Picky Pops

Deliciously Gross Boogers on a Stick: The Ultimate Easy Halloween Party Food

If you’re searching for delightfully disgusting yet undeniably delicious Halloween party food ideas, look no further! Following in the footsteps of my famously unsettling Kitty Litter Cake, I’m thrilled to reintroduce a classic that’s guaranteed to get gasps, giggles, and ultimately, grins: Boogers on a Stick. This creative and shockingly tasty Halloween appetizer is a personal favorite, a recipe I first crafted many years ago for my old website, Family Corner. The original photos may still be floating around the web, featuring pretzel logs, but this time, I enlisted the help of Amanda’s Cookin’ contributor, Jennifer, and her adorable daughter to refresh this wonderfully wacky snack for all of you. Their updated take ensures this gross Halloween treat remains as charmingly repulsive and irresistibly delicious as ever.

Pretzel sticks with green cheese whiz dipped on one end, arranged on a rustic wooden surface for a Halloween party snack.

Unveiling the “Boogers on a Stick” Halloween Party Food Recipe

Jennifer, reflecting on the experience, shared, “I didn’t think it was possible, but I was actually able to make a Halloween snack that my daughter found too gross.” This, coming from a child, is the highest compliment any gross Halloween food can receive! It truly speaks to the playful, slightly shocking nature of this recipe. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the details of this iconic Halloween treat. I’ll let Jennifer guide you through the process:

This recipe evokes the whimsical, slightly macabre charm of a Roald Dahl story – a snack that appears utterly revolting but, upon tasting, reveals itself to be absolutely delicious. The magic lies in the unexpected combination: the “sticks” are crispy, salty pretzel rods, and the “boogers” are a savory, cheesy dipping sauce, artfully tinted for maximum gross-out effect. It’s a trick-or-treat in every bite, where the “trick” is the appearance and the “treat” is the flavor!

For the “booger” dip, you have a couple of fantastic options. Cheez Whiz offers that classic, creamy, slightly tangy cheese flavor that’s universally loved and easy to work with. Alternatively, a good quality Salsa con Queso can add a delightful kick and extra depth of flavor, making your boogers even more irresistible. I personally love presenting a few pretzel sticks already adorned with their green cheesy lumps, while leaving a bowl of plain pretzel sticks alongside the dip for guests to create their own gruesome snacks. This interactive element adds to the fun and encourages everyone to participate in the “gross-out” experience. You can prepare the cheese dip ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a couple of days, which is a huge convenience for party planning. However, be sure to only dip the pretzels right before your party begins to prevent them from becoming soggy and losing their delightful crunch.

A little girl holding a booger on a stick, showcasing the fun and gross nature of the Halloween party treat.

This particular Halloween party food is an absolute guarantee to elicit screams, laughter, and perhaps a few hesitant bites from your party guests – especially as their curiosity overcomes any initial disgust and they discover how truly delicious the “booger” dip is! Imagine the joy (and horror) as they realize they’re actually enjoying a snack that looks so unsettling. To heighten the fun, you could even offer a small, spooky prize for anyone brave enough to take the first bite, or for those who manage to finish their entire “booger on a stick.” It’s an excellent way to break the ice and inject a memorable dose of Halloween spirit into your celebration. These simple, budget-friendly ingredients transform into a conversation starter that perfectly captures the playful macabre essence of the season.

A plate with pretzel sticks, a bowl of vibrant green cheese whiz (boogers), and several boogers on a stick, ready for a Halloween party.

