Halloween snacks don’t have to be scary, at least not when it comes to food allergies. This spooky charcuterie board is proof that you can keep things festive and fun while still making sure everyone feels included.
It’s nut-free, sesame-free, egg-free, soy-free and gluten-free, with easy options for dairy-free families too. The best part? You can put it together in under 30 minutes, and it’s guaranteed to be the hit of any Halloween party.
The Inspiration Behind My Allergy-Friendly Spooky Charcuterie Board
Every Halloween, I try to come up with creative treats that make my kids excited, but still fit within our family’s food allergy needs. This year, I went all in on the spooky charcuterie board trend and it turned out even better than I imagined.
My goal was simple: keep it fun, safe, and colorful. I built the board around ingredients that are easy to find, visually playful, and safe for common food allergies. It was a huge hit with my kids and family, especially once I added the glowing candles and gummy worms.
What’s on My Spooky Charcuterie Board
Here’s exactly what I included on my Halloween board… all allergy-friendly and kid-approved:
- Guacamole “slime” in the center (the perfect spooky green base, but I had yet to add this before the picture was taken). Check out my cookbook for the recipe.
- Red grapes, blackberries, and blueberries for dark, moody Halloween color.
- Clementines with jack-o’-lantern faces
- Orange bell pepper slices for crunch and bright color contrast.
- Partake chocolate chip cookies (gluten-free, vegan, and top-9 allergen-free).
- Lundberg mini brown rice cakes for a light, crispy texture. This was a new food for my kids and a HUGE hit!
- YumEarth gummy worms for that creepy-crawly Halloween touch.
- SkinnyPop popcorn to fill in gaps and add a fluffy, light texture.
- String cheese ghosts (draw little faces on with a food marker and feel free to use dairy-free sticks).
- Rice Krispie mummies made with Enjoy Life melted chocolate chips and candy eyeballs.
- Plastic spiders and battery-operated candles for ambiance and glow.
. 
. 
The mix of color, shape, and texture made the board visually fun and perfectly spooky without a single unsafe ingredient.
Other Allergy-Friendly Ideas to Try
If you want to expand your board or customize it for a bigger group, try adding some of these options:
- Applegate turkey or ham roll-ups (wrap with safe tortilla strips for “mummies”)
- Gluten-free pretzels or breadsticks (great for “witch fingers”)
- Beet hummus or red pepper dip (for a “bloody” color effect)
- Pumpkin tahini-free hummus (seasonal and fun for dipping)
- Made Good granola clusters for crunch and contrast
- Olives and cucumber slices to make “eyeballs”
Mix sweet and savory items to keep it interesting. A good spooky charcuterie board is as much about balance as it is about creativity.
How to Style a Spooky Charcuterie Board
You don’t need to be an artist to make your board look amazing. A few simple styling tips make all the difference:
- Start with your centerpiece (like guacamole or hummus). Build outward from there.
- Balance your colors – dark fruits next to lighter items like popcorn or cheese.
- Use small bowls to group messy items like dips, berries, or gummies.
- Add height by layering rice cakes, cookies, or rolled meats.
- Fill in empty spaces with popcorn or candy for a full, lush look.
- Finish with props – mini pumpkins, spiders, and battery candles add that spooky glow.
It doesn’t need to look perfect. In fact, a little chaos adds to the Halloween charm.
Allergy-Safe Tips for Building Your Board
Because this board is meant to be inclusive, a few quick reminders will help keep things truly allergy-safe:
- Always read labels carefully, even for brands you trust. Seasonal products can change ingredients.
- Keep packaging nearby so guests can double-check allergens. So helpful when our friends have the packaging accessible when we go to their house. Not something everyone may think of, but it is a game-changer for allergy families.
- Label clearly if any items contain any allergens.
- Use separate utensils for different dips and spreads to avoid cross-contact.
When in doubt, go simple. A thoughtfully chosen handful of allergy-friendly snacks will always be better than an overloaded board with riskier ingredients.
Why This Spooky Charcuterie Board Works
This board checks every Halloween box:
- Visually fun: ghosts, worms, pumpkins, and bright pops of color.
- Allergy-friendly: nut-free, sesame-free, egg-free, soy-free and gluten-free, with dairy-free swaps.
- Kid-approved: every element is safe, familiar, and delicious.
- Easy to assemble: no cooking, just arranging and decorating.
It’s festive enough for parties but simple enough for a family night in.
Final Thoughts
This spooky charcuterie board proves that allergy-friendly doesn’t mean boring. With a few smart ingredient swaps and some playful styling, you can create a Halloween spread that everyone will love and feel safe eating.
If you try your own version, I’d love to see it! Share your board on Instagram and tag me @lizpecoraro_foodallergyrd. I’m always inspired by how creative the allergy community can be.
For more Halloween ideas, check out: