Mini Orange Pumpkins and Ghost Bananas

Mini Orange Pumpkins and Ghost Bananas are the ultimate healthy and adorable Halloween treats. These no-bake, no-fuss snacks are perfect for kids and adults alike. Made with fresh oranges transformed into mini pumpkins and bananas turned into cute little ghosts, these snacks are fun to make, nutritious, and delightfully festive. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, packing a spooky lunchbox, or looking for a healthy alternative to candy, these fruit-based snacks will be a hit!

I love making these mini orange pumpkins and ghost bananas because they’re so simple yet have such a big impact. Halloween is usually full of sugary treats, so it’s refreshing to have a healthy option that’s just as fun and festive. The best part? These can be assembled in minutes, with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. They’re also a great activity for kids who want to get involved in the Halloween prep. Let’s jump into how you can easily make these cute, spooky snacks!

Why You’ll Love These Mini Orange Pumpkins and Ghost Bananas

Healthy and Fun: These snacks are made entirely of fresh fruit, making them a healthy alternative to the candy overload that often accompanies Halloween. They’re a guilt-free option that’s still festive and fun!

Kid-Friendly: The simplicity of this recipe makes it perfect for kids to help assemble. They’ll love transforming their oranges and bananas into little pumpkins and ghosts.

Quick and Easy: No cooking, baking, or elaborate techniques are required! You can make a big batch of these treats in just a few minutes.

Perfect for Halloween Parties: These cute fruit snacks make a great addition to any Halloween party spread. They add a bit of balance to the sugary treats while still sticking to the spooky theme.

Customizable: You can get creative with these snacks by adding faces to the pumpkins, using other fruits, or even dipping the bananas in chocolate to make them a bit more indulgent. The options are endless!

Prep Time and Servings

Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 mini orange pumpkins and 12 ghost bananas
Calories per serving: 40-50 (depending on the size of fruit and whether any extras are added)

Ingredients

• 6 clementines or small oranges (peeled)
• 6 bananas (peeled and halved)
• 1 stalk of celery (cut into small sticks for the pumpkin stems)
• 24 mini chocolate chips (for the ghost eyes)
• 12 regular-sized chocolate chips or raisins (for the ghost mouths)
• 12 small pieces of green apple, cucumber, or mint leaves (optional, for added pumpkin “leaves”)

Step-by-Step Instructions

For the Mini Orange Pumpkins:

1. Peel the Clementines or Oranges: Start by peeling the clementines or small oranges. Make sure to keep the sections intact, so the fruit holds its round, pumpkin-like shape.
2. Make the Pumpkin Stems: Take a stalk of celery and slice it into small, 1-inch sticks. These will serve as the stems for your pumpkins. If you prefer, you can also use small pieces of green apple, cucumber, or even a mint leaf to add a bit of greenery on top.
3. Assemble the Pumpkins: Place the peeled clementines or oranges on a plate. Gently press a small piece of celery into the center of each clementine where the segments meet, creating the illusion of a pumpkin stem. You can add a small piece of green apple, cucumber, or a mint leaf next to the celery to look like a pumpkin leaf.
4. Optional Pumpkin Faces: If you want to get creative, you can use a black food-safe marker to draw little jack-o’-lantern faces on the clementine skin before peeling them. Alternatively, place a tiny dab of peanut butter on the oranges and stick a few mini chocolate chips to create a face.
5. Serve: Arrange the mini orange pumpkins on a festive Halloween platter. They’re ready to go!

For the Ghost Bananas:

1. Peel the Bananas: Start by peeling the bananas and slicing them in half horizontally, creating two shorter banana pieces from each whole banana.
2. Add the Eyes and Mouth: For the ghost eyes, gently press two mini chocolate chips into each banana half, flat side out, near the top. To create a ghostly mouth, use one regular-sized chocolate chip or a raisin and press it into the banana just below the eyes.
3. Optional Dip: If you’d like to make your ghost bananas a bit more decadent, you can dip the banana halves in white chocolate before adding the eyes and mouth. Simply melt white chocolate chips in the microwave, dip the bananas, and let them set before decorating.
4. Serve: Arrange the ghost bananas on the same platter as the mini pumpkins for a fun and spooky fruit spread!

How to Serve

• At Halloween Parties: Arrange the mini orange pumpkins and ghost bananas on a festive Halloween tray or plate. You can even add other healthy snacks like pretzel “bones” or carrot “witch fingers” to complete the spread.
• In Lunchboxes: These treats are a great addition to a Halloween-themed lunchbox. Pack them alongside a small sandwich cut into a bat or ghost shape, some pumpkin-shaped cheese slices, or a small cup of hummus with veggie sticks.
• As a Pre- or Post-Trick-or-Treating Snack: Before or after a candy-filled trick-or-treating session, these fruit treats are a great way to balance the sweet indulgence with something nutritious.
• For a Halloween Breakfast: Serve these alongside pancakes or waffles shaped like bats or ghosts for a spooky breakfast treat.

