Start with your base. A large cutting board, slate tray, or wooden serving platter all work beautifully. From there, scatter in a few festive props—small pumpkins, bowls for spreads, or even tiny cauldrons if you have them. Danielle suggests building around one big focal point, like a large bunch of grapes. Then add a few smaller fruit piles to keep the board balanced, tucking in wedges of cheese as you go. Crackers and bread slices look best when fanned into curvy lines that guide the eye across the platter.
Next, bring on the meats. Fold prosciutto into little ruffles, stack pepperoni, and bunch up slices of salami to fill in the gaps. Keep things organized by grouping each type of ingredient, which makes the board look full and polished while still easy for guests to graze.
Shop Halloween Charcuterie Essentials
Cheese Knives
Cheese Knives
Mini Pumpkins
Mini Pumpkins
Charcuterie Board
Once everything is in place, it’s time for the finishing touches. “Plenty of toothpicks are always a must when it comes to any charcuterie or snacking boards,” Danielle says. “This allows guests to graze the boards without touching food they won’t be taking for themselves.” Napkins are another must-have for a Halloween party spread.
What are the best cheeses for a Halloween charcuterie board?
The trick (or treat) to a truly festive Halloween cheese board is variety. Danielle recommends including at least one cheese from each category: hard, semi-soft, soft, and strong. Don’t feel pressured to splurge at a fancy cheese shop—you can grab everything you need at the grocery store. Here are some of her go-to picks:
Sharp Cheddar: Not only does this classic cheese have a flavor that everyone loves, but its bright orange coloration is just perfect for the occasion.
Pepper Jack Cheese: A spicy cheese option will add delicious variety to your board. You can slice it up, cut it into cubes, or leave it whole for your desired look.
Herbed Gouda: Another of the universally popular cheeses that can be made even better with the addition of your favorite herbs. Hello, cozy fall flavor!
Goat Cheese: To ensure your cheese board has a mix of both hard and soft cheeses, include goat cheese, too. In this specific recipe, it’s even drizzled with honey.
Mini Mozzarella Balls: The look and texture of this cheese makes it perfect for a spooky spread of “eyeballs.” Add candy eyeballs, then place them in a bowl.
Brie: Now for one of the best parts of this whole board! Create a brie coffin by cutting your cheese into a coffin shape, then topping it with a dollop of red jam (raspberry or cranberry).
What are the best meats for a Halloween charcuterie board?
Cured meats add texture, flavor, and just the right amount of eeriness to your spread. Danielle suggests a mix of options to keep things interesting:
Prosciutto: A fan favorite meat on cheese boards and one that looks just eerie enough to fit the Halloween theme. Since it’s thinly sliced, you can bunch it up to make it easily grabbable for guests.
Genoa Salami: This one is slightly softer than traditional salami, so you can roll it up to add a festive filling wherever it’s needed.
Mortadella Mortadella: You can never go wrong when using this popular cold cut on your charcuterie board. It has a creamy, mild flavor that pairs well with many other meats and cheeses.
Spanish Chorizo: Here’s a bright red spicy meat that will turn up the heat on your charcuterie board while also adding a spooky visual element.
Pepperoni: Fill your gaps with pieces of pepperoni. It has a beloved flavor and is easy for guests to pick up for a snack.
What makes this charcuterie board perfect for Halloween?
It’s all about the spooky details! Don’t know where to start? “Eyeballs are an absolute must for any Halloween board. Whether you opt for candy eyeballs or large rubber ones, they add a huge impact,” Danielle says, who placed them eerily around her board.
