If you’re looking for a halloween treat that’s both spooky and downright delicious, you’re in for a real treat with this Halloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe. I absolutely love how these brownies turn out—rich, fudgy, and topped with crunchy, chocolate-coated “legs” that truly bring each spider to life. Whether you’re baking for a party, school event, or just some festive fun at home, these creepy crawlers are guaranteed to impress and delight.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Uses a boxed brownie mix for a quick, fuss-free dessert that’s perfect for last-minute Halloween fun.
- Festive and Fun: Candy eyeballs and chow mein noodles turn simple brownies into spooky spider treats that kids (and adults!) adore.
- Texture Contrast: Fudgy brownies paired with crunchy noodle legs make every bite irresistible.
- Perfect for Parties: Makes several individual spider treats, ideal for sharing—and trust me, they disappear fast!
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you really need are a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Using boxed brownies keeps things simple but still delicious, and the chow mein noodles add that perfect crunchy “legs” effect.
- Brownie mix: I recommend a fudgy mix—this is the base that makes your spiders dense and chocolatey.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: For melting and coating the noodles—this adds an extra chocolate kick and helps everything stick.
- Crispy chow mein noodles: These are the magic crunchy legs! They’re easy to work with, and the chocolate coating ensures they stay put.
- Candy eyeballs: For that creepy spider look! You can find these at most craft or baking supplies stores, or order online.
Variations
I like to switch things up sometimes depending on who’s eating or what I have on hand. Feel free to personalize your Halloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe to suit your tastes!
- Gluten-Free Variation: Use a gluten-free brownie mix and make sure your chow mein noodles and candy eyeballs are gluten-free for allergy-friendly treats. I tried this for a friend’s party, and everyone loved it just the same.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Twist: Add a swirl of peanut butter into your brownie mix before baking for a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate legs.
- White Chocolate Spider Legs: Swap the semisweet chips for white chocolate for a spooky contrast against dark brownies—kids especially loved this version for its novelty.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder to the melted chocolate for a subtle kick that adults will enjoy.
How to Make Halloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe
Step 1: Bake Your Brownies to Perfection
Start by preparing the brownie mix according to the package instructions. I love using an 8-inch square pan lined with parchment paper—it makes lifting the whole batch out a breeze when they’re cool. Let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack; this step is important because if you try to cut or decorate while they’re warm, everything gets messy and the shapes won’t hold.
Step 2: Make the Crunchy Chocolate Legs
Pop the semisweet chocolate chips into the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring after each until smooth and glossy. Remove about a tablespoon to a small bowl and set it aside for attaching the eyes later. Toss the chow mein noodles in the remaining melted chocolate—gently does it, you want them mostly coated but not broken. Spread these out on waxed paper, separating the noodles so they don’t clump. The freezing step here is key; I discovered it helps the chocolate set quickly and keeps those “legs” nice and firm when you assemble.
Step 3: Shape and Decorate Your Spider Bodies
Use a 2-1/4-inch round cutter to cut out 9 spider bodies from your cooled brownies. If you don’t have a cutter that size, a glass or cookie cutter with a similar diameter works fine. Then, use the reserved melted chocolate like glue to attach two candy eyeballs to each brownie circle. Let them set a minute or two before moving on.
Step 4: Add the Spider Legs
Using a toothpick or bamboo skewer, poke eight small holes around the top and sides of each brownie body. Then, insert one chocolate-coated chow mein noodle into each hole to create the spider legs. This part is so fun—I always find it somewhat meditative, and the kiddos love helping. Just be gentle to avoid breaking the legs or tearing the brownie surface.
Step 5: Store and Enjoy!
Once all your spiders are assembled, store them in an airtight container. I find they keep well for up to three days at room temperature, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Pro Tips for Making Halloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe
- Chilling Is Key: Don’t skip freezing the coated noodles—it keeps the chocolate firm and the legs crunchy.
- Cutting Cleanly: Use a sharp, slightly warm cutter to slice brownie circles smoothly without crumbling.
- Gentle Assembly: When inserting legs, be patient and wiggle gently to avoid breaking the noodles or brownie surface.
- Eye Attachment: Use just a tiny dab of chocolate to glue the candy eyes on—too much makes it messy and takes longer to set.
