Print

Cozy Halloween Pumpkin Patch Veggie Tray: Easy & Fun Appetizer

pumpkin patch veggie tray - featured image
Print Recipe

A fun and easy Halloween veggie tray shaped like a pumpkin patch, featuring cherry tomatoes as pumpkins, bell pepper stems, and a creamy ranch dip that looks like dirt. Perfect for parties and a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 2–3 medium orange bell peppers
  • 4–5 ribs celery
  • 2 medium cucumbers
  • 1 cup ranch dip or dressing
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill or chives, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the dip first: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, and one packet of ranch seasoning mix. Stir until smooth and well combined. If using fresh herbs, fold them in now. Cover and refrigerate while you prep the veggies.
  2. Wash and dry all the vegetables: Rinse cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, celery, and cucumbers under cool water. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  3. Slice the cucumbers into rounds about 1/4-inch thick. Set aside on a plate.
  4. Cut the celery ribs into 2-inch pieces. If the ribs are wide, slice them in half lengthwise first.
  5. Prepare the bell pepper stems: Slice the top off the orange bell peppers, then cut the pepper into thin strips about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. Optionally, use small pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters to cut the pepper slices into mini pumpkin shapes.
  6. Assemble the base: Spread a generous layer of the ranch dip onto a large serving platter. Use a spatula to smooth it out into a rough rectangle shape to create the ‘dirt patch.’
  7. Create the rows: Arrange the celery pieces in parallel lines across the dip, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press them gently into the dip.
  8. Place the cucumber rounds between the celery rows, spacing them evenly.
  9. Add the tomato pumpkins: Place a cherry tomato on top of each cucumber round. Gently press a bell pepper stem into the top of each tomato. If the stems won’t stay, make a tiny slit in the tomato with a knife tip first.
  10. Scatter the finishing touches: Sprinkle the sliced black olives around the patch to look like rocks or seeds. Add any leftover bell pepper scraps as ‘fallen leaves.’

Notes

Dry vegetables thoroughly to prevent the dip from becoming watery. Make the dip a day ahead for better flavor. Use a small paring knife to make slits in tomatoes for stems. Keep extra veggies on hand for snacking and filling gaps. The dip can be made with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween appetizer, veggie tray, pumpkin patch, party snack, easy appetizer, fall recipe, healthy snack, ranch dip

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/cozy-halloween-pumpkin-patch-veggie-tray-easy-and-fun-appetizer/