Pin A festive and playful Halloween appetizer featuring a creamy black bean dip, shaped into bats and served with colorful veggies and crunchy chips.
This dip is always a hit at Halloween parties and makes for a unique and delicious starter.
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 dip always brings our family together during Halloween, sparking fun memories and compliments.
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.
Nutritional Information
Calories 180, Total Fat 5 g, Carbohydrates 28 g, Protein 6 g per serving
Pin Enjoy this spooky dip as a fun and tasty addition to your Halloween festivities.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I achieve a smooth texture for the dip?
Use a food processor to blend the beans and seasonings thoroughly until creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- → What can I use to create the bat shapes?
Shape the dip using a spatula directly on the platter, or use food-safe cutters for cleaner, more defined bat silhouettes.
- → Are there suggestions to make this suitable for vegan diets?
Replace sour cream with a plant-based alternative to maintain creaminess without dairy.
- → How can I add some heat to the dip?
Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to elevate the spice profile gently.
- → What is the best way to serve the platter for guests?
Arrange fresh veggies and chips around the shaped dip for an inviting display, encouraging easy dipping and sharing.
- → Can I prepare this dip in advance?
Yes, prepare the dip a few hours ahead, store covered in the refrigerator, and shape it shortly before serving for best presentation.