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 Halloween party favorite for me and my family, always bringing smiles and fun vibes.
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 This dish always brings back fun family memories of Halloween parties and creative food displays.
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 It This dip is as fun to make as it is to eat, perfect for adding spooky flair to your next gathering.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve a smooth black bean dip?
Blend canned black beans thoroughly with garlic, lime juice, sour cream, and spices in a food processor until creamy and smooth.
- → What can I use to decorate the bat shapes?
Sliced black olives create the eyes, while cherry tomatoes or shredded cheddar can serve as pupils for a playful effect.
- → Are there any good alternatives to sour cream for a vegan version?
Plant-based sour cream or cashew cream can be used to maintain creaminess while keeping the dip vegan-friendly.
- → How can I make the bat shapes more defined?
Use food-safe cutters or a sharp spatula to carefully shape the dip, ensuring clean edges and recognizable bat outlines.
- → What veggies pair well with this dip?
Baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes add fresh crunch and vibrant colors that complement the dip and chips.