Heeeelllloooo October!! We have a Halloween baby in our house, and that means we always get into the holiday spirit. This year my little miracle is turning 5 (cue tears). I honestly can’t believe it. I went through more than you can imagine to have him, so when he asks for spooky food for his 5th birthday, I deliver the best that I can! I’m not exactly amazing when it comes to food art, but I have tons of fun trying and these mummy inspired Halloween quesadillas were my first success. I love the way the crispy polenta makes the perfect size for little kid hands and mouths, I may have eaten quite a few myself. But because these are super easy to make, that was no problem. Serve them with a side of guacamole for the perfect all around meal!
You should have seen the gigantic smiles on the kids faces when I served them for lunch the other day. Well the 3 year old may have crumbled them up into tiny little pieces, but that had more to do with him being 3 and in a “mood,” can anyone relate? I’m sure I have a few takers. But once he swung back over to his non crazy self, we got a double thumbs up. I even packed a few of these Halloween quesadillas in their lunch. Because they are so simple to put together, I made plenty to last for days. The longest step is waiting for the polenta to get nice and crispy, don’t rush it, the crispy polenta really makes this. Once it’s done, all you have to do is spoon on some salsa, grab a few beans for eyes and lay on your cheese. Pop it back into the oven for a few minutes and let the spooky take over!
So what are you waiting for?! Halloween is only a few weeks away, so get your spook on!! You need Halloween quesadillas! I’d love to hear how the kids, and adults, liked these so don’t forget to leave a comment here, find me on Facebook or tag me on Instagram in your main comment at both @veggiesdontbite #veggiesdontbite so I don’t miss it! And share your pics with me, I can’t wait to see your holiday spirit!
- 1 sleeve of polenta 18 ounces
- 6 slices white dairy free cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh salsa or jarred
- 1 can 15 ounces black beans (you will have extra to serve on the side)
- Guacamole optional as a side
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice polenta into 1/4 inch rounds (should make 15 slices), place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes, flipping at 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile cut cheese slices into 1/4 inch strips, then cut those strips in half so they are about 2 inches long. Rinse black beans.
- When polenta slices are done, take out of the oven. Top with about 1/2 tablespoon salsa, place black beans for the eyes. Then cover with cheese slices back and forth to form mummy strips.
- Place back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve and watch little faces light up with excitement! For a complete meal, serve with the extra black beans and guacamole or diced avocado on the side.
I used Follow Your Heart dairy free cheese on these, it melted great. You can use any salsa and beans you like, but I had good success with my fresh salsa recipe and black beans.
Tips to prep ahead: Make salsa and guacamole.
Baby/kid food idea: Great for toddlers and kids as is! Can cut polenta in small pieces after baking and serve to older baby with black beans. For younger baby blend black beans with avocado.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Basically the ultimate Halloween party snack!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Yes!! Ha! The kids love the fun of them. Thanks so much Rebecca!
Mandy says
Sophia, this is such a cute idea!! I love it! I had to laugh at your 3-year old comment…we’ve definitely had those days, as you taught me…”threenager!” I haven’t used polenta very much, but now I need to because I know for a fact that Willow would love these! I’m pretty sure I would, too.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Mandy! Oh yeah, 3 year olds. SO fun. I lost my mind when he decided to crumble the polenta into a million pieces…and our house had JUST been cleaned!! UGH, good thing they are so cute. Willow would love these!
The Vegan 8 says
These are seriously adorable! I bet your kiddos were super happy to eat these mummies, lol! Cute idea for Halloween and they look really fast to make too!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Brandi!! The boys loved them (other than the 3 year old during his tantrum time, lol). They are really easy to make and so fun for the kids!
Bev says
live these little bites . Would love to use the cheese but I noticed it has oil . Do you know if all there cheese has oil ? I guess I could leave it out!
Bev says
I meant love these bites !!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Bev!! I would guess all cheese like this has oil in it. I only use this type of cheese sporadically so I don’t really know if any are oil free. You could always try a spread like Kite Hill instead? But again I’m not sure which ones don’t have oil. Or try replacing it with strips of spinach to get the effect? It would just be a green mummy. LOL
Linda @ Veganosity says
I love these as much as I love polenta, and that’s a lot. You’re so blessed to have little ones to make fun food for. I miss making Halloween food for my kids.
veggiesdontbite says
Awe! I know I will miss it so much too! Hopefully one day you can make it for their kids! Thank you Linda!!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
Yummy! What a great Halloween snack, Sophia! 🙂 I love polenta, but I haven’t had it in quite a while!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Sina! It’s a great snack and super fun for the kids! Isn’t polenta great?
Kelly @ TastingPage says
I love a recipe that’s pretty to serve and with really good ingredients – your’s fits the bill on both counts!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Kelly! We love those kinds of recipes too!
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com says
Being 3 and in that “mood”…I can totally relate. We have that “mood” all the time! Then all I have to do is wait 5 minutes and they miraculously are asking for seconds and thirds of whatever I served them. I’ll have to try it out with these yummy mummydillas 🙂 Love the name! Pinning 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Lol!! Gotta love the 3 year olds! Good thing they’re cute right?? Let me know if you try these!
Jenn says
These are so super cute! The perfect Halloween Party snack!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Jenn!! They are perfect for a party!
The Food Hunter says
very cute!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
So cute! I’d love to get my spook on with some of these!
veggiesdontbite says
Ha!!! Thank you! I hope you do!
Howie Fox says
These quesadillas look absolutely stunning!! But for me we’d have to make a big one, please 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Lol!! Thank you! Find a giant polenta roll and I’m in!
Gin says
I can’t even blame your kiddo. I get in moods where I just want to crumble stuff up too. These mummies are super cute and sound really tasty too!
veggiesdontbite says
LOL! I know, it’s so hard to blame him…but man, what a clean up!! Thank you!