How to Make a Halloween Charcuterie Board Just in Time for the Spooky Season

Before breaking out the brie, begin with a large cutting board or serving platter for your base. Space small bowls and pumpkins around the board. Next, it’s time to center your board—Danielle recommends using a large bunch of fruit, like grapes. From there, start to scatter 2-3 smaller piles of other fruit around the board and fit all your cheeses in the gaps. Create curved lines with the crackers and breads, arranging them in the remaining spots. Next up: everything else! If cured meats are on the agenda, bunch ’em up and place them where there’s room. As you fill out the rest of the themed board, make sure the ingredients are grouped together to maintain an organized and satisfying look.

Now for the fun part! Finish off the board with the festive touches that put the “boo” in “boo-tiful.” Don’t forget toothpicks or napkins, either. “Plenty of toothpicks are always a must when it comes to any charcuterie or snacking boards. This allows guests to graze the boards without touching food they won’t be taking for themselves,” Danielle tells us.

What makes this charcuterie board perfect for Halloween?

It’s all in the details. With some small, decorative touches, you can give your classic cheese board a spook-tacular makeover perfect for the October holiday.

Don’t know where to start? “Eyeballs are an absolute must for any Halloween board. Whether you opt for candy eyeballs or large rubber ones, they add a huge impact,” Danielle says, who placed them playfully around her board. Mini pumpkins are the perfect festive addition, and for those who want to up the scary factor, try carving out room for fake vampire teeth. Other ideas include a fake skeleton hand grabbing a snack, ghost cookie cutters for semi-soft cheeses, and spider webs or plastic spiders. (Try adding some creepy cookies, too!)

If you’re expecting kids to munch on your themed board, then the spookier you can make it the better. “The reaction of my twin toddlers to our spooky charcuterie board was priceless,” Danielle recalls. “They were freaked out by the candy eyeballs and plastic spiders on food. The kids gave all of us a great laugh!”

Looking for a more subtle nod to spooky season while keeping with the charcuterie theme? Try a brie coffin! Using a 1/4 wedge of brie, make a cheese “coffin” by slicing off a section of each back corner. Then add a dollop of “blood” (red jam) and stick a cheese knife through for the ultimate gory effect.

What are the best toppings for a Halloween charcuterie board?

Abundance and variety are two key factors when it comes to these fun party platters. Aim to have a broad selection of the essentials: cheeses, meats, jams, breads, crackers, fruits, and dips. For cheeses, Danielle advises including at least one of each of the following types: hard, semi-soft, soft, and strong.

In terms of special ingredients to make your board stand out, there are so many ways to add variety to your plate. Try adding pickles, roasted cherry tomatoes, nuts, cucumbers, olives, or peppers to switch it up and take your Halloween charcuterie board to the next level.

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

Before heading to the grocery store, consider your guest list. How many mouths are you expecting to feed? Here are some handy approximates to keep in mind for the amount of food to include on your board:

• 1/3 pound cheese per guest
• 1/4 pound cured meat per guest
• 1 loaf of crusty bread for every 10 guests
• 1 box of crackers for every 10 guests
• Your favorite fruits and go-to party dips

“Unlike many things in life, less is not more when it comes to charcuterie,” Danielle says. “Meats and cheeses that are leftover can be used for so many different things, such as sandwiches or snack plates for the kids.”

Should a Halloween charcuterie board be sweet or savory?

It’s totally up to you! You can go all out with a candy board decked out with your favorite sweet treats, or go the savory route with lots of cheeses, crackers, and meats. One of the best parts about charcuterie, though, is that it often features the best of both worlds! Sweet and savory flavors come together harmoniously on the platter to make for the perfect bite—it’s what makes them so darn delicious!