When it comes to side dishes for the spooky season, I love making Halloween potatoes! These roasted potatoes look like shrunken heads for a fun look, while still being a crowd-pleasing side option. I make mine in the air fryer for quick and easy preparation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Fun: Carve your potatoes to look like ghosts, pumpkins, or monsters (I just call them shrunken heads) for a playful Halloween twist!
- Kid-Friendly: Easy to customize and a big hit with kids who love themed foods!
- Versatile Flavors: Work well with lots of different herbs and seasonings, and potatoes are well loved, representing nearly 30% of vegetable consumption in the US
- Comfort Food: Potatoes are hearty and satisfying, perfect for a chilly October night
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and methods make them stress-free for party prep! They’re also naturally gluten free and vegetarian, so they work for a variety of diets
- Budget-Friendly: Potatoes are affordable, making them a great choice for feeding a crowd
- Customizable: Can be paired with creative Halloween dips or sauces, and work as a a side with a variety of different dishes
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredient List
- 6 medium potatoes (my potatoes are about 2 ½” on average)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Hot Honey Ketchup (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- ½ Tbsp hot honey (such as Mike’s hot honey)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I use yellow or Yukon gold potatoes usually, but you could use red potatoes, small baking potatoes, or even fingerlings (waxy varieties hold up best). Cooking times will vary between sizes, so just check them periodically and adjust as needed
- All seasonings can be changed up to your liking! Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne are some other great choices
- The dipping sauce is optional, but I like the sweet heat kick it provides. A green sauce like avocado ranch is also a great choice for a “slime” effect!
Step By Step Instructions
- Wash and dry your potatoes. Use a sharp knife to carve faces into the potatoes by digging the end in and hollowing out eyes, a nose, and a mouth!
- Toss the potatoes with the olive oil, salt, and pepper (plus any other seasonings you want) until they’re evenly coated
- Place the potatoes face side up into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer. You can trim a bit from the bottom side to make it flat if they’re rolling around too much
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, or until tender. Mix the ketchup and hot honey together in a bowl while the potatoes cook
- Serve roasted potatoes with the hot honey ketchup (or another sauce of choice) for dipping. Enjoy!
Alternate Oven Directions
If you don’t have an air fryer (or want to make a huge batch for a party), you can roast Halloween potatoes in the oven as well:
- Place cut potatoes on a baking sheet (or you can use a baking dish if preferred) with cut side facing up
- Bake in an oven preheated to 400°F for 35-45 minutes, until tender
Pairing Suggestions
Appetizers
- Pumpkin Deviled Eggs: Creamy and festive, they balance out the heartiness of potatoes!
- Cheese & Charcuterie Board: Offers salty, savory bites that complement potato-based dishes
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Crunchy and seasonal, great for nibbling alongside potato sides
Main Dishes
- Spooky Mummy Meatloaf: A fun and hearty pairing with mashed or stuffed potatoes!
- Witch’s Brew Chili: Warm and spicy chili goes perfectly with baked or roasted potatoes (bonus points if served in a cauldron)!
- Sloppy Joe “Monster” Sandwiches: Messy, flavorful sandwiches balance potatoes’ comforting flavor
Other Side Dishes
- Caramelized Brussels Sprouts: Adds a sweet-savory crunch to balance the softness of potatoes. Try my Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon!
- Roasted Root Vegetables: A colorful, earthy medley to fit the Halloween theme. Air Fryer Frozen Roasted Root Vegetables are a quick and easy option
- Spiderweb Mac & Cheese: Creamy pasta with a spooky twist makes for a fun double-carb pairing!
Desserts
- Pumpkin Pie Bars: Smooth and sweet, offering a nice contrast to savory potatoes
- Candy Apples: Seasonal and whimsical, adding crunch and sweetness to the meal
- Monster Brownies: Rich chocolate treats that keep the Halloween vibe going strong!
Drinks
- Bloody Marys: A savory cocktail that pairs naturally with potatoes
- Pumpkin Beer: Seasonal and malty, it complements roasted or baked potato dishes
- Vodka Halloween Cocktails: A spooky play on the potato theme since they’re made with vodka!
- Apple Cider (Hot or Cold): A cozy non-alcoholic option that rounds out a fall menu, or try my Shrunken Head Punch for a themed alternative!
