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Kid-Approved Halloween Veggie Skeleton Tray

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A fun and spooky Halloween veggie platter shaped like a skeleton, complete with a homemade ranch dip. Perfect for getting kids excited about vegetables before trick-or-treating.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, broken into florets
  • 6–8 celery stalks, cut into 4-inch pieces
  • 2 large cucumbers, sliced into rounds
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup baby carrots
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1/2 cup black olives
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Make the Ranch Dip: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 packet ranch seasoning mix, 1 tablespoon fresh dill (if using), 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons milk and stir again. Cover and refrigerate while you prep the veggies.
  2. Prep the Cauliflower Skull: Take your large head of cauliflower and cut off the leaves at the base. Leave the stem intact. Place the cauliflower stem-side down on your cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully carve out two eye sockets about 1 inch deep. Cut a mouth shape about 2 inches wide. Set aside.
  3. Cut the Celery Ribs: Take 6-8 celery stalks and cut them into 4-inch pieces. You’ll need about 12 pieces total for the ribs. Set aside 4 pieces for the arms and legs.
  4. Slice the Cucumber Spine: Cut 2 large cucumbers into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. You’ll need about 15-20 slices.
  5. Assemble the Skeleton: Place your large platter on the counter. Position the cauliflower skull at the top center. Arrange the cucumber slices in a straight line down from the skull to form the spine. Place 6 celery pieces on each side of the spine for ribs. For arms, place 2 celery pieces on each side near the top of the spine. For legs, place 2 celery pieces at the bottom of the spine.
  6. Add the Details: Place 2 black olives in the eye sockets. Use a small piece of red bell pepper for the mouth. Put a few cherry tomatoes along the spine. Arrange baby carrots at the ends of the arms and legs. Fill in empty spaces with broccoli florets and extra cherry tomatoes.
  7. Serve with Dip: Place the bowl of ranch dip near the bottom of the skeleton or in the center of the platter. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Keep veggies cold and crisp by prepping and storing them in the fridge separately. Assemble the skeleton about 30 minutes before serving. Use ranch dip as glue for pieces that won’t stay put. Let kids help assemble for more fun.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, veggie tray, skeleton, kid-friendly, healthy snack, ranch dip

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/kid-approved-halloween-veggie-skeleton-tray/