Healthy Halloween Treats for Kids
Pumpkin isn't just for making jack-o'-lanterns!
As a mother who tries to limit her family’s intake of white sugar, Halloween is a horrifying time to say the least! I know the odd candy or two won’t hurt them too much so I am not overly militant about it, but I do try to have a few healthier treats on hand to balance things out. If you’re concerned about the amount of candy your kids might be eating this Halloween, here are some super quick and easy pumpkin snack ideas you can make – and all free of the ghostly white powder!
Pumpkin Teeth
Pumpkin is a great source of Vitamin C and is an ideal immune booster for your children, especially as the winter months approach. Carve wedges into your pumpkin slices to create the illusion of ‘sharp teeth,’ which your kids will have fun chomping on. Remember to a few slices for yourself as the antioxidants in the pumpkin will help keep wrinkles at bay!
What you need
- Half a small pumpkin
- 30ml olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 190°C.
- Cut the pumpkin in half, cutting through the top centre point.
- Remove the seeds then cut wedges.
- Cut sharp teeth into the wedges and place on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for around 20 minutes until tender and browned.
Serves 3 - 4 children as a side
Aminos Pepitas
Pumpkin seeds are full of omega-3 fatty acids – the right kind of fat for our bodies! – and if your kids are reluctant to eat them on their own, try livening them up with a spoonful of liquid aminos in a frying pan. Liquid aminos are a natural alternative to soy sauce, gluten free and made without preservatives. My 2-year-old is officially addicted!
What you need:
- 100g pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon of liquid aminos
Directions:
- Add the pumpkin seeds and liquid aminos to a frying pan and turn up the heat high.
- Stir for a couple of minutes until the liquid aminos are absorbed.
- Serve immediately and store leftovers in an airtight jar.
Serves 2 - 3 children as a snack
Pumpkin Cake with Orange Maple Frosting
This is a deliciously moist cake, thanks to the pumpkin, and is sweetened only with coconut sugar and raisins. The frosting is made with cream cheese, maple syrup and orange juice, rather than the usual icing sugar. You can keep the cake in the fridge for around 3 days.
What you need:
Cake mixture:
- 225g wholemeal self-raising flour
- 200g coconut sugar
- 2 tsp bicarbonate sugar
- 2 tsp mixed spice
- Pinch of salt
- 400g pumpkin
- 100g courgette/zucchini/gourd
- 250g raisins
- 4 eggs
- Zest from half an orange
- 2 tablespoons of orange juice
- 200g butter
Frosting:
- 400g cream cheese
- 4 dessertspoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- Zest from half an orange
Direction:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C and grease a square 22 x 22cm baking dish.
- Take your butter out of the fridge to allow it to soften.
- Place your dry ingredients in a bowl: wholemeal self-raising flour, coconut sugar, mixed spice, raisins, salt and bicarbonate of soda.
- Melt your butter slowly in a pan.
- In another bowl, break your four eggs and mix together with a fork. Then fold in your orange juice, zest, melted butter and combine these ingredients with your bowl of dry ingredients.
- Peel and grate your pumpkin and courgette, then fold the vegetables into the mixture and pour it into a square baking tray.
- Bake for around 40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean and the top is firm. Leave to cool before you apply the frosting.
- To make the frosting, put the cream cheese into a mixing bowl with the maple syrup, orange juice and zest. Use an electric mixer to combine them.
- Trim the sides and edges of the cake for a neater finish.
- Apply the frosting with a palette knife before cutting the cakes into pieces.
Makes 16 pieces
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