8 Iconic Halloween Food Traditions From Around The World You Must Know (And Re-create)!

The most anticipated spooky day of the year has finally arrived—Halloween! After a week of gatherings, decorations, and costumes, October 31st stands as the grand finale, especially for those who want to honor the age-old traditions. Beyond costumes and carved pumpkins, Halloween is also about the culinary customs that make this holiday deliciously unique. Around the world, each country brings its own flavor to the festivities, mixing history with horror. Ready to sink your teeth into some iconic Halloween treats?

Why Food Haunts Halloween

From its Celtic roots to modern-day revelries, Halloween has always been a feast for the senses, especially when it comes to food. Historically, the holiday's link to the supernatural set the stage for a festival of flavors, meant to appease spirits, honor ancestors, and celebrate the harvest. As Halloween traveled and evolved, so did the foods associated with it. From symbolic breads to spooky sweets, these foods aren’t just a snack—they’re a connection to the past.

1. Ireland’s Soul Cakes

We begin in Ireland, where Halloween originated as Samhain, an ancient festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Here, soul cakes—small, round cakes often spiced and dotted with currants—became a popular treat. These cakes were traditionally offered to wandering souls and given to “soulers,” children who would go door-to-door singing and praying for the dead. Ireland’s soul cakes remind us of the holiday's original purpose: to remember those who came before us.

2. England’s Bonfire Night and Parkin Cake

England celebrates Halloween a bit differently, blending it with Bonfire Night on November 5th. Here, parkin cake, a ginger-spiced oatmeal cake, is a traditional treat. Parkin is rich, sticky, and warming—the perfect comfort food as the days grow colder. While Bonfire Night technically marks the thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot, its timing near Halloween gives England an extended season of spooky treats, linking the two celebrations in popular culture.

3. Mexico’s Pan de Muerto (Bread for the Dead)

In Mexico, Halloween festivities blend seamlessly with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a celebration honoring deceased loved ones. Pan de Muerto, or “Bread of the Dead,” is a soft, sweet bread decorated to resemble a pile of bones. Its slightly sweet, fragrant flavor—often highlighted with orange zest—is both comforting and symbolic, honoring ancestors with each bite. Pan de Muerto is a powerful reminder that food can be a way to commune with the past.

4. America’s Caramel Apples and Candy Corn

No Halloween would be complete without America’s own contribution to spooky treats: caramel apples and candy corn. Caramel apples gained popularity in the early 20th century, with the sticky sweetness symbolizing the apple harvest. Candy corn, with its iconic tri-color pattern, has become a divisive treat over the years, but it remains a quintessential part of Halloween celebrations. These treats bring together American agriculture and nostalgia, one chewy bite at a time.

5. Italy’s Ossa dei Morti

In Italy, Halloween intertwines with All Souls’ Day, and the traditional treat is ossa dei morti, or “bones of the dead.” These almond-flavored cookies are shaped like bones and are often served with wine. Ossa dei morti remind Italians of the fleeting nature of life, while offering a sweet treat in honor of the dearly departed. Crisp on the outside and tender within, these cookies are a thoughtful bite for both the living and the dead.

6. Japan’s Kabocha Pudding

In Japan, Halloween is a newer holiday, adopted with a twist of creativity. Instead of spooky traditional foods, you’ll find kabocha pudding, made from Japanese pumpkin. This creamy dessert highlights the sweet, mellow flavor of kabocha, a Japanese variety of squash. Halloween in Japan celebrates a sense of seasonal fun, and kabocha pudding has quickly become a beloved treat for both Halloween and fall.

7. Austria’s Seelen

Austria brings its own flavor to the season with Seelen, small bread rolls made for All Souls’ Day, November 2nd. These hearty, salt-dusted rolls were once left out for the spirits to find their way home. Today, Seelen is enjoyed as a seasonal bread, a tribute to both the holiday and the souls of the departed. Simple but flavorful, they capture the reverence of Austria’s Halloween season.

8. China’s Tánghúlu

Though Halloween isn’t a traditional holiday in China, there’s a growing interest in the spooky season, and many enjoy tánghúlu, skewered candied fruits. While not tied directly to Halloween, tánghúlu fits the bill with its glossy, candy-like appearance, making it a favorite for fall festivals. The tartness of fruits like hawthorn contrasts with the sweetness of the candy coating, offering a playful treat that fits the Halloween spirit.