Save 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 our family, always sparking fun conversations and compliments.
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.
Save Making this dip together has become a fun family tradition every October, especially when the kids help shape the bats.
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.
Required Tools
Food processor or blender, spatula, large serving platter, knife.
Nutritional Information
Calories 180 Total Fat 5 g Carbohydrates 28 g Protein 6 g per serving.
Save This dip is a guaranteed crowd pleaser with its fun appearance and delicious flavor. Perfect for any spooky celebration!
Recipe Questions
- → How do I make the bean dip smooth?
Use a food processor to blend the beans with garlic, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, and spices until very smooth and creamy.
- → Can I make this dip vegan?
Yes, substitute sour cream with a plant-based alternative to keep it creamy and vegan-friendly.
- → What chips work best for dipping?
Blue corn tortilla chips complement the dip well and add a vibrant color contrast resembling bat wings.
- → How do I create the bat shapes?
Spread the dip on a large platter and shape it using a spatula, then add sliced black olives for eyes and chips for wings to form bat shapes.
- → Can I add heat to the dip?
Yes, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika will give the dip a subtle spicy kick.
- → Is this dish gluten-free?
It can be, if you use gluten-free tortilla chips and verify that all ingredients meet gluten-free standards.