Tips for Success

Use Firm Bananas: Bananas that are slightly underripe work best for this recipe, as they hold their shape better and don’t get mushy as quickly. Overripe bananas tend to soften and can be more difficult to work with when pressing in the chocolate chips.

Peel Carefully: When peeling the clementines or oranges, try to avoid breaking the segments apart. Keeping the segments intact ensures that the mini pumpkins have a nice, round shape.

Make Them Just Before Serving: Since bananas can brown over time and fruit can lose its freshness, it’s best to assemble these treats shortly before serving. If you need to prepare them ahead of time, you can brush the bananas with a little lemon juice to slow down the browning process.

Get Creative with the Stems: While celery is a classic choice for the pumpkin stems, you can experiment with different green toppings. Try using small slices of green apple, cucumber, or mint leaves to create different looks for your mini pumpkins.

Vary the Fruit: Don’t be afraid to switch up the fruit! You can use mandarin oranges, tangerines, or even small apples if you’d prefer. The ghosts can also be made with other light-colored fruits like peeled pears or even marshmallows for a sweeter treat.

Recipe Variations

Chocolate-Dipped Ghost Bananas: For a more indulgent version, dip the bananas in melted white chocolate or yogurt before adding the chocolate chip eyes and mouths. This adds a creamy, sweet coating to the bananas and makes them even more fun to eat.

Pumpkin Faces on the Oranges: Instead of using peeled oranges, you can keep them whole and use a food-safe marker to draw jack-o’-lantern faces on the skin. This adds an extra level of decoration, and the oranges can still be peeled and eaten after your Halloween party.

Monster Fruit Faces: Expand the idea and make monster faces out of other fruits. Use apple slices with peanut butter for mouths and raisins for eyes, or make silly faces out of strawberries by adding candy eyes and a chocolate chip mouth.

Caramel Dipped Ghost Bananas: Take your ghost bananas to the next level by dipping them in caramel sauce before adding the chocolate chip eyes and mouth. This turns your ghosts into a sweet, candy-like treat, perfect for a more indulgent snack option.

Jack-o’-Lantern Oranges with Green Grapes: Instead of using celery for the stems, you can use green grapes or even green apple pieces to resemble the “vine” of the pumpkin. You can also draw jack-o’-lantern faces directly on the oranges for an extra festive touch.

How to Store

Storing Before Serving: If you need to make these snacks a few hours ahead of time, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The bananas can start to brown after a while, so if you’re making them in advance, brush them lightly with lemon juice to keep them looking fresh.

After Serving: While these treats are best eaten fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The bananas may brown a bit, but the oranges will hold up well.

Avoid Freezing: Due to the high water content in both the oranges and bananas, freezing isn’t recommended as it can affect the texture and make the fruit mushy when thawed.

Special Equipment

• Small Knife: A small paring knife works well for cutting the celery into small sticks for the pumpkin stems.
• Food-Safe Markers: If you want to draw on the orange skin or banana surface, food-safe markers can be a fun addition for adding jack-o’-lantern faces or ghostly expressions.
• Toothpicks or Skewers: If you want to get extra creative, you can use toothpicks to secure additional decorations, such as mini marshmallow “hats” or apple slice “wings” on the bananas or oranges.

FAQ

Can I use a different fruit instead of bananas or oranges?
Absolutely! You can swap the bananas for pears or apples (peeled if you want them to look white like ghosts). For the pumpkins, try using

mandarins, tangerines, or even small peeled apples.

How do I keep the bananas from turning brown?
Brushing the banana halves lightly with lemon juice can help prevent browning. Just be careful not to add too much lemon juice, as it can affect the flavor. You can also make the banana ghosts just before serving to ensure they stay fresh.

Can I use something other than celery for the pumpkin stems?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of celery, small pieces of green apple, cucumber, or mint leaves work wonderfully as stems. You can also try using pretzel sticks for an edible “twig” look.

Can I dip the bananas in yogurt instead of chocolate?
Definitely! Yogurt is a great, healthier alternative to chocolate. Dip the bananas in plain or vanilla yogurt, then freeze them for 15-20 minutes to help the yogurt set before adding the chocolate chips.

How far in advance can I make these treats?
For the best results, it’s best to make these treats the same day you plan to serve them, as bananas can brown quickly. If needed, the oranges can be prepped up to 1 day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Conclusion

Mini Orange Pumpkins and Ghost Bananas are the perfect Halloween treat for those looking to add a healthy, festive touch to their celebrations. Whether you’re making them for a party, as a fun after-school snack, or to balance out the candy frenzy during Halloween, these easy-to-make fruit treats are sure to impress. With just a few ingredients and a little creativity, you can have a platter full of spooky pumpkins and playful ghosts ready in no time. So, gather the kids, set out the fruit, and let the fun of creating and eating these adorable Halloween snacks begin!

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