How to Serve Halloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I usually leave these little spiders simple because their legs and eyes steal the show, but I’ve also sprinkled a bit of powdered sugar “webbing” or piped on thin strings of white icing for an extra spooky touch. It’s fun if you want to go all out!
Side Dishes
These spiders pair beautifully with a creamy vanilla or pumpkin-flavored dip if you’re setting out a Halloween dessert table. Or serve alongside a big bowl of spiced apple cider for a cozy fall gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
One Halloween, I arranged these brownie spiders on a platter lined with faux spiderwebs and plastic spiders for a dramatic effect. You can also place each brownie spider on little paper cupcake liners or mini “graveyard” scenes made from crumbled cookies for a fun presentation that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover spider brownies store best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. I always keep mine in a single layer to avoid breaking the delicate legs.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze unassembled brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze the chocolate-coated noodles separately on a tray, then store in freezer bags. Assemble the spiders just before serving to keep legs crunchy.
Reheating
Since these treats are best served at room temperature, I recommend thawing frozen components in the fridge overnight and assembling fresh. Avoid microwaving assembled spiders, as the chocolate legs can melt and get sticky.
FAQs
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Can I make this Halloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe without candy eyeballs?
Absolutely! If you don’t have candy eyeballs, you can use mini chocolate chips, raisins, or even small dots of white and dark icing to create eyes. The key is to add that fun “spider” look, but feel free to get creative based on what you have.
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What’s the best way to insert the spider legs without breaking the noodles?
Use a toothpick or skewer to gently make holes for the legs first, then slowly insert chocolate-coated chow mein noodles. Wiggle gently rather than forcing it straight in, which helps prevent breakage.
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Can I prepare these treats a day ahead of my party?
Yes! You can bake the brownies and prepare the chocolate-coated noodles a day in advance and store them separately. Assemble the spiders on the day of your event for the freshest, crunchiest legs.
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Is there a way to make these brownies less sweet?
You can try a bittersweet or dark chocolate brownie mix to reduce sweetness. Additionally, consider using sugar-free or reduced-sugar candy eyes or skip the eyes and decorate with nuts or seeds if you prefer.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely love how these Halloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe balance fun and flavor without being complicated. When I first made them, the smiles on my kids’ faces were priceless, and honestly, they’re a big hit at every spooky fest I’ve hosted since. If you want an easy, impressive Halloween dessert that gets people talking (in a good way!), give this a try—I promise you’ll love every bite and the festive vibes they bring to your kitchen.
PrintHalloween Brownie Spider Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 brownie spiders
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Halloween Brownies are a fun and spooky treat perfect for celebrating the holiday. Made from fudgy brownies topped with crispy chocolate-coated chow mein noodles arranged as spider legs and candy eyeballs, they are sure to delight kids and adults alike with their creative spider design and rich chocolate flavor.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 package (15.8 ounces) brownie mix
Toppings
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups crispy chow mein noodles
- 18 candy eyeballs
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownies: Preheat the oven and prepare the brownie mix according to package directions. Pour the batter into an 8-inch square baking pan lined with parchment paper and bake as directed. Once baked, cool the brownies completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the melted chocolate in a small bowl for attaching the candy eyeballs later.
- Coat the Noodles: Add the crispy chow mein noodles to the remaining melted chocolate and stir gently to evenly coat them in chocolate.
- Set the Noodle Clusters: Spread the chocolate-coated noodles on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper, separating them slightly. Place them in the freezer until the chocolate sets firm.
- Cut the Brownies: Use a 2-1/4 inch round cutter to cut out nine brownie circles from the cooled brownies; these will be the spider bodies.
- Assemble the Spiders: Attach two candy eyeballs to each brownie circle using the reserved melted chocolate. With a bamboo skewer or toothpick, poke eight small holes in the top of each brownie where the spider legs will go.
- Add the Spider Legs: Insert a chocolate-coated noodle cluster into each hole to represent the spider’s legs.
- Store: Place the finished brownie spiders in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Notes
- Make sure the brownies are completely cooled before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- Be gentle when coating the chow mein noodles with chocolate to keep them from breaking.
- You can substitute candy eyeballs with small white chocolate chips and a dot of black icing for a homemade version.
- Store the brownie spiders in a cool, dry place to keep the legs crisp.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free brownie mix and check that other ingredients are gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie spider
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg