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Spooky Halloween Veggie Tray with Easy Ranch Dip

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A fun and healthy Halloween appetizer featuring a skeleton-shaped veggie tray with a creamy ranch dip. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or pre-trick-or-treat snacking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Fresh lemon juice from half a lemon
  • 1 large cucumber, sliced into rounds
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup baby carrots
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened (for ‘glue’)

Instructions

  1. Make the Creamy Ranch Dip (5 minutes): In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the ranch seasoning mix, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Mix until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a small serving bowl and refrigerate while you prep the veggies.
  2. Prep the Vegetables (10 minutes): Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the bell peppers into strips about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Separate the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets (about 1-inch pieces). Halve the cherry tomatoes if they’re large. Slice the black olives into rounds. Pat everything dry with paper towels.
  3. Create the Skeleton Shape (5 minutes): On your serving platter, arrange the cucumber rounds to form an oval skull shape at the top. Use two olive slices for eyes and a small strip of red bell pepper for the mouth. Below the skull, create the spine using a line of cherry tomatoes. On either side, arrange bell pepper strips and cauliflower florets to form the ribcage. At the bottom, use baby carrots to create leg bones, and cucumber rounds for feet.
  4. Add Details and Dip (5 minutes): Use the softened cream cheese as ‘glue’ to attach any loose pieces. Place the bowl of creamy ranch dip near the center of the tray. Arrange broccoli florets around the edges to fill empty spaces. Add extra cherry tomatoes and olives in clusters for visual interest.
  5. Final Touches (Optional): For extra spookiness, add a few drops of green food coloring to the ranch dip for a ‘monster mucus’ effect. Or sprinkle black sesame seeds around the edges for a graveyard dirt look.

Notes

Keep veggies dry for best adhesion. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth spreading. Build the skeleton in sections. Double the dip for larger crowds. Prep veggies and dip a day ahead for easier assembly. Transport the tray unassembled to avoid shifting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, veggie tray, ranch dip, spooky, healthy snack, party appetizer, skeleton

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/spooky-halloween-veggie-tray-with-easy-ranch-dip/