This Halloween Charcuterie Board is equal parts spooky and sophisticated. With deep hues, eerie garnishes, and flavors that walk the line between sweet and salty, this board is just the centerpiece for any Halloween gathering.

A Halloween charcuterie board featuring meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, dips, nuts, and bones is artfully arranged with decorative skeleton hands on a dark marble surface for a spooky touch.

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There’s something delightfully extra about turning a simple snack board into a Halloween centerpiece. This isn’t just about cheese and crackers, after all. It’s a little edible drama, complete with moody colors, autumn textures, and plenty of delicious nibbles.

This Halloween Charcuterie Board pairs together rich, savory meats, creamy cheeses, and seasonal fruits with dark, dramatic tones. Blackberries, black grapes, and pumpkin or beet hummus give it that haunted edge without going overboard on the “kitschy” Halloween vibes. It’s elegant with just enough creep factor to make it fun.

You don’t need fancy ingredients or sculpted skull cheeses to pull together this board. Just grab some good-quality meats, cheeses, and a few seasonal accents (we like to use spiderweb tablecloths and faux skeleton hands to complete the look).

Serve it as a starter before your Halloween dinner party, or make it the main event with a few spooky cocktails on the side. (Might I suggest my Witches Brew?)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When you want a Halloween snack board that’s a little classy, a little creepy, and a lot delicious… this is your move.

Easy to customize: Use your favorite meats, cheeses, and fruits. You really can’t go wrong.
Visually stunning: Deep colors, rich textures, and pops of eerie herbs make this board photo-ready.
Crowd-pleasing: There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Make-ahead friendly: Most elements can be prepped in advance; all you have to do is assemble it.

A Halloween charcuterie board featuring crackers, blue cheese, prosciutto, dried apricots, grapes, salami, nuts, sliced bread, a dip in a black bowl, and a small dish of red jam creates an eerie yet delicious spread.

Types of Cheese for a Halloween Charcuterie Board

Hard cheese. A wedge of aged parmesan (or any crumbly, salty hard cheese) adds that sharpness every good board needs. It balances all the sweet and fruity bites, too. If you want to change things up, an aged gouda or pecorino would also fit.

Fresh cheese. Blackberry goat cheese is a spooky-season favorite. You could also use a mild goat cheese log rolled in crushed pumpkin seeds or black pepper to bring texture and color to the board.

Soft cheese. Brie is always a favorite of ours. We like to slice off the top and use a cookie cutter to make a shape in the center of the thin top layer (witch’s hat, pumpkin, ghost, etc). You can then add a layer of jam or pumpkin butter on top of the brie, and top it with the cut out slice for a cute presentation.

Funky cheese. A hunk of blue cheese or any other cheese that is rich, bold, and funky. Pair it with dark fruits like blackberries, figs, or black grapes to lean into the whole mysterious, moody vibe.

here’s what you’ll need

Cheeses. Go for a mix of textures here. Something creamy like brie, something tangy like goat cheese, something funky like blue cheese, and something sharp like parmesan or an aged cheddar.

Meats. Layer in a few savory options like prosciutto, peppered salami, and a classic Italian dry salami for richness and variety. You can fold or twist them for extra texture and height.

Crackers & Bread. Make sure to grab a mix of sturdy and snackable. Buttery crackers, thin crostini, or slices of rustic bread are all you need. Go for something neutral so your cheeses and spreads can take center stage.

Fresh & Dried Elements. Add a spooky mix of color and texture with blackberries, black grapes, sliced apples, and dried apricots or dates. A handful of pumpkin seeds gives a nice crunch, while fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary add that witchy, woodsy vibe.

Extras. Round things out with pumpkin or beet hummus for a seasonal touch. A drizzle of honey or a spoonful of fig jam adds sweetness. You could even add some dark chocolate. Whatever you have in your pantry to round out the board and fill in the gaps!

A wooden cutting board displays a halloween charcuterie board with four cheeses: cubed cheese in the top left, blue cheese wedge on the right, round brie with a slice cut out at the bottom left, and an herbed cheese log at the bottom right.

