Save A festive and playful Halloween appetizer featuring a creamy black bean dip, shaped into bats and served with colorful veggies and crunchy chips.
This appetizer is always a hit at Halloween parties and brings a fun twist to classic dips.
Ingredients
- Black Bean Dip: 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans drained and rinsed, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Decoration & Serving: 1/2 cup sliced black olives (for bat eyes), 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved (for garnish), 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup cucumber slices, 2 cups tortilla chips (preferably blue corn for wings), 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a food processor, combine black beans, garlic, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Blend until very smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 2:
- Transfer the bean dip to a large serving platter. Use a spatula to spread and shape the dip into several bat shapes (or one large bat) about 1/2 inch thick.
- Step 3:
- Place two sliced black olives on each bat for eyes. Add small pieces of cherry tomato or cheddar cheese in the olive centers for pupils if desired.
- Step 4:
- Arrange blue corn tortilla chips along the sides of each bat to create wings.
- Step 5:
- Garnish the platter with baby carrots, cucumber slices, and remaining cherry tomatoes around the bats for a festive look.
- Step 6:
- Serve immediately with extra chips and veggies for dipping.
Save My family loves gathering around this platter during Halloween parties, making the dip together and enjoying the festive treat.
Required Tools
Food processor or blender, spatula, large serving platter, knife
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (sour cream optional cheese) Chips may contain corn check labels for gluten or other allergens Always verify ingredient labels for cross-contamination risks
Nutritional Information
Calories 180 Total Fat 5 g Carbohydrates 28 g Protein 6 g per serving
Save This spooky dip is perfect for Halloween and brings fun and flavor to any party.
Recipe Guide
- → How can I make this dip vegan?
Replace sour cream with a plant-based alternative like coconut yogurt or cashew cream to ensure the dip is vegan-friendly.
- → What gives the dip its smoky flavor?
Smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky depth that complements the creamy beans and spices.
- → Can I prepare the dip ahead of time?
Yes, the bean mixture can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Shape and garnish just before serving for the best presentation.
- → Are there suggested chips to serve with this dip?
Blue corn tortilla chips are ideal for their color contrast and sturdy texture, perfect for dipping and forming bat wings.
- → What other garnishes can enhance the platter?
Additional garnishes like shredded cheddar cheese, sliced olives, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes add flavor variety and festive color.