Halloween Charcuterie Board

This Halloween Charcuterie Board brings some festive fun to your entertaining. Featuring a pumpkin cheese ball centerpiece, delicious prosciutto-wrapped "eyeballs," and ghostly cheese cut-outs, it'll be a hit with guests of all ages. Perfect for Halloween parties or any autumn event where you want to serve something memorably spooky. Prepare the elements in advance so assembly is stress-free when party time arrives!

After years of crafting charcuterie boards, I've learned a couple of things. Mainly that you can rarely go wrong with cheese and cured meat. But also that if you really want to wow people, there is a formula: you start with the biggest crowd pleasers, add in a few funkier options for flair, and really lean into a theme.

And what better theme than Halloween - the day that's all about enjoying some delicious treats? This one's for all of the adults out there who transformed from sweets-craving kids to charcuterie-snacking adults. But don't worry, kids will enjoy it too (if they're invited, that is.)

I made this board for a get-together with some old college friends, and I'll give you all the tips to make the same version for your next event, as well as some suggestions to switch things up and make it your own. Either way, your guests won't be able to resist grabbing extra bites.

Spooky cheese selection

For a Halloween cheese board, we're going beyond just picking great flavors (though that's important too). It's all about creating the perfect balance of whimsy, spookiness, and yes, deliciousness. Here's a rundown on my cheese choices:

• Halloween-shaped cheese slices. Transform ordinary cheese slices into seasonal shapes with some simple cookie cutters. I opt for sharp cheddar and pepper jack - they're crowd-pleasing classics that hold their shape well when cut. Pro tip ⇢ buy pre-sliced packs for uniform thickness and clean cuts. And don't toss those scraps! They'll find new life in the cheese ball (more on that below).
  
• Pumpkin cheese ball. It's about time we bring back the glory days of cheese balls. This isn't your grandmother's basic ball - it's a pumpkin-shaped centerpiece that'll have guests asking "How did you do that?" Here's the secret ⇢ rubber bands and plastic wrap transform a simple mixture of cream cheese, cheddar and pepper jack (from the Halloween shapes we just talked about), Worcestershire sauce, and aromatics into an Instagram-worthy pumpkin shape. Rolled in everything bagel seasoning for that perfect finishing touch, then crowned with a honey wheat pretzel stem, fresh sage leaves, and delicate curls of green onion "vines." It works not only for a creepy spread, but also for a more cottagecore-style Halloween or Thanksgiving display.
  
• Creamy blueberry goat cheese rounds. While orange and black might be Halloween's power couple, let's not forget about purple - the color of mystery and magic. Enter blueberry-vanilla goat cheese, sliced and arranged in a snake-like shape. It almost reminds me of the sandworms from Beetlejuice, actually! The sweet-tangy flavor profile adds depth to your board, especially when paired with the fruit or dark chocolate. Plus, that purple marbling effect? Straight-up spellbinding.
  
• Mozzarella "eyeballs". What's Halloween without something slightly creepy? These little showstoppers are actually super simple to make but always get the most compliments. Start with Ciliegine (those cherry-sized mozzarella balls) and warm them in hot water for about 10 minutes. This makes the mozzarella more pliable, so you can gently mold them into a more eye-like shape and easily press in half of a pimento-stuffed olive to create the perfect "iris" and "pupil". Wrap them in strips of prosciutto for a gruesome, fleshy effect that conveniently also makes them even more delicious. Arrange them in pairs around your board or in a small bowl and watch your guests do double-takes. Pro tip ⇢ after molding, pat the mozzarella balls dry with paper towels before adding the prosciutto - this helps the prosciutto stick better and keeps your eyeballs from crying (aka releasing too much liquid on your serving board).

Every charcuterie board needs some meat

While we're having a blast with spooky presentations, the meat selection stays sophisticatedly simple.

• Paper-thin prosciutto. These delicate, salty sheets aren't just for snacking - they're the secret to transforming our mozzarella eyeballs into something a bit more... gruesome. When wrapped around the cheese, the natural marbling creates an eerily realistic veined effect. Any extra slices get draped around the board for snacking and pairing with other cheeses.
  
• Folded salami. You don't have to go full salami-rose with this charcuterie board. Simply fold the salami in fourths and alternate directions as you line them up. The dark edges create an almost Gothic look that's perfectly on theme.
  
• Thick-cut pepperoni. These bold, spicy coins add a pop of deep red to the board. Their substantial thickness makes them perfect for scattering between our other elements.

A few small accompaniments make a big difference

Every great haunted feast needs its supporting cast! These carefully chosen extras aren't just delicious - they're crucial players in our Halloween story:

• Fresh blackberries & dried apricots. These fruits weren't chosen just for their flavor - their colors are perfect for Halloween. Blackberries add clusters of midnight purple-black, while dried apricots bring in the perfect orange hue. Dried mango, dark purple or black grapes, or tangerines would also be great options.
  
• Candied nuts. Pecans and cashews get dressed up for the occasion with a sweet candy coating. They add crunch factor and pair well with the cheddar cheese!
  
• Artisanal crackers. Honey wheat pretzel twists and pumpkin seed crisps aren't just vehicles for cheese - they're delicious and seasonally flavored on their own, and their shapes and patterns make for a more interesting board. The pretzel twists even moonlight as pumpkin stems. Feel free, however, to use any sort of cracker, bread, or pretzel you prefer.
  
• Dark chocolate. You can't have Halloween without chocolate. It's just the rules. Squares of salted dark chocolate add bitter-sweet sophistication and that classic black color we need. They're delicious on their own, but they also pair well with the blueberry vanilla goat cheese, fruit, and nuts.

The spooky finishes

These are totally optional, but a couple of non-edible details can make a big difference in the final look of your Halloween themed charcuterie board.

• Skeleton hands. Plastic skeleton hands placed around the outside of the board make it look like something spooky is serving up the platter.
  
• Mini plastic spiders. Scatter these around the board before serving to add an extra creepy element. You don't need to overdo it - just a few to break up the less detailed sections will do!
  

Make-ahead instructions

Want to save some time on party day? You can prep most of this board up to 24 hours in advance. Prepare your pumpkin cheese ball and store it wrapped in the fridge (add the coating right before serving). Cut out your cheese shapes and store them between wax paper sheets. Assemble your mozzarella eyeballs up to 8 hours before the party. When you're ready to serve, just arrange everything on your board and add the finishing touches.

Storage instructions

If you have any leftovers (though we doubt you will!), store the cheese and meats in airtight containers in the fridge. Remember the two-hour rule — if your board has been sitting out longer than that, it's best to bid farewell to any remaining items. Keep crackers and nuts in sealed containers at room temperature to maintain their crunch.

Whether you're hosting a sophisticated Halloween soirée or just want to elevate your scary movie night, this board hits all the right notes. It's spooky yet sophisticated, playful yet polished, and most importantly — absolutely delicious. Don't be surprised when your guests can't stop snapping photos... or coming back for seconds!

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