your board

Choose a large, clean surface like a wooden board, slate, or platter. If you’re serving both sweet and savory, keep two boards separate for best presentation.

Step 2: Anchor the board

Start by placing larger items first, like cheeses or big cookies for the sweet board and cheese wedges or small pumpkins for the savory board. This sets the foundation.

Step 3: Add supporting items

Surround the anchors with meats (savory) or candies/cookies (sweet), fanning or stacking them for texture and fullness.

Step 4: Fill small bowls

Add dips, olives, or nuts for savory boards, and candy or sprinkles for sweet boards. Place these bowls in open spots to break up the layout.

Step 5: Add fruits and fillers

Place grapes, figs, or berries on the savory board for color and freshness. On the sweet board, fill empty spaces with gummies, popcorn, or wrapped chocolates.

Step 6: Decorate for Halloween flair

Garnish with plastic spiders, fake cobwebs, or mini pumpkins to set the spooky vibe.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Keep the board at room temperature until serving, and let guests graze freely.

Wrapping Up

A Halloween charcuterie board is an instant centerpiece that brings everyone together. Whether you go all out with spooky sweets, stick to savory bites, or mix both for variety, it’s a fun and special way to celebrate. 

The best part? You can customize it to your style, your guests, and your menu. With just a little prep and a dash of creativity, you’ll have a board that’s as impressive to look at as it is delicious to eat.