Pin This A festive and playful Halloween appetizer featuring a creamy black bean dip, shaped into bats and served with colorful veggies and crunchy chips.
This recipe became a Halloween favorite in my family because it makes snack time festive and interactive.
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.
Pin This My family loves gathering around the platter, especially watching the kids marvel at the bat shapes while enjoying the crunchy chips and fresh veggies.
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
Pin This This spooky bat bean dip platter is guaranteed to be a hit at your next Halloween party for unique flavor and fun presentation.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I achieve a smooth black bean dip?
Use a food processor to blend drained black beans with garlic, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, and spices until completely smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- → Can I make the dip vegan-friendly?
Replace sour cream with a plant-based alternative like cashew cream or vegan yogurt to keep it creamy and suitable for vegans.
- → What chips work best for the wings?
Blue corn tortilla chips add a nice color contrast and sturdy texture, ideal for forming the wing shapes along the bat silhouettes.
- → How can I add more spice to the dip?
Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to enhance the heat without overpowering the other flavors.
- → What garnishes complement this platter?
Fresh baby carrots, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and optional shredded cheddar cheese provide vibrant color and a variety of textures around the dip shape.