A wooden Halloween charcuterie board features sliced cured meats, cubed cheese, a wedge of blue cheese, a round of brie with jam, a log of goat cheese, and prosciutto artfully arranged on a dark marble surface.

this recipe’s must-haves

You will need a large board, whether that’s a serving platter or a cutting board. You’ll also need a sharp chef’s knife to slice up various elements for the board.

here’s how to make a halloween charcuterie board

add bowls

Start by placing your small bowls. They are the easiest element to use as anchors of your board and make sure you have enough room for them through. Fill them with different elements like pumpkin or beet hummus, fig jam, etc. Don’t forget little spoons or spreaders so guests can dive in easily.

add cheeses

Place your cheeses next, mixing up shapes and sizes. Slice the hard cheeses (or cut into chunks), crumble the blue, and leave the soft ones (like brie or goat cheese) in small rounds or wedges. It’s nice to pre-cut a few slices or chunks so guests don’t have to guess where to start.

add meats

Layer and fold your prosciutto into loose ribbons, roll up slices of salami, or make a little “salami rose” if you’re feeling fancy. Scatter the different types around the board so there’s a good mix in every section.

add fresh elements

Now add in the blackberries, black grapes, and sliced apples. Drop in the dried fruits in the open gaps. If you still have little spaces to fill, use fresh herbs.

A Halloween charcuterie board featuring sliced meats, apple slices, baguette, grapes, nuts, seeds, crackers, and a round brie cheese topped with red jelly shaped like a whale’s tail. A cheese knife rests nearby.

Tips for Success

Mix textures and colors: It’s the secret to a board that looks full and balanced.

Keep flavors balanced: Include something salty, sweet, tangy, and savory in every cluster.

Pre-slice cheeses and meats: It makes snacking easier and keeps guests from hacking at the brie.

Build close together: Gaps make a board look unfinished. So pack items tightly!

Serve at room temp: Take the cheese out 30 minutes before serving so it’s soft and easy to dig into.

variations

Vegetarian: Skip the meats and add roasted veggies, marinated mushrooms, or extra hummus.
Kid-friendly: Add cubed cheddar, sliced turkey, and grapes instead of blue cheese or brie.
Halloween glam: Add edible gold dust, black sesame crackers, or other spooky snacks like chorizo jalapeno mummy poppers.
Mini boards: Make smaller versions for individual servings or a cozy movie night.

More charcuterie boards to try: Halloween Dessert Charcuterie Board | Weeknight Charcuterie Board | Fall Charcuterie Board

A platter featuring sliced salami, grapes, apple slices, crackers, nuts, pumpkin seeds, cheese, a creamy dip in a black dish, and a log of blueberry goat cheese for a festive touch.

faqs

How long can this board sit out?

Charcuterie boards should sit out no more than 2 hours at room temperature. After that, refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes! Prep your ingredients (slice meats, wash fruits, portion cheeses) up to 1 day in advance, but assemble the board within an hour of serving so you can leave it out as long as possible for guests to enjoy.

How much should I make per person?

Plan for about 3 ounces of meat and cheese per person for an appetizer, or 6 ounces if it’s your main meal.

What’s the best cheese combo for Halloween?

At a minimum, mix one soft, one bold, and one firm cheese. See the Type of Cheese section above for specific recommendations.

How do I keep apples from browning?

Dip them in a mixture of water and lemon juice before adding them to the board. This will prevent them from browning quickly as they sit out.

Can I make it vegan?

Absolutely! Swap in plant-based cheeses and dips, and load up on fruits, nuts, and roasted veggies.

Need more inspiration for Halloween? Check out my Halloween recipes page!

A halloween charcuterie board features cheeses, cured meats, crackers, fruit, nuts, and a brie round topped with red jelly shaped like a whale tail, all arranged beside dip and snacks on a sleek black marble surface.

what to serve with a halloween charcuterie board

Pair this spooky board with cocktails like Witches Brew or Bloody Sangria Punch for a fully themed party.

If you’re serving it as a meal, add a simple salad, a warm soup, or a batch of soft pretzels on the side.

how to store

Keep any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

A Halloween charcuterie board featuring sliced bread, brie cheese with a red jam center, salami, prosciutto, blue cheese, black grapes, dried apricots, nuts, seeds, apple slices, and sprigs of rosemary.

more of our favorite halloween tricks and treats

Want a sweet treat to serve on the side of this board? Candy apple slices are super easy to make and even more fun to eat.

Little halloween meringue swirls are black and orange eye-catching treats to enjoy!

Finally, if you make this halloween charcuterie board recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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