Healthy Halloween Monster Bites Recipe

The speed with which we jump from summer of fun to season of holiday cheer catches me off guard every year. Don’t get me wrong, it is a welcome transition as we settle into the routines of the school year and enjoy family traditions surrounding the holiday season, it just seems to happen in the blink of an eye each and every year. Every year I try to find creative and healthy treats to celebrate the holidays, starting with Halloween. There is so much candy and sweets associated with trick or treating that I love to find a fun but healthy Halloween treat if I can. Smart and Final to the Rescue!

Food is a huge part of those celebrations and traditions. Starting with Halloween and running straight through New Year, indulgent and decadent treats seem to be everywhere. So, when we have an opportunity to take a wholesome snack for the kids and turn it into a fun holiday treat, we are thrilled.

Our friends at Smart & Final with the help of registered dietician, Patricia Bannan, have provided us with an awesome Halloween themed treat that is great at both school and house parties for the kiddos. Any time we can find a party treat that combines nutrition and creativity that we can deliver at a good value, we are there!

Before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk quickly about how giving to those in need is important throughout the Halloween season. I love having my kids see me donate to worthy causes and talking with them about why we give. It sparks great conversations about the circumstances others are facing that inspires us to help – after all, learning about empathy and our social responsibility to each other are important lessons. And it doesn’t always have to be a heavy lift of a large donation or long volunteer hours either, we can easily help as we go about our daily chores.

Case in point? The Kids 4 Hope drive at Smart & Final.

 October 18 through November 5 at every Smart & Final location, customers can purchase mobiles that are signed and hung in the store to show support for the annual Kids 4 Hope fundraiser. The $1 mobiles benefit the pediatric cancer research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope, which specializes in the treatment of cancers and blood disorders that occur most often in children, adolescents and young adults. The program helps City of Hope take precious steps in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Enjoy the season, everyone. Blink and we’ll be having the “where did 2019 go,” conversation before you know it!

Healthy Halloween Monster Bites

Makes  4 “bites”

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large green apple, cored and quartered
• 4 tbls Sun Harvest Organic Creamy Peanut Butter peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons First Street Sliver Almonds
• 1 large strawberry, sliced lengthwise to make 4 “tongues”
• 8 First Street Mini Marshmallows
• 8 First Street Chocolate Chips

DIRECTIONS

Make the “mouths”: Cut a sliver out of the center of each quartered apple to open up the “mouth.” Fill the inside of each “mouth” with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. (As not to waste food, save the center apple slices for a snack later).

Make the “teeth” and “tongues”: Push slivered almonds into the apple around the “mouth” to make the “teeth” and place a sliced strawberry on the bottom of each “mouth” to make the “tongues.”

Make the “eyes”: Slice off a tiny bit of the end of each marshmallow to make one side sticky; press the sticky side of two marshmallows on the top of each “mouth” to make two “eyes.” Press a chocolate chip into each marshmallow, flat side outward, to make the center of each “eye.”

Enjoy immediately, or store in the refrigerator for an hour or two before serving.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves: 4 “bites”

Per Serving: Calories: 140 | Total Fat: 10 g | Sat Fat: 2 g | Protein: 5 g | Carb: 11 g | Fiber: 2 g |Sugars: 8 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 0 mg