Pin It 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 has become a highlight at our Halloween parties, delighting both kids and adults with its fun presentation and tasty flavors.
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 It Our family enjoys gathering around this platter every Halloween, sharing laughs and stories while dipping into the spooky bats.
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
Pin It This bat bean dip platter is sure to be the star of your Halloween celebration and a fun way to get creative in the kitchen.
Recipe FAQs
- → What gives the dip its creamy texture?
The dip combines black beans with sour cream and lime juice, providing a rich and smooth consistency when blended.
- → How can I make this dish vegan?
Substitute the sour cream with a plant-based alternative to keep the creamy texture while maintaining a vegan-friendly dish.
- → What spices enhance the flavor?
Ground cumin and smoked paprika add earthy and smoky notes, while garlic and fresh lime juice bring brightness and depth.
- → How do I create the bat shapes?
After spreading the dip on a large platter, use a spatula or food-safe cutters to form bat silhouettes before garnishing.
- → What chips are recommended for serving?
Blue corn tortilla chips work best to mimic bat wings and add a pleasing crunch alongside fresh veggies.
- → Can I add heat to this dish?
Yes, a pinch of cayenne pepper can be mixed into the dip to introduce a gentle spicy kick.