Essential Ingredients for Your Boogers on a Stick Recipe

Creating these delightfully dreadful Boogers on a Stick requires only a handful of readily available ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, ensuring you can whip up a batch quickly, even last-minute, for any Halloween gathering. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 bag of Pretzel Sticks (or pretzel logs for a thicker “stick”)
  • 1 jar of Cheez Whiz (or your preferred cheese dipping sauce)
  • Green food coloring (gel food coloring often provides a more intense color)

Helpful Kitchen Tools for Making Boogers on a Stick

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, having a few basic kitchen tools on hand will make the preparation and presentation even smoother. These aren’t fancy gadgets, just practical items for a successful Halloween treat:

  • Serving platter (to display your gruesome creations)
  • Serving bowl (for the “booger” dip if guests are self-dipping)
  • Mixing bowl (if you’re transferring the Cheez Whiz to tint it)

It’s truly a surreal experience to watch these come to life. I honestly never thought I’d find myself actively encouraging my own daughter to “eat her boogers,” but the vivid and hilarious pictures taken by Jennifer and her daughter truly speak for themselves! The sheer joy and playful horror on their faces encapsulate everything wonderful about this particular Halloween tradition. It’s about stepping out of the ordinary and embracing the silly, spooky side of the holiday.

A little girl eating a pretzel stick dipped in green cheese whiz, looking both delighted and a little grossed out.

My only real concern now is whether she’ll permanently associate actual boogers with something secretly delicious! That’s the kind of lasting impression only the best (or worst) Halloween party food can leave. But for one night, embracing the bizarre is what Halloween is all about, and these Boogers on a Stick hit that nail perfectly on the head. They are a guaranteed conversation starter and a memorable highlight for any spooky celebration.

A little girl holding a pretzel stick, clearly enjoying the

So, tell me, are you planning a Halloween party this year? If so, would you dare to serve these hilariously gross Boogers on a Stick to your unsuspecting party guests? This simple, creative, and delicious snack is sure to be the talk of the town and a frightfully good time for everyone involved. It’s the kind of fun, slightly twisted treat that defines a truly memorable Halloween bash!

A large platter displaying both plain pretzel sticks, a bowl of green

Just for fun, here’s a peek at the original photo I posted way back in 2005 on my old website, showcasing the timeless appeal of this delightfully repulsive party snack!

An older, nostalgic photo of boogers on a stick laying on parchment paper, highlighting the recipe's long-standing popularity.

A collage of various Halloween and harvest party ideas and recipes, including drinks, cakes, and dips.

More Spooktacular Halloween and Harvest Party Ideas to Explore:

Looking to round out your Halloween party spread beyond just these incredible Boogers on a Stick? We’ve got a fantastic collection of other festive and fun recipes that will make your celebration truly unforgettable. Whether you’re aiming for eerie elegance or more gross-out goodies, these ideas will perfectly complement your party theme:

  1. If it’s creepy cocktail ideas you are after, this Spiderweb Martini is a sophisticated yet spooky twist on the classic White Russian, perfect for adult guests.
  2. If you’re truly committed to the “trick” part of trick-or-treat, you absolutely must make this infamous Kitty Litter Cake. It’s always a HUGE hit (and a source of hilarious reactions) at Halloween parties, and so much fun to see whose courage will win out and who’s willing to take a bite!
  3. Looking for something a little tamer and more universally appealing, perhaps a warm autumn flavor? How about a comforting Apple Pie Cocktail for your guests to enjoy? It’s the taste of fall in a glass.
  4. This Peanut Butter Apple Dip is always a crowd-pleaser, easy to make, and utterly perfect for utilizing the abundance of fresh apples available at this beautiful time of year!

An assortment of photos featuring a young girl enthusiastically enjoying boogers on a stick, showcasing the fun and delicious nature of this Halloween treat.

A plate with pretzel sticks, a bowl of boogers (cheese wiz), and boogers on a stick.

Boogers on a Stick

5 from 4 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
8 minutes
Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

  • 1 bag pretzel sticks or logs
  • 1 jar Cheez Whiz
  • Green food coloring

Instructions

  • Heat the Cheez Whiz in the jar according to the jar’s directions.
  • Stir well to distribute the heat.
  • Stir the green food coloring until you reach your desired color of boogers.
  • Dip each pretzel into the dip twice to create a good “lump” of boogers on the end.
  • Place on your serving tray and encourage your guests to “eat some boogers!”
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Follow on Pinterest @AmandasCookin or tag #AmandasCookin!

The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.

A comprehensive collage of photos showing a young girl's happy expressions while eating boogers on a stick, and a detailed shot of the dish on a platter.