Recipe FAQs
What Does It Mean When Someone Gives You A Potato For Halloween?
It’s often meant as a silly or playful trick instead of a treat. Potatoes sometimes pop up as a funny alternative to candy in modern Halloween pranks. These Halloween potatoes are a delicious nod to the tradition.
Are These The Same As Funeral Potatoes?
No, despite the name, Halloween potatoes are a fun, themed twist on serving potatoes for the holiday, while funeral potatoes are a classic cheesy hash brown casserole often served at gatherings.
Tips For the Best Halloween Potatoes
- I do not preheat my air fryer for this recipe, and 25-30 minutes is perfect for me, but times can vary between potato sizes and varieties, and your specific air fryer. Check the back side of the potato with a fork, it should be tender
- Cut the faces as silly or scary as you want on your potatoes! They’re super customizable and you can make them look all sorts of ways! Don’t push the knife in too hard, just stick in the tip and turn or cut small shapes. You could use small cookie cutters to trace designs too
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer – proper air circulation means more even roasting. I can fit all 6 in one side of my dual zone air fryer (4 qt) but you can cook in batches if needed
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days
- If you’ve decorated them (with toppings like olives or cheese), remove any perishable garnishes before storing to keep them from getting soggy
Reheating Tips
- Roasted or shaped potatoes reheat best in the oven or air fryer to bring back crispiness. Use a lower temperature of 350°F and reheat for 5-6 minutes in the air fryer, or 10-12 in the oven, until warmed through (time will vary by potato size)
- Avoid reheating multiple times, as potatoes can dry out or develop an off taste
Presentation Ideas
- Serve them on dark or Halloween-themed platters for extra spooky flair!
- Use edible decorations like sliced olives, ketchup “blood,” or cheese cutouts to add fun designs!
- Pair them with small cauldrons, skull bowls, or mini pumpkins as serving dishes to wow your guests
- Cinnamon Roll Intestines
Final Thoughts
These Halloween potatoes are such a fun roasted veggie dish for the spooky season! They pair well with a variety of other dishes, are easily customizable, and cook perfectly in your air fryer (or oven) for a delicious meal.
Carve your favorite faces into them, from monster faces to pumpkins and creepy shrunken heads – there’s no wrong way to make these adorable spooky roasted Halloween potatoes!
They’re also naturally vegetarian and gluten free, so they work for a variety of different dietary needs while still being delicious. I also love that these potatoes are budget friendly and easy to make for a crowd, making your entertaining even more stress-free!
Air Fryer Halloween Potatoes (Shrunken Heads)
Servings: 6
These fun Halloween potatoes are a great side dish you can make in your air fryer. Customizable and not too scary, these shrunken heads are perfect for kids and adults alike.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 medium potatoes (“medium” is about 2 ½”)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Hot Honey Ketchup (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- ½ Tbsp hot honey (such as Mike's)
Instructions
- Wash and dry your potatoes. Use a sharp knife to carve faces into the potatoes by digging the end in and hollowing out eyes, a nose, and a mouth!6 medium potatoes
- Toss the potatoes with the olive oil, salt, and pepper (plus any other seasonings you want) until they’re evenly coated2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Place the potatoes face side up into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer. You can trim a bit from the bottom side to make it flat if they’re rolling around too much
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, or until tender. Mix the ketchup and hot honey together in a bowl while the potatoes cook2 Tbsp ketchup, ½ Tbsp hot honey
- Serve roasted potatoes with the hot honey ketchup (or another sauce of choice) for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- Waxy potatoes like yellow or Yukon gold work best, but you could use red potatoes, small baking potatoes, or even fingerlings. Cooking times will vary between sizes, so just check them periodically and adjust as needed
- All seasonings can be changed up to your liking! Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne are some other great choices
- The dipping sauce is optional, but I like the sweet heat kick it provides. A green sauce like avocado ranch is also a great choice for a “slime” effect!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or seasonings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 226g | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3.6g | Fat: 4.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Sodium: 475mg | Potassium: 870mg | Fiber: 5.2g | Sugar: 5.2g | Vitamin A: 0.17IU | Vitamin C: 19.8mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.2mg
